Air travel has certainly become more troublesome since 9/11. However, most travelers would agree that the new restrictions are not without cause. That said, understanding these new restrictions can be a bit problematic. For instance, are you allowed to carry a bowie knife aboard a plane? You might be surprised by the answer to that question - yes, you can. However, you'll have to follow some special rules setup by the TSA to maintain safety aboard planes.
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.
However, the news is not all bad. The TSA does allow you to carry a bowie knife with you if it is packed in your suitcase, so long as that suitcase is checked at the ticket counter and is not a carryon item. Of course, there are a couple of further caveats to this, as well. Your knife must be securely packed, sheathed and safe. It cannot be left loose inside your suitcase, nor can you pack it without its sheath. Interestingly, the same rules apply to swords, razors and other knives. If this seems a bit inconvenient, remember, you shouldn't have any need for your knife during the flight, so packing it away before hand should be no issue.
Second, bowie knives must be secured within their sheath. A strap holding the blade within the sheath will suffice. However, if your sheath is not so equipped, you can opt to wrap your knife in cloth, bubble wrap or some other material. In fact, the more heavily packed your knife is, the better the chance that it will arrive at your destination.
You should also understand that your bag will likely be inspected during the loading process. No matter how well packaged it might be, it will show up in the x-ray machine. Therefore, having bowie knives wrapped securely will prevent injury to the inspectors, as well as potential injury to baggage handlers. You will find that traveling with bowie knives or even with swords and other bladed weapons is not a problem so long as you follow the proper procedures.
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.
However, the news is not all bad. The TSA does allow you to carry a bowie knife with you if it is packed in your suitcase, so long as that suitcase is checked at the ticket counter and is not a carryon item. Of course, there are a couple of further caveats to this, as well. Your knife must be securely packed, sheathed and safe. It cannot be left loose inside your suitcase, nor can you pack it without its sheath. Interestingly, the same rules apply to swords, razors and other knives. If this seems a bit inconvenient, remember, you shouldn't have any need for your knife during the flight, so packing it away before hand should be no issue.
Second, bowie knives must be secured within their sheath. A strap holding the blade within the sheath will suffice. However, if your sheath is not so equipped, you can opt to wrap your knife in cloth, bubble wrap or some other material. In fact, the more heavily packed your knife is, the better the chance that it will arrive at your destination.
You should also understand that your bag will likely be inspected during the loading process. No matter how well packaged it might be, it will show up in the x-ray machine. Therefore, having bowie knives wrapped securely will prevent injury to the inspectors, as well as potential injury to baggage handlers. You will find that traveling with bowie knives or even with swords and other bladed weapons is not a problem so long as you follow the proper procedures.
About the Author:
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.
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