Traveling with slipjoints in Australia

thejamppa

thejamppa

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
Messages
2,907
Hi all!

I am wondering what would be best way to travel with one or two slipjoint knives perhaps with Victorinox Soldier Alox and Case Stockman in Australia? I have heard that NSW and Victoria have tought laws against knives. I am not quite that sure rest Australia.

I have got used to have at least Victorinox with me when I travel. I probably take with Finnair to England and change into British Airways or Quantam's plane in Heathrow.

So safest would probably stuck my slipjoints into Luggage / Backbag perhaps wrap them into underwears / socks? Aslong they're not traveling inhandcarry there shouldn't be much of problems? I am not sure how paranoid people are in Heathrow about pocket knives in luggages and such that travel in cargobay.

Now first problem would come when plane lands into Sydney. Now how I should proceed with Sydney into my destination, which is 50 miles from Brisbane in Queensland?

Of course I could mail prior hand but I kinda would feel lost if I would have not at least one slipjoint with me, even if its traveling in luggages.

I probably don't use basic luggage but easiest is traveling light with sleepingback, good backbag and secure backbag with good traveling locks.

Now this is my initial plan? Are there any weakspots or things I should know? Also if worst comes to true... How easy it is to buy SAK in Australia?
 
I would think that it's okay to travel with a slipjoint. Not too sure about the customs though, probably best to email them here. Officially it's illegal to go out in public with any sort of knife with good reason:jerkit:, but this law is enforced fairly loosely, I'm sure a SAK would be fine.

Don't buy knives here, they're grossly overpriced, and availability is limited. I've seen Alox Vic Soldiers going for $50 USD around here.:thumbdn:

Besides the harsh knife laws, Australia's not bad. Enjoy your trip.
 
The law is pretty vague, it states you cannot carry ANY knife of any size with lock or not without a proper excuse(SD and just in case doesn't work), but it is up to the officer to let you go or be an A-hole about a SAK. Just dress nice, don't draw attention and you should be fine.
 
As far as getting to Queensland (QLD) from Sydney you could fly into Brisbane from Syd on a domestic flight or Coolangatta which is closer to Surfers Paradise. Surfers is pretty busy this time of year but its a bit tacky for my tastes and like any big city be careful who you talk to and dont look for trouble. Or you could get a Greyhound Bus.Its about 900km so bus takes about 11hrs and flights about 1 1/2hrs. SAKs are easy to buy and there are plenty of places that sell them but they are expensive, usually over $150 up to $300. If you carry one as part of your backpack or luggage I would not expect to have any problems as most backpackers carry them for the convience.The same with a slip, just dont do anything stupid in a public place and you shouldn't have any problems. Enjoy your trip.
 
In a rugged land with so many wide open areas where there are dangerous animals, poisonous insects, spiders and serpants, it's horrible to think that guns, knives and sharp sticks are now illegal.

What can Aussies be thinking? How about a new Crocodile Dundee film where he gets arrested for carrying a knife and goes to prison? It could be about all the friends he makes, like hardened criminals who were caught carrying SAKs while visiting the country.

I hope this country doesn't follow suite, but there are those types of people out there.
 
While technically it is illegal to carry any sort of knife in NSW without "good reason" it all depends on context. If you're sneaking around at night dressed in black and carrying a 6" fixed blade knife and the cops see you, you're going to be in for an unpleasant time. If you're an "ordinary" looking guy wandering around like everyone else with a SAK in your pocket it is highly unlikely that you're going to have a problem. If you live in a rural area like I do almost everyone has some sort of SAK or Leatherman or small folding knife in a pouch on their belt. If you're way out in the bush camping or whatever, nobody is going to bother you if you happen to have a fixed blade for camp use. Like I say, context.
 
Like others have said, the laws pretty vague. Honestly, if you dress reasonably, and act responsibly then I would be VERY surprised if you got trouble for it. Keep in mind that it is not really a knife friendly place, use them discreetly and have fun on your holiday. On the very low chance the police ask you about it, don’t use "self" and "defence" in the same sentence, swear blind that it's for opening mail and bagels, and apologise like crazy.

tonym1 said:
SAKs are easy to buy and there are plenty of places that sell them but they are expensive, usually over $150 up to $300.
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It's true that they're very overpriced here but good lord man, where do you shop! $150-$300?!
 
I was thinking to hop what they called grasshopper? buss' from Sydney airport and go to Sydney Train station. I think traintrip would be more better than buss ride to Brisbane. Less awkward and more relaxing. From Brisbane its about an hours drive to Caboolture, where lies my Destination. I was told there was nice hiking places around Brisbane. And Caboolture has nice looking hiking routes + Medieval thing with armours, joustings and such around June/July. And my fiancé lives there.

What kind of 3-4" fixed blades can you buy in Australia if you go in Bushes? Something like Mora, quality in budget?
 
It's true that they're very overpriced here but good lord man, where do you shop! $150-$300?![/QUOTE]

I wouldnt recommend anyone to shop there but there is a King Of Knives in the shopping mall near where I live and I kid you not they have the Swisschamp XLT for $320 and the Workchamp for $258. There are a lot of cheaper ones also around $40 up but the big prices are there.
 
tonym1 said:
I wouldnt recommend anyone to shop there but there is a King Of Knives in the shopping mall near where I live and I kid you not they have the Swisschamp XLT for $320 and the Workchamp for $258. There are a lot of cheaper ones also around $40 up but the big prices are there.
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That would be King of Thieves, Victoria's basement(at auburn) has SAK's for sale and have pretty decent prices.
 
thejamppa said:
I was thinking to hop what they called grasshopper? buss' from Sydney airport and go to Sydney Train station. I think traintrip would be more better than buss ride to Brisbane. Less awkward and more relaxing. From Brisbane its about an hours drive to Caboolture, where lies my Destination. I was told there was nice hiking places around Brisbane. And Caboolture has nice looking hiking routes + Medieval thing with armours, joustings and such around June/July. And my fiancé lives there.

What kind of 3-4" fixed blades can you buy in Australia if you go in Bushes? Something like Mora, quality in budget?
Click to expand...

The bus from the airport to Central, (which is what the main railway station in Sydney is called), is a short easy trip and the best/cheapest way to get there.

As for Brisbane, if you can't afford to fly then the train is definitely the best way to go. Some people like buses, (and they are often cheaper than the train), but I LOATHE bus travel with a passion.

Look here for train timetables:

http://www.countrylink.info/

It is very difficult to find good quality, reasonably priced knives for sale in most places in Oz. You can get them, but the places are limited and the prices generally high and the variety is low.

If you're going to be here for any length of time you'd be better off to buy them online and get them shipped in from America, as long as what you want isn't considered illegal here. Most single edged fixed blade knives are fine.
 
I carry knives of all sizes every day in the middle of Australias most knife paranoid city. I've never had a problem and doubt I ever well.
It was a little awkward when my RTAK II fell out of my bag in the bottle shop last week but no one blinked.
As long as you don't hang out on street corners with ethnic gangs too often during your stay you should be right!
 
Agee with above

My .02

Bring your tools, relax, be sensible and don't push it.

All backpackers carry slip joints - mostly SAK's. If police stop (very unusual in Oz) you they would be surprised not to find one with you if you are carrying your gear.

Having knives in hold luggage is not problem - carrying them on to a plane in hand luggage will have them confiscated.

Knives are more expensive here - bring the ones you want with you.

Carrying knives "without reason" is illegal in many places - but most people take a pragmatic view (particularly in non urban areas) - especially on the knives your are suggesting which are common utility knives. Being foreign you are also likely to get some leeway. There is not likely to be an issue, but in city areas knives are no longer commonly carried.

However do not take knives to night clubs/pubs etc in inner city areas tolerance levels go down a lot - as ther have been some night club orientated violence and stabbings. If the police find you with one there - there is much more likely to be trouble.

If you have time, I would suggest taking the bus and stop off at a few of the backpackers along the way - there are a couple in small towns on the coast North of Newcastle that will give a good relaxed feel of the envornoment.

Have fun
 
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