Traveling knives? (Slipjoints)

kamagong

kamagong

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There is a thread in the General Knife Discussion forum presently going on regarding traveling with slipjoints in Australia. It occurred to me that the slipjoint may be the perfect design for a traveling knife. Its innocuous appearance does not cause alarm to the extent that a black Spyderco might. Furthermore, the non-locking nature of slipjoints is a definite plus as an increasing number of countries have passed laws that make locking blades illegal.

Here is my question. A lot of people seem to think that the perfect traveling knife is the SAK with its many variations. It’s cheap and is easily replaceable. It’s good advice. Now I won’t argue with the SAK’s utility, I have a couple lying around the house myself. But the SAK seems so boring, there are literally millions of them out there. I myself prefer a knife that is more pleasing to the eye and usually bring my Eye Brand stockman on my trips. It’ll probably be replaced by a backpocket trapper that I have on the way. I know that it may seem dumb to risk losing a nice knife, but I like the idea of having a fine knife to accompany me during my travels. That knife will be associated with all the memories I’ll make and I think it’s worth the risk.

Where do you weigh in on the subject? Go with the smart, safe choice? Or do you travel with a bit more panache?
 
If I'm flying then I won't put anything "good" at risk. It has to be easily replaceable.

If I'm driving to a destination I'll take as good a knife as I may want with me during that period.
 
My travel knives are usually a SAK Huntsman or a Buck 301; my family heirloom and 'special' knives (gifts given to me, etc.) are hidden at home. I've fished the Buck out of riverbeds, gutterdrains, and worse; I usually don't bring the nice ones. I'd sure hate to lose either of them, but they're easily (locally) replaceable if needed.

When we travel by road here in CA, I also have a larger locking folder on me, like an Emerson or Spyderco.

thx - cpr
 
just got back from four days in los angelas, had to fly there and back, so i took a 2 blade old timer, with a 2.5" main blade. it rode in checked baggage in a pair of socks. a few people told me to just go without a knife, but i can't do that. it came in handy a few times, cutting packages, a nasty blister, etc. still missed my edc's though.
 
Unless I'm flying I'm carrying and using one of my custom slipjoints, maybe two and many times a fixed blade also.

If I'm flying I check a knife in my bag, usually something like a Case peanut. I roll it up in a sock, stuff it in a pocket or shaving kit and I always use TSA locks on my luggage.

I haven't lost anything yet (knock on wood).
 
I had a vacation out to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Frisco for ten days, I packed a wave(I have a backup), but for a traditional I carried one of those little no name easy openers I have. I think they're Imperials.I have to pack a traditional. It just wouldnt be right not to.I was going to pack my Copperlock and wished I had that instead.
I recommend everyone go to Yosemite at least once.

100_0243.jpg
 
After nearly having a $500 DuPont cigar lighter confiscated by TSA a few years back, I don't fly with ANYTHING that is not cheaply and easily replaceable. I will usually just take a Case soddie or trapper if I'm flying, If I'm driving I take whatever I want.
 
If I'm in my own vehicle, I take whatever I think is adequite for the trip. This may range from a sak or other slip joint in a pocket, with a 12 inch Ontario machete for camping use in primitive areas. When Karen and I did our big counter clockwise trip around the U.S. we camped out on BLM land once we were west of the big Miss. There was plenty of dried juniper and sage brush to hack up for kindling when we got off the road.

When I have traveled overseas, I only take a basic model sak, and I'll bury that down in my checked bagage. Traveling in the U.K. I had a sak in my pocket, but I was careful in taking it out. I used it camping in the Black Mountains in Wales, and it got no evil looks. In Germany, a pocket knife did not raise any alarms.

I'll play it safe in Europe, since you're on their turf and it's their rules.
 
Don't forget for international travel, not only legal limitation on locking folders, but on blade length too... even if the people don't seem to mind the knife size if you use it, it could still be illegal there.

I took my prized EDC peanut with me on my trip last spring, tucked away in a small tool kit that went, layered into my suitcase... The thought of TSA or bagage handling thieves taking it, my multi-pliers and flashlight had me a nervous wreck the whole flight.

And it was only a 1 hour(58 min actually) flight to the next city here... I can't image cross country air travel while worrying like that.

But, honestly, I took it because I felt as if I was insulting it to not take it... its a knife, a tool, and I have it so it can do its job. It can't do that job if i leave it home.

So, I plan to take my regular EDC, whatever it is, whenever i travel. The secure feeling knowing I have a knife I trust and know with me, offsets the anxiety of possible loss.

Hopefully I'll get my trip to Europe in the next several years, and after, it will be great to have those memories associated with the same knife I associate with this years trip and my planned adventures this winter.

G.
 
To me, the only traveling option is a SAK classic.

1. I don't care if I lose it.
2. Doesn't scare anyone!
3. very useful for its size.
 
okbohn said:
To me, the only traveling option is a SAK classic.

1. I don't care if I lose it.
2. Doesn't scare anyone!
3. very useful for its size.
Click to expand...


I can't find anything to argue with there!

I have to admit, the first time I was in Germany, as a knife knut, I was expecting to see all kinds of nice Puma's, Boker's, Friederick Herder's, Bertram's, and such. Much to my disapointment, most of what I saw was the smaller of the red handled wonders from Switzerland. The sak was almost ubiquitous in it's appearance in just about everyones hands when some cutting chore came up. When it was not a sak on the rare times I saw someone use a knife from a pocket, it was some little tiny pen knife from Boker, in the 2 3/4 inch class.

But then when I was in England, I didn't see a single Triumph on the road, but lots and lots of Honda's. I guess life can be full of disapointments.:(

I can only guess they must have exported the Puma's tot he U.S.:confused:
 
To be honest, with the exception of a couple heirloom type knives that I never carry anyway, I don't own any knives I couldn't bear to lose. I think my most expensive knife cost maybe $50.

As to what I stow in my luggage when I travel by air ..... my absolute minimum would be a Leatherman Micra. It's got more tools than a SAK Classic and is built sturdier IMO. If I bring along another folder (84mm SAK Tourist, peanut, Old Timer, soddie jr., trapper, Opinel, etc.) that will usually ride in my pocket during vacation while the ever-handy Micra stays in the shaving kit back at the hotel.
 
I don't risk it anymore. Not with all the TSA confiscated knives that they are selling on Ebay. Just do this. If you must have a slipjoint bring a peanut or a nail clipper that has a blade on it. Then get a paring knife when you get there and keep it in your pack.
Being on vacation should be a good time and not have to be hassled over the little things.

God Bless
 
In Europe I carry a SAK Spartan. It's a bright red, so it reads as "traveler's tool" rather than "weapon". Since it's Swiss made, it's widely recognized tere and has a friendly, home-grown feel to Europeans.

In the states, I travel with either a SAK Cadet or Case SS Jackknife. Both are smaller, unobtrusive, and easily replaced without breaking the bank.

Cheap
Easily replaced
"Reads" as friendly, not threatening
 
Another vote for the SAK from me, especially the smaller models. I have had one in my checked luggage when flying, if it were lost I could always get a new one easily. Practical as knife and the other tools could be handy too. I like the Alox models especially and those can be had in nice friendly colours as well.
 
When I fly, I always pack my small Case Stockman in my checked bag. It's been to Korea several times, to Switzerland, and all around the US- hasn't been nabbed by the TSA goons yet. I stuff it in a sock, and then roll up the pair of socks, and stash the rolled up socks in the bottom of my suitcase. If somebody wants to nab it, they'll have to work for it.

Vic SAKs are probably the best "traveling" knives. Even in the most anti-knife countries, you can still buy SAKs pretty easily. People all over the world are familiar with and carry them- they don't register as "weapons" with most people. Even in Korea, where knives are extremely rare- you can still buy SAKs in most malls. I've been to Korea probably a dozen times in the past 10 years, and I look hard every single time for knives. I have never seen any other kind of pocket knife besides SAKs. Not one. When I'm there- it's likely that my little Case stockman is the only one like it in the entire country.
 
Why have a nice knife if you're not going to use it?
(Stay back, you safe-queen-lovers!!! ;) )
Traveling, in my opinion, has nothing to do with what knife I carry, unless my destination has restrictive laws.
I carry a nice slipjoint, because that's what I do.
I also carry a "modern" folder, if it's legal, because that's another thing I do.
Why should travel be any different than any other day?
 
IMHO what I've seen, the Case Peanut would be one of the perfect traveling knives. Medium stockman's blade length might be illegal somewhere and when going in country where are knife-o-fobia, like Denmark, UK or Australia, slipjoint's like SAK with small blade's or small traditional like Case Peanut are most safest choices it seems.

I got a lot good advices in general discussion. I will get yellow delrin handled Case Peanut before my trip. It seems to be small, very handy and non-threatning. Coupling it with SAK like Vic spartan or climber or farmer I think I could handle anything I can come against with.
 
When I fly to the US or Europe,
I carry a SAK with a cork screw as a picnic knife.
and a medium or small Case stockman (blades smaller than 3")
 
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