Flying with a Bowie Knife

Most people will realize right away that Bowie knives are not airplane-friendly items. There are very strict prohibitions on weapons being carried on planes at present. Even before the implementation of those restrictions, there would be almost no way that an individual would be allowed aboard an airplane with a Bowie hanging off their belt. Like all weapons, these knives require special handling when flying.

A Bowie knife cannot be carried in any luggage that is brought on board the plane. This is to prevent anyone from accessing a weapon while the plane is in the air. The pre-boarding inspection will include the x-raying of luggage and there's no way that this x-ray will miss a Bowie's blade. Trying to carry a knife on the plane can create a great deal of trouble for anyone caught doing it. There is a way that these knives can be carried onboard, however, on most major carriers.

The Bowie knife will be subject to any laws that apply once it and its owner are back on the ground. Remember this and check ahead to make sure that the knife is even legal where one is headed. There are some places where certain weapons are specifically against the law. It is not the airline or the TSA's responsibility to inform passengers of the laws in other places, so be sure to be informed ahead of time.

In the luggage, the knife must be sheathed securely. This is usually no problem where Bowie knives are concerned as they are sheath knives by design. It's a good idea to wrap or box the knife within the luggage, as well. Even though a sheath protects the blade, the hand guard and handle still might snag on clothing or other items and cause damage or be damaged. Make sure the knife cannot slide out of the sheath, in any regard, and count on the luggage being handled a bit roughly from time to time by baggage handlers.

Flying with a Bowie knife should present no real trouble for anyone. If one does not want to leave the knife in their checked luggage, however, sending the knife via a shipper is always an option. One can send the package and catch up with it when they land. In some cases, those going on sporting outings may be better off shipping any and all camping and sporting gear rather than trying to get on a plane with it.