Checked Luggage

[moab]

Hi all,

I want to take my bushcraft knife and survival tin to Canada with me on my canoeing trip, I am packing it in a suite case I was wondering what is the best way to pack it as I don’t want it confiscating by customs and what do I say if they ask why am I carrying it? :yikes:

ta
Tim

Tim,
Apologies for the double post - I have only just noticed your "survival tin" comment - most airlines forbid the carrying of matches even in the hold and this may also relate to other things like lighters etc. Best to check the current guidelines.
Purchase your survival matches in Canada, which gives you a great excuse to oggle some more kit and pick up some more "essentials"

 

[sargey]

i always take a knife on holiday, never had any problems with them in checked baggage. if in doubt about how secure the sheath holds the knife, tape it in place with masking tape.

cheers, and.

 

[timtom1]

thanks for the advice on the matches I will probably only take my knife and thanks again to all of you for your help on this

 

[DoctorSpoon]

I'm just back from a trip to the States and took knives both there and back in hold baggage without problem. On the way there my friend Grace and I had a couple of knives each - on the way back we had LOADS having visited a knife making factory and spent a while in the shop Grace's bag had a note in it saying it had been searched on the way back but they clearly hadn't had a problem with the knives - this included a couple of big locking folders which are definitely not a legal carry in the UK. I'd not worry about it!
Nicola

 

[BigShot]

I think putting a note about sharps, as suggested above by Moab is a good idea...
...personally I don't think I'd put the note on the outside of the bag though - I'd be concerned that advertising the contents of the bag might lead to temptation of any dishnoest (read, thieving) baggage handlers to take them. I've not heard of that kind of thing happening, but I wouldn't risk it myself.

I would put a note in an obvious place inside the bag though - that way if customs or security officials open the bag they will see the note straight away and avoid injury.

Either way would work though.

 

[timtom1]

I've found a clear plastic tupperware box, that fits my knife and sheath so I will write on the lid Camping stuff or something like that they can see whats inside without opening it but they could if they wanted too

 

[He' s left the building]

The airline staff at check-in may ask 'Is there anything in the bag which may be used as a weapon'

Answer truthfully, 'no weapon but I have a camping/bushcraft knife in my checked baggage'. They will then ask to see it.

If you haven't declared it and then it is found, you will be subject to further searching.

I travel regularly with a dive knife and other blades (including SAK, multi-tool, Clipper/F1, sometimes a medium sized jungle knife/machete) and have never had a problem.