Germany knife rules

[Mitko]

Hellooooo,

I'm flying to Munich in two weeks. I wonder which knife to get with me.

So far i know: no one-hand openning and locking blades.

How long should a blade be and can i fly with the simplest Victorinox that i can find or i should keep it in the luggage. I'll probably have a small backpack and a bigger one with me.

Also, i'd like to get a knife there (souvenire). I'm over 21 in age...any other rules?

Educate me, plz :-)

[asfaltpiloot]

Hello Mitko.

This link should help you in the right direction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife_legislation#Germany

[jabba359]

How long should a blade be and can i fly with the simplest Victorinox that i can find or i should keep it in the luggage. I'll probably have a small backpack and a bigger one with me.

I don't know about Europe, but we can't even carry a metal nail file onto a plane in the US, much less a real knife. I would suggest putting a cheap knife in with your checked luggage, that way if a baggage handler steals it it isn't a big loss. I hope you have a great time in Germany!

[farmerjohn]

Hellooooo,

I'm flying to Munich in two weeks. I wonder which knife to get with me.

So far i know: no one-hand openning and locking blades.

How long should a blade be and can i fly with the simplest Victorinox that i can find or i should keep it in the luggage. I'll probably have a small backpack and a bigger one with me.

Also, i'd like to get a knife there (souvenire). I'm over 21 in age...any other rules?

Educate me, plz :-)

It's actually a bit more complicated. It's just the combination of one hand opening and locking blade that is not allowed. So the Wikipedia article is technically correct, it just doesn't tell the whole truth (edit: changed the wikipedia article myself, to make it more clear.)
If it's just one of them, you're fine. For example the UKPK is fine, since it has no lock, while being a one hand opener.
In the same manner, you can carry a locking blade like a Victorinox Forester, since it's no OHO.

For fixed and folding blades the maximum legal length is 12cm.

No matter which blade you bring, better carry it concealed, especially when using mass transit.
If the LEOs suspect you are up to something, it doesn't matter to them if the blade you carry is legal or not.

Greetings from Munich

[Murdoc]

What John said.

And concerning the souvenire, you could look for a Böker knife, they are made in Solingen (well, at least some of them ), and they produce good quality. Not the cheapest knives though.

This is one that is even legal to carry i Germany since it doesn't lock open:

http://www.boker.de/index.php?c=209,200 ... 15&p=&pp=0

AFAIK, it it named after the moron that started this new stupid knife law. Strange sense of humour, maybe :rolleyes:

I personally would rather carry a lockable case on my belt to still be able to carry a Spydie than packing a knife named after this jerk, but hey, Böker is trying to comply..... and expresses something in a very subtle way with naming it after one stupid person and NOT after the country it was (sadly) made for (like the UKPK or the DK are). Most likely it still is a nice knife though.
Of course, there are nice Böker knives that still lock AND are assisted openers, like this for example:

http://www.boker.de/index.php?c=209,200 ... &p=3&pp=20

Well, whatever you buy, enjoy your stay in Munich. It is a nice city, used to live there for a short time.

Dennis

[Superfuzz]

Im bringing my Swick. Should obey all of their rules.

[FreeRider67]

you can go to Munich's website, click the English translator, then find the local Polizei. from there... you should be able to contact someone from the local LEO, or go to German Customs (Zoll) and ask them.

your question will not flag you for inspection/search by local LEOs.

I spent several years in Kaiserslautern and Karlsruhe, while working with with German Customs and area police K-9 units; and being upfront with a legit question... will save you a LOT of heartache, down the road.

and rest assured... if you make the mistake of attempting to "sneak" one through... you won't enjoy the results.

read farmerjohn's comments also.

[Ed Schempp]

After two weeks on the road with the Spyderco crew, I got out of bed @ 400AM to make the journey home. After checking my baggage at the airline desk I made my way to security realizing that I had left my Persian in my pocket. I surrendered the knife before I went through security. I was escorted through the concourse into a hallway through a keyed door. At the end of the hallway was a Plexiglas room where I was detained until my choices were outlined by custom and security officials. I could be fingerprinted and reclaim the knife when I came back to Germany or forfeit the piece. I gave up the knife.

The last time I flew out of Seatac I repeated the mistake of not stowing the knife before checking my luggage and my friend suggested a planter stash. I buried the knife in the back of a bushy plant and reclaimed the piece a week later, which cleaned up nicely.

You just can't or shouldn't take a knife on board as a carry-on. There is not a lot of gray area in German law enforcement.

All of the airlines that fly in and out of the US sign a contract agreeing to fulfill TSA security procedure. Most of the airlines serving Europe only usually have procedures equal to, or in excess of TSA requirements. Intent is a bigger deal in Europe. If you carry a baseball bat in your car in the Netherlands and you don't play baseball then the bat is considered a weapon. Carry a piece that is appropriate and not considered or could be considered a weapon like a small red handled swiss army knife. Most of the rest is not worth splitting hairs with the authorities.

Check out the cutlery museum if you go to Solingen, and the Boker and Henckels factory outlet store...Take Care...Ed

[clovisc]

"planter stash" -- good idea, ed. hope i never have to use this option...

[white cloud]

this situation is another reason to love and defend our way of life in the usa.

[anson argyris]

For fixed and folding blades the maximum legal length is 12cm.

There's only a maximum legal length for fixed blades (12 cm, as already mentioned), and there's a maximum length for automatics (8,5 cm).
It's silly, but you can carry folding knives with a blade length as long as 15 or 20 cm (think Spanish Navaja), but You can't carry a Ladybug without legal reason (because it locks and You can open it one-handed).

[FreeRider67]

we do not deal with the sheer volume of international travelers that Europe does; and they are simply NOT interested in taking a chance at lax security. bombings and hijackings are much more common across the water, than Americans could ever imagine, or have been exposed to. German Cutoms/Border Patrol/Police are simply NOT going to play with you, when it comes to security. in America... we have too much concerns for political correctness and "dirtbag rights" preservation. there are scores of people with high intellect, who know what is best for this country. it's just that many of them lack "Walking Around Sense". I'll go with common sense, most any day...

[farmerjohn]

There's only a maximum legal length for fixed blades (12 cm, as already mentioned), and there's a maximum length for automatics (8,5 cm).
It's silly, but you can carry folding knives with a blade length as long as 15 or 20 cm (think Spanish Navaja), but You can't carry a Ladybug without legal reason (because it locks and You can open it one-handed).

Thanks, didn't know that. And you're quite right, it makes it even more absurd...

[224477]

Dont go to places where they dont like your knives.. :)

[Morales]

I'd put in my luggage the knife I want. I tell you why: First, Bavaria is one of the states (maybe the only one so far) in Germany where authorities have specified what they consider to be a 'legal reason'. In short, everything but self-defence is ok. Secondly, wearing a non-locking OHO or a locking two-hand knife doesn't necessarily mean police will let you keep your knife. The new formulations are so vague that they will confiscate your knife just to be on the safe side and let others decide.

So my advice would be: Carry an appropriate knife in the city (e.g. Caly 3) and maybe a larger one (Military) when you're heading outta town. Try to maintain a low profile, don't wave your knife around and you should be fine, cause if they want to get you into trouble they'll do it anyway no matter what knife you're wearing.
And most importantly, enjoy your trip to Munich, it's a fascinating city!

[Mitko]

Aha! I think i got it! Non locking Victorinox it will be. In the luggage while flying...inside the pocket in Germany. Keep it quiet, use it wise...I LOVE YOU PEOPLE :-))) Thanx everyone!

[Scottie3000]

My landlord is German Polizei and said carrying my 3" benchmade automatic was OK just as long as the blade swings out as opposed to coming straight out of the handle.

[FreeRider67]

Scottie 3000,
where are you located?

[farmerjohn]

My landlord is German Polizei and said carrying my 3" benchmade automatic was OK just as long as the blade swings out as opposed to coming straight out of the handle.

That's technically true , but it also falls under the same restrictions as other one hand opener knifes (need a legal reason to carry). And over 8.5cm blade length they're illegal even to own alltogether.
I think the most important thing to remember is that although you might be obeying the law, in the end it's only about what that one single LEO standing in front of you thinks about it.
There have even been newspaper reports where one hand openers where reported as illegal weapons by the arresting officers which is simply not true (buying and owning them is not prohibited in any way).


The more i think about it, our knife law is one **** of a stupid patchwork...

[sixheads]

I travel to germany a couple times a year to different parts and i have alwas taken my Caly3 with me. I have never had a problem. I wouldnt and dont flash it around but i carry it in my front right pocket everywere and i Carry a byrd robin or Meadow lark combo edge in training classes threw the week.

Its all good. But i have never been in a situation were someone would question why i am carrying it or them.

Sixheads