Travel in China

Steelwolf,

I would opt for the most innocuous-looking knife as a checked-baggage knife. I'll probably get slammed for saying this, but regarding air travel and knives, I simply do with less or go without. For me, it isn't worth the worry and stress. As already mentioned, a simple little SAK is almost universally familiar, and there's fewer questions and less novelty factor in case someone with sticky fingers is looking for a free knife.

When I lived in Taiwan, one time on a return from Hong Kong, I was taken aside and interrogated at the airport over something totally legal and innocent (not knife-related), and although I remained outwardly calm and cool, until it was finally resolved, I was stressing big-time. It took about 45 minutes. I made up my mind never to be in such a situation again. Back then (mid-80s to early 90s), I carried a SAK Spartan on me through airports in Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, and nobody even gave it a second glance on the little tray for pocket stuff. Of course, now you can't carry knives on planes anymore, but it taught me how mundane my SAK seemed to officials I encountered.

Jim
 
Capt Spaulding, I had the Charge TTi with me. Interestingly, security did check it out and noted the locking blade, but I guess decided that he could let it go.

Opinels sound like a cheap solution. How does the steel compare?

AreBeeBee, funny thing about that line about carrying no more than you can comfortably lose. I didn't realise I couldn't afford to lose those knives until I came home and found that both knives are not being made anymore. Sure it stings to lose anything, and I sure wasn't happy about it, but I thought I could replace them, which lessened the blow somewhat. But not being able to get exact replacements, knowing that the AFCK Axis was such a beautifully balanced blade, made it really difficult to bear.

Sidehill, did they start conducting random bag searches or any added screening procedures? Must have been a worrying time. Did you leave all your bladed implements at home once you found out the reason for the added security? Did your demeanour, behaviour, or personal carry change when the army came in?
 
I saw the army searching the sacks etc. of locals on the street but they didn't seem particularly interested in me. Folders wise, I had my Swiss Army like always. If they noticed it at the airport in my checked luggage they never said anything. Be the gray man and don't do anything to make them take a second look at you.
 
Steelwolf said:
AreBeeBee, funny thing about that line about carrying no more than you can comfortably lose. I didn't realise I couldn't afford to lose those knives until I came home and found that both knives are not being made anymore. Sure it stings to lose anything, and I sure wasn't happy about it, but I thought I could replace them, which lessened the blow somewhat. But not being able to get exact replacements, knowing that the AFCK Axis was such a beautifully balanced blade, made it really difficult to bear.
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I'm very sorry you got stung like that. Do regular searches on the bay or even Etsy — remarkable what turns up there.

But take no more than you can afford to lose is my mantra for travel with items that could be attractive to the sticky fingered, whether official or no.
 
I'll be traveling there soon, so can you share the specific details of the knife laws or a link? I just want to see it with my own eyes. I might just have to take an old slippie with a broken blade... Since I read somewhere that the blade can't even have a point. I was hoping that I can get by with an opinel, mercator, or old schrade/case.
 
Laws change but in March I had my normal Swiss Army in my shaving kit and a small three blade Case in my pocket. No one said anything. Forget carrying for "self-defense" or anything silly like that. You don't want to explain anything to the Chinese police.
 
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Hairlesstwinkie said:
I'll be traveling there soon, so can you share the specific details of the knife laws or a link? I just want to see it with my own eyes. I might just have to take an old slippie with a broken blade... Since I read somewhere that the blade can't even have a point. I was hoping that I can get by with an opinel, mercator, or old schrade/case.
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Whatever the law says, how far do you think you'll get arguing with a Chinese cop? Who will speak little or no English?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Armed_Police
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Public_Security_(China)

If a situation goes all to heck, as a foreigner you can plead ignorance (though it may not do much good). In any case, the smaller and less threatening your EDC is, the better the police encounter will go for you.

Best advice I can give is to go light, be an invisible carrier, and don't take more than you can afford to lose.
 
I'm thinking that I'll just clean up an old kamp king that I found in my grandpa's tool box. The blade snapped so it's just flat do I might just clean up the tip and have it just straight. Option two is to just buy some junk knives locally.
 
If you check the 2nd post, I have linked to several sites with the relevant rules. SAKs without locking blades will be fine. My father had one, Sidehill had one. My Leatherman Charge TTi was allowed through.
 
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