Pocket knives in France

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.

Johnnu2 said:

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.

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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.

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

J.

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

any ruger said:

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

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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.

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.

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

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?

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

Enjoy your trip.

For the record, I don't carry a pocket knife for self protection but as a useful accessible tool. A habit I've been doing for decades and doubly reinforced when I was USN.
On a related note, I'm sure we've all seen the riots still going on in France with their version of woke jerks and the muzzie issues going down there. Let's not forget the incident a couple years ago with a couple American servicemen taking care of business on a Muslim cretin trying to kill folks on a train in frogland.

RC44Mag said:

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.

Can You Carry A Pocket Knife In France? A Guide For First-Time Travellers - France Travel Blog

France has a long history with knives. The country is home to some of the world’s most renowned knife makers. French knives are known for their quality and craftsmanship. As such, it’s no surprise that the French have very specific laws regarding knives. A pocket knife is a small, folding...

francetravelblog.com

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I go to air shows, when they are going on. I learned my lesson, I had to walk back to my car and put my knive in it.
Also Happened while visiting DC, you can not walk in any building with a knive!

41Dude said:

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.

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Knife Size Regulations in IdahoUnder Idaho law, it is illegal to carry any knife, open or concealed, with a blade longer than 2.5 inches (pocket knives) to a school. It is also unlawful to conceal carry any bowie, dirk, or dagger knife with a blade length exceeding 4 inches without a weapons permit.

Kevin said:

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?

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Kevin, you live in Dallas & should know this by now. The definition of an Okie is " A person who will cut his nose off to spite his face & then brag about it afterwards."

I can say this with certainty. I was born, raised & have lived here all of my life.

Been to Europe a few times tried to find out about knife laws google it if you got a few hours. Looks like the real heart burn they have is size and locking blade. Stay away from those .

A few years ago one of the major knife makers advertised a European compliant knife in google search and could not find it now .

What I have done is take an original letterman multi tool it has a short blade and no lock good for cutting up picnic lunch and the rest of the tools have come in handy .

But be advised lots of major tourist site have metal detectors they also may have a military security team there . So plan your day if visiting the David statue or Louvre leave the tool at the hotel. If going to the park for picnic bring the tool .

A side note when we went to Paris I was dreading it heard all the bad storys . Truth be told I felt safer there then in my home state of California . There were warnings about pick pockets everywhere but the average person on the street and hotel or shop was nice a d help full

Yea when my buddy was there he got me a opinel knife real nice . Leave yours at home put a nice opinel and bring it home

jav said:

Yea when my buddy was there he got me a opinel knife real nice . Leave yours at home put a nice opinel and bring it home

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I carry this Opinel #8 Garden Knife in my pocket all the time. It's well worn and I have backups if something happens to it. On a slightly different note, Opinel knives are illegal in England because they have a locking blade. Also any knives that have a blade length over 3" are verboten.... I check any knives that I am sending to my friend in England with a folded dollar bill. If the blade extends past the fold, it's over 3"....

Hvymax said:

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.

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A seaplane too? The question being does America have extradition treaties with them?
gramps

I'm sorry, maybe we are having trouble with the definition of 'knife'. I'm not talking about a 6-10" bowie knife you hang on your belt or even a folding 4" blade Buck knife. I just mean a basic pocket knife... but my favorite is the basic Swiss Army knife with 2 blades, sizzlers, cork screw, flat head screw drivers and a Phillips with the tweezers and tooth pick. But I have to agree, any country that says you can't carry one of these in your pocket won't be seeing my money.

blume357 said:

I'm sorry, maybe we are having trouble with the definition of 'knife'. I'm not talking about a 6-10" bowie knife you hang on your belt or even a folding 4" blade Buck knife. I just mean a basic pocket knife... but my favorite is the basic Swiss Army knife with 2 blades, sizzlers, cork screw, flat head screw drivers and a Phillips with the tweezers and tooth pick. But I have to agree, any country that says you can't carry one of these in your pocket won't be seeing my money.

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I agree Blume, and have several Swiss Army knives. I can't imagine traveling around Europe without a cork screw either.

And at the same time. a small discrete Swiss army knife carried in a backpack isn't going to set off any alarms. Especially if you aren't being obnoxious and causing trouble otherwise. It's the loudmouthed tourists that want everything to be like it is at home for them that draw attention to themselves and then if they start to argue and fight everything in their pockets is going to be questioned.