What to do with my swiss army knife?

maree

Because my next trip to India is not going to be for very long, I've bought a small capacity backpack which I hope to be able to carry on the plane as hand luggage. This morning I thought about what I'd have do with my Swiss Army knife - is it possible to hand it in to the flight staff and pick it up from them at the other end or will it just be confiscated and not returned? Can anyone help.

Thanks
Maree

jonnybardo

I'm pretty sure they just 'confiscate' it. However, you can also buy a swiss army knife in India--or at least I did in Bangalore. It was pretty expensive, but I don't think more than Western prices (about $25 US for the one with scissors and saw...the Huntsman I think?).

However, the bag checking wasn't as intimidating as I thought it would be, so I'm wondering if you could smuggle it in if it is deep in your bag. For example, I brought a little x-acto art/utility blade along with some pens and they didn't check that. And I'm thinking that a swiss army knife won't look that 'knifeish' on the x-ray...I guess it all depends if they decide to paw through your bag or not.

maree

I did an internal flight from Khajuraho to Varanasi last year and had bought this bronze lotus candle holder thing which looked very much like a hand grenade on the x-ray... I had to open my bag and show them what it was. I seem to remember something else looked a bit dodgy too. Khajuraho seemed to have the toughest security of any airport I've been anywhere in the world... xray machines, 2 cabin baggage checks and a very thorough body pat down.

mountaingirl

You can't carry swiss knife in your cabin baggage in the flights - only checked in baggage.

Victorinox has a shop in Connaught Place in New Delhi.

bijapuri

since I rarely use most of the junk on my Swiss knife, if I had only one bag I would simply pick up a knock-off desi knife for use within India for a much more resonnable price.

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Alan D

Although it's a useful item maree, I wouldn't risk it. If they spot it you could be in for a bit of hassle. If you hand it in then you may lose it.

Anyway, I'm happy with thorough searches at airports these days - it means the security staff are doing their job properly. In Amman with RJA I had my walking boots carefully inspected - twice! Better to buy something when you arrive in India.

timmy

Yeah I think the days of taking anything like that on a plane are over. I had the studded belt I was wearing taken off me at Sydney airport and I had to wait for over an hour at Kuala Lumpur airport to get it back after the flight. Two other passengers were waiting for a corkscrew and a kids toy gun, would you believe. You're better off checking in your baggage if you really need to take it. As the others say, you should probably just get one there.

Outside Fatehpur Sikri I was accosted by a number of guys trying to sell me flick knives, so it shouldn't be hard.

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rickshawwallah

Now there's something to love about India: One can be accosted by a group of guys with "flick knives", and they're not trying to assault you, they just want to sell you the knives!

"Why you run away, sir? I give you best price!"

timmy

I thought afterwards maybe I should have bought one, then I could use it to fend off hawkers!

bijapuri

(sings) I still wana LATH-i stick . .
ALVIN!!!!!

notyouraveragedame

When I returned from Switzerland in August of 2002, a fellow traveller had two newly purchased Swiss Army knives confiscated. We asked if they could be stowed somewhere by the flight crew, and they said no. I don't think I'd risk it.

Jeroen

They've tightened up security since Xmas - at Prague airport last month I had to hand over my nail scissors that they spotted on the Xray. No chance of ever seeing them back.

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bijapuri

they're gonna LOOOOOVE the megnetic products I just got for my knee
Not only a knee brace, but magnetic insoles!!!! ah, just added another 30 minutes to arrival time at airport