Can I Take a Bowie Knife on a Plane If it is in My Suitcase?

Carrying weapons aboard a plane is a big no-no, isn't it? If you're the proud owner of a bowie knife, you might think that there's no possible way that you'd ever be allowed to carry that knife on a plane. However, while you're right, you're wrong at the same time. You can take your bowie knife with you when you fly, but you have to follow some pretty specific guidelines. What's the system you have to follow? What do you need to do?

How do you go about carrying your bowie knife on the plane? First, don't put it in your carryon bag, or wear it on your belt. These are sure ways to be stopped and investigated by the airport security personnel. In order to transport your knife aboard an airplane, you will need to put it in your checked baggage and leave it with the ticket desk. You should also ask whether or not sharp objects need to be declared. Firearms, ammunition and even paintball guns are required to be declared, so your knife might also.

Next, you will need to pack your knife appropriately. You would think that just placing it in your suitcase would be enough, but the TSA demands more stringent measures. You'll need to make sure that your bowie knife is sheathed, first and foremost. You will also need to make sure that the knife is secured within the sheath in some way. Some sheaths have a buttoned strap for this purpose. However, even a simple piece of twine can serve your purpose here.

What if you are not taking any checked luggage? If you're only going for a short trip, or just like to travel light, it's pretty common to only take carryon baggage with you. If this scenario sounds familiar, you should consider shipping your knife ahead, through UPS or FedEx. However, you should check the freight carrier's weapons policy before attempting to ship that bowie knife ahead.

Carrying your bowie knife with you is more convenient than you might think, but it will necessitate that you plan ahead and prepare for any contingencies that might arise. That said, with a bit of forethought, you can arrive at your destination and have your bowie knife with you at the same time, which is better than many travelers assume.

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie hunting knives store featuring the Cold Steel training knife. Additionally, Dylan is also the President of an online humidors store.

Tags: bowie hunting knives, bowie knife, bowie knives, camping, fishing, hobbies, hunting, hunting knife, hunting knives, outdoors, recreation, Survival, Travel

November 22 2009 | Travel | No Comments »