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Machetes, axes, pocket knives etc at borders Machetes, axes, pocket knives etc at borders
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  #1  
Old 19 Dec 2008
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Exclamation Machetes, axes, pocket knives etc at borders
Under 4 months now until we leave, and I am starting to think about some of the more sensible aspects of the trip. We are going from Oz - UK through Europe/Russia/Central Asia/India/SE Asia and I am curious as to how open and honest I should be to border guards about the level of weaponry I seem to be carrying. Or should I just not bring it? I certainly would like to.

Both the axe and machete are put well away (not hidden, but out of sight). But we have enough pocket knives to arm Cornwall (as soon as we said we were going everyone bought us one).

So the questions are:

1. Will we get any bother for any of these at borders?
2. Should we voluntarily mention them? I have a kit list, which I assumed would be handy to hand to border guards, should I include these on them. Would seem to be asking for trouble not to...

Thanks
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Old 19 Dec 2008
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Your plan sounds fine to me, out of sight, on the kit list but otherwise no need to mention them. They are after all just tools, you wouldn't walk up to the border guard and point out you have set of metric spanners.

The only place you will IMHO get any hassle is the UK. We seem to have officials you leave their brains in their lockers when they put their hats on. My dad is an electrician and wearing a hard hat and bright yellow boots, getting out of a van with the company name down the side was questioned by a pair of plastic ***s for having a screwdriver! Going out they won't care unless particularly bored. Might be worth printing off a copy of your route to show any morons you are going to be camping in the wilds, not holding up the supermarket in Calais.

Andy
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Old 19 Dec 2008
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The UK ....
Yes it was the UK that set me off worrying....last time we caught a ferry over to France the guys stopped us getting on the ferry and told us we shouldn't be carrying any knives we told him we had about 20 including cuttlery, and he took one look in the back and sent us on our way, but told us not to bring them back with us!

Anyway thanks for that reaasurance Andy
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Old 19 Dec 2008
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How are you planning on crossing the channel? I've never had a problem going out on the boat, as all your weaponry is secured on the vehicle deck, but I did get real trouble with the Tunnel and had a pen-knife and a picnic knife confiscated. The pen-knife I vaguely understood, but thought it was a bit heavy handed to take a plastic picnic knife from me, I mean I could have done as much damage with the fork, and I was allowed that.
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Old 19 Dec 2008
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AS yet undecided
Haven't decided how we will cross the channel yet, although I did fancy the chunnel.

Hmmm......
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  #6  
Old 19 Dec 2008
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Kit
Ollie

we carried various items that were or could be construed as waepons, hide them away, behind boxes making them hard to find but do not deny having them, it will only make it worse if caught.

Remember that Camel Trophy type still drive aound with axe's, picks etc, so just keep them out of sight an dyou should be fine

If considering the Chunnel beware of your height as may not get a Landie with loaded rack etc into some of the carriages - measure the height and check with them in advance.

ChrisC
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Old 5 Jan 2009
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So
The wife is not allowed to take any clothes. that should save enough weight for us to take both!

either way we have to throw it away, as we are off for good! Well maybe ......
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Old 6 Jan 2009
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Ha
The wife gets one warning. The clothes go at Le havre and the axe, well I, think a man's relationship with his axe is lifelong!
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Old 8 Jan 2009
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poole ferry
i was think of going from poole, since calais is a bit boring, and plymouth to france is night time only. poole i think sails at about 830am at the moment, so i get to see a new bit of the french coast during the day.
i also roughly worked out that since we're heading for brittany first anyway, at 12mpg, the longer driving versus the longer sailings almost come out equal.

i'm taking an axe not a machete cos actual wood cutting with a machete is too painful- something to do with the cutting blade being in line with your hand? (you dont hold a hammer head to hit a nail, the vibration hurts!) obviously soft green bush cutting its fab. just not for campsite stuff. check out gransfors bruks, lovely range of axes if a wee bit pricey. small forest axe can chop down a good sized tree, and is handy for carving, fire wood etc, a bit of everything, fits in a rucksack. full size axe a bit ott imho!
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Old 8 Jan 2009
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Resignation done
Resignation now done! Lots of realisation at my wifes works:

" Ahh that's why you bought a land rover"

" Ahh that's why you have been on an off road course!

"Ahh that's why you have been on a Russian course"

" Ahh that's why you did a mechanics course"

Booking the ferry on Saturday, raising a toast to the future!
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Old 9 Jan 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CornishDeity View Post
Resignation now done! Lots of realisation at my wifes works:

" Ahh that's why you bought a land rover"

" Ahh that's why you have been on an off road course!

"Ahh that's why you have been on a Russian course"

" Ahh that's why you did a mechanics course"

Booking the ferry on Saturday, raising a toast to the future!
Ollie

I have never wanted to be somebody else as much as I do now, I'm soooo freakin jealous! Enjoy it my friend

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