Pocket knives in France

[RC44Mag]

We’re going to France for a week this June, for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. For decades now I’ve carried a pocket knife( Mini Griptilian Benchmade) on my person as a tool as most of us here do. I figured I’d check the laws in frog land as to their laws on the subject. No surprise it’s not nearly as lax as in the U.S. and is rather convoluted as to the legality. Maybe I’ll just leave it home to avoid trouble. Pain in the neck Europeans.
https://francetravelblog.com/can-you-carry-a-pocket-knife-in-france/

 

[gnappi]

After 911 we went on the Statue of Liberty tour and I had one of those tiny Swiss army knives Y'know the one with the tiny tweezers and plastic toothpick? The dorks at the dock confiscated it. Sounds like others learn from us.

 

[blume357]

At first read... it seemed okay then I got to the part where "any knife is considered a weapon and can't be concealed". so it seems you are fine as long as you keep it folded and carry it out in the open in your hand? Huh?

What I would do is just buy a good quality Swiss army knife and keep it in my pocket... I would not carry something you don't want to lose.

 

[hittman]

How are you getting on the airplane with it?

 

[Goldstar225]

How are you getting on the airplane with it?

In checked baggage I suppose.

The article is contradictory. One line says that a knife can't be concealed so it must be in plain sight, not in a pocket. In another section it says a knife can't be carried in a sheath or holster. Doesn't leave much options.

 

[Johnnu2]

Make life easy for yourself........... LEAVE IT HOME IN THE US.... why waste brain cells worrying about something so insignificant (?)
KISS (keep it simple stupid... a principle to live by)
IMHO of course.....

J.

 

[trebor44]

Here in Idaho a pocket knife is considered a concealed weapon and does require a CCW. Some paradise, ay!

 

[Hvymax]

We really should have stayed out of WWII. The world would be better if Germany had Europe and Russia and Japan had Asia.

 

[41Dude]

Here in Idaho a pocket knife is considered a concealed weapon and does require a CCW. Some paradise, ay!

I live in Idaho and have to say your statement is false. We are one of the most free states in the country. A pocket knife is daily apparel here.

 

[The Norseman]

I visit Portland, OR a lot. So I can't fly with
my favorite Knife, so I just have one there
where I stay.

Funny story; TSA scanned my Carry On last
time and wanted to check it. I had it unlocked
for just an occasion.
I asked what's up. Inspector says I have a sharp
looking object inside.
I said better not be, if there is you guys planted it there because this bag has been locked up and in
my possession this whole time until now.
The Inspector looked at me with a dumb expression.

The image showed something long and
pointed. We looked inside the bag it was
a Black Tie with its pointed end.

I just said thank you, zipped up the bag,
padlocked again and put my boots on.

 

[RC44Mag]

After 911 we went on the Statue of Liberty tour and I had one of those tiny Swiss army knives Y'know the one with the tiny tweezers and plastic toothpick? The dorks at the dock confiscated it. Sounds like others learn from us.

I know what you went through. About 25 years ago I was at Newark Airport traveling to Florida with my two young daughters. Went up to the baggage check counter and remembered I had forgotten to leave my pocket knife( Beretta Airlight) at home. Asked the counter creep if I could give it to him and if he could mail it to my home. He said no he can't do that and pointed to a big barrel behind him and I need to throw it inside. He said it with a wise ass smirk on his face which I know what that meant. I took the knife from my pocket and with him watching I opened it put the blade tip on the counter on its side and a pushed down breaking the blade from the grip then tossed it into the barrel with a F.U. look on my face.
His sleazy smirk disappeared quickly.

 

[RC44Mag]

How are you getting on the airplane with it?

Whenever I travel the knife goes in my shaving kit inside the suitcase that gets checked and in belly of plane. Never had an issue.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

I know what you went through. About 25 years ago I was at Newark Airport traveling to Florida with my two young daughters. Went up to the baggage check counter and remembered I had forgotten to leave my pocket knife( Beretta Airweight) at home. Asked the counter creep if I could give it to him and if he could mail it to my home. He said no he can't do that and pointed to a big barrel behind him and I need to throw it inside. He said it with a wise ass smirk on his face which I know what that meant.

Well done...That's one he didn't get to sell on eBay...

 

[hittman]

The chances we take …… not for me, thank-you-very-much

https://www.foxnews.com/us/oklahoma...-faces-12-years-prison-risk-losing-everything

 

[Watertender]

When I read the heading I was thinking French made pocket knives. Buy a Douk-Douk or Opinel when you get there and carry it. Then put it in your luggage for the trip home.

 

[wilecoyote]

leave home your pocket knife_period_
if you need one, you can buy one everywhere in ue, but you can't travel up&down with them on airplanes, airports, etc.: before your trip home, make a gift of it, or send it home in some way_
about the laws "here", one can buy blades everywhere but plainly isn't allowed to carry any blade, and I doubt France can be much better, even if I'm not updated about French laws_

 

[Kevin]

When I read the heading I was thinking French made pocket knives. Buy a Douk-Douk or Opinel when you get there and carry it. Then put it in your luggage for the trip home.

This is the best idea. Leave it at home.

When we visit family in Bulgaria I usually bring a good kitchen knife as a present. They are harder to find and more expensive there. The quality knives. But I put the knife in the checked baggage and never have any problems with customs.

Last time we were in Switzerland, my wife bought a watch and I bought a Swiss Army knife. Since the restaurants were far too expensive we bought bread and cheese and tomatoes for picnics. My knife sliced cheese and tomatoes much better than her watch did.

 

[Hvymax]

The chances we take …… not for me, thank-you-very-much

https://www.foxnews.com/us/oklahoma...-faces-12-years-prison-risk-losing-everything

I hope they can get him off the island and they're not stupid enough to ever go there again. A few boats should be able to get it done.

 

[Dan in MI]

I traveled a lot for work. "My" knife stayed home. Cheap folders went in my checked bag. If I forgot on the way to the airport no great loss.

In this case I'd buy something when I landed and leave it when I left.

 

[The Norseman]

That Oklahoma Man with Ammo…facing 12 years
What is wrong with people. What don’t they get
about traveling outside the USA?

Other countries are not liberal like us. Other
countries don’t play around. I hope they
detain Oklahoma Man for awhile and scare
the heck out of him and family.

What’s funny if it was a lesbian athlete it
would back in the USA already. LOL.

 

[Papalote]

Not even Mexico. I don't go there anymore but when we used to we were warned not to have anything on us or identifying us as a LEO. Absolutely no Ammo in the vehicle and don't even think about a gun just because you are a LEO. They hate us down there. Knives are ok unless you get caught by a local carrying it in the wrong kind of business.

 

[blume357]

Make life easy for yourself........... LEAVE IT HOME IN THE US.... why waste brain cells worrying about something so insignificant (?)
KISS (keep it simple stupid... a principle to live by)
IMHO of course.....

J.

Because of "Rule #9, always carry a knife".... put it in your checked bag and when you get there put it in your pocket, but like I said, I would have a nice Swiss Army knife with multiple functions.

 

[Johnnu2]

I live by Rule #10: don't be a smart ass American when NOT in America....

J.

 

[any ruger]

I drive wherever I go. Can't dr to Europe so don't go.

 

[RC44Mag]

I drive wherever I go. Can't dr to Europe so don't go.

Went there without driving. Been to Europe several times in the fleet, haze gray and underway as USN guys say.
First time taking a big ole jetliner there this trip. We did rent a car for road trips and since we're going w other couples we also rented a big van type thing for road trips together.

 

[Jeepnik]

I'm of no help. The last time I was in France was 1976. Then I drove there on a whim. We were sightseeing in northern Spain. When we crossed through what passed as a border checkpoint they were satisfied with my military ID. The Llama Comanche .357 in the glove box didn't even phase them.

Then again, we were in Basque country and the ETA was kicking up it's heels from time to time.

 

[blume357]

I can't imagine traveling in France or any other European country without a Swiss Army knife with a cork screw on it.

 

[Kevin]

Some of you guys make it sound like travel outside the US is just doom and gloom.

But the news story about the guy from Oklahoma sounds fishy.

First of all, who uses their range bag for an airplane carry-on? The story said four rounds were left over from a hunting trip. Either he carries his ammo and guns in the same bag, or he used his ammo bag for the carry-on?

And then TSA didn't notice live ammo rolling around? Perhaps, but when he packed at home he didn't notice? Or he didn't notice the whole time they were in the hotel on vacation? Or when he re-packed his bag again for the return flight?

And it was a hunting trip so probably not smaller 22 rounds. It just sounds odd. Was he testing something or trying to prove something?

 

[bobski]

if you need a knife to travel out of country....youre going to the wrong country.

 

[dannyd]

Enjoy your trip. :)