Traveling to Italy! What should I take??

Riz!

Riz!

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Fellow forumites…

After a few years saving, I am taking the wife on a dream vacation to Italy. Im going to be there almost 3 weeks and seeing numerous locations. I depart in 2 weeks!

Clearly I am looking for guidance or suggestions as what I should carry. I have no idea how restrictive the laws are so I am probably going to take something small.

Top of my list seems to be one of my lionsteel slipjoints. It seems right to take it back to the place it was made.

Also considering a Spyderco UKPK

What do you guys say? Anyone on here actually in Italy?

Thanks
Riz!
 
91bravo said:
This is your best answer. Then give it away before you leave. Customs can be a pain in the ass depending on what country you are visiting
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Leaving Italy isn't an issue, the issue is when US customs takes all meat and agriculture products upon your return. That is unless you put them in the lining of your suitcase and dodge that customs dog in Atlanta! Or so I've heard..... 😉
 
My only advise is to use a money belt or similar and have your wife use a cross body style purse and put it on under her cover garment. The roma are very real and quite adept at lifting items from tourists. Other than that, eat lots of gelato and bring great walking shoes! We averaged what felt like ten miles a day, especially in Rome and Naples and the Almalfi coast. Oh and definitely check out the house made limoncello at some of the smaller cafe's if they offer. I loved Italy! Just be aware that they make Hawaiians look punctual though 😂
 
norcalAF norcalAF all great advice. This will be my second time, but it is twice as long and my wife’s first time. I havent been to Amalfi yet. My family is from Salerno Cant wait!

I read earlier that you arent allowed to carry a knife anywhere in Italy without a legit reason, IE working, fishing, hunting and so on.

Im still taking one or buying one or two when there. At least for utility when in the hotels and such.
 
norcalAF said:
I vote something from lionsteel, perhaps a best man 😁
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I've been meaning to pick up one of those. I love the Myto (regrind from BGM on mine...slicey AF - action is superb).

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A.L. said:
Victorinox Classic SD.
Have a nice vacation!
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what he said, or maybe a Tourist, because it has a cork screw. But, nothing more than an SAK

Here's a post which discusses it:
Herlock

Post in thread 'Italian Knife Laws'

Hi. Welcome in Italy! Wish you a great stay in our Capital City. :) Mostly agree with Fausto here. Like in many other EU countries, the Laws about knifes carry in Italy are based on the “justifiable reason” principle. Under this principle, you are basically allowed to carry whatever is suitable for the task you have to carry out. The downside of this is this principle, as said, is very discretionary and based on subjective LEOs evaluation.

Italian Laws in a nutshell:

Daggers, flick-knives, double-edged knives and bayonets are considered weapons and one needs a gun permit for buying...
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I'm jealous!

What knife to bring?

Use whatever knife you need to in order to enjoy the food!

In the next two weeks, drop a lot of weight, then enjoy putting some back on!

[ Not a Doctor.]

[I'm a foodie!]
 
Last few times I went to Italy, I played it safe and brought my Manly Wasp, a sub 3" slipjoint which should be legal in most, if not all of Europe.

What I discovered was that the Police are not really interested in Tourists at all.
So unless you're keen on checking out Italian Bar Brawls or the like, I don't think there will be any issues with an obvious tourist cutting ciabatta with a pocket knife that has the wrong locking mechanism.

What I also discovered is that they do have some shops with decent selections of the local brands.
 
Lots of local talent around the Almafi coast.......My B I L got me a nice slip joint made in Montepulciano.......
Enjoy, stay safe and add to that collection.😉
 
Look like a traveler, not a tourist and you'll be fine, the pickers will go for easier pockets. As for carry, when we were there recently I just rolled with whatever SAK I had that was replaceable and had a corkscrew, I also keep a "lunch kit" due to my diet needs, so that had an opinel 8, but buried in my backpack, so that was my "reason". Keep in mind that they still roll a very fluid security posture, so a small block will go from full lock down to no cops in just a couple hours. Lots of the tourist places had scanners, so I was often hitting the coat check, but whatever, nothing to worry about, since I could clear my pockets into the backpack, enjoy the art, then go back to wandering the city.
 
A 91 mm SAK of your taste, preferably with fewer layers. Spartan is always a good lightweight choice- inexpensive, easily replaceable if you happen to loose it. Whichever you choose it must not be something you have emotional attachment to. I haven’t met anyone that would look you sideways for the famous red knife but who knows. I’ve traveled Greece, Croatia, Serbia and North Macedonia with a Spartan, Camper and Pioneer in different occasions - came very handy and did not have any trouble. Just don’t waive it around unnecessarily.
 
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