I'm planning on visiting a few countries in Europe, and I would like to bring a knife along with me. Anybody know if the terzuola slipit would be legal in sweden, germany, france, spain, and/or switzerland? I'm pretty sure the UKPK would be fine in any of those, I'm just worried about the swedge on the blade. I know it's not a sharp edge, but there are always sheeple who fear the one of the six simple machines...
And yes, I know to leave them in my luggage and whatnot while flying, but what about on eurorail and/ or while walking around? Furthermore, I know NYC has restrictions on using the pocketclip (completely ridiculous) but do y'all know if any of those countries have similar restrictions?
I appreciate any feedback. Long live the Spyder! :spyder:
Is it legal...?
It should be legal in Germany. I borrowed a SAK and used it on the train to Austria to process food. Nobody gave any funny vibes at all. We traveled there with only carry-on luggage, so borrowing a knife was a top priority when I arrived! I was going to just buy one but our hostess said to wait and her dad lent me one for the 3 weeks we were there. It was very kind of him; he even sharpened it before lending it to me!
The legal deal in Germany is that the pocket knife can be locking OR one-hand opening, but not both at the same time.
The legal deal in Germany is that the pocket knife can be locking OR one-hand opening, but not both at the same time.
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smellslikepurple233
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lamorak
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You would also be fine in Germany with a fixed blade. The rules for Germany are:
- no automatic, balisong, gravity knife
- no knife being both one hand opening and locking
- no knife longer than 12cm
- if you have a valid reason you can go bigger: e.g. you go hunting.
For France, it's a bit more complicated: knives are mostly considered as 6th category weapons (in case law, non-locking blades are not considered weapons but go explain it to a cop) and as such are not allowed without a valid reason: e.g. you go hiking. Tools like a screwdriver or a hammer can also be considered a weapon depending on the circumstances.
For other countries, I do not know the specifics. As a rule of thumb, if you just do the touristy things you won't have a problem with a plain old red SAK. With other knives, you'll need to do some explaining, even a lot of explaining depending on the situation.
- no automatic, balisong, gravity knife
- no knife being both one hand opening and locking
- no knife longer than 12cm
- if you have a valid reason you can go bigger: e.g. you go hunting.
For France, it's a bit more complicated: knives are mostly considered as 6th category weapons (in case law, non-locking blades are not considered weapons but go explain it to a cop) and as such are not allowed without a valid reason: e.g. you go hiking. Tools like a screwdriver or a hammer can also be considered a weapon depending on the circumstances.
For other countries, I do not know the specifics. As a rule of thumb, if you just do the touristy things you won't have a problem with a plain old red SAK. With other knives, you'll need to do some explaining, even a lot of explaining depending on the situation.
:spyder: count: 50, first: Atlantic Salt, latest: Dodo, edc: Urban, waiting for: Techno
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lamorak
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BTW, it seems now even legal to have a small knife for air travel, but still no liquids. On a recent trip, going through Düsseldorfs airport my father didn't want to check in his luggage: they took away his shampoo bottle but the small SAK he forgot in his bag was fine (they gave it back to him after measuring it).
:spyder: count: 50, first: Atlantic Salt, latest: Dodo, edc: Urban, waiting for: Techno
This is poor legal advice, but in situations like this I like to carry something smaller and non threatening, like a UKPK, and then carry something like a Delica. I keep both fully hidden from view, and if I need a knife for utility purposes I use the Ukpk, and keep the Delica hidden. I'd only use the Delica if it was for self defense.
It's important that you never go afoul of the law in anyway if you're going to do something like this.
Again, I am not a lawyer, and the advice above is not sound from a legal standpoint.
I prefer to just stay in the beautiful commonwealth of Pennsylvania and carry a couple guns and a bunch of :spyder: around.
It's important that you never go afoul of the law in anyway if you're going to do something like this.
Again, I am not a lawyer, and the advice above is not sound from a legal standpoint.
I prefer to just stay in the beautiful commonwealth of Pennsylvania and carry a couple guns and a bunch of :spyder: around.
For travelling in Europe, considering a slipit is already the safest choice.
in France our laws on knives are pretty vague and almost always left to the LEO's interpretation. Since knives and objects that can cause harm to someone in general are both classified as 6th category weapons, even a butter knife could fall in this category.
but it always come down to how you react and explain yourself if searched, 2 persons with the same knife could have a drastically opposit treatment... anyway. Carry it in the backpack and be prepared to leave it at the security desk in every place you'll visit if it's detected (which is sometimes the case but not everytime... i've passed some security with both a Para and SAK in my backpack) you won't be asked questions.
As a tourist it's very unlikely you'll be searched by the police in the street unless caught in some bad event, in that case a knife found on you could be used against you. (don't drink/fight/steal and spydie)
if carried outside a backpack, deep pockect carry is preferable, no clip visible.
In Switzerland, any one hand opener is forbidden... plain and simple.
they did it to protect the SAK industry, which has since then produced one hand openers sold in shops there... go figure :)
the risk is usually when you pass the custom, they can be very curious and supiscious.
the basic rule when travelling with any knife is: be prepared to lose it
happy travel! :)
in France our laws on knives are pretty vague and almost always left to the LEO's interpretation. Since knives and objects that can cause harm to someone in general are both classified as 6th category weapons, even a butter knife could fall in this category.
but it always come down to how you react and explain yourself if searched, 2 persons with the same knife could have a drastically opposit treatment... anyway. Carry it in the backpack and be prepared to leave it at the security desk in every place you'll visit if it's detected (which is sometimes the case but not everytime... i've passed some security with both a Para and SAK in my backpack) you won't be asked questions.
As a tourist it's very unlikely you'll be searched by the police in the street unless caught in some bad event, in that case a knife found on you could be used against you. (don't drink/fight/steal and spydie)
if carried outside a backpack, deep pockect carry is preferable, no clip visible.
In Switzerland, any one hand opener is forbidden... plain and simple.
they did it to protect the SAK industry, which has since then produced one hand openers sold in shops there... go figure :)
the risk is usually when you pass the custom, they can be very curious and supiscious.
the basic rule when travelling with any knife is: be prepared to lose it
happy travel! :)
Alexandre.
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I am not sure about Sweden, but I don't think that you would want to have a knife of any sort in your pocket there, if you are not on your way to go fishing or hunting. I have been there, and know that people use knives there. In cities, I don't know the law.
I have been to Norway a couple of times and know that you can be fined pretty heavily for having any pocket knife with you unless you have a good justification - like you are a carpenter, etc.
When I travel to Europe, it is normally without any knives with me.
I have been to Norway a couple of times and know that you can be fined pretty heavily for having any pocket knife with you unless you have a good justification - like you are a carpenter, etc.
When I travel to Europe, it is normally without any knives with me.
The Terzuola would be legal in Germany since it doesn't lock. No restrictions about the clip or anything. If you're planning on joining a political rally or a soccer game I would still leave it at home. Just in case. In special situations like these the police has the last word and you can argue and file a complaint later.smellslikepurple233 wrote:Anybody know if the terzuola slipit would be legal in sweden, germany, france, spain, and/or switzerland? I'm pretty sure the UKPK would be fine in any of those, ...
Not in your list but might still be interesting for you: Austria. I've been to Austria this summer and as far as I remember they don't have any restrictions in place as long as a knife isn't specifically constructed as a weapon (like a dagger or something).
According to my research in Switzerland one-hand opening is only allowed for blades under 5 cm or an opened length shorter than 12 cm.
In generell I would agree that with a regular SAK or maybe a small Spyderco Slipit like the Squeak you'd probably be on the safe side. But I'd still be prepared to give up the knife without discussion if security people confiscate it.
There's been an article on European knife regulations in the German Messermagazin a while back. It's in German, so probably not all that helpful to you but it has a map on the first page which shows quite nicely where heavy or not so heavy regulations are in place, just to give you a general idea. The darker the color the heavier the restrictions:
http://www.haller-stahlwaren.de/fileadm ... usland.pdf
Hi,
for Switzerland the Terzuola slipit is ok - as said in prior Posts: Just don´t take it to public Events like big Concerts or big soccer Games.
In General for Siwtzerland:
- no automatic or assisted Knifes
- No Daggers or symetrical sharpend Knifes below 30 cm (yes the below is correct)
- No throwing Knifes
- One handed manual Knife´s are completely fine (info direct from Fedpol -> Police Authority here in CH)
- No Balisongs
for Switzerland the Terzuola slipit is ok - as said in prior Posts: Just don´t take it to public Events like big Concerts or big soccer Games.
In General for Siwtzerland:
- no automatic or assisted Knifes
- No Daggers or symetrical sharpend Knifes below 30 cm (yes the below is correct)
- No throwing Knifes
- One handed manual Knife´s are completely fine (info direct from Fedpol -> Police Authority here in CH)
- No Balisongs
Well, I am not sure that each country in Europe will allow you to carry knife with you. I guess you should consult immigration lawyer, he will let you know all about it.
I live in Sweden and the law here basically says that you have to have a reason for carrying a knife. If you don't have a valid reason, you can be fined.
However, I carry a knife daily, something small and discrete. Just use it with judgement, don't wave it around in public and you should be fine :) Also, if you're in a city people might give you weird looks if you whip out a knife, in the country-side it's much more common and socialy accepted.
However, I carry a knife daily, something small and discrete. Just use it with judgement, don't wave it around in public and you should be fine :) Also, if you're in a city people might give you weird looks if you whip out a knife, in the country-side it's much more common and socialy accepted.
I know that this is a necro-thread, but it's worth pointing out that this ^^^ is not and has not been the case in the US. The TSA proposal was, errr, shot down. :olamorak wrote:BTW, it seems now even legal to have a small knife for air travel, but still no liquids. On a recent trip, going through Düsseldorfs airport my father didn't want to check in his luggage: they took away his shampoo bottle but the small SAK he forgot in his bag was fine (they gave it back to him after measuring it).
I live in Belgium and the laws here are a bit grey. As other people said, it depends on the situation you carry the knife.
You should be fine with the terzuola as it's not a locking knife. They are more strict on the size of locking knives here in europe.
I have taken knives to spain, france and germany and never had a problem.
However i have heared that there is a "general" rule some security people apply (mostly non police). And that is that the blade cannot be bigger then the palm of your hand.
I would still consider something a bit smaller if i were you maybe.
You should be fine with the terzuola as it's not a locking knife. They are more strict on the size of locking knives here in europe.
I have taken knives to spain, france and germany and never had a problem.
However i have heared that there is a "general" rule some security people apply (mostly non police). And that is that the blade cannot be bigger then the palm of your hand.
I would still consider something a bit smaller if i were you maybe.