How strict are Eurostar with their knives policy?

[jzw95]

I've read Eurostar's policy on taking knives in your luggage. Funnily enough, the one previous time I travelled on Eurostar, it didn't even occur to me that there would be any luggage restrictions, so I didn't check, and just threw my Leatherman in my rucksack. I got through no problem, wasn't even pulled aside to justify it. Measuring the blade now, it is 80mm, 5mm longer than the maximum stated in their policy (75mm).

So my question is, how strict are they? Am I safe taking my Leatherman again (the blade folds away and locks into place), or did I just get unknowingly lucky last time? And I'd also like to take my camping knife, which is a fixed blade, 85mm, wooden handle. It clearly looks like a utility knife, not some sort of weapon. (I know anything can be used as a weapon, but I mean it doesn't look like it was designed as a weapon, as some knives do. It looks like a rustic kitchen knife.) And what happens if I get stopped, would I have the opportunity to post it home before continuing through security?

Many thanks for any insight.

 

[Jordeh]

I think the only sensible answer here is: Don't do it as it's not allowed (something you acknowledge).

The rules are there for good reason.

 

[BestWestern]

In the current climate, I seriously wouldn't fancy going through customs with a blade. I very much doubt the security services would be particularly inclined to extend too much goodwill.

 

[Howardh]

In the current climate, I seriously wouldn't fancy going through customs with a blade. I very much doubt the security services would be particularly inclined to extend too much goodwill.

If our fencers were due to play in Paris and went Eurostar, would they inform the company and make arrangements for the blades to be carried separately (as hold/cabin in aircraft)? Is that possible?

 

[EM2]

You were lucky last time. I have seen knives similar to the both of yours removed.

 

[BestWestern]

If our fencers were due to play in Paris and went Eurostar, would they inform the company and make arrangements for the blades to be carried separately (as hold/cabin in aircraft)? Is that possible?

I would imagine a professional sporting team would make appropriate arrangements, yes. Recent on-train attacks in Europe come to mind.

 

[jzw95]

I'd rather this discussion stayed away from the reasonableness, or not, of particular security policies, as this is all debatable and anyone interested could start a thread about it. It's also not too helpful to have speculation based on the policy or previous incidents (for instance, Thalys, who have experienced significant incidents, has a similar policy, but do not enforce it, i.e. no baggage scanners).

I'm more interested in people's experience or knowledge about the approach Eurostar takes in practice, and thanks EM2 for your response along those lines.

You were lucky last time. I have seen knives similar to the both of yours removed.

What happened to them? Were the passengers allowed to go back and post them home as is allowed at airports?

Thanks!

 

[EM2]

What happened to them? Were the passengers allowed to go back and post them home as is allowed at airports?

Thanks!

Nope. Removed and then destroyed later.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Nope. Removed and then destroyed later.

Is there specific legislation allowing that? With air travel, unless the law is being broken (in which case police will be called over) there is the option to decline to travel and retain the item.


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[Phil.]

If our fencers were due to play in Paris and went Eurostar, would they inform the company and make arrangements for the blades to be carried separately (as hold/cabin in aircraft)? Is that possible?

Yes indeedy. There were - probably still are - several chefs who travelled with their knives. Chefs are very possessive about knives. The knives were locked in the luggage area and released to the owner upon arrival at the destination station.

JZW95. This is not speculation, this is hands-on experience.

 

[Groningen]

Why would you carry a knive?

 

[reb0118]

Why would you carry a knive?

Knifes are useful.

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[Phil.]

Why would you carry a knive?

See my post above.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Why would you carry a knive?

They are a useful tool - particularly if it's a camping trip you are going on.

 

[jzw95]

Thanks, Phil. I'd seen on another thread that you worked at Eurostar previously.

Chefs are very possessive about knives. The knives were locked in the luggage area and released to the owner upon arrival at the destination station.

Did this happen at/after security, or did they pay for registered luggage before going through the check? If not registered luggage, was it because they were 'professionals'?

Paying £20-£30 for checked luggage just to get a small utility knife to France seems excessive. As Neil and others have said, there are many very useful utilitarian reasons to carry a knife, especially when travelling.

 

[Bletchleyite]

One of the problems with registered luggage is that they won't guarantee to send it on the same train you're travelling on. If they would, it'd be a reasonable solution to this problem.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Couple of years back, forgot I had a Swiss army knife in my rucksack - the Eurostar security at St Pancras saw it on the X-ray, looked at it, found it met the requirements and handed it back.
Also, similar thing on the Hull-Europoort ferry, where it seemed to be the fact that it was a multi-purpose tool that made it OK.

 

[Bletchleyite]

E* basically say if it's street legal you can take it on - but without the ability to carry something larger/locking with a good reason.

 

[Phil.]

Thanks, Phil. I'd seen on another thread that you worked at Eurostar previously.




Did this happen at/after security, or did they pay for registered luggage before going through the check? If not registered luggage, was it because they were 'professionals'?

Paying £20-£30 for checked luggage just to get a small utility knife to France seems excessive. As Neil and others have said, there are many very useful utilitarian reasons to carry a knife, especially when travelling.

That I'm not entirely certain but 99% sure that they were treated as registered and loaded by Eurostar staff. I do seem to remember a duty manager escorting a "famous" chef once and locking - actually it was me that did the locking - his knives in the luggage area.

 

[themiller]

I travelled on Eurostar in '97 and at security was stopped because I had a penknife in a holster on my belt. I was told that this wasn't allowed and that I had to carry it in my rucksack. I did this and security were happy. On the train I put it back in its holster and have it to this day.
Airlines also allow penknives as long as they don't have a locking blade and they have a maximum blade length but you need to do some digging to get their policy and the airport security may have a stricter policy!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Airlines also allow penknives as long as they don't have a locking blade and they have a maximum blade length but you need to do some digging to get their policy and the airport security may have a stricter policy!

AIrline security policy is of no relevance to anything, as they don't control the security checks. A notable one is that easyJet has, or had, a complete ban on razors, cartridge safety razors included. However, there is absolutely nothing they can do to prevent them getting on board, because they (cartridge safety razors where you can't get the blade out) are permitted through UK airport security.

 

[Groningen]

Prohibited items on Eurostar

• Unlicensed firearms, including replicas and de-activated firearms. Imitation or toy guns that have the appearance of a genuine weapon.
• Ammunition of any calibre and in any quantity.
• All explosives: military shells (including war souvenirs and relics), detonators, smoke cartridges, grenades, mines, explosive military stores, imitation devices, fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics.
• Items containing incapacitating substances such as gas guns, tear gas sprays, mace, CS gas, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable.
• Any quantity of inflammable substances, including empty canisters e.g. petrol,methylated spirits, paint thinners. Don’t worry though, you can take nail polish and hairspray.
• Firelighters and lighter fuel.
• All flick knives, gravity knives and daggers.
• Folding/lock pocket knives with a blade over 3" (75mm) in length are also banned. Smallfolding pocket knives with blades under 75mm are the exception and are permitted.
• Any other weapon made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon.
• Alcohol in excess of our alcohol policy.
• Any item of furniture.
• Perishable items such as meat, fish and dairy products.

 

[Bletchleyite]

• Any quantity of inflammable substances, including empty canisters

Empty bottles are permitted on flights provided you can prove you've cleaned it out properly. The usual way, AIUI, is to clean them out with vegetable oil and fill with water - there can't be any fuel or vapour left then.

It does sound to me like the best advice to someone wishing to go camping is to fly.

• Perishable items such as meat, fish and dairy products.

What? I bet that one is unenforced. Though I have seen someone refused travel on NatEx because they had a suitcase full of meat which had blood coming from it!

 

[Bletchleyite]

• Any item of furniture.

I still remember watching a full chest of drawers be loaded into the van area of a Class 150 at Preston, wasn't that long ago either, maybe 1998 ish.

 

[EM2]

• All explosives: military shells (including war souvenirs and relics)

You would not believe how often Gare du Nord gets evacuated because of this.

 

[BestWestern]

Paying £20-£30 for checked luggage just to get a small utility knife to France seems excessive. As Neil and others have said, there are many very useful utilitarian reasons to carry a knife, especially when travelling.

That doesn't really matter though, as the policy is what it is. Eurostar obviously feel it is reasonable.

 

[fowler9]

Probably best not to try and take a knife on a train to Paris at the mo. The various soldiers around the city might be a bit twitchy.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That doesn't really matter though, as the policy is what it is. Eurostar obviously feel it is reasonable.

The price is less of a concern than that it isn't guaranteed[1] to make the same train as you.

[1] Yes, I know. But IME luggage getting misplaced by airlines is quite rare.

 

[endecotp]

I've travelled a couple of times with an ice axe, no problem.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've travelled a couple of times with an ice axe, no problem.

There were apparently lengthy discussions with the BMC et al about that. But if one ever gets misused on board expect that to go pretty quick.