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Machetes, axes, pocket knives etc at borders Machetes, axes, pocket knives etc at borders
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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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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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Old 19 Dec 2008
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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 20 Dec 2008
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Switzerland is very fussy about this. Hiding them away is usually the answer. Or leaving them in the front of the vehicle - amazing how customs usually just open the back door open one box and your away.

Many countries don't like openly displayed 'weapons' etc

Don't be helpful on your list - write "1 * HV 30" instead of "Canon HV 30" as this will raise eyebrows at some borders (Sony, Canon are all eye brow lifters etc). And don't just give it to anybody - make them ask for a list etc else you could be inviting trouble that wasn't coming etc.

Get through with the minimum of fuss by planning via the hubb, overlanders sites and guide books etc

Hard nosed tips ;-)
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Old 23 Dec 2008
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This is a very good thread, I've been thinking about this for a while and have found some really good advice here, thanks.
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Old 24 Dec 2008
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Thanks all
Yes - thanks to those who have answered, certainly a help and a reassurance to me.

We have decided not to pack the 5 foot samurai sword now
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Old 24 Dec 2008
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Suggest a couple of RPGs stowed away but a Kalashnikov AK47 clamped to the dashboard for easy access. The Tazer gun on the other hand can be fitted in the door pocket. You can also get an electric fence unit and connect this to the bodywork, so that anyone who touches the car gets a shock. You could even go to Witham Specialist Vehicles and get an ex-army Snatch Landy with a machine-gun turret mounted on the roof. Have a word with some Russian gangsters, and see if you can get hold of a few ex-Soviet nuclear warheads.

Finally, put acid instead of water in the windscreen washers and turn the jets outwards, so that you can give a good faceful to anyone who comes to the driver's window bent on physical harm.
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Old 24 Dec 2008
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:)
Very good Mark!

When we seeing you on the 27th? I'll drop you an email
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Old 24 Dec 2008
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Originally Posted by ilesmark View Post
Finally, put acid instead of water in the windscreen washers and turn the jets outwards, so that you can give a good faceful to anyone who comes to the driver's window bent on physical harm.
I always find the headlamp washers (it's one of those modern things you get on Land Cruisers - all part of their character ) useful for crowd control - works better than a horn.

Now if there was acid in there or maybe some skunk juice .........
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Old 24 Dec 2008
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Hve you considered one of these anti-carjack flamethrowers from South Africa?

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Old 28 Dec 2008
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Hi

As previously said the channel tunnel is pretty strict on what you are carrying ( I should know - my dads one of the guys who confiscates items!) whereas the ferrys are fine.

We carried 2x folding knives, 1x leatherman, 1x penknife, 1x axe, 1x machete, 1x hunting knife and 3x pepper spray .......... NO PROBLEM in Europe, Africa or Asia.

If asked then you explain they are for camping.

Becky
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Old 29 Dec 2008
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Thanks all
Well thanks to the advice received here we have decided to go on the Portsmouth - Le Havre overnight ferry. Works nicely for us, and we hav used it before.

So, we are now one resignation letter away from booking our ferry outta here after three long years of planning! Woohoo! And hopefully that letter will happen in the 1st week of January ..... tick tock

Thanks again

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