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Traveling with gouges

Check with the airline. If you are checking the tools, shouldn't be a problem. Just hope they don't lose them. Probably won't let you take them on the plane as carry-on. It has been my observation that there is no consistency in enforcing regulations. What one airport security passes can be a no-no at another. I heard of an elderly lady who had her knitting needles confiscated. I'm sure she looked like a security threat.
 
I keep mine in a tool box and of course they don't go on carry on. Haven't had any problems other than sometimes they take things apart and have broken the tray in my tool box twice.
 
I keep mine in a tool box and of course they don't go on carry on. Haven't had any problems other than sometimes they take things apart and have broken the tray in my tool box twice.

Years ago a very accomplished timber framer told me a terribly sad story over a beer. He traveled fairly often and had his grandfather's cast steel framing chisels stolen from his checked luggage in a toolbox. He later talked with a luggage handler and was told that his choice of a toolbox probably encouraged the theft of his tools. His advice: never check a toolbox as luggage.

I have a really good cordura roll for all of my framing chisels, sold by the Timber Framer's guild. It protects razor sharp tools and can be put in a regular suitcase surrounded by clothing. It handles gouges equally well. I pretty much always fly with some variety of cutting tools in regular luggage and I've never had a problem even with several inspections, including international flights returning home with wild looking hand forged tools.
 
I can't imagine why they inspect my tools. I mean just because my Thompson Handles look like pipe bombs. What's the big deal. Maybe I should hand a fuse out of one and see what happens. :)
 
I can't imagine why they inspect my tools. I mean just because my Thompson Handles look like pipe bombs. What's the big deal. Maybe I should hand a fuse out of one and see what happens. :)

I might visit you now and then if they put you in a penitentiary that isn't too far from where I live. :D
 
I have Thompson tools and his handles and, I simply take the tool out of the handle, reverse it, and reinsert it into the handle. Protects the tools edge and makes it impossible to get cut handling them.
 
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