Traveling with knives

VermontEdge

VermontEdge

Joined
Jun 10, 2015
Messages
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Hey all,
About to go on vacation for a week so, of course, I have to decide which knives to take (I usually limit it to two). It's a laid back vacation so these are just mild-use edc's.

Anyway, when I'm gone for more than a few days I usually take a small leather strop and torx set as well, as I get nervous that some minute thing will go wrong with one of my folders and then I'd have to wait until I got home to fix them!

Anyone else? What kind of knife accessories do you travel with?
 
Last time I traveled any great distance (by plane) I checked a bag and brought an Alox SAK and a medium sized modern folder under $100. That way if it got stolen, I would not be heartbroken, just mad. I did not travel with any sharpening equipment or accessories because I did not find them necessary. It is very unlikely to break or dull 2 knives over the course of one vacation with light use, unless its a very long vacation.

Photo of my SAK on vacation
 
I travel with knives frequently. I have a little 6 knife carry case. Into one of the slots goes Wiha torx tools size 6 and 8 and a tube of nano oil. Another slot carries a leatherman multi-tool (cant remember the exact model but it has good, usable needle tip pliers). Then I pick out 4 different knives to fill the rest of the folding case. Then I put in a small polishing cloth, fold the cover flap over the tools and knives, and secure a loop at the bottom with a zip tie (it keeps the TSA moderately honest). With 4 knives I can't envision a scenario where all of them end up getting dulled, so I've never thought of carrying a sharpening tool. For the knives, I'll usually pick one dress/gentleman's knife, one beater/worker knife and a couple others that are just fun to play with in the hotel room at night while I watch ESPN :)
 
Prior to 9-11 rule changes at the airlines, I traveled with all sorts of knives in my brief case or carry on bag. Haven't really been flying much in the last 10 years and only generally have a SAK in my luggage, so my travel knives are exactly the same knives I might bring along anytime.
 
VermontEdge said:
Hey all,
About to go on vacation for a week so, of course, I have to decide which knives to take (I usually limit it to two). It's a laid back vacation so these are just mild-use edc's.

Anyway, when I'm gone for more than a few days I usually take a small leather strop and torx set as well, as I get nervous that some minute thing will go wrong with one of my folders and then I'd have to wait until I got home to fix them!

Anyone else? What kind of knife accessories do you travel with?
Click to expand...

You should be able to keep two knives serviceable on a vacation by using what you can find around you. Stropping on denim, palm of your hand, bottom of coffee mug, etc... You should be able to get by with a couple of SAK's, for instance.
 
SAK plus a folder if I'm traveling by land. SAK plus something in H1 if I'm going to be around water. SAK and a fixed blade if I'm camping, maybe a folder as well if I'm luxury camping. Knives are cool, but if I'm not going to use it, there's no need to pack it. There will always be time to enjoy the collection when I'm home.
 
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I fly any where from twice to 6 times a week for work...I always have several knives in my suitcase, a bk9, a tops BOB or Benchmade Bushcrafter, my edc bk16, my leatherman wave, and my pm2. Figure I'm covered for just about any cutting tasks that may arise.

Then I have several grits of sandpaper from 80-2500, a small coarse and fine diamond stone, a ceramic rod, and a small strop loaded with green compound.
 
I also frequently travel with at least a couple of folders. Thus far I have only 'lost' my Emerson Horseman to the TSA.

I would rather have a knife or two with me so I usually have a SAK/ traditional folder along with a slightly larger one hand opening folder. Sometimes I'll have a moderately sized fixed blade along too. Obviously, any of these need to be checked-in to luggage for the cargo hold.

I also carry a small loaded leather strop, Spyderco Double Stuff and a single grey rod. That way I can bring most edges back to a good edge.

No point having them and not having them with you...

Ben
 
I don't fly much...travel a lot by auto, however.

When I'm traveling by auto, I'll carry three or more knives (whichever ones I'm using most at the time) and whatever else I can stuff into the vehicle.

When I do fly, I'll carry a Spyderco Delica and a Dragonfly in the pocket of a rain parka that I can roll up in a small ball and tuck in the corner of a checked bag. I also toss a Spyderco Double Stuff and Gorilla Grip torx set in my toiletries kit. I carry the two Spydercos because they're excellent knives that will not cost a fortune to replace should they somehow disappear from my bag.

It's also a good idea to check ahead of time on what's legal to carry in the places you'll be traveling to and through.
 
When I fly, I put something like an alox SAK Pioneer in my checked bag. It has some other useful tools, and is replaced easily enough if stolen or lost. I don't carry any kind of knife maintenance gear along. I can always sharpen on a coffee mug and strop on cardboard if needed.
 
When driving to visit family and staying for a weekend or more, I will routinely bring 3-4 folding knives of various sizes, and then a kitchen knife roll with about a dozen kitchen knives as well. I don't know ANYONE in my family with decent kitchen cutlery, and since my wife and I enjoy cooking, we usually end up making a meal or two. I have also done this when going on car vacations to somewhere where I may be able to cook something. Not like I have a space or weight limit in the car. The knives are cheapies that I have fixed up, so no real value in the knife roll.
 
Depending where I'm going I'll pack a multitool or SAK and a fairly plain mid range folder or neck knife that's easily replaced I pack them in my wash bag so they aren't easy targets for baggage handlers.
 
I don't fly- if I can't drive there, I don't need to go - so I take whatever I want. It usually includes a variety of small and large folders, small and large fixed blades, and lots of other tools and pieces of gear. Load up the truck, and head on out...
 
A sak huntsman and a spyderco resilience have travelled with me internationally for the last 5 years. I sharpen with whats available but have rarely needed too. Stropping on a leather belt does fine.
 
I'm flying into ATL in March and bringing mine with me.
I always check local carry laws first.
Putting in checked luggage.
I don't like leaving home without it :-)
 
A SAK for me as well. Either a Pioneer or Recruit. A small fine grit DMT sharpener. In my shaving kit in checked bag. I've put the knife in the outside zippered pocket quite a few times as well. Never disappeared yet.
 
BladeCommander said:
Last time I traveled any great distance (by plane) I checked a bag and brought an Alox SAK and a medium sized modern folder under $100. That way if it got stolen, I would not be heartbroken, just mad. I did not travel with any sharpening equipment or accessories because I did not find them necessary. It is very unlikely to break or dull 2 knives over the course of one vacation with light use, unless its a very long vacation.

Photo of my SAK on vacation
Click to expand...


Does your SAK often vacation alone or does it occasionally invite you? That's a hotty pic of it sunbathing nude...that takes a lotta SAK you've got there ;-)
 
Sak or smaller buck folder. Leave them in my toiletries bag in checked luggage. Don't bring any tools or sharpening equipment.
 
link2derek said:
I don't fly- if I can't drive there, I don't need to go - so I take whatever I want. It usually includes a variety of small and large folders, small and large fixed blades, and lots of other tools and pieces of gear. Load up the truck, and head on out...
Click to expand...

Word. No TSA humiliation for me. Ever.

My sympathies for those who fly, but it ain't for me; i'll drive and take my toys with me

The TSA has never done a bit of good that i've ever heard of.

The sickest joke is that they intentionally ignore likely suspects so's not to hurt their feelings.

But least i'm not bitter......
 
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