Are knives allowed across borders
 

I will be leaving CO US in November will I run into alot of trouble carrying my knife kit ranging from 4inch pearing to a 12inch chef knife. I need them due to the core of my trip is going to be cooking and riding RTW. I will be making my way from CO to chile for the first stint of this adventure. Thank you Fletch

ride
 

knige are ok but make sure they are in your luggage and not in place where they can be perceived as weapon , custom officer are funny but I do not see whay they will not let you pass with them

Can't help you with specifics for the countries you'll be traveling through, but there are some countries that have rules regarding knifes. New Zealand for instances prohibits:

• Knuckle-dusters (including knives with knuckle dusters incorporated)
• Swordsticks
• Any weapon disguised to have the appearance of something else
• Any knife where the blade opens automatically by button, spring, or other device (e.g. ‘flick knife’).
• Any knife where the blade is released by force of gravity or force to the central point, and which is then locked in place by a button, spring, lever or other device
• Any knife (excluding folding pocket knife with blade less than 10cm) that is designed for easy concealment on the body, or has a double-edged blade designed for stabbing/throwing, or any knife known as ‘urban skinner, terminator, black eagle, black dagger, throwing knife’.
• Bayonets

I've had an argument about a double edged dive knife I took from New Zealand and they wanted to take it from me on the way back in. I got it through eventually.

There are many other countries that have similar laws (https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...fe_legislation). I remember reading a story about some blokes having to pay a hefty fine upon entering Switzerland with long blade knives.

All that being said, I wouldn't worry in Central and South America. I'd be more worried about expensive chef's knives being stolen. Wouldn't take them for that reason. I understand your motivation though. Many of my chef friends do travel with their knifes.

Knives on the road
 

I think the context is different here with SBSRTW. In NZ you must pass airport customs, whereas land border customs are very different. They don't pay as much attention to knives or other potential weapons at land borders as they do at airports for obvious reasons. If you are not waving around your knives and showing them off, then who is to know. After all if your luggage is inspected then you have a valid reason for carrying the knives, they are for use as a chef.

We carry only pocket knives and have never had a problem, I almost always have a swiss army knife on me even when crossing borders, and we've been through over 30 countries now.