frmikeminn
Member
I'd like to bring a small knife on the Camino and yet I'd rather keep my pack with me on the plane. Obviously, not going to work! Anyone find a good alternative or is it just easier to check the pack?
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packing a knife
- Thread starter frmikeminn
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frmikeminn
Member
I just read another thread in the equipment discussion and got a good answer. I'm thinking of a small package to check and bring the pack with me. last time I put the pack in a luggage pack made for a backpack. the only challenge was then sending the luggage pack to Santiago. it worked but took me a couple of days to figure out how to do that. The post office did not have boxes to purchase so I had to go looking and the find tape...etc. you get the idea.
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
or just buy a cheap penknife in Spain - if it is really necessary
Chev.Jerry
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- September 2006
August - September 2017
I took a Leatherman Micro too, and a flashlight about that size, which were connected by a ring.
Knife came in handy cutting bread, cheese and sausage, etc., for breakfast and lunch. Opening pacagages, too. The torch came in handy at various times, usually night and while it was dark. Cast just enough light for me/us to see, to get to where we needed to go.
Checked them both in my pack, which was inside a cheap light duffle bag that kept the straps contained and bag also contained our walking poles, and misc. other items.
Jerry
Knife came in handy cutting bread, cheese and sausage, etc., for breakfast and lunch. Opening pacagages, too. The torch came in handy at various times, usually night and while it was dark. Cast just enough light for me/us to see, to get to where we needed to go.
Checked them both in my pack, which was inside a cheap light duffle bag that kept the straps contained and bag also contained our walking poles, and misc. other items.
Jerry
frmikeminn
Member
the issue is not whether a knife or anything else is necessary, for me the Camino is a spiritual experience and having a few nice things with you that make the experience a bit more enjoyable is a good thing. Last time I was mostly in pain and I did find God present in the pain. I had a mystical experience connected with one of the most difficult days of the trip but, that said, I'd like to find the God of joy and gladness a bit more on this trip. Reading a good book while standing in a public square in Ponferrada, being present to a wonder of a cathedral in Leon, a field of red poppies along a country road, watching an elderly woman being helped to a park bench by her daughter, talking to German youth on a week long adventure along the Camino. That strange liquor from the top shelf of a restaurant in who knows where... (a few Spanish pilgrims bought us a bit of it just to see if we Americans would drink it... we did) That is the Camino for me and if my feet hurt to much to go outside or if... oh, you get the point. enough said. going shopping.
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
sillydoll
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2002 CF: 2004 from Paris: 2006 VF: 2007 CF: 2009 Aragones, Ingles, Finisterre: 2011 X 2 on CF: 2013 'Caracoles': 2014 CF and Ingles 'Caracoles":2015 Logrono-Burgos (Hospitalero San Anton): 2016 La Douay to Aosta/San Gimignano to Rome:
At camino workshops I joke about sending my 'weapons of mass destruction' into the hold while I hang onto my precious backpack in the cabin.
I use a postal tube which holds my trekking poles - one a nice Hi-Tec, telescopic, sprung pole and the other a worn old bamboo pole that is now 3" shorter than it was when I first found it. I also pack my penknife, scissors, nail clippers, razor, cutlery and arnica oils - or any liquid that is over 100ml.
On the return journey, I find whatever container I can or buy packing paper and duct tape to send the stuff home.
It works for me!
I use a postal tube which holds my trekking poles - one a nice Hi-Tec, telescopic, sprung pole and the other a worn old bamboo pole that is now 3" shorter than it was when I first found it. I also pack my penknife, scissors, nail clippers, razor, cutlery and arnica oils - or any liquid that is over 100ml.
On the return journey, I find whatever container I can or buy packing paper and duct tape to send the stuff home.
It works for me!
Hi all,
I agree with sil on this one. I have done the testing on my packing and settled on putting my hiking poles, Gerber LST knife and other items which would cause me problems in a carry-on pack in a sturdy cardboard calendar tube (about 2 inches in diameter) which I would bring as checked luggage. If it gets lost, its gets lost, but I will have my essentials with me. My plans are to fly into Madrid and then fly Iberia to Pamplona. I would like to send this cardboard tube to Santiago (for re-use on my return flights) to a General Delivery address at the post office. Is this a possibility?
Trundle
I agree with sil on this one. I have done the testing on my packing and settled on putting my hiking poles, Gerber LST knife and other items which would cause me problems in a carry-on pack in a sturdy cardboard calendar tube (about 2 inches in diameter) which I would bring as checked luggage. If it gets lost, its gets lost, but I will have my essentials with me. My plans are to fly into Madrid and then fly Iberia to Pamplona. I would like to send this cardboard tube to Santiago (for re-use on my return flights) to a General Delivery address at the post office. Is this a possibility?
Trundle
A selection of Camino Jewellery
sillydoll
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2002 CF: 2004 from Paris: 2006 VF: 2007 CF: 2009 Aragones, Ingles, Finisterre: 2011 X 2 on CF: 2013 'Caracoles': 2014 CF and Ingles 'Caracoles":2015 Logrono-Burgos (Hospitalero San Anton): 2016 La Douay to Aosta/San Gimignano to Rome:
Its worth a try - especially if you want to stuff it with a few clean pairs of undies/socks/t-shirt etc.
This is the address to send it to - they will keep it for us to 2 months.
Trundle
Lista de Correos
15780 Santiago de Compostela
A Coruña
This is the address to send it to - they will keep it for us to 2 months.
Trundle
Lista de Correos
15780 Santiago de Compostela
A Coruña
NaKwendaSafari
Active Member
I attach a copy of the Ryan Air condition for the carriage of cargo for those contemplating putting items in their Checked baggage:
• Please find enclosed an Extract from our General Conditions of Carriage
8.3.3 You must not include in Checked Baggage money, jewellery, precious metals, keys, cameras, computers, medicines, spectacles, sunglasses, contact lenses, watches, mobile phones, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities, cigarettes, tobacco or tobacco products or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples.
In addition, I must advise that as stated in the conditions of carriage, under Article 8 Baggage, section8.3: Items Unacceptable as Baggage, You must not include in your Baggage: items which are reasonably considered by us to be unsuitable for carriage because they are dangerous, unsafe or by reason of their weight, size, shape or character, or which are fragile or perishable having regard to, among other things, the type of aircraft being used. Information about unacceptable items is available upon request;
8.3.2 Swords, knives, scissors, blades, cutlery, darts, syringes and other sharp objects and any item which in our opinion could be used as a weapon may be accepted as Checked Baggage, at our discretion, but will not be permitted in the cabin of the aircraft.
I discovered this when I attempted to claim for lost items. The moral of this story is to read the fine prints.
Buen Camino
Kwaheri
• Please find enclosed an Extract from our General Conditions of Carriage
8.3.3 You must not include in Checked Baggage money, jewellery, precious metals, keys, cameras, computers, medicines, spectacles, sunglasses, contact lenses, watches, mobile phones, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities, cigarettes, tobacco or tobacco products or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples.
In addition, I must advise that as stated in the conditions of carriage, under Article 8 Baggage, section8.3: Items Unacceptable as Baggage, You must not include in your Baggage: items which are reasonably considered by us to be unsuitable for carriage because they are dangerous, unsafe or by reason of their weight, size, shape or character, or which are fragile or perishable having regard to, among other things, the type of aircraft being used. Information about unacceptable items is available upon request;
8.3.2 Swords, knives, scissors, blades, cutlery, darts, syringes and other sharp objects and any item which in our opinion could be used as a weapon may be accepted as Checked Baggage, at our discretion, but will not be permitted in the cabin of the aircraft.
I discovered this when I attempted to claim for lost items. The moral of this story is to read the fine prints.
Buen Camino
Kwaheri
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.
€46,-
€46,-
sillydoll
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2002 CF: 2004 from Paris: 2006 VF: 2007 CF: 2009 Aragones, Ingles, Finisterre: 2011 X 2 on CF: 2013 'Caracoles': 2014 CF and Ingles 'Caracoles":2015 Logrono-Burgos (Hospitalero San Anton): 2016 La Douay to Aosta/San Gimignano to Rome:
I don't think any aircraft will accept these items in the cabin. That is why it is best to check them into the hold and carry your backpack into the cabin with you.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Bear50 said:
Nope. I can't agree with that! It's too easy to knock Ryanair. From the UK perspective, Ryanair is a good way to get home direct from Santiago, so we have to live with them as a fact of life.
Regarding the security of sharp items etc., their rules are the same as everyone else. Finally, I must say that I was very impressed once with their efficiency in these matters. I flew back from Italy with Ryanair a couple of years ago and I'd accidentally left my Swiss army knife in hand luggage, so I had to go back and check it in as a 'security item'. I thought I'd never see it again, but I was wrong. It was waiting there for me at the baggage reclaim desk after I touched down in England. Don't worry, I'm a customer - I don't work for Ryanair! - but sometimes we can praise them without ulterior motives!
OK Ryanair, I've changed my mind about ulterior motives: I'll accept a free flight for the good publicity. Send me an email to confirm. 8) One final point on the subject of knives on the Camino. You could use the opportunity to buy a new knife in Spain, as it is an ideal place to buy knives. Not in a tourist shop, of course, but from the standard 'ferreteria' (hardware shop). They usually have the full range of penknives etc. and I bought one of those nice folding knives with the curved handle that's ideal for eating purposes. Post it home or check it in on your way back.
Gareth
Deirdre
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francés (2007), Camino Francés (2008), Camino Portugués (2010), Camino Aragonés - from Lourdes (2012)
Every year when my students travel to Spain, one of the highlights of the trip is visitng a sword factory in Toledo and purchasing a souvenir sword. The factory boxes, wraps and securely tapes the boxes. We label them and I do not allow the boys to open them for the duration of the trip. They are taken home as checked luggage and there has never been a problem.
Last Sunday, upon our arrival at Barrajas in Madrid to fly home, I was told at the ticket counter that they (the swords in the packages) were considered "arma blanca' and were prohibited weapons. Instead of being checked, they were specially handled by security guards and I was told that I might be questioned about them( on behalf of the students since I has the teacher in charge). Fortunately that didn't happen, but when we arrived in New York, all the boxes had been tagged with red tags and marked as "dangerous weaponry".
Certainly I understand that we don't want people to have access to weapons on a plane, but I was surprised by the security for souvenir items packaged, wrapped and going as checked luggage. Just an observation.
Buen Camino,
Last Sunday, upon our arrival at Barrajas in Madrid to fly home, I was told at the ticket counter that they (the swords in the packages) were considered "arma blanca' and were prohibited weapons. Instead of being checked, they were specially handled by security guards and I was told that I might be questioned about them( on behalf of the students since I has the teacher in charge). Fortunately that didn't happen, but when we arrived in New York, all the boxes had been tagged with red tags and marked as "dangerous weaponry".
Certainly I understand that we don't want people to have access to weapons on a plane, but I was surprised by the security for souvenir items packaged, wrapped and going as checked luggage. Just an observation.
Buen Camino,
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
NaKwendaSafari
Active Member
Bear50 wrote:
Yep I concur with Gareth and do not agree with Bear50's strong blanket statement. Ryan Air provides a very easy and cheap way for pilgrims to fly out of Santiago. Or to fly in to Santiago. Or to other cities such as Rome and Santander to name a few places we used Ryan Air and other LCC's.
The fine prints on the carriage of knives is taken out of the conditions of carriage from a Ryan Air paper to illustrate some conditions when you travel; you will find that most airlines follow the same convention as Ryan Air .... knocking Ryan Air on this occasion sounds rather offbeat on this forum where we try to provide support for other pilgrims IMHO.
Kwaheri
Yep I concur with Gareth and do not agree with Bear50's strong blanket statement. Ryan Air provides a very easy and cheap way for pilgrims to fly out of Santiago. Or to fly in to Santiago. Or to other cities such as Rome and Santander to name a few places we used Ryan Air and other LCC's.
The fine prints on the carriage of knives is taken out of the conditions of carriage from a Ryan Air paper to illustrate some conditions when you travel; you will find that most airlines follow the same convention as Ryan Air .... knocking Ryan Air on this occasion sounds rather offbeat on this forum where we try to provide support for other pilgrims IMHO.
Kwaheri
frmikeminn
Member
Gareth: I think I might just purchase a spanish knife and post it home at the end. I plan to post a few other items or even just check my pack so that sounds the simplest solution, and simple on the pilgram trail is most often best. Thanks to all for the good conversation on this topic.
Deirdre
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francés (2007), Camino Francés (2008), Camino Portugués (2010), Camino Aragonés - from Lourdes (2012)
Just to clarify, we did not fly Ryanair - we flew KLM to Amsterdam and then Northwest to New York. The point was... that it isn't just Ryanair.
Something else to be aware of... you cannot take knives in luggage on a train in Spain. Your luggage goes through a scanner similar to that of the airlines... but since it is not "checked" but rather accessible to you during your train trip, if they see an "arma blanca" it will be confiscated.
I bought a small knife (for cutting fruit, etc. ) on the Camino last summer and then left it with a friend in Madrid before flying home.
Buen Camino,
Something else to be aware of... you cannot take knives in luggage on a train in Spain. Your luggage goes through a scanner similar to that of the airlines... but since it is not "checked" but rather accessible to you during your train trip, if they see an "arma blanca" it will be confiscated.
I bought a small knife (for cutting fruit, etc. ) on the Camino last summer and then left it with a friend in Madrid before flying home.
Buen Camino,
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
sillydoll
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2002 CF: 2004 from Paris: 2006 VF: 2007 CF: 2009 Aragones, Ingles, Finisterre: 2011 X 2 on CF: 2013 'Caracoles': 2014 CF and Ingles 'Caracoles":2015 Logrono-Burgos (Hospitalero San Anton): 2016 La Douay to Aosta/San Gimignano to Rome:
Cheap flights are a double edged sword - the more cheap flights there are, the more people fly, the greater the emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2). Environmentalists warn that flying is the easiest way to cook the planet!
NaKwendaSafari
Active Member
do you intend to get to Spain from Ozzie and ZudAfrica to do the Camino without flying?
Join the Camino cleanup. Logroño to Burgos May 2025 & Astorga to OCebreiro in June
sillydoll
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2002 CF: 2004 from Paris: 2006 VF: 2007 CF: 2009 Aragones, Ingles, Finisterre: 2011 X 2 on CF: 2013 'Caracoles': 2014 CF and Ingles 'Caracoles":2015 Logrono-Burgos (Hospitalero San Anton): 2016 La Douay to Aosta/San Gimignano to Rome:
I wish! Environmentalists are saying that it is the exponential growth in short flights that is the main contributing factor to greenhouse gases. (Together with factory farming which requires destruction of forests to grow food to feed the animals to feed humans - but that is another story!)
MermaidLilli
Active Member
Reminds me of those on bicycles with a sign "One less car on the road". I could pin one of those on my back for 6 weeks!.
Silly
Lillian
Silly
Lillian
Join the Camino cleanup. Logroño to Burgos May 2025 & Astorga to OCebreiro in June
ksam
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Via Francigena...2024
Cyd...thanks for the reminder to pick up a lottery ticket on my way home!! If I win....wine for everyone when I get to Santiago from the Camino Portuguese...then a hard right hand turn and back across Spain to Rome and where ever else my feet will carry me...cause if I win...I'm not coming back to work! Gonna just keep on truckin :wink:
Karin
Karin
Talking of winning the lottery...............
There was a mega-prize- multi -rollover-euromillions-jackpot when I was in Villafranca Del Bierzo last June so I bought a ticket with the thought that I was having such a fabulous time that my streak of good fortune may just extend to the winning of an obscene amount of money.
Having bought the ticket (yes, POSSIBLY en route to the the albergue from a bar...) I promptly forgot about it.
Months later I checked the numbers and guess what? I'd won!! not the jackpot and barely enough for a round of celebratory drinks but a small win neverthe less., Yippee!!
I went to cash the ticket but was told the Euromillions tickets can only be redeemed in the country they were bought in. What is the point of a Europe wide draw in that case?! Anyway, not a significant enough win to rush back to Spain for and hopefully the unclaimed prize went to a charity but thought I would mention it so as others who have a 'lucky feeling' and buy a ticket remember to check the results before leaving the country!
Buena suerte!
Laura
There was a mega-prize- multi -rollover-euromillions-jackpot when I was in Villafranca Del Bierzo last June so I bought a ticket with the thought that I was having such a fabulous time that my streak of good fortune may just extend to the winning of an obscene amount of money.
Having bought the ticket (yes, POSSIBLY en route to the the albergue from a bar...) I promptly forgot about it.
Months later I checked the numbers and guess what? I'd won!! not the jackpot and barely enough for a round of celebratory drinks but a small win neverthe less., Yippee!!
I went to cash the ticket but was told the Euromillions tickets can only be redeemed in the country they were bought in. What is the point of a Europe wide draw in that case?! Anyway, not a significant enough win to rush back to Spain for and hopefully the unclaimed prize went to a charity but thought I would mention it so as others who have a 'lucky feeling' and buy a ticket remember to check the results before leaving the country!
Buena suerte!
Laura
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Jane, I never thought of that!
Too late now Im afraid, the six month redemption period was almost up before I got around to checking the numbers so it has definately expired now.
Like you say it was a shame to waste it. Good suggestion though - wish it occurred to me at the time!
Laura
Too late now Im afraid, the six month redemption period was almost up before I got around to checking the numbers so it has definately expired now.
Like you say it was a shame to waste it. Good suggestion though - wish it occurred to me at the time!
Laura
N
nathanael
Guest
Hey there everyone about sending stuff ahead to Compostela so the address is, Lista de Correos
15780 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna., obviously with your name on it. So the box one can purchase it at the post office. I will be in Madrid for a few days before starting the Camino so If I need to I will use this info. Another thing I purchased a sleeping bag lite one, why does one need the silk liner in it.
Thanks hope to meet some of you. I will leave from Roncesvalles on the 10 of May.
niel
15780 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna., obviously with your name on it. So the box one can purchase it at the post office. I will be in Madrid for a few days before starting the Camino so If I need to I will use this info. Another thing I purchased a sleeping bag lite one, why does one need the silk liner in it.
Thanks hope to meet some of you. I will leave from Roncesvalles on the 10 of May.
niel
Although the discussion has shifted gears, I thought I would add that on several occasions I have successfully done what someone suggested here. That is, I bought sturdy cardboard tubes to check my walking sticks and any sharp instruments (mainly knife and scissors). When I arrived in Spain, I stuffed the tube with things to wear at the end of the trip (well, yes, they did wrinkle, but that was easy to fix) and sent it on to my final destination. I even had a tube wide enough to take some nice sandals. I alerted the hotels in Santiago that the tube would be arriving weeks before me, and I never had a problem. Then, I was able to use the tube again for the return flight home for the sticks and knife. I have sent tubes from both France and Spain to hotels in Santiago, and have had no problems. Not even the year there was a mail strike in France.
Laurie
Laurie
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.
€46,-
€46,-
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