Traveling other countries and knives

Q

Quiet Priest

Joined
Jul 27, 2001
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Well first vacation in a long time outside of hanging at home. Going to Jamaica for a week. Going to bring knives, in checked baggage of course. Probably a Sebenza, a BM710, and the Lum Tanto I've become so attached to.

Anyone know how legal or illegal I'll be if stopped in town oustide of Negril and one of these found in my possesion? Those of you knifenuts who travel more, who are average people(?), not mil or CIA types, do you really forego you habit of an EDC while somewhere else or just carry as usual & for your own satisfaction, be discreet, and hope it's never an issue?
 
I was in Jamaica during the mid-'80s (I was in Montego Bay for Sunsplash). Don't remember what I carried, but I do recall seeing a few Buck 110-type knives carried by the locals (who are much more likely to be harassed by the police than tourists), so carrying a knife shouldn't be too big a deal. However, I'm not sure I'd want to carry anything expensive in a country that has rampant third-world poverty. Personally, I'd stick with something relatively cheap, but dependable, such as a Delica or Calypso Jr. lightweight. Maybe even a cheap 3-blade stockman for "public" use (you can get a Shrade Old Timer for under $20).
 
Hmmm You might be right about expensive carry. May reconsider and bring just the 710 and a SAK or multitool. Thanks. Now, if only I could find at least one knifemaker ther to try to visit...
 
Back in the mid 80s I went to Jamaica with my dad. I brought along a Schrade LB7 to cut fruit and other food in the hotel room and, if need be, scare away bad guys. One day Dad and I hired a cabbie for the day to drive us around the countryside near Montego Bay. Out on some country road, we were stopped by two machine-gun toting members of the army. They asked a few questions and searched the car, including my dad's daypack where the knife was. One of the guys actually took the knife out of the bag, looked it over, and then tossed it back in the bag. "No problem, mon," as they say down there. :D Their concern was ganja, which we didn't have, and they couldn't have cared less about the knife.
Again, this was in 1985 or 86. I haven't been down there in years, so I don't know if things have changed. Also, if you have a nose ring and dread locks and smell of a certain local herb, you just might attract more concern than a clean-cut (looking) 15-year-old kid and his dad did fifteen years ago.
Lastly, when traveling to a poorer country, I strongly advise folks not to travel with a knife you can't afford to lose. (With that said, excluding family heirlooms, I don't own any knives I can't afford to lose.)
Have a great trip!
 
Hi Quiet Priest,
try to see it the other way:
You are the lucky one that will go a to foreign country,
and could buy all the new/beautiful/cheap lokal knives there!
My first look would be a lokal knifeshop!
Maybe you will not get a Sifu or BM, but you will stay legal
and will bring some nice souvenirs back home instead of risking your favorite EDC.

Just IMHO.
 
I would try to contact the Jamaican Consulate. There should be one in the DC area and probably another in NY for the UN. They would be able to acquaint you with the knife laws.

BTW, if you are going to a resort, I'd stick close to it. The crime rate is pretty bad there. Years of rampant poverty and ineffective government have led to an alarming level of street crime.

Take care.
 
Thank you all! I will look to at least look up a knifesmith if near Negril. I will still carry something or other (BM710 is slim and discreet enough) otherwise I'd feel totaly naked, except when I'm naked.

I mean, I'm not a troublemaker, have no record, look like your average non descript guy, and don't carry to rob or do violence with. I'll be there legaly contributing to the economy. I like my toys, They're rather useful, and I enjoy having them with me. Yes, they also give me a slight feeling of security in possibly insecure circumstances. Why should we be personally defenseless in a foreign environment? We know our great government(the best in the world) cant protect us all the time, why should we give any greater trust to another??

I hope those factors I mentioned earlier mean my odds of being able to have my knife safely with me, without attracting any trouble, or undue attention, are a lot higher. I guess I wanted to know if I was way out of line in my sentiments, if others of you would abide by the letter of the law in spite of your feelings about personal rights and safety. As for me, I'll carry in my checked baggage, and have something on me while on the streets as a matter of lifestyle. Wish me luck!
 
>"I would try to contact the Jamaican Consulate. <snip> They would be able to acquaint you with the knife laws."

=========================================

The "knife laws" down there are not going to be all that relevant, frankly. If the local cop on the beat doesn't like the looks of you or your knife (or maybe he DOES like the looks of your knife, and wishes he had one just like it ;) ) he's going to confiscate it. In the islands, the old "but officer, the Jamaican Consulate in Washington told me that ..." line isn't going to get you anywhere. :rolleyes:
As I related in my earlier post, though, I don't think you'll have any real problem carrying a knife down there.
 
I was just in Jamaica for my honeymoon in October of 2000. I had a BM 600 in my checked luggage and a knife in my dive bag. I was not doing anyhting to attract attention when I was there and did not get into any problems. However, I would call before you go as well.

Go to Negril if you can. What a cool place. Dive(jump)off the ciffs at Rick's Cafe.
 
I doubt you'll run into any tight restrictions against common pocket knives in Jamaica. In fact, the US probably has more restrictions than most foreign countries. There are defenitely some that are more restrictive, though (England for one).

As a general rule in foreign countries, I would definitely make an effort to carry within the law. The last thing you want is to end up in jail in a foreign land. Those little things we take for granted here like constitutional protections (right to an attorney, due process, etc.) don't help you outside of the country, and you may be facing a language barrier and separation from your support network. Maybe there are some unscrupulous local officials that would take advantage of the fact that you would gladly pay some exhorbitant "fine" rather than face the possibility of spending the next few weeks in a dingy 3rd world cell. Definitely carry, but carry something cheap and legal. Consider it trip insurance.
 
Lots of good advice posted above - my own .02 on a "travel blade" - I usually carry something relatively inexpensive but usable when traveling. I have given away quite a few such blades to new friends I've met or as a "tip' before setting off to home. Quite often, a fairly cheap knife (that's "cheap" by our standards!) can be a really valuable and much appreciated gift to someone in another part of the world. We sort of loose perspective onthe value of stuff at times.....
 
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