swiss army knife on planes

[lrisvold]

I've read that many pilgrims found their knife/multi use tool to be one of the most valuable things they brought. I would like to bring one but am traveling from the USA and am unsure how I would go about getting something like that through the airlines. I hadn't planned to check any baggage thinking my pack would be a carry-on. Those who have gotten a knife through airlines, how did you do it? Would it be better to purchase one in Madrid and if so exactly where do I find one?
Buen camino,
Lisa

 

[Bajaracer]

Don't even attempt to try and smuggle a knife in your carry on bag through TSA, you'll only add yourself to the TSA blacklist every time you go through airport security for future travel.
Pack it in a small box along with walking sticks, liquids, and other cabin prohibited items and check it in, you're allowed 1 check in of up to 23KG/50lbs with your ticket.

 

[ranthr]

I've read that many pilgrims found their knife/multi use tool to be one of the most valuable things they brought. I would like to bring one but am traveling from the USA and am unsure how I would go about getting something like that through the airlines. I hadn't planned to check any baggage thinking my pack would be a carry-on. Those who have gotten a knife through airlines, how did you do it? Would it be better to purchase one in Madrid and if so exactly where do I find one?
Buen camino,
Lisa

It is easier to go into any shop when you arrive and buy a small covered kitchenknife. They are cheap and doesn't weigh much. That's all you need.
Randi

 

[mralisn]

Hi Lisa,

Would totally agree with Randi and Bajaracer. Like you, I was hell-bent on bringing my SAK everywhere. 10 years ago, I ended up in Cuzco and my checked bag did not. I decided then I would never check my bag for as long as I could help it. My 32L pack is usually in reaching distance unless in a bus undercarriage. Especially on the Camino, anything my knife could do is substituted, attained, borrowed so I don't have to bring my own. The only thing I do purchase in my first food/liquid stop is a corkscrew.

Keep a smile,
Simeon

 

[Icacos]

Good points all. Here’s another suggestion, which came to me via another forum member.

Purchase a suitable size box from your post office, FedEx, etc. (in my case, long and narrow) put in the items that you are not permitted to carry on board the airline – poles, pocketknife, nail file, etc. – and check in the box on your flight. When you get to where you are going to start, put the items you don’t need for your Camino into the box and mail it to Ivar in Santiago. Collect it when you get there. On my return flight I checked my pack - at that point, it didn’t matter if it went astray.

Buen Camino
Charleen

 

[Anniesantiago]

You can buy nice SAKs in Spain - buy yourself another one as a memento.

 

[StuartM]

Are knives in checked baggage a problem? I've travelled with a Swiss Army knife, Opinel knives and a Gerber multi-tool in checked baggage and never had any problems. I flew to Asturias last year with a knife in my checked bag and was not questioned either way.

I'd agree, buy a knife in Spain. It's easier. I get pretty attached to my knives and would hate for one of them to disappear due to an overzealous security inspector. SA's and Opinels are available all over the place, if I remember right I saw newsstands in train and bus stations selling Opinels.

I remember the days when you could buy a flick knife in Charles de Gaulle airport.

 

[lrisvold]

Thank you all for the comments! I think I'll just wait and get one when I get to Madrid. Sounds like less hassle.

 

[hnguyen]

Thank you all for the comments! I think I'll just wait and get one when I get to Madrid. Sounds like less hassle.

My 30L pack was with me on my flight from Washington DC to MAD last year. This way I know my essentials are never lost/rerouted by the airlines. Can you imagine having to wait in Madrid for your lost pack to catch up with you? Even for a few days? However, since my telescopic hiking poles (also essential to me) were not allowed on board, I duct-taped them together, then duck-taped my SAK to the poles, wrapped some flattened cardboard box around them - and checked them in. Upon arrival at MAD I unwrapped the package and chucked the cardboard in the trash can. Note: 1. I wrapped some extra duct tape around the pole shafts (by the handles). On the return trip I reversed the procedure, using the extra tape so that I didn't have to carry the whole roll or buy a new one in Spain. 2. I also wrapped the package with a few feet of small nylon strings - to serve as handle for the package. More importantly, the string (which takes no room and weighs next to nothing) is used as a clothesline where there are none - or when there's not enough provided lines. If and when TSA allows hiking poles to be carried on, I'll just take the poles with me and buy a knife wherever I land.

 

[nreyn12]

If you'll be coming through Pamplona, there's a shop in the historic center of the city that sells a wide selection of Swiss Army Knives. It's located on Calle San Miguel, just off Calle San Nicholas.

Calle San Nicholas is one of the main pedestrian streets coming of the Plaza del Castillo, the main square, and it's loaded with fabulous tapas bars. In other words, you'll be there anyway!