travel knife

My travel usually consists of road trips so my dog can come with me. In those instances, I just have my regular EDC on me.

The last time I flew to meet up with a friend I just asked to borrow one of her knives for the week. But I quickly gave up on that because we were attending a sports tournament that didn’t allow knives so I just went knife-less after the first day. It was only annoying a couple times.

If I were to fly somewhere in the US where I didn’t know anyone I might just buy one of those Ozark Trail $4 knives from Walmart and then gift it to someone when I left. I don’t check luggage, so that negates carrying one with me. If I traveled internationally and was checking a bag, a SAK would be an obvious choice so as not to worry too much about local laws, although I don’t personally enjoy them.
 
You can easily buy almost any knife in Moscow. SAK and Delica are legal in Russia.The Russian police are not interested in knives much, unless it is 15 inch Bowie. But you can't bring any knife to the football arena.
 
I used to live in the US-Mexico border. Except I'm Mexican and lived on the ugly side of the border for many years. I caution you all from taking any form of blade or anything that could be constituted as a weapon into Mexico. Even having a single bullet can get you in a world of $h&t depending on your luck and the POS ignorant customs officer you get at the border crossing. You may be accused of "illegal weapons import". That is just at the border crossing. Beyond the border you have to deal with municipal, state and federal police that may be looking for extra money for beer or a "torta" and if they notice a tourist carrying what they may classify as a "dangerous weapon" they will be all over you. You will lose your knife and cash. And yes, according to their "criteria" a small SAK could be considered a "dangerous weapon". They word against yours. Prove them wrong. There is also that most people in Mexico think that anybody on the street who has a knife is up to no good. There is the perception that anyone with a weapon be a gun or a knife is a "bad person". If you go to Walmart here in the US you can find a lovely knife section where they have a large variety. If you go to Walmart in Mexico you find kitchen knives if you're lucky and maybe 1 or 2 china made cheap multitools in the hardware section. Pathetic.

Bottomline is:

1)If you go to Mexico avoid taking any blades.

2)If you MUST have a blade:

A) Take something dirt cheap, friendly looking that you won't regret losing to a scum corrupt policeman orc. I wouldn't take a spyderco o benchmade. They don't deserve such a thing.

B) You might be able to find overpriced china made SAK-like knives at local ferreterías(hardware stores). There is also a store/restaurant chain called Sanborns where you can buy actual SAK's. But, for the above stated I would avoid carrying it.
 
I would see what Russia has to offer and just buy it there. That's what I'm doing when we go to Chile.
 
Don't fly or travel out of USA.. I take what ever I please in my truck!!! :D John
 
I usually plan on needing tools more than blades when I travel. When I went I Ireland years ago, I took an Explorer Plus. I think SAKs with 4+ layers look more tool than knife.

I'm thinking about treating myself to a Leatherman Tread pretty soon. It's a bit of a novelty, but having a brace of all kinds of little tools and drivers on my wrist at all times that can go on a plane with me sounds good. I will miss the pliers, but I can usually get along without them during a vacation that doesn't revolve around camping/hiking.
 
Something to consider with a knife in your checked bag is that the cold, dry environment in the cargo hold can cause natural materials to "move".

If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said, "Nah. I have flown with mother of pearl, wood, bone and horn handled knives with no issue." Since then, unfortunately, I have had two knives exhibit issues after trans-Atlantic flights. One was a fairly cheap jigged bone Case, so it wasn't that big a deal, but the other was a Fontenille-Pataud Laguiole in buffalo horn that I was bringing as a gift for my brother-in-law. I had to get that one back to France for repair.

Granted, this won't usually be an issue, but Gilles (at FP) said a resin-based handle was the only truly immune option.
 
Ive got a few SAK’s Ive picked up in junk shops, pawn shops etc.
about a year ago, I grabbed three SAKs for $15.

That’s what I’d bring. I wouldn’t bother buying one special for the trip. Just a used one that I really won’t be heartbroken to lose.
 
The following will work very well and are under $20. If they need to be touched up, sharpen on the bottom ridge of a coffee mug. Works great!

-Kershaw Crown
-Kabar Dozier

There are a bunch of kershaws to choose from. The Crown is the best value ever and is a gentlemans folder that looks and performs like a much more expensive blade, but its actually around $12 and has real micarta, tip up carry and a great blade shape. You wont be disappointed with the Crown and that would 100% be my choice. Buy one for $12 on Flea-bay and if you don't love it give it away as a gift. I've gifted about 20 of them over the years.
KS3160_C1.jpg
Really classy looking blade and incredible bang for the buck.
KS3160_C1.jpg
 
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SAK. A spyderco blade shape looks tactical regardless of the handle colour. A standard red SAK will pretty much always be nonthreatening.
 
I travel knifeless as an excuse to find something where I’m going.

Buy something there and then ship it back.

I don’t trust customs or even less TSA.
 
raul casso said:
Hi everyone,

I had to go to Russia several times a few years ago. Before going, I had to decide what knife to take (stowed in my luggage). In deciding, I included the following considerations:

1. The knife had to be commercial and replaceable in case it was taken away from me by Russian customs authorities or otherwise lost;
2. It had to hold an edge without need for resharpening for the time I would be there (ten days) and given normal use (eating with it; opening packaged stuff).
3. It had to be benign in appearance--it could not be tactical nor could it look like a weapon because I wouldn't want to be detained by the authorities.
4. It had to be a folder to be discreet--obviously I was not going to walk around Moscow with a fixed blade strapped to my hip.

So, for example, I ruled out my cold steel folders--they look like weapons--tactical all the way. I took a spyderco delica 4 in VG 10 steel instead. It looks like a utility knife; non-menacing given its light blue color and blade shape with that ridiculous looking but functional hole; non-tactical--utilitarian in aspect as opposed to a weapon; and, the VG 10, given the kind of uses I was anticipating, would hold up over the time I would be there. Also, if some Russian cop were to take it away from me (fat chance--the Russians could not care less about an American tourist with a spyderco), I could suffer the loss--spydercos can be replaced; I have other folders in my collection that cannot be replaced.

I live on the border of the US and Mexico. When I go into Mexico (about every other month) I go with my spyderco or a benchmade for the same reasons (as opposed to one of my custom folders that I cannot replace and would hate to lose for whatever reason).

What do any of you who travel and pack a blade do?
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I'm travelling to Italy in September (Italians please comment!) and will bring two Victorinox knives: A Tinker and an SD Classic with the blade removed and the nail file squared off (my TSA solution). The Tinker will go in checked luggage and the Classic will be for carry-on.

Another option is an Opinel. I like my Inox Opinels the least and if one were lost or confiscated I wouldn't care.

All the above I would also be happy to give away or trade while travelling.

When I arrive in Tuscany I will visit Scarperia and buy something like a "zuava" design in horn or juniper. I would love to carry it while travelling, but we'll be in and out of museums much of the time.

Zieg
 
aquaman67 said:
I travel knifeless as an excuse to find something where I’m going.

Buy something there and then ship it back.

I don’t trust customs or even less TSA.
Click to expand...

I do the same. Usually I end up buying something cool that has a cultural/historical story for the collections
 
like others said, on the rare occasion that I've traveled to another country I always brought a SAK and/or Opinel,

IcpiMmv.jpg


that red is universally recognised and generally the police won't question you if you are seen using it :thumbsup:
 
I don’t fly but if I did I’d be more interested in packing a dmt stone and just buy a cheap knife when I got there. You don’t have to worry about the steel if you know how to freehand sharpen and you won’t have to check your bag. Just a thought.
 
Legendary_Jarl said:
I used to live in the US-Mexico border. Except I'm Mexican and lived on the ugly side of the border for many years. I caution you all from taking any form of blade or anything that could be constituted as a weapon into Mexico. Even having a single bullet can get you in a world of $h&t depending on your luck and the POS ignorant customs officer you get at the border crossing. You may be accused of "illegal weapons import". That is just at the border crossing. Beyond the border you have to deal with municipal, state and federal police that may be looking for extra money for beer or a "torta" and if they notice a tourist carrying what they may classify as a "dangerous weapon" they will be all over you. You will lose your knife and cash. And yes, according to their "criteria" a small SAK could be considered a "dangerous weapon". They word against yours. Prove them wrong. There is also that most people in Mexico think that anybody on the street who has a knife is up to no good. There is the perception that anyone with a weapon be a gun or a knife is a "bad person". If you go to Walmart here in the US you can find a lovely knife section where they have a large variety. If you go to Walmart in Mexico you find kitchen knives if you're lucky and maybe 1 or 2 china made cheap multitools in the hardware section. Pathetic.

Bottomline is:

1)If you go to Mexico avoid taking any blades.

2)If you MUST have a blade:

A) Take something dirt cheap, friendly looking that you won't regret losing to a scum corrupt policeman orc. I wouldn't take a spyderco o benchmade. They don't deserve such a thing.

B) You might be able to find overpriced china made SAK-like knives at local ferreterías(hardware stores). There is also a store/restaurant chain called Sanborns where you can buy actual SAK's. But, for the above stated I would avoid carrying it.
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Interesting intel, thank you. I live just north of the border but haven’t dipped into la frontera for years due to stuff like this. Pitty.

Do you feel the same ground rules apply in more southernly regions? Last time I went further south to go diving, I even left my dive knives home—which I REALLY did not like. I had some safety razor line cutter things with me instead.
 
Personally, when I travel overseas I use the scissors on my MT more than anything (although my pliers sometimes comes in handy). On road trips in the US, I use the can opener more than I use a knife. YMMV. My go-to travel knife is a LM Juice S2.

Always check local laws. Unless your planning a hiking/camping trip abroad where a larger knife might be required, I'd suggest a LM Juice or a Victorinox SAK with your preferred tools. They are pocketable and relatively light, the blades are short but useful, and since they are slip joints, they are acceptable for carry in more countries.
 
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