Trip to NZ help

[Ross]

OK so I less than 2 weeks I am taking a little trip from the UK to NZ for Christmas (spending with the in laws). I was debating to take one of my SAK's as I heard some conflicting info about traveling with a pen knife but as long as I pack it in the check luggage and declare it at both ends, I am sure I will be fine.

But here is the main issue - WHAT DO I TAKE?

I only want to take one and was thinking about the Explorer as my first choice - great tool set and not to big but there is always room for a few more tools  - below is the tools up for concideration so I would love to get your input, I am sure there is some views knocking about somewhere 

The activities I will be doing (that I know about) camping and fishing and a lot of meat eating   

Huntsman
Climber
Compact
Deluxe Tinker
Tinker
Explorer
Fieldmaster
Mountaineer
Spartan
Weekender
SwissChamp
Pioneer
Cadet
Tourist

The other option is not to take one and then buy a new one while I am out there - perhaps a silver fern one (although Ill be getting this anyway)

[GigaHz]

Swisschamp

[DEMartin]

My vote is for the Climber. I have found it to be the best compromise of size and utility for me.

[CanadianLMfan]

The Rebar

[Timboslice]

I'd say one that u can live with if it dose get taken or lost.

[Smashie]

Swisschamp

[gregozedobe]

I'd say one that u can live with if it dose get taken or lost.

+1 ^

If the NZ airport security people are anything like their Oz counterparts you could have anything taken away from you, regardless of whether it is supposed to be "legal" or not.

[Smashie]

Alternatively, buy one when you get there

[ColoSwiss]

Agree with taking something you wouldn't miss if you lost it.

Sounds like a great trip! 

P.S. What is a silver fern?

[Ross]

Alternatively, buy one when you get there

I think ill end up buying one over there, especially if the one I take gets confiscated lol

[Ross]

Agree with taking something you wouldn't miss if you lost it.

Sounds like a great trip! 

P.S. What is a silver fern?

so this is the climber (although the description says saw as well so Huntsman) with NZ silver fern scales http://www.qualityknives.co.nz/shop/Victorinox/Swiss+Army+KnivesPocket+KnivesMulti+tools/New+Zealand+Silver+Fern+1.3703.3M.html

Can't wait to get on the plan and out there. The only worry I have is the little one who just turned two on a 28 hour flight, it's going to be interesting hahahha.

[Thunderpants]

The only worry I have is the little one who just turned two on a 28 hour flight, it's going to be interesting hahahha.

Blimey, you're going to be popular! I took our kid to America no problems, but that's half the distance and she was only 6 months old, so she could nuzzle on mummy's hooters most of the way.

But onto more pressing matters  :

I bought a lovely "New Zealand All Blacks" Climber in some gift shop in .....town.(forgotten the place.) (Yes, it too had the fern thingy.)

After owning it for about 5 seconds I realised it was a Chinese pseudo-SAK with blades hand crafted by the oriental equivalent of Fred Flintstone. After 2 days of zero use the side that said "New Zealand All Blacks" fell off so I was left with a chunk of cheap rusty crap in my pocket. That put me off SAKS in general for about 6 years when it occured to me that the Swiss stuff might not be so craptastic.

But you are familiar with the real thing and probably won't repeat my mistake...

Good luck on that flight!

[ColoSwiss]

Agree with taking something you wouldn't miss if you lost it.

Sounds like a great trip! 

P.S. What is a silver fern?

so this is the climber (although the description says saw as well so Huntsman) with NZ silver fern scales http://www.qualityknives.co.nz/shop/Victorinox/Swiss+Army+KnivesPocket+KnivesMulti+tools/New+Zealand+Silver+Fern+1.3703.3M.html

Can't wait to get on the plan and out there. The only worry I have is the little one who just turned two on a 28 hour flight, it's going to be interesting hahahha.

Thanks for the info. Turns out I have one (a bit rough). Mine's a Climber.

[Fattsgalore]

Compact or Swiss Champ, either just enough or more than you need.
It's kind of my philosophy to a bunch of things...

Good luck.

[PTRSAK]

I went for a trip to NZ im May this year, I took a Climber AND  a Swiss Champ... AND a Gerber Dime.

The Climber probably would have done everything I needed, but I wanted to have the extras on the SwissChamp for days when we went bushwalking etc.

[zoidberg]

Where are you going to?

[Etherealicer]

From my trip to NZ (2004):

I had little problems with customs, however they want to see/clean your outdoor gear (make sure your camping / fishing gear is extra clean). So you probably should worry more about your outdoor gear than your SAK. On my way back I forgot a soldier in my pockets, they sent it by mail free of charge .

P.S.: On X-mas they don't sell alcoholic beverages  and everything is closed (even KFC / McDonalds).

[kmanct3]

I would do SwissChamp and Explorer, better safe than sorry.

[KiwiMark]

P.S.: On X-mas they don't sell alcoholic beverages  and everything is closed (even KFC / McDonalds).

Not everything is closed - some 24 hour service stations are open and I think that some McDonalds would be open too.  I'm not too sure if you'd be able to find an open liquor outlet though.

It's not a problem to me, I've already bought my Xmas supply of alcoholic beverages and I'm not going anywhere on that day (family is coming to me).  I wont be short of food or drink on that day!

[Etherealicer]

P.S.: On X-mas they don't sell alcoholic beverages  and everything is closed (even KFC / McDonalds).

Not everything is closed - some 24 hour service stations are open and I think that some McDonalds would be open too.  I'm not too sure if you'd be able to find an open liquor outlet though.

It's not a problem to me, I've already bought my Xmas supply of alcoholic beverages and I'm not going anywhere on that day (family is coming to me).  I wont be short of food or drink on that day!

Well, my special lady and I had to search for quite a while to find an open restaurant. It was a Chinese restaurant and probably the kids of the owner were serving because everybody else had his day off. Ordering was not without some obstacles but the food turned out excellent.

[Ross]

I went for a trip to NZ im May this year, I took a Climber AND  a Swiss Champ... AND a Gerber Dime.

The Climber probably would have done everything I needed, but I wanted to have the extras on the SwissChamp for days when we went bushwalking etc.

so no issues at customs with any of you knifes then - great photo by the way

[Ross]

Where are you going to?

staying Totra vale just north of Auckland - we're the other half's family live so that's base. Not sure where we are camping as it's a surprise but can not wait.

[papercut]

My vote is a farmer plus a classic.  You may need the saw and the scissors on the classic are very capable. 

Failing having a farmer + a classic, the huntsman is very good solution, about a perfect size with a nice load of tools. 

My vote!

[getahl]

Except for a few models, most of my SAKs are fairly cheap to replace. I would recommend something with scissors, in your size of choice. If you want something just to open various sundries, Classics are cheap. Full sized, Climber. I've yet to actually use the saw on any of my SAKs whilst hiking or camping, but I usually just pack a Climber when traveling. But, your mileage may vary.

[PTRSAK]

My vote is a farmer plus a classic.  You may need the saw and the scissors on the classic are very capable. 

Failing having a farmer + a classic, the huntsman is very good solution, about a perfect size with a nice load of tools. 

My vote!

Or a Farmer + scissors...

[Ross]

OK so I have three days to go and I have finally decided the Explorer is the tool for me - great tool set and good weight not too big and not too small. I will probably change my mind again though hahaha.

I also just bought a Wenger Wenger Cobalt backpack for my travels and the bag has a pocket at the front for a SAK  - I love this bag