Hiking in Switzerland - which Spydie?

Whieee · #1

I'm planning on going hiking in the Swiss Alps next summer, but the Swiss got me confused a bit :confused: I can't make much sense of the information I could find about Swiss knife legislation, other than 'virtually the only legal carry is a SAK'.

But while I do think SAKs are great pocket tools, I also think they don't excel as knives, so I'd rather bring a Spydie which has far better cutting performance, and -important- a clip. Since my introduction to Spyderco about a year ago, I refuse to carry any knife if I can't clip it. :D

I currently have 4 Spydies to choose from: Salt I SE (black), UKPK (foliage green), D4 PE ZDP-189 (british racing green), Sage 1. I am -to some extent- willing to buy a new Spydie for this trip, but if it's not necessary I'd rather spend the money on something else

So... is there anyone who can clarify which of my beloved Spydies I can take with me without having to fear for getting arrested and being thrown in the dark dungeons of Bern? :D

Thanks in advance :spyder:

m.p.s. · #2

Before I went to Switzerland about 2 years ago I asked swiss police via e-mail. I can't find this message but, as I remember, no knives which can be opened with one hand are allowed there.

FLYBYU44 · #3

I'd buy a SAK Soldier, it was my primary EDC long before Spydies and it's a **** of a knife. I've done some heavy duty cutting with mine and it only begs for more. A pocket clip could be attached if you feel like drilling and tapping holes for one, I've seen it done.

Whieee · #4

Thanks for the quick replies so far :) Fortunately I have quite a few SAKs that I used before getting bitten by the :spyder: and while I think SAKs are great value for the money, I'd choose any of my spydies over a SAK when it comes to cutting stuff.

Another important thing -for me- is, that when hiking and climbing in the Alps, I probably won't always have the luxury of having 2 hands available to open my knife. When I find myself hanging from a mountain by 1 arm, in need to cut some rope, that last thing I need is having to open up a SAK with my teeth because some Swiss guy in a suit decided it's illegal to carry a one-hand-opener :p

sarguy · #5

hmmmmm...perhaps something small-ish, like the Delica? Given the "climbing and hiking" nature of your trip, have you looked at the Remote Release Spydie? Seems that there'd be less chance of it falling out of your pocket if it's clipped to a belt loop or gear loop.

Tank · #6

Just curious, if you tighten the pivot screw enough to not allow one hand opening would it then be concidered legal?

Freediver · #7

I would say it depends on what you are actually doing during the hike. Are you camping? Hunting? Climbing with ropes? Trekking over a great distance? I am not familiar with Swiss laws so I can't help you there, but in general if you are hiking any of the knives you mentioned will serve you well. I would carry the salt myself.

PS I am very jealous. I would really like to check the Alps out.

Whieee · #8

Freediver wrote:I would say it depends on what you are actually doing during the hike. Are you camping? Hunting? Climbing with ropes? Trekking over a great distance? I am not familiar with Swiss laws so I can't help you there, but in general if you are hiking any of the knives you mentioned will serve you well. I would carry the salt myself.

PS I am very jealous. I would really like to check the Alps out.

I will be hiking, probably some climbing here and there. We'll most likely be hiking and climbing from a fixed camp location, as my girlfriend wasn't too fond of the idea of making camp on a ridge :D She isn't too much of a climber either, so I want to be prepared the best I can.

I'd love to take the Salt I along, maybe even buy a new one in yellow for the sake of NKP friendliness and visibility. But if m.p.s. is right, neither of my Spydies is a legal carry over there... even though a Salt I with its rounded tip and bright yellow handles just screams 'hiker/climber' instead of 'watch out Im a lethal weapon!'.

Slick · #9

Whieee wrote:Thanks for the quick replies so far :) Fortunately I have quite a few SAKs that I used before getting bitten by the :spyder: and while I think SAKs are great value for the money, I'd choose any of my spydies over a SAK when it comes to cutting stuff.

Another important thing -for me- is, that when hiking and climbing in the Alps, I probably won't always have the luxury of having 2 hands available to open my knife. When I find myself hanging from a mountain by 1 arm, in need to cut some rope, that last thing I need is having to open up a SAK with my teeth because some Swiss guy in a suit decided it's illegal to carry a one-hand-opener :p

Excellant point about the utility of a one hand knife. Even at work I often need a one hand knife to cut stuff while I efficiently control the waste with my other hand. Being able to close the knife with one hand saves time and picking up loose droped stuff. Time is money where I work.

BTW, where I work you should see the reaction of the germans when I NEED to use my Spyderco knives. No one says anything when the need is obvious and efficient. I can say the same about suit and tie american office dwellers.

Peter1960 · #10

Stop ... Stop ... Stop

To my best knowledge: The Switzerland has a new knife law and all of your Spydies are legal now *. No reason to buy an extra Swiss suitable Spydie, Whieee. If you want to know it for sure, please contact Swiss embassy in US.

*) I don't start rumors, I live in the neighborhood of Switzerland.

Whieee · #11

Peter1960 wrote:Stop ... Stop ... Stop

To my best knowledge: The Switzerland has a new knife law and all of your Spydies are legal now *. No reason to buy an extra Swiss suitable Spydie, Whieee. If you want to know it for sure, please contact Swiss embassy in US.

*) I don't start rumors, I live in the neighborhood of Switzerland.

That would be great :) I was planning on contacting either the dutch embassy in Switzerland or the Swiss embassy in the Netherlands for more info.

I remember visiting at the Victorinox factory 2 years ago, I was told that they only sold one-hand-openers at their factory outlet when you specifically ask for them, as you could only carry them if you have a very good reason for it. If that is the way the new law works, it's fine by me

merthyrmafia · #12

Well Klotzli are a Swiss company based in Berne in Switzerland, and they sell one hand openers and locking blades, so if they are selling these knives in the very country you are visiting, then I cannot see there being any problem.

Slick · #13

Whieee wrote:That would be great :) I was planning on contacting either the dutch embassy in Switzerland or the Swiss embassy in the Netherlands for more info.

I remember visiting at the Victorinox factory 2 years ago, I was told that they only sold one-hand-openers at their factory outlet when you specifically ask for them, as you could only carry them if you have a very good reason for it. If that is the way the new law works, it's fine by me

Almost anyone who actually uses their knives can show good reasons for a one hand knife. Think of other tools you use... my hammers are all one hand tools. My other hand is busy with the nails. My driver-drill only requires one hand as the screws/bits/other require the full time use of my off hand. A hammer or drill could easily be mis-construded as a possible weapon.

mmyron1 · #14

This might be a odd question but how are they about fixed blades?

If they have no restrictions on those then I would suggest a small fixed blade and a Victorinox Swiss Tool for the smaller cutting chores. Maybe a Spyderco Moran or a Mora from Frost. My Moran drop point FB02 and a Swisstool are always on my pack when I go hiking. Of course I always have another folder in my pocket no matter where I go.

Also, Victorinox makes one handed openers themselves and they have some really nice blades. I feel they might be one of the most under rated brands out there. I have had a Tinker since my obsession with Macgyver some 25 years ago.

Whieee · #15

mmyron1 wrote:This might be a odd question but how are they about fixed blades?

I don't have any fixed blades in my collection, since I have very little use for them. I can't EDC them, and while camping/hiking/climbing I find a decent folder works fine. Besides, carrying a fixed blade in the Netherlands will get you a lot of :eek: looks

If they have no restrictions on those then I would suggest a small fixed blade and a Victorinox Swiss Tool for the smaller cutting chores. Maybe a Spyderco Moran or a Mora from Frost. My Moran drop point FB02 and a Swisstool are always on my pack when I go hiking. Of course I always have another folder in my pocket no matter where I go.

As far as I could find you have to have a _really_ good reason to carry a fixed blade in Switzerland. I don't know if that has changed recently

Also, Victorinox makes one handed openers themselves and they have some really nice blades. I feel they might be one of the most under rated brands out there. I have had a Tinker since my obsession with Macgyver some 25 years ago.

:D

Macgyver got me into pocketknives when I was a kid. My first knife was a Vic Spartan, and I still own quite a few SAKs. My dad owns a Victorinox Sentinel and I must say it's a terrible knife. The opening mechanism requires way too much force, the lock is a disaster; looks more like a badly designed lefty linerlock than anything else. I'm considering giving him a real knife for his birthday

Peter1960 · #16

Peter1960 wrote:If you want to know it for sure, please contact Swiss embassy in US.

Whieee wrote:That would be great :) I was planning on contacting either the dutch embassy in Switzerland or the Swiss embassy in the Netherlands for more info.

I'm sorry, my mistake. I thought you live in USA :o
Of course it is better to contact your local embassy. The Swiss Embassy in the United States would wonder why they receive a legal request from the Netherlands.

AndiR · #17

Hi Whieee,
to make it short: All your Spydie´s are legal. - > Forbidden are assisted opening Knives, Butterfly, Throwing and Dagger (<30 cm Blade length) Knives.
For those who are interested: The swiss Police published a very good Broschure what´s a weapon and what´s not (In German): http://www.ejpd.admin.ch/etc/medialib/d ... raktiv.pdf
Best Govermental Info I ever saw - You understand at one glance what they mean.
Greetings from Switzerland
Andi

Whieee · #18

AndiR wrote:Hi Whieee,
to make it short: All your Spydie´s are legal. - > Forbidden are assisted opening Knives, Butterfly, Throwing and Dagger (<30 cm Blade length) Knives.
For those who are interested: The swiss Police published a very good Broschure what´s a weapon and what´s not (In German): http://www.ejpd.admin.ch/etc/medialib/d ... raktiv.pdf
Best Govermental Info I ever saw - You understand at one glance what they mean.
Greetings from Switzerland
Andi

Thank you very much Andi! :) That brochure is indeed very clear, even though my german is quite rusty :p It's good to see my Spydies are legal.

Now... as we have the legal issue out of the way... which Spydie should I take? :D Or, which one is a must-have for a trip like mine?

AndiR · #19

I would ask the other way: What is good for cutting Bread, Cheese (I mean the good Stuff which is not exported ) and working for opening Beer Bottles ;-))))) For the rest: Plan B (Thanks Sal for licencing) Wenger New Ranger Knives (Swiss Knives with Spidy Hole)

Andi

mmyron1 · #20

Whieee wrote:I don't have any fixed blades in my collection, since I have very little use for them. I can't EDC them, and while camping/hiking/climbing I find a decent folder works fine. Besides, carrying a fixed blade in the Netherlands will get you a lot of :eek: looks

As far as I could find you have to have a _really_ good reason to carry a fixed blade in Switzerland. I don't know if that has changed recently

:D

Macgyver got me into pocketknives when I was a kid. My first knife was a Vic Spartan, and I still own quite a few SAKs. My dad owns a Victorinox Sentinel and I must say it's a terrible knife. The opening mechanism requires way too much force, the lock is a disaster; looks more like a badly designed lefty linerlock than anything else. I'm considering giving him a real knife for his birthday

I apologize. I am clueless when it comes to laws outside the US. I don't carry a fixed blade for EDC either. I guess I was just looking at it from when I go hiking. It is more of a camping trip when I go and I do agree a fixed blade would attract unwanted attention. I am unfamiliar with the Sentinel. I have mostly classic models without locking blades.