I’m moving, how to ship my knives?

Pierre5454

Pierre5454

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Feb 6, 2018
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question for the community. I’m moving across the country in a week. We’re getting one of those pod things to ship most of our stuff. I’m thinking of just packing up the knife collection and including it in the pod shipment. Seems safer than shipping them separately through usps or something. Anyone have experience doing this? any advice would be awesome. Thanks!
 
If you're not also driving (in which case keep the knives with you), including them in the pod doesn't sound any different than putting them on a moving truck. Make sure to put some desiccant packets in with them, as they may experience wide variations in temperature and humidity during the move.

Good luck! :)
 
I would avoid labeling the box as "Knives" or something similar. A less then honest mover might open that box up and take a few.

Put your knives in a box and put that box in the bottom of a bigger box with stuff on top in case someone opens the box to take a peek at the contents.
 
Thank you! Yep, we're flying so unfortunately they've got to ship somehow. Good call on the desiccant packets. :thumbsup:
 
gazz98 said:
I would avoid labeling the box as "Knives" or something similar. A less then honest mover might open that box up and take a few.

Put your knives in a box and put that box in the bottom of a bigger box with stuff on top in case someone opens the box to take a peek at the contents.
Click to expand...

This. Never label anything potentially valuable as such. If you're super worried about it, you could always ship them to yourself insured.
 
Buy one more inexpensive tool boxes, load them up, padlock them for security, then put one per larger cardboard box with other soft packing material, then tape the crap out it, then label it Stool Samples, or books, rock collection etc.
 
Not all free advice is good advice...even though well-intentioned...
Many (not all, of course) moving companies are like car salesmen...you get my drift... count your gold fillings before and after you deal with them.
I've had thousands of dollars worth of stuff lost, or damaged beyond repair (a Honda Gold Wing bike) in two past moves. One Arkansas mover said his company employees begin every day at 8 a.m. with a prayer. They were just praying for good stuff to steal...
If you use one, purchase an independent insurance "rider" to cover your contents...as "replacement value." Take lots of pics. This info just came from ClarkHoward.com...a great Christian radio host who sells nothing, but advises callers how to save money and avoid being ripped off by scams. He is excellent; have listened to his Sunday radio broadcasts for many yrs.
Wrap all of your knives well; put them ALL into one or two USPS Priority large flat-rate boxes... each box can contain up to about 80 lbs of stuff. (I don't know how large your collection is...) Tape it closed and label it. The postal clerk will ask you if it contains...explosives, gas, and dangerous stuff...you just say no... I usually tell 'em pocket knives.
Then register and insure the box for as much as the knives are worth...or more... Make sure you have pics of every knife that goes in, and take a pic of the labeled box. ...important "just in case." This box has to be signed for at each and every postal location that it passes through...it will be safe..
I have shipped or received several hundred boxes (knives) in USPS small flat rate boxes...or just in USPS regular mail (small boxes or in padded paper mailing envelopes). NEVER a loss, except when I dropped a USPS box into a FED EX "barrel" and it "disappeared." That $400 knife was never seen again...by me.
The Fed Ex supervisor said that his pickup guy never saw a box in the FED EX drop-off container. Surely, he has very bad eyes, and a very nice knife.
Just note that coin dealers ship gold and silver coins and bullion in much the same way...by USPS.
 
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I would get a heavy duty box and plaster it these stickers then place it securely in the pod.
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I would suggest you drive the "collection" yourself to your new home. Rent a small UHaul trailer if necessary. I suggest the same thing with guns, jewelry, and art work.

As far as the pod goes, if the pod moving company is going to store it a while, I would definitely not stick high dollar items inside. Otherwise, it may be okay as long as there is no handling in route of the items stored. This is basically the whole idea with pods.... store it, lock it, and it is delivered to your destination. Regardless, do not label boxes with "knives" or anything that will focus attention to a particular box. You could just number them and keep a list yourself of the general contents of each numbered box.
 
Take pics and inventory it all. Video of it going in and being locked/sealed isn't a bad idea either.

Moved out of the fine state of md twice and was robbed both times by the movers, the 2nd time was for over $5k in knives and bayonets.
 
I can't see any problem with the pod other than storing conditions. It could get hot and humid in those containers and you may want to protect your knives from such.
 
I’ve never used a POD, but my understanding is that you put the stuff in, then YOU put your own lock on it before it gets stored or shipped. If that’s the case, I’d say you shouldn’t worry too much. I assume you can get some sort of insurance on the, so just document everything before locking and shipping.

If the POD shows up without your lock on it, start calling POD and your insurance.
 
I’ve used PODS. Takes five weeks, but the price is right. I shipped jewelry and watches and knives with it- covered under the insurance. No problems.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. The move is complete and all the knives made it. I ended up shipping the more expensive custom knives via usps, insured and registered. Checked a few with my luggage at the airport, and shipped most of them directly in the pod. All 3 shipping methods worked just fine, just wanted to take the "don't put all your eggs (or knives) in one basket" approach.
 
If you have any friends or new neighbors where you will be moving to, wrap them in bubble wrap and put them into well taped up large (or medium or small) USPS priority boxes and mail them just before you move. You can insure the box.
 
You pack them up just like the rest of your stuff. How is this even a question? Unless you have one of a kind, super rare expensive stuff. Then it should already be insured. Then the answer is the same. Pack up and move. Nobody cares about your knife collection exept you.
 
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