best knife to take on trip to Europe?

F

FrancisB

Joined
Nov 23, 2000
Messages
24
Greetings all,

I'm going to be going to Europe in a month, and would love to take a little folder. I'm not sure what the laws and regs are in France regarding this, as well as international flight regs.

I was thinking my Delica would be the best bet, but would prefer my little Native. I'll take along a little SAK also, but am concerned about a folder

As much as I love my new LCC, I would hate to lose that.. The AFCK looks to "combat" and will wind my butt in jail... (I guess)

any thoughts? Also, I don't think I can carry anything on the plane.

thanks in advance.

Regards
Francis
 
Hey!

I just realized something. if you guys come up with something I don't have, I'll just use this thread as justification to my wife...

"But Hon, the guys said we really need THIS knife.. ;-)"

yea!

 
Spyderco Navigator or Cricket do not look too scary and still have some cutting power (certainly the Navigator).
In general go for a plain version (or partially serrated at maximum)
Leave your Shabaria at home
wink.gif

 
I went to France last year and I was told by the French Consulate in NYC to not bring any type of weapon into the country, nothing, zip, zilch, nada. Not even a SAK. Your best bet is to buy a SAK over there. They will give you royal hell if customs finds that you brought a weapon into their country. I wouldn't risk it.

------------------
firedept_md_wht.gif
"Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.
----Abraham Lincoln
 
Two knives: a victorinox minichamp on your keyring and a native in your pocket. Leave it in your luggage during flights,of course.
Have a nice trip!
 
FrancisB, IMHO the best option would be a medium/regular sized (3.5" Victorinox or cca. 3" Wenger) SAK: unexpensive to replace and not scary. I would go with the basic models: Victorinox Compact knife, Spartan, Climber or Tinker models. A Classic or Rambler, or a Leatherman Micra would be handy as a "backup" too. Spydies are more expensive and as they have locking blades it can cause some problems at airports if you wish to carry them in your pocket.
Every 2-3 months there are similar topics here on the forum (you may wish to search the quite small 'European Knife Community' forum here too) and every time the most recommended option is a SAK or a small slipjoint folder (stockman).
Have a good time in Europe!
littleknife
 
SAK or Leatherman type tool is a wise choice. In France, technically any public pocket knife carry is illegal as far as I know, but I think a SAK, Opinel or Laguiole wouldn´t cause any trouble.
In England, there´s two different laws: A folder with a blade shorter than 3 inch and non-locking is a legal knife. But there´s a second law with which any tool you carry can be declared an illegal weapon if you can´t prove immediate need (such as a tool you need to do your job). Nice law. Airport security is very tight. Your LCC or AFCK would probably be confiscated at Heathrow or Stansted.
In Austria, nearly all knives are legal to carry (except knives that pretend to be harmless objects - belt-buckle knives, sword canes). Daggers and swords are free to carry with age 18 and over. No length or concealment restrictions.
Germany: Theres´s no switchblades over 8.5cm (I think), daggers are 18 and over. No daggers and fixed blades and locking folders over a certain blade length at public gatherings such as concerts and demonstrations.
Switzerland: Some very weird laws that forbid some locking folders and all serrated knives, but fixed blades OVER a defined length (which I don´t know) are legal.
All above only AS FAR AS I KNOW.

------------------
"Peace is not without conflict; it is the ability to cope with conflict" - Leo Giron

[This message has been edited by judge (edited 01-15-2001).]
 
I was in Italy and France last summer. Took a very small slipjoint folder with me on the plane, and a Spydercard in my checked luggage. Bought another slip joint in Italy, and a liner lock in France. I actually walked through the metal detector in Zurich with the slipjoint in my pocket,
redface.gif
but it didn't set off the alarm.

From what I managed to learn while in Europe, any knife you carry in France or Italy is illegal if the police want it to be. But, you're an American tourist, so if you don't do anything remarkably stupid, they are not going to hassle you.

Next trip I will probably bring a lightweight Cricket or a Navigator.

------------------
Dave

Let no one ever from henceforth say one word in any way countenancing war. It is dangerous even to speak of how here and there the individual may gain some hardship of soul by it. For war is hell, and those who institute it are criminals. Siegfried Loraine Sassoon
 
The laws are illogical and vary as much there as here between states. The French don't like locking blades, but one handed opening is OK. Still the problem is not in country if you don't make a point of brandishing your knife to clean your nails every time you sit down at a cafe. I find there are not all that many times when you MUST pull out your own knife. In a cafe for example, you can always ask the waiter for a knife instead of reaching for your own as you might do on your own turf. I've traveled through half of Western Europe anyway and have never had a problem with a small knife in the waist band, but I make a point of NOT reaching for it when a minor opportunity presents itself. The scissors on my SAK have proven far more versitile in that regard, and no one appears threatened by them.

In the airports, I used to carry a Delica, but even that got taken from me a couple of times (not every time). I would put it in the tray along with keys, change, pen, phone/pager, etc. Now, I just put the delica in my checked bags, and board the plane with a small SAK or a Micra. They seem to get by OK...
 
I'd stick my SAK Rambler in my pocket as usual, and pack my Spydie Navigator in my carry on baggage, along w/my electric shaver and toiletries.

------------------
Ephesians 1:7- "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..." The Bible Gateway
 
Whenever I travel to Europe, especially by way of England's Heathrow, I make sure that my knives are small and always in my checked baggage.

I carry the BM705 and the Victorinox Tinker model Swiss Army knife.

Professor.
 
Don't take any knife with you. Chances are that it will be confiscated by the customs, especially if it's a nice one! And you can find LOTS of nice knives in Paris(fairly priced too, unless you want to buy Microtech or Benchmade). I'm sure you'll find something. Just take the subway to "Opera" or "Pyramides" and look for:

Courty et Fils
44 r Petits Champs
Tel 01 42 96 59 21

or

Kindal
33 av Opéra 75002
Tel 01 42 61 70 78

About carying, the law formally prohibits any "weapons" (knives included, even a 1" blade) BUT I carry every day and that's not a problem. In fact a knife is considered to be a "weapon" only if carried in the wrong place at the wrong time (like when you are drunk and yelling at a cop, or protesting on the street, or chasing an old lady
biggrin.gif
). The same works for a screwdriver or a pair of scissors.

So take advantage of your trip to buy a new knife. I know I would.

Hope it helps.

[This message has been edited by flava (edited 01-16-2001).]
 
I'd recommed one of the larger, locking Victorinox SAKs. That way, you get the benefit of all the tools, plus a locking, last-ditch-effort defense blade (slash and run like hell).
Of course, when planning what knives to bring, keep in mind this simple fact: If you dress like a biker and have green hair, six nose rings and wear a nazi helmet, you're likely to have problems with the local authorities (so don't carry a large folder likely to raise their ire). On the other hand, if you're more the button-down, Bob Newhart type, then you're very UNLIKELY to have any problems at all. By all means, pack that Spydie Military or Police model or whatever.
Incidentally, I'm not making any judgements on appearance - I know there are plenty of nice folks who happen to dress like bikers or whatever. But that is irrelevant in the case of a traveller in a foreign country. Just my two cents.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Philip357:
Spyderco Navigator or Cricket do not look too scary and still have some cutting power (certainly the Navigator).
</font>
Click to expand...

I thought production had ceased on those two knives.

 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by remster135:
I went to France last year and I was told by the French Consulate in NYC to not bring any type of weapon into the country, nothing, zip, zilch, nada. Not even a SAK.
</font>
Click to expand...

Another reason not to visit France. What's with those guys, anyway?

 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Professor:
Whenever I travel to Europe...I make sure that my knives are small and always in my checked baggage.
</font>
Click to expand...

[MILD SARCASM]Your knife should always be in your checked luggage. That way, should you have need of it, you will be completely helpless.[/MILD SARCASM]

I understand your reasoning, but the whole airport security business makes me feel like a child trying to get past the imperious hall monitor in elementary school. The child always looses. The sad thing is we're not children, but are treated as such.

 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by matthew rapaport:
Now, I just put the delica in my checked bags, and board the plane with a small SAK or a Micra. They seem to get by OK...</font>
Click to expand...

May I ask what small SAK you take?

 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by cardimon:
Another reason not to visit France. What's with those guys, anyway?

</font>
Click to expand...

Could you develop on the other reasons?
cool.gif
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by flava:
Could you develop on the other reasons?
cool.gif
</font>
Click to expand...

Oops. No insult intended. My other reason was the French language. I don't speak it at all.

My wife, who took French in high school, actually speaks and writes an elementary version. She is in communcation with her old high school French teacher, who has retired and is now a travel agent.

We're planning a 10th anniversary trip to the UK, and she has always wanted to breakfast in Paris. My admittedly illogical reason for not wanting to go, even though I do want to see the Eiffel Tower, is that I won't be able to read a menu, much less order from one.

By the way, would the French Consulate really consider a Swiss Army knife a "weapon?" I could understand forbidding fixed-blade knives, but a SAK?



[This message has been edited by cardimon (edited 01-17-2001).]
 
flava,
This seems like a good opportunity to ask this question, since I'm sure many of us thought the same thing reading a post above.
Since you are a fellow forumite I feel I can be blunt without being rude. In the United States there is a perception that the French people are not friendly to Americans visiting France. Of course it's no mystery that Americans can be unpopular worldwide for a variety of reasons but France holds a special place as anti-American in the minds of many who have never been there. Is this true? Is there a general feeling about American tourists, good or bad, or are we just paranoid?
And how about a Mouse for European travel, any problems?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top