Traveling With A Multi Tool

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VorpelSword

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My EDC is a Leatherman Wave Plus.

We are looking at a trip to Spain next year. May I put a multitool in checked baggage?

In a carry-on?

What about walking around in Spain or London?
 
I know that the knife laws in the UK are pretty restrictive. Can I walk around London with it clipped to a pocket?

Can I walk around Spain with it clipped to a pocket?
 
UK is clear - if it has a locking blade (or over 3 inches) then you can't carry it legally in public unless you have a "valid reason". Acceptable valid reasons are related to your immediate job (e.g. electrician on the way to a job) or outdoors activity (e.g. hiking /scouting / fishing). Outside of these reasons you are potentially asking for trouble. Of course it has had zero impact on young thugs carrying machetes and kitchen knives down their pants!

Best not to attract attention with shiny clip in your pocket anyway. When in London I carry in my pocket without the clip showing, even if it's a legal slipjoint you just don't want the hassle. Mostly I carry SAK and slipjoints. If walking out at night, a 1xAA tactical flashlight is plausible.
 
I went to Italy last year and put an Alox Pioneer and an MKM Swiss army knife (malga maybe?) in my checked luggage. Had no problems in the airports. I did and use both while out. Nobody bats an eye at a swiss army knife in Europe. Dont carry it into a museum though. Many of them have strong security to enter.
 
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Adding that if I was going to take a leatherman I would take a bond. Non-locking implements and anything you could reasonably need other than scissors.

A pioneer X would take care of that.
 
OK . . .what I am getting . . .my takeaway from this thread is get an SAK. haven't had one for years and don't know the models. . . .a Boy Scout style equivalent would be about right. I do like having a Philips Head tool. I'd miss the litleeyeglasses screw driver on my Wave.

I am probably going to avoid UK for a while.

Thanks everyone. Trip is tentivily pencilled in for March or Nov of '26.
 
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Even multi tools getting frowned upon now! Bunch of crapola! Better be careful with your sharpened pencil in some places. Might think you are trying to stab somebody.
 
VorpelSword said:
OK . . .what I am getting . . .my takeaway from this thread is get an SAK. haven't had one for years and don't know the models. . . .a Boy Scout style equivalent would be about right. I do like having a Philips Head tool. I'd miss the litleeyeglasses screw driver on my Wave.

I am probably going to avoid UK for a while.

Thanks everyone. Trip is tentivily pencilled in for March or Nov of '26.
Click to expand...
You can get a little eyeglass screwdriver that hides in the corkscrew of any Victorinox Swiss Army knife. And yes, unless you plan on storing it in your prison wallet, a SAK is probably the way to go.


SAK_A_3643__S1-tif.jpg
 
VorpelSword said:
OK . . .what I am getting . . .my takeaway from this thread is get an SAK. haven't had one for years and don't know the models. . . .a Boy Scout style equivalent would be about right. I do like having a Philips Head tool. I'd miss the litleeyeglasses screw driver on my Wave.

I am probably going to avoid UK for a while.

Thanks everyone. Trip is tentivily pencilled in for March or Nov of '26.
Click to expand...

DMG said:
You can get a little eyeglass screwdriver that hides in the corkscrew of any Victorinox Swiss Army knife. And yes, unless you plan on storing it in your prison wallet, a SAK is probably the way to go.


View attachment 2996900
Click to expand...

I second the little eyeglass driver in your corkscrew. The can opener tip works for cross headed screws. It's not ideal but I doubt the vacation needs a high torque screwdriver.
 
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