Travelling to Europe with a knife.

T

TornAdo

Joined
Jul 29, 2000
Messages
80
A friend of mine asked my recommendation for a knife to take while backpacking Europe for about 6 weeks (I extensively used a Benchmade Eclipse to cut bread, make sandwiches, etc). I offered my advice and suggested something sturdy, inexpensive and not to menacing. A Spyderco Delica for me seemed like a good choice.

My questions are:

Due to the obvious increased security on airline flights is it acceptable to attempt to store small pocketknife like a Spyderco Delica, in your luggage that is to be stored within the baggage compatment of an airplane ? (Going overseas to Europe)

He's going to France, Spain, and Italy. Any have any ideas about the knife carrying laws pertaining to these countries. ( I know that in England they're really strict!).

Thanks,

TornAdo
 
If you do a search in the European section (found under Community) this question or a variation is asked regularly - you should get your carry answer.

I flew from the UK to the USA and vack last week with my CQC6 checked in my luggae - no problems there.

Regards,

Ed
 
6 posts? something is really wrong with either your or my PC Edmoses.

To answer your question: If you are going to keep it checked in your luggage and not in the airplane itself, I think you aren't gonna find many trouble with even a SIFU. You picked the three countries in Europe with the easiest knifelaws. France is not gonna be a problem as long as it folds, and if it's for hiking purposes. Spain even less problems, even for Fixed blades which you might carry. Italy is the same as France.

I suppose that if you take your delica for smal cutting chores your safe in all departements. Even a syderco military doesn't raise too much suspicion. Just keep it OUT of reach of your hands so it seems you are only carrying it for in emergencies.

Point out to anyone wondering about the knife three things :
1. foreign (american )
2. on tour, hiking, survival, camping.
3. emergencies and food preparation (DON'T give the cops a demonstration on how fast you can open or draw the knife )

Why? Cops are generally looking for real criminals..ok your knife might be a small offense buttt.. it requires them to type a lengthy rapport to your home-town-sherrif, and collect the fne from them. Now cops are generally lazy, so the words foreign or american will make them overlook any small offense (now don't go shoplifting OK :D ).
2 and 3 will explain why you need the knife, because most Euro knifelaws are situation-based, like in belgium.. if you'r camping you can carry just about anything, but for everyday work in the street.. nope.

greetz and take care, Bart.
 
If it is for utility cutting chores rather defense, I would carry a SAK or an Opinel. They are common in Europe and tend to be considered cutting tools more than weapons.
 
If traveling in England with a lockback, I would suggest putting it in your backpack and not on your person. Lockbacks are illegal for daily carry unless one is camping or hunting. I understand that in France all pocketknives are illegal so be very wary about taking out a knife in France.
 
Post-Sept. 11 paranoia has not hit Europe so much.
A knife like the Delica will not pose a problem anywhere, just don't carry it to the night club with you!

As the ultimate non-threatening knife, I would suggest the new Benchmade Griptilian in bright green colour, a knife that would never be seen as a weapon by anybody.
 
Originally posted by anthony cheeseboro
I understand that in France all pocketknives are illegal so be very wary about taking out a knife in France.
Click to expand...

Did they recently crack down on knives in France? A few years ago I bought a switchblade in Rouen, from a brick-and-mortar knife store that had plenty of pocket knives and autos in the window display.
 
You can buy anything in France, but technically, carrying a pocketknife is illegal. In understand that this is a law that dates back to the Vichy period. From what I hear it is rather selectively enforced. That is why I said if you have a knife in France, you might want to keep it low profile.
 
The French law is really no different than Florida. Any knife carried in the pocket in Florida is a concealed weapon, however, almost no one gets charged with this unless they are being busted for something else!:p
 
Thanks, that makes sense to me now. Y'know, back when I was a sailor I carried a folder on every liberty call (22 countries) and never gave it a thought. Strangely enough it didn't occur to me that some places might be stricter on knife laws than the US!
 
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