Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
Will carrying a machete or axe on the bike cause problems with police ? Will carrying a machete or axe on the bike cause problems with police ?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 May 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Will carrying a machete or axe on the bike cause problems with police ?
Hey.

Without this turning into the gun thread im after some advice.

Im planning on camping and travelling through South America. Argentina to Colombia to be precise and spending most of my time camping.

Well, for bush craft I like to use a small machete or a small forest axe. I would like to carry this strapped onto the OUTSIDE side of my luggage box (but concealed on the inside next to the wheel)

To me these are only tools and are never to be used in anger and I belive that they are also everyday tools in South America.

Will the police be bothered ??

Thanks.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 May 2007
mmaarten's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Thailand at the moment
Posts: 593
Talking Never had a problem.
Hee Ted,

I never had a problem and many (mostly customs) officials have seen my machette.
But, I always had it strapped to a luggage-roll on the back, so not ready for grabs...
As you say yourself, it's just a camping-tool.
Only in Australia they made some comments... it had some dirt on it
They almost wanted to quarentine it

Maarten
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: England
Posts: 338
Thumbs up
Hi
I carried a large machete from northen Mexico to the bottom of Argentina, it was strapped on my bike in full view, in all the time i had it i had no problems, mind you one Chilen customs guy told me not to take in to a night clubs...... I used it for camping, very handy. Skip
__________________
Do the best you can with what you have,
A stranger in a strange land now heading North South East West to.....
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 263
whooo
I'm unsure of going to this UK meeting - do i need to come tooled up lol
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 May 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by martync View Post
I'm unsure of going to this UK meeting - do i need to come tooled up lol
I dont think ill be needed it at the UK HU meet
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 May 2007
lost...'s Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 23
"To hack or not to hack..."
A very valid question, one I am pondering myself. In his book Traveling South, Dr. Greg Frasier suggests a machete (and ax if I remember correctly) as required camping tools, whereas Chris Scott in his book recommends against it. I think I'll pack a hacker after reading MMarten's comment. We'll see how far it gets...
__________________
"They Shall Know Our Velocity"
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 May 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by lost... View Post
A very valid question, one I am pondering myself. In his book Traveling South, Dr. Greg Frasier suggests a machete (and ax if I remember correctly) as required camping tools, whereas Chris Scott in his book recommends against it. I think I'll pack a hacker after reading MMarten's comment. We'll see how far it gets...
In my opionion, a small axe is more use at a campsite than a machete.

1) Axes stay sharper MUCH longer
2) They look less intimidating
3) They can be used as mallets (on the back)
4) Much easier to chop firewood with.

Still, its a case of preferance.

If I can recommend an axe, it would have to be Gransfors..

Gränsfors Bruks

The Wildlife axe for light campsite work or the Small forest axe for slightly heavier work.

For machete's, You cant go wrong with these.

eBay.co.uk: 20" HEAVY DUTY CARBON STEEL BUSH CUTTER MACHETE (item 320109635109 end time 11-May-07 08:23:00 BST)
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 May 2007
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Never felt the need myself, a normal swiss army knife/leatherman is pretty much all you really need for camping and I`ve made plenty fires on my trip, breaking up firewood with my boots etc and for a hammer, I use my large vise/mole grip pliers which is very handy for hitting things with.

However I was actually quite tempted to get one recently after I met a Russian on a 1200gs going round the world who had a machette strapped to his pannier- it was apparently very handy for warding off the numerous little kids at border crossings!

The police here wouldn`t bother I don`t think. Its a common sight to see young men wandering the streets wearing baseball caps and carrying a machette but if I saw that in Scotland, I`d probably run a mile!

ps you can buy them for next to nothing in the markets here
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Last edited by MikeS; 11 May 2007 at 21:46.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 May 2007
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
In my four months travelling through C.America and Colombia, meeting people carrying macheties? was a VERY common sight. This is reguarded as a nesesary tool in all the jungle lowlands and mountains. You see different design sheaths in diferent areas, and in some places it almost apears that the boys receive them with coming of age. I'm confident you will have no problems
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 May 2007
lorraine's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Definitely Nomadic
Posts: 523
Anywhere you want to make a fire, you'll find fallen deadwood which is very breakable, as Mike says. After two years of camping in the states, someone gave me an axe/hatchet. It's still never been used. Anywhere in Central America there's monkeys, they tend to send an avalanche of deadwood falling from the trees. And anywhere there's tons of jungle where you would need a machete to cut through, it's probably going to be too wet to actually light it. My two cents....
Lorraine
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 16 May 2007
SalCar's Avatar
Gold Member, Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Managua, Nicaragua
Posts: 181
i´ve been carrying a machete for the past 9 months / 19 countries and never had a problem with the cops. they might ask you what you needed it for and you have an answer. i carry it on the bag that goes on top of my panniers behind myself. it is easy to reach and hard to see. personally i have never used it except for my jungle trip in guatemala.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Clearing bike into Buenos Aires by ship nikb Trip Paperwork 0 16 Nov 2005 06:44
Clearing bike at Buenos Aires Airport Fritz Trip Paperwork 2 3 Nov 2005 06:48
UK citizen on Australian bike to NZ & S America ribspare Trip Paperwork 7 11 Mar 2005 15:27
Dirt road riding techniques - your input please. gmarch Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 4 23 Dec 2002 20:53
Carnet for Indian-bought bike - the options james Trip Paperwork 0 24 Oct 2002 21:40

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:06.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top