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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
travel pocket knife
- Thread starter FredL
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2004
- Messages
- 6,997
Yep, get a SAK.
You could get a nice slipjoint, with pretty jigged bone handles, sterling silver bolsters, and high-quality blade steel, but (unfortunately) even that's more likely to draw negative attention than a SAK (even if they're exactly the same size).
You still won't be able to carry it in your pocket on the plane (put it in your checked luggage), but it will definitely not raise any eyebrows in daily carry wherever you go.
I tried an experiement recently. A couple months ago, I was at a friend's house and I needed to use my knife (forget why, but it was just a regular cutting task). I pulled out my Case trapper (chestnut bone handles, CV blades, ooooh baby) and did the job. My buddy (who, now that I think about it, is actually from Israel) asked "Do you always carry that? Have you ever pulled it out on somebody?" I was shocked, and went through the usual "it's a tool, not a weapon" scenario. A couple months later, I made sure to have a SAK of similar size in my pocket when I saw him again. I pulled it out to cut something (that wasn't really necessary, just wanted an excuse), and he looked right at it & didn't say anything.
It's strange how people's perceptions work... Both knives had similarly sized blades, and neither was a scary one-hander with a lock, but they were viewed very differently.
All we can do (when it's not an appropriate time to attempt to educate someone) is to roll with it.
Good luck, be safe, and have fun! I've heard Israel can be a blast.
Alex.
You could get a nice slipjoint, with pretty jigged bone handles, sterling silver bolsters, and high-quality blade steel, but (unfortunately) even that's more likely to draw negative attention than a SAK (even if they're exactly the same size).
You still won't be able to carry it in your pocket on the plane (put it in your checked luggage), but it will definitely not raise any eyebrows in daily carry wherever you go.
I tried an experiement recently. A couple months ago, I was at a friend's house and I needed to use my knife (forget why, but it was just a regular cutting task). I pulled out my Case trapper (chestnut bone handles, CV blades, ooooh baby) and did the job. My buddy (who, now that I think about it, is actually from Israel) asked "Do you always carry that? Have you ever pulled it out on somebody?" I was shocked, and went through the usual "it's a tool, not a weapon" scenario. A couple months later, I made sure to have a SAK of similar size in my pocket when I saw him again. I pulled it out to cut something (that wasn't really necessary, just wanted an excuse), and he looked right at it & didn't say anything.
It's strange how people's perceptions work... Both knives had similarly sized blades, and neither was a scary one-hander with a lock, but they were viewed very differently.
All we can do (when it's not an appropriate time to attempt to educate someone) is to roll with it.
Good luck, be safe, and have fun! I've heard Israel can be a blast.
Alex.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2006
- Messages
- 2,171
Mind you this was 1988. While stationed in the Sinai with the Multinational Force and Observers I bought my first SAK in the Force exchange. It was a Champ or something like it. It was big enough I had to carry in on my belt in the leather sheath. I was visiting Jerusalem and going through the checkpoint to see the Wailing Wall. One of the Israeli soldiers pointed to it and asked what it was. I pulled it out, he took a look, and gave me the go ahead. Things may have changed now, but a Swiss Army seems to get recognized world over as something perfectly sensible to carry.
You might look at the Kershaw caribiner setup. I haven't handled one so can't comment on if they are worth anything, but they seem like they would make a benign, easy to overlook means of carrying a blade and a tool or two. I'll probably pick one up at some time just to try out.
You might look at the Kershaw caribiner setup. I haven't handled one so can't comment on if they are worth anything, but they seem like they would make a benign, easy to overlook means of carrying a blade and a tool or two. I'll probably pick one up at some time just to try out.
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2004
- Messages
- 8,436
Times have changed since 1988: Right now Israel uses metal detectors in many public buildings, and certainly at holy sites, etc. You will probably be wanded even if you enter a coffee shop. the reasons for this are obvious--too many people have died there recently-so any place where several people gather will have a guard searching, who may wand you down. These folks may or may not let you enter with a pocketknife--and it will be entirely up to their discretion.
At holy sites, govt offices, and even the entrance to some shopping malls, you will have to wak through a metal detector. Many of these places will not let you in with a knife. To have a better chance, you can bring one of the smallest SAK models, or something like a very small whittler, or a Spyderco Kiwi.
At holy sites, govt offices, and even the entrance to some shopping malls, you will have to wak through a metal detector. Many of these places will not let you in with a knife. To have a better chance, you can bring one of the smallest SAK models, or something like a very small whittler, or a Spyderco Kiwi.
you can't go wrong with a sak. I really like the soldier. you can do almost anything with it and for some reason the sak's never draw a second look from either the authorities or the sheeple. and in case i'm wrong and it get's taken away then you're not out a lot of money. enjoy your trip, bring me back an uzi. ahgar
- Joined
- Apr 27, 1999
- Messages
- 6,117
If you drink wine or are traveling with anyone who drinks it I would suggest that you get a Victorinox Tourist model SAK. This is relatively compact with tools to fix many travel emergencies. The cork screw is particularly handy when I am abroad.
http://www.cottonwoodwholesale.com/showproduct.aspx?productid=725
If you know you won't want to open a wine bottle I would suggest the equivalent model known as the Tinker which substitutes a philips screwdriver for the cord screw.
http://store.acmeknifecompany.com/val4400101.html
If you think that there is a significant risk of losing one of these, buy and bring 2 or 3 in your luggage.
http://www.cottonwoodwholesale.com/showproduct.aspx?productid=725
If you know you won't want to open a wine bottle I would suggest the equivalent model known as the Tinker which substitutes a philips screwdriver for the cord screw.
http://store.acmeknifecompany.com/val4400101.html
If you think that there is a significant risk of losing one of these, buy and bring 2 or 3 in your luggage.