Ordering few sharpys. Help

[discovershashank]

Hi all,
My better half is having some good time in US for official perpose and I am having some good time here myself .

She is gone for three months and will be back oct. The first thing which stricked? Obvious, knives . I wanted to keep it under 200 dollers and wanted to get as many as I can without raising an eye at customs.
Listing whats im mind now.

2 cold steel urban pals, one for a close friend, one for a backup for my old and relieble keychan knife.
spyderco tanacious- one of the best budget folders
Ontario rat 1- another affordable quality
Meyerco wharning- small fix blade, good for what I am gonna pay
Kershaw blur S30v- best blade steel coming at a good price.

Need to know from members who carried or got knife in bulk before.

My wifey is kool in carrying them. Probebly will keep both the urban pal in one box and will keep it in a friends luggage.

May be that would help

[choombak]

Carrying knives to India are not an issue, however too many may raise eyebrows. I have carried 4 folders without any problem, and I reckon you should also stick with a similar number. 6 is a reasonable max. I'd say for one person to carry.

There are a few other tips, that might come handy:

• mandatory in the checked-in baggage.
• ensure each knife is closed, tape it to the inside of the box (or add some filler folded paper) so it does not move around.
• stick each box wrapped in clothes somewhere in the middle of the bag. This way it won't take undue pressure.
  
• keep the invoices of all knives as printed paper with your wife - in case she has to "prove" its cost. See, the customs are typically looking at dutiable goods, and if you don't have an invoice, they can add a flat 41% duty. Having an invoice gives you protection from the duty, and also helps calculating correct duty if required.
• stay clear of wicked/tacticool looking blades - you are just inviting trouble for your wife both at the US exit point, as well as Indian customs.
• stay clear of flippers, balisongs, and other auto knives that are banned in the US and India -- the TSA just confiscates it, and you lose money - a hell lot of it if the knife was costly.
• she should be able to talk with the customs honestly, calmly, and state the exact purpose of bringing these in, if queried. surprisingly, this requires a lot of practice. mentally prepare her.

Good luck, and let us know which ones do you finally choose!

[Moin.]

Carrying knives to India are not an issue, however too many may raise eyebrows. I have carried 4 folders without any problem, and I reckon you should also stick with a similar number. 6 is a reasonable max. I'd say for one person to carry.

There are a few other tips, that might come handy:

• mandatory in the checked-in baggage.
• ensure each knife is closed, tape it to the inside of the box (or add some filler folded paper) so it does not move around.
• stick each box wrapped in clothes somewhere in the middle of the bag. This way it won't take undue pressure.
  
• keep the invoices of all knives as printed paper with your wife - in case she has to "prove" its cost. See, the customs are typically looking at dutiable goods, and if you don't have an invoice, they can add a flat 41% duty. Having an invoice gives you protection from the duty, and also helps calculating correct duty if required.
• stay clear of wicked/tacticool looking blades - you are just inviting trouble for your wife both at the US exit point, as well as Indian customs.
• stay clear of flippers, balisongs, and other auto knives that are banned in the US and India -- the TSA just confiscates it, and you lose money - a hell lot of it if the knife was costly.
• she should be able to talk with the customs honestly, calmly, and state the exact purpose of bringing these in, if queried. surprisingly, this requires a lot of practice. mentally prepare her.

Good luck, and let us know which ones do you finally choose!

Amar; Did'nt know flippers and Balisongs are banned. Rampuris raise eyebrows and automatics are but flippers ?

[choombak]

Amar; Did'nt know flippers and Balisongs are banned. Rampuris raise eyebrows and automatics are but flippers ?

Not banned -- its the gray zone. I have had a flipper removed by USPS at the origin. :-/

[Mark]

I agree about not bringing back any knives that look like they are designed more for fighting than for hunting/utility use.

Sadly, at this point in time it is too easy for someone in authority to arbitrarily decide to take something because it "looks dangerous" and that is the end of that, good luck trying to get it back.

If you have a close family member in the armed service, then possibly you can bring a picture and some sort of verification and then you have a way to make a point- "This is a gift to my ______ in the Army" but even that is not a sure thing any more.

Fortunately for you, there are plenty of choices to choose from!

[discovershashank]

Thanks Amar for the valuble tips. I took my wife to this post and she really appriciated the tips.

Mark, dont wanna complicate things by involving any one else or making any thing up at custums. I told her to calmly mention it to be a gift for the me as I like collecting knives. Does every one agree this to be a good enough and psycologically better for her as this would be no false declaration?

BTW I am also planning to shop around for other small items like a nice AAA pocket flash light, small keychain stuff. In short small items which we find on ebay.com and wish were on ebay.in .
Any sugessions???

[choombak]

Thanks Amar for the valuble tips. I took my wife to this post and she really appriciated the tips.

Mark, dont wanna complicate things by involving any one else or making any thing up at custums. I told her to calmly mention it to be a gift for the me as I like collecting knives. Does every one agree this to be a good enough and psycologically better for her as this would be no false declaration?

BTW I am also planning to shop around for other small items like a nice AAA pocket flash light, small keychain stuff. In short small items which we find on ebay.com and wish were on ebay.in .
Any sugessions???

The reason is good enough - being honest is more likely to clear customs than not.

Don't opt for stuff from eBay, it is full of dishonest sellers. There are many good edc goods sellers, for eg unique titanium.com, jsburlys.com etc.

[ethikalajax]

Hello Shashank,
Sorry for borrowing your thread ( Don't want to create a new one as i am also ordering a few sharpies myself.)

Was checking out a few folders out on ebay and zeroed in on one which looks pretty decent, a cheap one costing around 7-8 $ from hong kong and free shipping to India. I am a bit apprehensive that it would get stuck at our customs ( 6.5cm blade) . I would like to know from anyone who has ordered from ebay before and on how smooth the transaction/delivery was. Will it be at my doorstep in the first place?

[choombak]

Hello Shashank,
Sorry for borrowing your thread ( Don't want to create a new one as i am also ordering a few sharpies myself.)

Was checking out a few folders out on ebay and zeroed in on one which looks pretty decent, a cheap one costing around 7-8 $ from hong kong and free shipping to India. I am a bit apprehensive that it would get stuck at our customs ( 6.5cm blade) . I would like to know from anyone who has ordered from ebay before and on how smooth the transaction/delivery was. Will it be at my doorstep in the first place?

You'd be better off using your kitchen knife - seriously! A folder cosing $8, with 6.5cm blade, and free shipping? Your local blacksmith will make a better one... Please spend some time reading through IFG blade area, as well as bladeforums before (hastily) making a decision to buy. Customs etc. -- there are many threads on this forum which will help you as well. Good luck!

[ethikalajax]

Well said choombak , I assure you i have done my reading and have a family blacksmith who really does a great job.

The el cheapo knife caught my eye, and wanted to take it . The seller mentioned a line which caught me thinking ( 'the buyer is responsible for the address mentioned' ). So, I was bit taken back. I just wanted to check with the gurus here that it would not create a hassle at the customs verification.

You're advice is much appreciated.

[discovershashank]

I got few bigger knives from china but bigger problem is postal services not customs. I have not received knives from couple of different sites and I am sure its not customs.


Btw replaced one urban pal from the list and orderd one urban pal and one byrd hawkbill from knifecenter to start with.

[discovershashank]

Got a mail from KC.

We regret to inform you that we cannot accept credit card payment on this order. To protect your security and privacy, your issuing bank cannot verify your billing/shipping information for us. This is needed to accept your credit card.

We do offer alternate payment such as check, money order, wire transfer ($30 bank fee) or Western Union.

If you would like to pay via Western Union, please send payment to "Howard Korn" in College Park, MD. Once payment has been made, please email us the MTCN#, the city where you sent the money from and the exact amount in US Dollars.

See this page for wire transfer details: http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/ ... nsfer.html

Please let us know how you would like to proceed within three (3) business days. We are open M-F, 8:30am - 5:30pm ET.

Sincerely,
KnifeCenter.com Customer Service
www.knifecenter.com

5111 Berwyn Rd
College Park, MD 20740



Any ideas?

[abhiram]

Got a mail from KC.

We regret to inform you that we cannot accept credit card payment on this order. To protect your security and privacy, your issuing bank cannot verify your billing/shipping information for us. This is needed to accept your credit card.

We do offer alternate payment such as check, money order, wire transfer ($30 bank fee) or Western Union.

If you would like to pay via Western Union, please send payment to "Howard Korn" in College Park, MD. Once payment has been made, please email us the MTCN#, the city where you sent the money from and the exact amount in US Dollars.

See this page for wire transfer details: http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/ ... nsfer.html

Please let us know how you would like to proceed within three (3) business days. We are open M-F, 8:30am - 5:30pm ET.

Sincerely,
KnifeCenter.com Customer Service
http://www.knifecenter.com

5111 Berwyn Rd
College Park, MD 20740



Any ideas?

I guess a similar issue was being discussed in the below threads:

http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17502

http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php ... 43#p169943

Regards,

Abhi

[discovershashank]

Update
ordered kabar tdi ldk, byrd cara cara 2, kershaw blur s30v and a condor falco from ebay.com. Wife already received byrd, and kershaw in brand new condition.

[discovershashank]

Off topic
Also ordered a google nexus 7. Currently wife is playing with it.