- Joined
- May 17, 2006
- Messages
- 4,290
I was hoping to kick up a discussion on what people like to take with them when they travel (domestic or internationally). Most importantly, why it fits the need for that location and task. I think the legality of certain tools weighs heavily on the decision too, at least for me it does.
Also, share any stories of confiscated knives/tools by custom officials or police abroad.
Unless I am writing a story on a specific knife or piece of gear, what I take is pretty low on the cool-o-meter! Pretty average and boring, but it works for me so, I use it. Besides, I seldom meet any knife enthusiasts who care to compare cool knives.
When I leave town it could be for a variety of different things like a photography trip, drum gig, or a hiking/survival training trip. Usually I do my best to combine as many of the above in one trip to get the most out of my time and country I’m in.
For my specific trips I usually rely on a Multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife. Arriving in another country is tricky when it comes to knives. Some countries are not as enthusiastic about you entering their country with a suitcase full of knives, while others are a little more understanding, especially towards travelers that are there for a specific hike or expedition that country has to offer. One thing I have tried to stick to is leaving knives that can be opened with one handed at home. They are generally regarded as a fighting weapon, despite their practical design and overall usefulness. Instead of trying to argue this with a custom official or police officer, I just stick to the friendly stuff with red handles and a shield. Swiss Army Knives are pretty universally accepted by the world for the most part. This is true even in countries that specifically list on their website not to bring any weapons such as guns, knives, etc. I distinctly remember a trip to Mexico where I flew into the country with about 4 knives and a machete. When I claimed my bag I had to put it through a big x-ray machine in front of three customs officials. They just smailed and said, “ok.” When I was leaving the country I noticed a sign saying that no knives of any kind are allowed into or out of their country, even in checked baggage. What the hell? They specifically listed hunting knives, fishing knives, and camping knives. I was already in line when a customs officer pulled me aside and asked me to open my bags for a search. The first thing he went for was my Swiss Champ. He pulled it out of its black leather case, saw the familiar red scales with white shield and didn’t even care. He put it back as if to think that is all I had. He then arbitrarily moved his hands around the inside of the suitcase totally missing my Tramontina 14” bolo machete, Grohman #1, HEST, SAK OHT, and was done. It was a close one, but not the last. A little unnerving, as I’ve seen too many episodes of the show Locked Up Abroad!
I usually need something that could be used in hotels, camps, boats, cabs and local restaurants without bringing too much attention to my group or me. After 10 years of reliable service from my Victorinox Swiss Champ, I often packed it for my main travel tool. The Champ served as my food preparation, utility knife, and mini-toolbox. The tools get used for their intended purpose and for some “creative tinkering.” Besides whittling with the famous Swiss stainless steel blades and, harvesting firewood with the saw, I found a plethora of creative uses for the Champ. The scissors make excellent nail trimmers in the field. The long file can be used to reach the last petroleum soaked cotton ball residing at the bottom of my film container. In hotels, the fish scalier is the perfect tool for removing the coax cable from its small black plastic covering in the back of the T.V. set to allow hooking up a video game system or DVD player (before I had a laptop). Sure, it may be a little on the bulky side but it has all the tools one could need for an extended trip in the outdoors or concrete jungles.
Swiss Champ in Bora Bora
I have replaced the Champ with the Victorinox Swiss Tool X
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/694633-New-Toy-Old-Hike!-Victorinox-Swiss-Tool-X
This thing is on the heavy side which I hate, but I started to find I needed the big pliers for adjusting hardware on a drum set and fixing crappy camera tripods. On stage, the bass and guitar players use the wire cutters to cut their strings. I use them to cut bent wires from my brushes (drum brushes). It’s no wonder why just about every stage hand and lighting/sound technician carries a multi-tool of some kind!
I take a Victorinox OHT only when I am traveling to a survival based trip in Peru, Mexico, or Alabama. Even though it is a one hander, the Swiss Army part of it keeps me out of trouble.
Some beach in Mexico.
Wenger Traveler
My first ever SAK. I carried this for the last two months in my pocket while in Southeast Asia, while the Swiss Tool stayed in the suitcase. This little knife has everything I need, but lacks a saw. I had a small folding saw with me attached to a little carabineer kit if I needed one in the forest, but for edc abroad this was perfect!
Knife for travel while in Southeast Asia
Making a hole in by cardboard/tape sheath.
Some not so practical, but necessary tools.
HEST in Guerra, Mexico
Hiking the Sierra Madre del Sur
SAK OHT in a hotel room in Guerra Mexico
I keep this stuff close by on a nightstand, if there is one.
Australia trip gear 2009
Also, share any stories of confiscated knives/tools by custom officials or police abroad.
Unless I am writing a story on a specific knife or piece of gear, what I take is pretty low on the cool-o-meter! Pretty average and boring, but it works for me so, I use it. Besides, I seldom meet any knife enthusiasts who care to compare cool knives.
When I leave town it could be for a variety of different things like a photography trip, drum gig, or a hiking/survival training trip. Usually I do my best to combine as many of the above in one trip to get the most out of my time and country I’m in.
For my specific trips I usually rely on a Multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife. Arriving in another country is tricky when it comes to knives. Some countries are not as enthusiastic about you entering their country with a suitcase full of knives, while others are a little more understanding, especially towards travelers that are there for a specific hike or expedition that country has to offer. One thing I have tried to stick to is leaving knives that can be opened with one handed at home. They are generally regarded as a fighting weapon, despite their practical design and overall usefulness. Instead of trying to argue this with a custom official or police officer, I just stick to the friendly stuff with red handles and a shield. Swiss Army Knives are pretty universally accepted by the world for the most part. This is true even in countries that specifically list on their website not to bring any weapons such as guns, knives, etc. I distinctly remember a trip to Mexico where I flew into the country with about 4 knives and a machete. When I claimed my bag I had to put it through a big x-ray machine in front of three customs officials. They just smailed and said, “ok.” When I was leaving the country I noticed a sign saying that no knives of any kind are allowed into or out of their country, even in checked baggage. What the hell? They specifically listed hunting knives, fishing knives, and camping knives. I was already in line when a customs officer pulled me aside and asked me to open my bags for a search. The first thing he went for was my Swiss Champ. He pulled it out of its black leather case, saw the familiar red scales with white shield and didn’t even care. He put it back as if to think that is all I had. He then arbitrarily moved his hands around the inside of the suitcase totally missing my Tramontina 14” bolo machete, Grohman #1, HEST, SAK OHT, and was done. It was a close one, but not the last. A little unnerving, as I’ve seen too many episodes of the show Locked Up Abroad!
I usually need something that could be used in hotels, camps, boats, cabs and local restaurants without bringing too much attention to my group or me. After 10 years of reliable service from my Victorinox Swiss Champ, I often packed it for my main travel tool. The Champ served as my food preparation, utility knife, and mini-toolbox. The tools get used for their intended purpose and for some “creative tinkering.” Besides whittling with the famous Swiss stainless steel blades and, harvesting firewood with the saw, I found a plethora of creative uses for the Champ. The scissors make excellent nail trimmers in the field. The long file can be used to reach the last petroleum soaked cotton ball residing at the bottom of my film container. In hotels, the fish scalier is the perfect tool for removing the coax cable from its small black plastic covering in the back of the T.V. set to allow hooking up a video game system or DVD player (before I had a laptop). Sure, it may be a little on the bulky side but it has all the tools one could need for an extended trip in the outdoors or concrete jungles.
Swiss Champ in Bora Bora
I have replaced the Champ with the Victorinox Swiss Tool X
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/694633-New-Toy-Old-Hike!-Victorinox-Swiss-Tool-X
This thing is on the heavy side which I hate, but I started to find I needed the big pliers for adjusting hardware on a drum set and fixing crappy camera tripods. On stage, the bass and guitar players use the wire cutters to cut their strings. I use them to cut bent wires from my brushes (drum brushes). It’s no wonder why just about every stage hand and lighting/sound technician carries a multi-tool of some kind!
I take a Victorinox OHT only when I am traveling to a survival based trip in Peru, Mexico, or Alabama. Even though it is a one hander, the Swiss Army part of it keeps me out of trouble.
Some beach in Mexico.
Wenger Traveler
My first ever SAK. I carried this for the last two months in my pocket while in Southeast Asia, while the Swiss Tool stayed in the suitcase. This little knife has everything I need, but lacks a saw. I had a small folding saw with me attached to a little carabineer kit if I needed one in the forest, but for edc abroad this was perfect!
Knife for travel while in Southeast Asia
Making a hole in by cardboard/tape sheath.
Some not so practical, but necessary tools.
HEST in Guerra, Mexico
Hiking the Sierra Madre del Sur
SAK OHT in a hotel room in Guerra Mexico
I keep this stuff close by on a nightstand, if there is one.
Australia trip gear 2009
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