Travelin' overseas: Which knife?

S

sweetafton

Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
6
Hi everyone,

I am about to embark on a long journey overseas, starting out in Amsterdamski and from there just seeing where the wind blows me. I'll probably be gone for a year plus, or at least until the $$ runs out.

I've been trying to find just the right knife to take with me on this trip. I have been completely obsessed with knives for the past three weeks and my brain is starting to crumble. I've entered some sort of knife-psychois that I'm guesing some of you have probably experienced before. When I'm awake I think of nothing but knives, and when I dream it's nothing but knives.

What I need is a knife that can handle a wide range of tasks, something I can really rely on while I'm over there. I plan to do a good amount of wilderness travel so I need something beefy. But, I imagine I'll be "around town" quite a bit so I need something that fits well in the pocket. Does such a knife exist?

I'm hoping I could get some opinions on the following knives that appeal to me:

- MS Auto Axis 5000 (seems like a solid knife; a little worried about being in foreign countries with an auto)
- MT L-UDT (rave reviews from the auto knife forum; is it "beefy" enough for worldwide use? and, again, the auto issue)
- BM ARES 733-02 (love the winewood handles; good Axis lock, nice blade; but knife seems could be a little "tame")
- SOG Tomcat (whoa! now this is one serious blade I could trust my life with; but a hefty 8oz--too big for EDC?)
- 29 Knives balisong (I love balisongs, but haven't ever used them for an EDC; Chris' knives look stunning; is this a good option?)
- AMK SERE 2000 (haven't really heard any complaints about this one; seems solid, sharp and trustworthy)

Am I asking too much here? A serious blade I know I can rely on in many different situations, but that also fits nicely in the pocket? I've got to decide soon and end this madness.

Thanks so much,
-Willey.
 
You need to get an idea of the knife laws where you are going. As some other threads have mentioned, in some places like the UK or Denmark, there are restrictions on locking blades and one hand opening. I would not carry an auto or a balisong. Any one hander I carried would require a fair amount of effort to flick open.
I also recommend carrying a smaller (2.5" main blade) SAK or similar slipjoint for urban carry when I was unsure of the law. Have a good trip. One other thing, it has been my experience that knife laws in the Third World tend to be much more loose. In tropical areas, especially there are so many machetes that no one really cares about a big folder.
 
How about a Spyderco FRN Delica, in plain-edge? That one won't cost too much $ to replace, should you happen to "lose" it, and the short, non-serrated blade should be ok in most places you'll travel to.
 
You'll get more mileage, and less legal trouble, with a Swiss Army Knife.

Paul
 
If you are going through several foreign jurisdictions, all of which (like the US) may have different knife laws within them, your best bet would be to carry the least exotic knives possible, especially if you may attract attention, like being an American and dressed casually at times.

You need to find a least-common-denominator knife, which probably means no locking blades, maybe 3" blade length.

A good European knife or two wouldn't hurt. How about a Swiss Army Knife and an Opinel? If you end up in Afghanistan, you can have someone send over a Strider. :)
 
My travel knife is a Victorinox Climber Swiss Army Knife. It has screwdrivers for fixing things, 2 blades for cutting, a corkscrew with a little tiny eyeglass screwdriver inside, can & bottle openers, a toothpick that I would only stick in my mouth in a life or death emergency, and a tweezers. I've carried either this model or an Executive model for over 20 years and have never been stopped or looked at suspiciously. The only thing the Climber lacks is a phillips screwdriver, but I've always been able to make do with the little screwdriver on the end of the can opener. Most of my travel is urban or light hiking on trails. If you spend a lot of time in the woods you might want an SAK with a saw.

If I was going to buy a knife specifically for travelling now, I would also look at the Leatherman Juice line and maybe the Pulse.

I also bring a couple of zip ties and a little roll of duct tape. A flashlight or headlamp is also handy. I used to bring a Mini Mag AAA but I've replaced that with a white Photon II and an Arc AAA.
 
Since you listed knives out of your choices I would pick the Sere2K b/c of it's rep on this forum.
If I were going, I would pick a Victorinox non-locking SAK with scissors and saw (you mentioned wilderness) at the least. The Ranger would be perfect as it adds a hacksaw and the Craftsman adds a set of pliers to that. The SAK is a well known knife and considered a more utilitarian knife.
When I went 7 years ago I had a SwissChamp in my pack and a Victorinox Executive in my pocket. It was hard not carrying a one-hander though!
 
After some thought, I think that I would now opt to take my SOG Deluxe Pocket PowerPlier, if I were doing some out-of-country traveling, and leave the "tactical" folders at home.
 
I've done a fair bit of Bike touring through SE Asia. I regularly put a spydie in amongst the bikes tool kit and have had customs people only glance at it briefly. My favourite is the SP-15 Bob Terzuola. There is no sane reason for doing this other than I like having it clipped to the back of my shorts when I ride and it feels weird not having it. My current favourite is the Military but I don't think I'd be game to try and get that through a customs inspection nowadays.

Other than that I have alsways travelled with a large locking SAK and or a leatherman. Never had any problems with customs looking at these. I think the SAK (Rucksak) is the blade I've used daily the most when travelling. Large blade for cutting fruit etc, scissors, tweezers and the large saw is still one of the best you can get. There is also no great drama if you lose it.
 
SAKs are for sale in tourist shops all over Europe, so carrying one of those shouldn't get you in trouble.

This is off the subject but I would strongly recommend a visit to Prague, Czech Republic, while you are touring Europe. Many consider it to be the most beautiful of all historic European cities. I liked it even better than Paris. The Czechs also have excellent beer, and some very pretty women.

For fabulous natural scenery, head for the Alps.
 
No offense, but I don't think this dude needs to post here to find out he needs to carry a SAK. Heck, every biz man and tourist totes a SAK. I think the fellow means a REAL knife, something that will make him feel "secure" (that word is open to interpretation, but I know what it means to me, a minimum 3.5 locking blade). If I were travelling for a YEAR, you can be I'd have a few blades stashed throughout my gear, and I'd keep a low profile.

When you go out in the world seeking adventure you don't know what might happen. When Cortez landed in the New World, did he first check on the knife laws of the locals? I don't think so!

Where have all the bold men gone?
 
That sort of reminds me of the saying, "There's old pilots and there's bold pilots, but there's no old, bold pilots!"
 
If I were planning a trip, and I were dead set on carrying a knife, I'd do my best to check the laws of each country first. It may be time consuming, but definately worth avoid a huge hassle, and possible jail.
 
Stick to a SAK and a "Real" folder (auto laws are too confusing, unless you want to take a chance DON'T take one). Keep the Real folder in your bag/checked luggage incase you hit customs. Only carry the large folder when you have too.
 
In the UK the legal carry limit is 3inches. So you won't really have much choice of blades if you are thinking of carrying it with you around town. Probably get a leatherman and a smaller folding knife. You can't carry a fixed blade in UK either.

Don't know about other european countries but i guess about the same...

With a spydie you can probably get a delica...or something about that size.
 
I would not stretch my luck with any autos.
Some countries like Germany they are legal to carry but in England you would be in trouble if something happens.
I never consider going anywhere without a Victorinox. They are so versatile. I would stick to this for urban knife. For wilderness I would add something more sturdy. If you are going to Scandinavia a small sheath knife, puukko, is not frown upon. It is a very good wilderness blade and screams "tool".

/Martin
 
If you're going for a long journey, and into wilderness area, I would take a < 3" slip-joint folder SAK/Laguiole/Case for 'urban', and stick a small/medium fixed (Fallkniven F1) in a good sheath way down in my backpack. I think you can get away with that in most countries. (I took my Fallkniven F1 to northern Scotland).

By the way, there's an excellent knife store in A'Dam city centre (Damstraat 16)

Enjoy your trip,
Ted
 
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