Buying a Knife Online In Australia.

[BarryJ]

I believe that the SAK toothpicks are plastic
...........................

Yep.

[photohiker]

Metal Toothpick on teeth NOT A BIG FAN OF THAT

Mine has a plastic re-usable toothpick. Dunno if it saves any trees, but definitely stay away from metal toothpicks, leave that for the dentist...

[corvus]

Yes they are Plastic re-usable and replaceable as spare parts
corvus

[corvus]

John,
This would be good value for you I believe.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Leatherman-7 ... 1c209a26e3
corvus

[Lindsay]

Australian Customs will stop the import of many folding knives as they have a very broad definition of what they term a "flick" knife, even though that may not be the correct description. That applies even if you've seen the exact same model in your local camping shop.

Fixed blades may only be a problem if it's deemed to be a dagger. i.e. double-sided. I've personally imported a 13" bowie, and small puukos - never been a problem. Folders get inspected every time.
I know of cases where knives with a swedge (the false edge on the top of the blade) have also been confiscated as AC thinks that it can be sharpened, and hence made into a double-edged dagger.

Just to make it more interesting, different states have different laws. e.g. swords in Victoria, assisted openers, reasons for carrying ...
If there's something a bit special you'd like to own, you can get the necessary permits from your local police, and lodge all the paperwork before you buy, to make sure it makes it through customs.

Your best bet is to buy from a recognised importer, such as Cutting Edge Knives or Urban Conquest / Urban Bunker (both of whom I can vouch for - no association). They have a better relationship with customs and generally won't import anything that's unlikely to pass in the first place.

For more info, suppliers and discussion, head on over to Australian Blade Forums http://www.australianbladeforums.com.

Here is the information from Customs re; importation of knives and blades. http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resou ... eapons.pdf

[pjtn]

I think sometimes the Australian Customs horror stories can get a little exaggerated. Not to say they don't make some dumb decisions but if you order from the right places it's generally fine. Knife Works is very good and will warn you if the knife won't make it through Australian customs. They send orders here every day.

They will tighten the pivots on the knives so they can't be flicked open and sometimes put a zip tie around the knives. Apparently Customs aren't allowed to take the zip tie off. I emailed them recently asking about getting an assisted opening knife into the country and they said it would be fine. Sometimes they choose different couriers to help it through Customs too.

I ordered a Spyderco Tenacious, Spyderco Caly 3 and Leatherman Wave recently and they all came through fine.

The knife you're looking at is only $19 at Knife Works:
http://www.knifeworks.com/buck869boness ... ndles.aspx

However I do agree with some of the others here that there are probably better options, but it's up to you too. Sometimes it's nice to have a cool knife

[Rickety Knees]

I paid $300 for a knife from Cutting Edge Knives which rusted in its scabbard. I tried to return it and was told that it is not their problem and that I should take it up with Cold Steel - their UK supplier. This is a company that will not stand by the product that they sell.

[Rico]

I paid $300 for a knife from Cutting Edge Knives which rusted in its scabbard. I tried to return it and was told that it is not their problem and that I should take it up with Cold Steel - their UK supplier. This is a company that will not stand by the product that they sell.

You've been posting this story around other forums for months http://www.australianbladeforums.com/vb ... php?t=3407

And many people explained you that you failed to maintain your high carbon steel blade properly. I am not associated with Cutting Edge at all, but being a knife retailer myself I don't like to see mud thrown to other people reputation.

[Strider]

I paid $300 for a knife from Cutting Edge Knives which rusted in its scabbard. I tried to return it and was told that it is not their problem and that I should take it up with Cold Steel - their UK supplier. This is a company that will not stand by the product that they sell.

You've been posting this story around other forums for months http://www.australianbladeforums.com/vb ... php?t=3407

And many people explained you that you failed to maintain your high carbon steel blade properly. I am not associated with Cutting Edge at all, but being a knife retailer myself I don't like to see mud thrown to other people reputation.

Owned on the first post!

[tasadam]

Owned on the first post!

Indeed, but that isn't very welcoming to the forum. The poster is welcome to his/her opinion like any of us. And like much of what happens subsequently, facts come out, as do experiences from other users.
Let's keep it nice please.

[Kinsayder]

I've got a Skeletool, I absolutely love it but generally keep it stashed somewhere in my pack. I've had the idea of a fixed blade accessible on my pack's shoulder strap but didn't know that this a method used by Americanos, I just thought it a good system in case I feel stabby.

[Rico]

A very handy way to have a small fixed blade always accessible is a neck knife. psychologically it is intimidating to use the word "neck" and the word "knife" in the same sentence , but it is actually really safe. My Fallkniven WM1z is usually under my shirt when hiking, and it is so light that I forget is there until I need it. The good thing is that being always there means that even if I get separated from my other equipment, at least I have it with me.

[22F]

I paid $300 for a knife from Cutting Edge Knives which rusted in its scabbard. I tried to return it and was told that it is not their problem and that I should take it up with Cold Steel - their UK supplier. This is a company that will not stand by the product that they sell.

I find it unusual that Cutting Edge Knives haven't looked after you.
I have bought some very high end blades from that company (over $500 a blade) over the last six years. The service from them has been exemplary, in the one case that the folding knife I received was a mis-packed item. The box was correctly labelled for the blade I ordered (an Emerson CQC-7) but the actual knife was another one completely (CQC-18 or some such). Nothing was too hard for them to get sorted.

Incidentally, that Emerson went to one of my best mates as a gift.
I bought my Strider SnG, a Spartan Horkos (went as a gift to the same mate) amongst others from them - nil issues.
I have a great many positive stories from a great many individuals who use cutlery for hard, professional usage in far off places. That you haven't had a good experience isn't in the realms of impossibility, but your mentioning of what blade you bought certainly tells a few things. Cold Steel is known for being a wee bit overpriced for what they are.

[Joomy]

Since this thread has been revived I thought I'd share my latest purchase. Spyderco Ladybug 3 ZDP-189 bought from the States through ebay. It's tiny (that's chapstick), but I reckon the blade is long enough for it to feel actually be useful for cutting food, etc. I put cord on it so I can hang it from a carabiner when climbing.

Attachments

[Redtail]

The rules applied by Australian Customs and Border Protection have effectively changed a little, in as much as they've become more stringent.
This applies in particular to one handed opening (OHO) knives. There's plenty of info available online, IMHO the interested reader can Google it to find the most current.

Lockbacks, such as the Ladybug shown above, should not be a problem coming from overseas.

As for CEK, I disagree with their definition of "In Stock" and have said as much to them and on other forums.

And FWIW, when I pay $300 for a knife, I make sure I look after it. Storing it in its sheath is a no-no, as the complainant has learned, and been informed, elsewhere.

[Lindsay]

OK, time to set the record straight on knife imports. I work for Customs and Border Protection (as we are now known) and I can say that the importation of a one handed opening knife such as the Spyderco pictured in Joomys post is perfectly OK. What is not allowed is any form of assisted opening, spring, gravity, inertia etc. The new fact sheet does state that 'single handed opening knives and parts' are not permitted, however this is misleading. The regulations ie: the law, is very clear. The Prohibited Import regulations 1956 Schedule 13 item 16 states : "Single handed opening knives, being knives that have a blade folded or recessed into the handle which is capable of being opened by gravity, inertia or centrifugal force

This does not include thumb assisted opening such as the Spyderco. In fact I bought a SAK Trailmaster on line fairly recently.

[sim1oz]

Love my Spyderco Ladybug! I've been using it for a few years now and it cuts everything I need: food, plastic (for vac packed stuff), thin rope,... And it's so beautiful and tiny I bought it online from the USA and didn't have any trouble, as Lindsay says.

[Redtail]

OK, time to set the record straight on knife imports. I work for Customs and Border Protection (as we are now known) and I can say that the importation of a one handed opening knife such as the Spyderco pictured in Joomys post is perfectly OK. What is not allowed is any form of assisted opening, spring, gravity, inertia etc. The new fact sheet does state that 'single handed opening knives and parts' are not permitted, however this is misleading. The regulations ie: the law, is very clear. The Prohibited Import regulations 1956 Schedule 13 item 16 states : "Single handed opening knives, being knives that have a blade folded or recessed into the handle which is capable of being opened by gravity, inertia or centrifugal force

This does not include thumb assisted opening such as the Spyderco. In fact I bought a SAK Trailmaster on line fairly recently.

Thanks for the clarification, Lindsay. This is always being discussed over at Australian Blade Forums, including by dealers and importers who are well across the procedures.

It's my understanding that the main determinant is the "flick test". That is, opening method (stud, hole, nick, etc.) aside, if the knife can be flicked open in any way, then it will be confiscated. Lockbacks such as the Lady Bug are impossible to flick open, and therefore okay. Likewise slipjoints such as SAKs, linerlocks on Leatherman and other multitools likewise. The Trailmaster has a lock, yes, but also can't be flicked open.

Is the flick test the sole method of determination, and is it applied knife by knife, or to a model or range of knives?
e.g. a Benchmade Griptillian (axis-lock) with a very tight pivot cannot be flicked open. But if you were to loosen the pivot - easy.

[Lindsay]

Hi Redtail. If the knife blade can be 'flicked' open by any means it is illegal. Locks are OK as the lock is considered a safety feature. The flick test would be applied to a class of knives if they were designed to open in that way. If a knife was not so designed, but had been modified to flick open then that particular knife would be illegal, and the modifier liable to prosecution.

There are many other determinations that decide if a knife is legal or not - type of blade, concealability, type of grip, even the material the blade is made from, all play apart in the determination. A few years ago I seized a trekking pole from an American tourist that had a concealed blade in the upper section of the pole.

[Joomy]

A few years ago I seized a trekking pole from an American tourist that had a concealed blade in the upper section of the pole.

Are you the law?

[Strider]

A few years ago I seized a trekking pole from an American tourist that had a concealed blade in the upper section of the pole.

Are you the law?

If you read the last three posts you would know he is a Customs and Border Protection officer.

[Joomy]

Good point, I only read his last post.

OK, time to set the record straight on knife imports. I work for Customs and Border Protection (as we are now known) and I can say that the importation of a one handed opening knife such as the Spyderco pictured in Joomys post is perfectly OK. What is not allowed is any form of assisted opening, spring, gravity, inertia etc. The new fact sheet does state that 'single handed opening knives and parts' are not permitted, however this is misleading. The regulations ie: the law, is very clear. The Prohibited Import regulations 1956 Schedule 13 item 16 states : "Single handed opening knives, being knives that have a blade folded or recessed into the handle which is capable of being opened by gravity, inertia or centrifugal force

This does not include thumb assisted opening such as the Spyderco. In fact I bought a SAK Trailmaster on line fairly recently.

This is good to know, Lindsay.