So off to Japan for a month and it appears that my EDC is going to suffer as Japanese law prohibits people carrying any sort of edged tool unless they need it for their work. Kinda sucks for a country known around the world for crafting sharp blades.
Apparently any sort of run-in with law enforcement pretty much guarantees a bad time if you have so much as a Swiss Army knife with you. Keeping in your hotel is fine, but walking around with it is not.
Makes me a bit (lot) sad. I’ve EDCed a small Kershaw or Benchy with me for the better part of the last 5 years or so.
Backup plan is going to be a flashlight or two. Those aren’t prohibited. Probably a Hank light and a tiny rechargeable I can keep in my pocket.
Gonna pick up a cheap Swiss tool with no blade and see if it’s ok. According to everything I’ve read it’s small enough and non bladed so should be fine. And if they decide to confiscate it not a big loss for me or a big windfall for them.
A screwdriver and pliers should be enough for minor repairs and I suppose I can use it to coax a package open if necessary.
Rank and file TSA doesn’t really know what’s up but there are options. If I traveled more I’d get a victorinox Jetsetter. And when I say they don’t know what’s up they might take stuff that’s fine or not really know many of the rules.
I have a Kershaw bottle opener pry tool thing that hasn’t been confiscated yet. People had to ask their boss about it and then look a bit flustered they didn’t need to take it. The main reason I have it so I’m not tempted to fuck up a knife prying on something.