Carrying knives, etc. while on trek

[essdee1972]

Folks,

Sorry to ask a stupid question. I usually carry a switchblade, a Victorinox, a small axe, and a 7" Kukri while trekking (most of the time the axe and kukri are distributed among different members of the group). We usually get the stuff to the trekking start point by train / bus / taxi. In aircraft we have carried in check in luggage, and have never been stopped.

Are we likely to get arrested on the trek, at any point, for carrying these "sharp-edged weapons"? Some of the trekking routes in Uttarakhand, HP, etc. are very close to international borders and are in many cases under Army control. These are indispensable articles for trekking, how can we make the authorities see the light, if caught?

Thanks!

[Rajat]

The way I see it:

Victorinox: the safest to carry

Switchblade: strictly a No No. Always viewed with suspicion. Why do you need it anyway while trekking?

Kukri: If caught you can try explaining, it should work. I guess many people carry such things on the trekking routes.

Small Axe: I do not see any problem as such.

As for your question: how can we make the authorities see the light, if caught?

No sure shot way to do this just try explaining in a good natured but stern manner. Does not seem to be a threat to national security, I do not think that the army will bother you at all for these things.

[essdee1972]

Thanks, buddy!!

Victorinox - carry it out of necessity (everybody does it)

Axe - for firewood

Kukri - for firewood, digging (till we got a coleman folding shovel), cutting ropes, etc.

Switchblade - for the heck of it, now that you advise not to, we'll stop carrying (many other in my regular group carry them)

Have had no probs with the army so far, in fact we sometimes manage to get into camp with them

[Rajat]

Great explanation! You are good at this! You did not even practice

Everything seems to be Ok. It will in fact be difficult not to carry these, just drop the switchblade.