Blade Magazine Article - Flying "with" knives

[hso]

• Put knives in checked baggage when flying.
• Don’t bring anything you would miss if it were lost or stolen.
• What knife is legal everywhere? Small, non-locking knives that open with two hands are almost always legal.
• Research knife laws of your destination.

Despite a failed attempt in 2013 at allowing certain kinds of knives on airplanes, blades remain restricted when traveling on airplanes. Here are some tips for traveling with knives.


TSA Knife Rules
The following are the current rules for knives on airplanes from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).


What knives does the TSA allow on airplanes? Here’s the list. Keep in mind that checked luggage is still subject to search, so don’t pack anything you’d miss if you lost it.
That said, there are still other considerations even if you decide to bring knives in your luggage.

Put Inexpensive Knives in Your Checked Baggage

For vacationing knife enthusiasts, Plaza Cutlery’s Dan Delavan suggests a Spyderco, Kershaw or CRKT knife in the $30 to $70 range. An example of the latter is the CRKT Pilar with a 2.4-inch blade of 8Cr13MoV stainless and a closed length of 3.5 inches. MSRP: $39.99.
The kinds of people who walk into Dan and Pam Delavan’s Plaza Cutlery retail knife store in Costa Mesa, California, go for all kinds of knives, from classic folders to KA-BARs. But when they walk through Plaza Cutlery’s doors to buy a knife for vacation, most buy inexpensive models to slip into their checked baggage—inexpensive in case the knives get lost, stolen or confiscated.

“When they fly, that’s when the knife changes,” Delavan said.

He shows them budget models by Spyderco, CRKT and Kershaw, knives ranging from about $30 to $75. If customers are into Spyderco knives they might buy one from the Byrd line, folders from Spyderco with cost-friendly materials. If the customers like higher-end models, they might buy a Benchmade.

“It’s all relative to what you can afford,” Delavan said.

Plaza Cutlery is in South Coast Plaza, a mall that bills itself as “a luxury shopping experience”—a vacation destination in and of itself. Nearby Disneyland is an international draw. Hollywood and its attractions are close, too.

When Delavan heads to Disneyland with Pam and the grandchildren, he often carries the Victorinox Swiss Army Classic, which can slip on a keychain. He said it’s small enough that the park allows him to carry it. Of course, always research the knife laws of the areas you will be visiting. For most places in the USA, a small, non-locking knife should be OK, “but you’ve got to check” to be sure, Delavan noted.

What Knife is Legal Everywhere? Best Bet: Small, Non-Locking Knife that Opens with Two Hands

While there are no guarantees that a knife will be legal everywhere, your best bet is with a small, non-locking knife that opens with two hands. This Victorinox Money Clip is a great example.
Joe Tarbell’s retail store, JT’s Knife Shop, sits in a small building in Port Jervis, New York. The family-owned business began as an army surplus store near the Delaware River, which, during the summer, fills with kayakers and rafters.

“People ask me about knife laws quite often and it’s a pretty complicated subject,” he said. “Knife laws can be very vague and misunderstood. I have even had police tell me a lot of it is up to the discretion of the officer. I tell people to research the best they can and check out AKTI [American Knife & Tool Institute]. I can’t tell you how many people think that the law states that a blade can’t be larger than the palm of your hand, which is ridiculous.”

If a customer is traveling overseas, he suggests a small, non-locking knife such as a multi-tool or an Opinel.

What Happens If TSA Confiscates Your Knife?
You’ll likely have to buy it back, if you can find it. Start with GovDeals.com, where government-seized property is often sold.

 

[Sistema1927]

I carry a Case Sodbuster Jr. in my checked bag. Not my yellow handle CV model, but a black handle stainless version. The blade is small enough to pass muster most everywhere, but large enough to do what is needed. It takes two hands to open, and doesn't have a lock but does very well about staying open.Had it in NYC and also on a cruise ship recently with no problems.

 

[RA40]

Great article! Target had one of their X-mas sales on various Gerber knives ~$15-$20 so a few were picked up to zip tie into each suitcase. The Mrs has a Leatherman Micra in the purse and at one time fingernail clippers. Those got confiscated/tossed into the trash can barrel of other no-fly hard objects. (Which was a key tool because the nail clippers would cut the zip tie so easily after we'd opened the suitcases. The Micra scissors were ok and struggled a bit.)

One of the Japan trips we'd met up with some other knifemakers so in that instance the Gerber was not suitable. Checked the blade portion but the folder body was in the carry-on along with the tools to assemble. The hex keys drew the scrutiny of the Japanese airport security, they didn't blink at the folder body. For Japan it was sub 2.5" but in that once instance the custom with the 3-1/8" blade came long. We had show-tell at the restaurant table so good thing the police were not there.

I thought that a pocket knife might trip up the metal detectors when we took our last cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale or PR as well as the daily boarding while at each island stop, nope.

One of the concerns is that if one winds up in a situation where LEO are called upon: Wrong place, wrong time and you get caught up in the event under some suspicion, that's bad. Especially overseas with language barrier.

 

[Odd Job]

Multitool is a safe bet for the UK.
I carry a Wenger Evogrip 18 all the time. Scissors and blade are used most often to open packaging.
Blade must be less than 3" and non-locking.

 

[bannockburn]

hso

Good info! Thanks for posting.

 

[dh1633pm]

I went on 20 separate trips last year. Most were one week in duration. Two were two weeks in duration, and one was three. Visited many sites in the US to include Hawaii, plus Germany, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The mini grip accompanied me on all journeys. That doesn't mean I always carried it around in public. I went through customs in all countries with it. No issues. Doesn't mean I will make it through again in the future. The only place where my bag was thoroughly searched was by Canadian Customs in Vancouver. I had to empty almost everything out of both carry on and checked. The easiest was flying from Auckland to Tauranga NZ, no security at all. Just get on and fly. I have also seen many a person who forgot to take their knife out of their carry on bag. Whoa unto them.

Don't think I am disagreeing with the advice given. Certainly not. Just giving my ignorance is bliss assessment of my travel experience which is considerable.

 

[Fiv3r]

I don't fly often. When I do travel that way, I generally opt for a SAK Explorer. It's a chunky 4 layer tool where the twisty-turny bits outnumber the stabby-slicey bits so it seems more like a tool kit than a pocket knife.

If I am going really small, a simple Waiter will get the job done, really. A way to trim a string/open a box, a way to open a beer, and a way to pull a cork.

Most of my vacations are to southern places. Very gun/knife friendly. I live in Indiana and have just gotten back from a trip to MS/LA. My permit is reciprocated all the way down. So, I brought along a Ruger LCP II in my left pocket, and a nearly 4" bladed ZT folder in my right. I had a great time, but found myself using the Boker Tech Plus clipped to my swimming trunks more often than the ZT.

My biggest challenge is going to places like Disney where most every knife is frowned upon even if it is technically allowed. That said, I have never felt the NEED to have one on me there. The last time we went, I carried a simple Leatherman Piranha for unplanned use. It's a one piece non-edged tool. I think the next go around I will use it as an excuse to buy a Leatherman Tread. Novelty? Sure. However, I like the idea of just wearing edc onto the plane and walking right into the Disney parks. For no more than what I need to cut, the little box hook will be more than enough. Popping a bottle or fixing some sunglasses is about the extent of my vacation needs.

 

[Speedo66]

I'm leaving for Sweden in a couple of weeks to visit relatives, and thought about what I should bring. Their knife laws are fairly liberal, but the people are too; I figured I'd be best suited with something non threatening looking.

So I'm leaving my all black partially serrated Leek EDC behind and bringing a Swiss Army Waiter model, as mentioned above, instead. This is a small thin knife that includes one sharp blade, a corkscrew, and a combination bottle opener/can opener. Swedes are known to imbibe, so I should be covered with this knife's abilities. They're also some of the most law abiding people on the face of the earth, so I'm not thinking weapon.

Of course, as small as it is, it will still travel in the checked luggage.

 

[SharpDog]

I used to fly with the small swiss army personal care knives (scissors, nail file, 1.x" blade and tweezers) probably would choose that again for carry on, if they take it no big deal.

My main plan is to buy any interesting things at my destination (including knives) use them while there and ship them home in cargo as souvenirs. I did that visiting the Phillippines and it worked out well, giving all my stuff including suitcases, shaving gear, electronics, etc to my wif'e relatives and getting great deals on indigenous (and comfortable shoes) tropical clothing, backpacks and the like. Anything that was sketchy was shipped back via cargo to meet me at my final destination.

Did the same with my first wife in Europe, we had more money then so it was Venetian glass, Amsterdam diamonds (incl. werddng ring) fine fur coats and fancy leather, etc. You just have to work it so that what you bring is hard for them to get and what you buy is cheaper there than at home. Of course, all duties are paid. But still, you make out like a bandit.

This was years ago, but I'm fairly sure it still applies.