Traveling in Europe: Germany, France, Austria

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wacki

Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
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I have a Swamp Rat Rodent Solution and a Survive! GSO 4.1 I'd like to take with me. Any issues I might get into?

GSO 4.1 is
Blade Length: 4.25" (tip to front of handle) = 10.80 cm

Rodent solution

Blade Length: 3 1/2"
 
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No problems with your knives here in Austria. Just OTF are not legal and other tools with hidden blades (pen, comb, walking - stick).
 
Jim malone said:
For Belgium you need a "valid" reason to carry a knife ( butcher, scuba diving, hunting) for any knife. A judge will decide what is "valid". Self defense is not a valid reason. In fact you can't have any object on you with the intent to be used as a "weapon".
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I'll be doing lots of hiking, climbing... outdoorsy stuff. Does that count? Either way I won't be going to Belgium on this trip but this mentality is a bit curious to me.
 
Germany, the short version:

May carry all the time: (except for demonstrations, fairs etc)
-fixed blade under 12cm length
-two-hand folders with locking mechanism
-blades without locking mechanism

Need "legal reason" for:
-fixed blades over 12cm blade length
-one-hand openers with lock

So with the blades you posted above, you shouldn't have any legal problems.
 
wacki said:
I'll be doing lots of hiking, climbing... outdoorsy stuff. Does that count? Either way I won't be going to Belgium on this trip but this mentality is a bit curious to me.
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When you consider strictly the law in Belgium it's the same as Austria, no hidden stuff and/ or automatic, no problem for the linerlocks, framelocks, 4" blade... But as always, it depends on the situation you're in, if you go to a top football match here don't take anything with you, if you're in the woods take you're XM 24 no prob; if you get caught in a fight during the night and you use your XM24 you're in big trouble and then the judge will ask you why you had that knife in your pocket :D
I' m walking around here for years with 2 or 3 knives, type framelock in my pocket and a slipjoint for the restaurant, no.problem, so if you change your mind for the trip you're very welcome ( with your knives ;) )
 
Jim malone said:
This doesn't mean nobody has or carries knives in Europe, we just live with the knowledge that we are always in a gray area.
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Europe isn't a fan of Fredrick Von Hayek & the rule of law I guess. :-p


I guess I'll bring my knife in Hohe, the swiss alps, etc and leave it in the luggage the rest of the time. Sound kosher?
 
To my understanding, france bans all knives without a "legit" reason. Germany just go for a traditional slippy. Never been to austria. If you get in trouble in france, just show a SAK, the cops will surrender and you will be the new ruler of france lol
 
Like I said in my post above, fixed blade up to 12cm blade length= no problem in Germany
 
If you're hiking, doing stuff in the woods etc., you can carry fixed blades over 4.72inch of blade length, because there is a "need" (if it's not double bladed etc.). So you're not going to have problems in germany. You can take your knives wherever you want (exceptions are events like concerts etc.).
 
knifeguy2460 said:
No problems with your knives here in Austria. Just OTF are not legal and other tools with hidden blades (pen, comb, walking - stick).
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OTF knives are legal to own and even carry (except at events where many people are gathering) for anyone over 18years excluding people who are banned from having weapons
 
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