Spot of bother with customs - RE: 5.11 Journeyman C.U.B

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pineapple

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Jul 23, 2009
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Hello, long time reader - I've made my first purchase overseas and....seems customs here (Australia) is slightly tight on knife imports.

The knife in question is:
http://newgraham.com/store/product/4559/C.U.B.-Journeyman-PE-5.11-51009/

They've held my 5.11 CUB on the following premise:

Trench knives - Knives and similar devices that consist of a single or multi-edged blade or spike with a handle that protects the knuckles and increases the effects of a punch or blow and made of any material
Click to expand...

I'm assuming they mean the "hole" in the karambit or the "swedge". I'm pretty sure that their interpretation is outright wrong - Do any Aussies have experience RE: dealing with customs? - Do I have to apply for import permission? OR is there anyway I can argue that the Customs Officer has misinterpreted legislation?

Also, can anyone who owns the 5.11 karambit post pictures of the spine of the knife? - in particular the swedge (I need to make sure that it is just a swedge and "can't be sharpened".

My argument is as follows:

1) Karambit not designed to protect knuckles AND does not increase the effects of a punch or blow (you're likely to break your index or pinky if you try i would think).
2) The customs officer has read the law out of context - my research on trench knife typically shows a knife that has a "knuckle duster" style handle.


Thanks in advance for the help.

They removed the knife but forwarded the rest of my package: $17 lansky sharpener. I'm rather pissed off that I can't return the package to sender due to this - So I guess i'll try and keep the knife.
 
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What the hell happened to the whole Croc Dundee big bowie sporting Aussie way??

Sucks to be in Austrailia I guess, too bad that stuff is spreading here...
 
I seriously have no idea. I don't carry a knife at all in public as I've read that a kid got booked for concealed carry with a Swiss Army Knife :rolleyes: .

The only thing I'm worried about at the moment is that the 5.11 has a swedge. I haven't been able to find pictures of the spine of the blade so I can't be sure it's OK. Can anyone help? :0

Daggers and similar devices-
Sharp pointed, concealable, doubled edged knives (please note that both edges do not need to be sharpened to be considered double edged). Traditional long swords and bayonets are excluded.
Click to expand...

From what I've read it seems Australian Customs is quite anal about a second edge - so I want to make sure I'm covered just in case they try to argue this.

Oh well.
 
Oz customs can, and will, interpret the rules any way they wish. While I do not agree that this item, strictly speaking, probably doesn't break the rules, I can see why they might interpret it that way.

You can write a letter stating your objections and they MAY let it go. If not, you've lost it. Live and learn.

Any knife that some sheeple in Customs thinks could be a "weapon" is going to get looked at with disfavour.
 
It is spreading like a disease. I got a bowie knife sent back to me over here from USA. On the package it said with huge letters: "WEAPON". I guess the people at customs over here got a bit freaked. The package was opened twice. Got it back without problems but I guess trading with USA due to customs is out of the question.

This happened about two years ago.

/C.
 
I sent a custom kerambit to a customer in OZ about 3+ years ago and that package was intercepted by customs but he did get the knife through.
It was clear then that customs didn't much like kerambits and it dosn't really come as a surprise that things are just getting tighter.
 
sorry to hear that you cannot recieve your knife.


i have this knife, and yes there is a bit of a false edge near the tip of the knife. its thick and would require a bit of work though.

also, it is true that kerambits can be used and interpreted as knuckles. when you the hold the knife in reverse grip with you index finger through the fingerhole, you can use it to strike like knuckles, plus the blade on the end. i think your best option would be to try to convince them its just for your private collection and see if they will let you have it.
 
The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of Tyrants and Patriots...

---Thomas Jefferson

And I can't understand why we let these dick-heads rule our land, cap in hand.
---Modified Proclaimers lyrics.

I kind of thought old English Common Law had some respect for self defense, and I know Magna Carta said more than a little about governments having to follow rules. I think we're getting way too close to having rule of the politically powerful rather than rule of law in lots of countries. Who the hell is Big Brother to dictate what kind of blade you can own? Grumble grumble etc.
 
It is swedged towards the tip but as someone else mentioned it is nowhere near being sharp. It is quite thick along the top edge. With a grinder you can sharpen the top edge of any knife so I don't see what difference the swedge makes.
 
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