What will get you in deep doo-doo at borders?
 

Our next big trip is likely to be some of the Stans, Russia, Mongolia etc, all the way, we hope, to Kamchatka.

Travelling two-up with two dogs, I have opted for a Ural sidecar. Whilst standard storage space once every one is onboard is no better than a panniered bike, the sides of the sidecar are a good place to bolt stuff.

Two items I was thinking of taking on this trip, particulary for camping in wooded areas, were were a decent hatchet/small-ish axe for log splitting, and a small-ish bow-saw for taking boughs off fallen trees etc.

Would these cause any major issues at borders, strapped to the walls of the sidecar body?

Can't give you a definitive answer, but for what it is worth I've had a small hatchet in my pannier several times when crossing into/out of Russia. My baggage was never inspected, so no one ever saw it, but I don't think it would have been a problem if they did find it--after all, they are tools rather than weapons.

But these border crossings can be pretty capricious, and particularly if someone liked the hatchet they might say you can't bring it in, so I wouldn't get too attached to it.

If you are really worried about it and don't expect to need a hatchet prior to Russia, you could just buy one here, they are pretty common.

You could get a splitting wedge and club hammer to break up what you've chopped? Or you can get a folding bowsaw

Folding Bow Saw 3 in 1 Multi Blade Gardening Garden Saw on eBay (end time 20-Jan-10 16:40:12 GMT)

Or a biggish Silky saw like a Silky Gomtaro may be easier to store, isn't depth restricted like a bow saw and is severely sharp! £££ though

Gomtaro Sheathed Saws, UK - Silky Fox

I have a smaller folding silky and its very handy.

If you could find a tomahawk

Gränsfors Bruks AB - British Trade Axe, Tomahawk

the head is designed to slide off, so gives you an easily concealable head and a "stick".

True, only if I want to mount it to the sidecar, ideally, I'd like to have the hatchet so I an make a tidy btracket for it...

We haven't any hassle with axe and saw on -07 in Russia. Border crossing they are only interest of papers and that oval stamps are in right place. :thumbup1:

Uzbekistan entry BEWARE
 

The best advice I can give, before entering Uzbekistan, make sure you take ALL of your money out and count it very CAREFULLY. The entry form you will complete needs to be VERY accurate as to all of the currencies you are taking into the country.

Once you have completed and signed the entry form at the border you and your vehicle will be thoroughly searched, possibly inclding a strip search.

The border guards are looking for undeclared money. Once they have found it it will be confiscated and you will be given a very hard time!!!!

There are very, very few ATM's in UZB.

Apart from this Uzbekistan is a great place to visit.

Trees in MONGOLIA???
 

There are very few trees in much of the Stans and Mongolia. There is however much wooded areas in Russia. We went for some months with little or no wood for campfires.

On our trip through Russia, Mongolia and Stans last year we found most camping places in forests had wood laying on the ground. We had a full size axe but did not have the need to use it. If you feel you really need a chopper, I would save the weight and take a small axe for kindling only.

If going to Olkon Island on Lake Baikal buy the packs of wood sold by the side of the road 20-30km before going on the ferry, there is little wood on the island.

Here is our trip blog entry:

My Blog - Member - Chris D (Newcastle) @ ExplorOz

I've been thinking of one of these:


http://www.notempire.com/images/uplo...itled-1-66.jpg

Handle is about 40cm or so long. Thing is, before we go, I'll probably use the same axe for firewood here, over the summer months, in preparation for the winter. So although a small hatchet may suffice for our trip, it would not for general use at home. Either that or I get one of each, but that starts to get expensive!!

you'll be able to buy the things at any local constructing store or even more easily at any open road-side market. for me it sounds pretty strange to carry these thru whole Europe to cut wood in Siberia. it's like bringing your own mathes to a shashlik restorant:cool4:

Sure, but if I have it already, why buy another... especially if I have already made a bracket/holder to suit a particular axe on the sidecar bodywork... Otherwise, I would agree with you entirely...

I will second Chris advice here on Uzbekistan. In general Uzbekistan has by far the most 'anal' customs regime. Declare ANY electronics you have and ANY photo-video gear and as mentioned ANY cash.

They are also anal about hotel registration.

I would add, that to the best of my knowledge there are NO public ATMs in Uzbekistan. Its a cash only kinda place. And the cash is bulky. A small backpack should hold enough cash for 2 weeks. :thumbup1:

Note that in places like Uzbekistan or Tajikistan especially (similar but to a lesser extent in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan), pretty much all problems are "resolveable" on the spot. Just that some will cost you a lot more than others. :eek3:

Fiskars
 

Warthog,

That Fiskars is more than enough I am sure.

The axes in Russia are like from the stone age, rough light handles from birch and the axe blades are just too big and heavy. You will see them in many markets and be glad you have one of Fiskars quality that will do the job.

One caution I have is keep the Fiskars well hidden as it is likely to walk. I ssume you will have it well hidden in the sidecar and securely attached.

I've been told by a disappointed ex owner that the Gerber axe which looks identical to the Fiskers was all lokks and no performance. Occasional use maybe, but the plastic around the head getting bashed means the head falls off, then unlike a wooden one you can't fix it.
IMHO!

Thanks for that, G7!

Indeed the Gerbers looks a lot like the Fiskars..

What about these bad boys??:cool4:

These aren't on the street, but was one buried in one of two banks in Nukus (I forget which sorry), and one that did serve dollars in a swanky hotel maybe 15 mins taxi ride from central Tashkent (can't remember the name, big, has flags outside, conference centre too?). I remember needing both a Visa and a Mastercard as some only partnered with one programme.
Dunno if those count as public or not, but they were certainly bleedin' hard to find!