What's in it's pocketses

scott, The short answer is, "possibly". It will probably depend on which trains or Museums you'll be using. For example, passengers travelling on the EuroStar must pass through airport-style security, and there IS a limit on the size of knives that can be carried. Many Museums (especially in Italy) also require patrons to pass through Scanners and in some cases Metal Detectors are also used. Knives would likely be "frowned upon" and possibly confiscated. As I recall, there are also strict rules regarding the carrying of knives in the U.K. I usually pack a small Swiss Army Knife in my checked luggage, but when I'm touring around cities it stays in my Pack. Happy travels!

I have the same question that a security guard would likely pose. Why would you take a knife into a museum? Individual museums have their own policies, but routine bag searches are not that common. Some museums require you to store all bags in lockers. Unless you want to cause yourself unecessary trouble and answer some awkward questions, I would leave the knife in your hotel room. On a train, just keep the knife packed and it won't be an issue.

My brother-in-law had a small knife in his backpack when he visited the London Eye. The backpack was scanned and the knife spotted. The standard procedure in such cases is for the Police to be called. They came and took him to the local police station where he was interviewed and photographed. All was very polite and good tempered, but it took time out of their day.

I'm lost without a pocket knife, and buy one once on the ground. Its left in the hotel room when we go out and about, however. I mail it home or give it away before getting to the airport to come home.

I've screwed up and had one in my pocket going into art museums and had it snatched up, but was able to go get it at the end. That was probably Italy. Many 'old stuff' museums don't have scanners. The Brits have less of a sense of humor. Dover ferry terminal security/customs had no interest in my little knife (1.5 inch blade) until they noticed it had a lock-open feature. I had to stand around while they filled out confiscation forms although I'd offered to stick it in a concrete crack, bust the blade off, and throw it in the trash. The lock-open feature is completely illegal in the UK.

I almost arrived at the airport with a box-cutter in my small backpack not long after 9/11. It was a device I needed for opening packages at work; I had emptied my pockets into the backpack then forgotten the box-cutter. Fortunately, I went thru the packk's pockets before I went to the airport. Whew! I always used to carry a Swiss Army knife, and seldom used it. After the box-cutter episode, I started carrying a backpackers sturdy plastic knife and spoon. On the rare occasion that I need to cut some cheese, the plastic knife does the job.

Many Italian museums are cautious of this. There is a man (who is not mentally well) in Florence who loves vandalizing the art. Broke off a few toes of the David, has harmed paintings with a knife. He goes in and out of jail and was recently released again. If you know you are going to a place like a museum that might check it, then I would leave it at the hotel. Most buses and trains you will not be searched, unless going on (as others have mentioned) Eurostar trains and such that do have some security.

Scott, It's sometimes better to leave those things at home. If you forget, go in the wrong place with it, bam, you're in trouble. A lot of years back we bought a LifeVenture lexan set of a knife, fork and spoon. The set cost us about 5 pounds in London, and we still have it. The knife doesn't have a point, but is serrated and sharp, plus, they are held together with a ring so you don't lose one. Light and indestructible.
The perfect picnic tool.

I had to laugh at this question since it brought back memories of our trip to Wasgington DC. My husband had his favorite pocket knife with him. Every building we went into had you empty out your pockets and check your bags. My husband's solution? He hid it in the shrubbery by the entrance and recovered it when we came out.

A small Swiss Army Knife is part of my picnic kit. It's usually in the small pocket in my day pack. I like mine to include a blade, corkscrew and pair of scissors (anything else is a bonus). When I'm in museums, I normally drop my pack at a bag check and haven't had any problems. I've never had a problem in churches, trains, or busses either. As long as it's no more than finger size (maybe 3 or 4 inches) , and you look like an average tourist, I don't think you'll have an issue. Do remember to give it away before you fly home (if you carry-on). Since 9/11 they get upset if you try to bring it on the plane.

But can you take a knife to a gun fight?

@ Doug- sure you can bring a knife to a gun fight...
the problem is carrying it back home.

You can take a knife to a gun fight if its big enough.

What no Tolkien comments?

How about 'All that is stabby does not constitute a weapon'! Cute question :) Unfortunately security everywhere has no sense of humor. Love the idea of throwing it in a hedge.

I just saw your post and knew the answer to your question, but I see you gave the Tolkien hint before I could respond. Have you nicknamed your pocket knife, "my precious?"

No my precious walks beside me.

I checked my small, lock-open pocket knife at the London Eye. I was given a receipt and the knife was returned afterwards. We were on our way - no questions asked. It may be wiser to check items rather than get caught with them.

"What no Tolkien comments?" I'm just happy you didn't give this thread a cheap Shakespeare title like "To Carry a knife or not to carry a knife, that is the question." (We see these often). BTW, do you call your knife Sting, Glamdring, Orcrist, Narsil or something similar?

Scott - I just returned from several weeks in Spain. While there I traveled four times on the train (AVE). Every time I had to pass through a metal detector and my bags were scanned. Also went through a detector to visit the Prado.