Knife on a train or no? HELP QUICK please

[jleins]

Hey,

I'm leaving Spain in a couple days and I bought a knife while in Barcelona. Can I put that in my baggage or should I have it shipped home?

Thanks,
Jon

[pointofnoreturn]

I saw people slicing up apples during a train ride with a knife..... I guess it's okay unless it's not like a butcher knife or something LOL. You should pack it carefully and put it in a container/case that is locked if it is really expensive/dangerous.

I am not sure of the exact rules but it might be helpful to read the FAQ's set by the train company or the rules of what to bring/not to bring.

[herrbert]

Normally on trains you will not have a problem.

For getting back home, you at least need to get the knife in the checked-in luggage.

However there are also a couple of knives, that you can not have in your possession at all in the EU. (and maybe some countries have separate rules for it). If it is a simple pocketknife, you will be fine, but for a lot of other types it is illegal to have them in your possession.

Simplified: a knife that is longer, than 7 cm's is most likely forbidden, the same is true for knives, that cut on both sides. Stiletto's and so-called butterfly knives (it that is the right translation).

To prevent any problems, I think your option to ship it home, is not a bad one.

[Eagle]

It's difficult to offer any answers to your questions without more specific information on the Knife? As the others have pointed out, if it's a small pocket knife (ie: simple version of a Swiss Army Knife), there should be no problems taking this on a train. However, if it's a larger Knife (what might be called a "hunting knife" in North America) and you're wearing it in a sheath attached to your belt, you will likely have a problem.

I'm assuming you bought this as a souvenir and won't be using it for picknicking or whatever during your trip? If so, then herrbert's suggestion to mail it home is a good one. Keep in mind however, that whoever is collecting your mail will probably get nicked with Customs charges, so you might warn them to be prepared for that when they pick up the package.

If you decide to take it along on your trip, leave it well packed at the bottom of your Backpack, and don't use it or display it to others (invitation to theft IMHO). Of course your Pack will have to be sent as "checked luggage" for the trip home.

Cheers!!!

[commie]

jleins said:

Hey,

I'm leaving Spain in a couple days and I bought a knife while in Barcelona. Can I put that in my baggage or should I have it shipped home?

Thanks,
Jon

i guess it depends on if it is "a knife" or "no, THAT is a knife!" type