Carrying sharps - knives/axes etc....

[nickburt]

Just to share some knowledge regarding the carrying of knives/axes etc...

Here in the UK, knives are considered potentially as weapons. More recently, due to heightened security due to terrorist threats, most ferry companies have started to enforce some rules that have been around for a while, but never really implemented.

All potential dangerous goods have to be declared or face permanent confiscation, fines etc... Dangerous goods includes knives, etc...

I've heard stories of campers having their camp kitchen knives taken off them at ferry ports, let alone some of the survival types knives many of us carry, which can be quite expensive. Stories of storage bins full of thousands of pounds worth of knives waiting to be destroyed have been knocking around for a while now.

But, there is a way around this. A simple declaration (a straight forward letter, listing all items), which needs to be acknowledged and accepted by the transport provider (ferry company) at the time of booking the ferry ticket.

Unfortunately, this isn't very clear when booking online, but if booking by telephone, they will usually ask the question, at which point you can make the declaration.

A copy of the declaration must then kept in the vehicle for production should you be challenged.

The declaration can be left until booking in at the terminal, but a significant delay to boarding could occur, while the declaration is validated and accepted (or rejected).

Moral of the story ............. PLAN AHEAD and BE HONEST. If you try to hide anything, things will only get worse if discovered.

Having said all that, we've crossed the English Channel many a time in recent years and never even been asked the question, let alone searched ........... there's the Kiss Of death for the next trip. Pretty sure the shape of an axe in one of the storage boxes will show up on an Xray machine.

I would suggest it's very much worth researching border controls for any country as normal good practice during the planning of a trip.

 

[Overland USA]

Just to share some knowledge regarding the carrying of knives/axes etc...

Here in the UK, knives are considered potentially as weapons. More recently, due to heightened security due to terrorist threats, most ferry companies have started to enforce some rules that have been around for a while, but never really implemented.

All potential dangerous goods have to be declared or face permanent confiscation, fines etc... Dangerous goods includes knives, etc...

I've heard stories of campers having their camp kitchen knives taken off them at ferry ports, let alone some of the survival types knives many of us carry, which can be quite expensive. Stories of storage bins full of thousands of pounds worth of knives waiting to be destroyed have been knocking around for a while now.

But, there is a way around this. A simple declaration (a straight forward letter, listing all items), which needs to be acknowledged and accepted by the transport provider (ferry company) at the time of booking the ferry ticket.

Unfortunately, this isn't very clear when booking online, but if booking by telephone, they will usually ask the question, at which point you can make the declaration.

A copy of the declaration must then kept in the vehicle for production should you be challenged.

The declaration can be left until booking in at the terminal, but a significant delay to boarding could occur, while the declaration is validated and accepted (or rejected).

Moral of the story ............. PLAN AHEAD and BE HONEST. If you try to hide anything, things will only get worse if discovered.

Having said all that, we've crossed the English Channel many a time in recent years and never even been asked the question, let alone searched ........... there's the Kiss Of death for the next trip. Pretty sure the shape of an axe in one of the storage boxes will show up on an Xray machine.

I would suggest it's very much worth researching border controls for any country as normal good practice during the planning of a trip.

Thank you for the information Nick. It really makes happy that I live in the US.

 

[HEYElliott]

Here in Canada we have similar rules for everyday carries blade length restriction and mode of deployment etc...
I commonly carry a small hatchet in the truck as well as a small folding knife or multi tool for normal use. Always out of sight and out of reach.

 

[nickburt]

I'm considering buying some sort of safe or strong box to keep all the knives/axe/sharps in just so that it's easier to demonstrate being responsible about carrying them and to keep them safe anyway. It's also easy to keep a declaration list with them all in one place.
Not quite sure where to mount it yet (in the floor possibly, or built into the back door discretely).

 

[trikebubble]

Man, if you flipped my truck upside don and shook it a million pointy thing would fall out. I think I've got knives in every cubby (one can never have enough means of slicing a nice load of French Bread you know). Nevermind axes and saws, and the machete all along for the ride under the back seat. If we're going hiking, the backpack also has bear spray and another knife strapped onto it. And if I'm going anywhere on a road trip or offroad (unless I'm crossing the border) their is always a boomstick in the truck as well. (Did I mention the pocketknife? I find that if I forget to carry a pocketknife I seem somehow nekkid without it)

Besides, everyone knows that without question the most dangerous thing on a rig is that damned recovery hitch that sticks out from the rear receiver. My f****n knees have the scars to prove it.

 

[TerryD]

In the US, they aren't as picky outside of big cities if you aren't threatening someone. I carry a "tactical" folder in my pocket, a Mora in my pack, and have either a hatchet or axe in my vehicles. Then you can mix in a few different fixed blades I carry when I'm camping for different reasons plus two kitchen knives in my mess box.

I hope it never comes to that point in the US....

 

[The other Sean]

In the US, they aren't as picky outside of big cities if you aren't threatening someone. I carry a "tactical" folder in my pocket, a Mora in my pack, and have either a hatchet or axe in my vehicles. Then you can mix in a few different fixed blades I carry when I'm camping for different reasons plus two kitchen knives in my mess box.

I hope it never comes to that point in the US....

Pretty much this. I've found almost every local is going to be good with a folding blade 2.5" max with no gravity or automatic opening feature. I keep all larger sharp items out of my reach in the driver's seat.