Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Halcyon Chimera]

Oh, and to clarify any confusion. I am American. I am prior military, and I am accustomed to carrying blades and multitools not for defensive reasons (although they are useful for that) but for convenience. At no time did I hint at trying to be tough, violent, etc. I think the fact that many took it that way tells a lot more about them than it does me.

I will keep the knife at home but will likely buy one in country. For those labeling Americans as "gun and/or knife nuts" or whatever else, generalizations such as that are not warranted, needed, or respectful. Making blanket statements such as that is just what I am trying to teach my students here in America NOT to do.

Believe it or not, to many of us Americans, we see a knife as a TOOL instead of a weapon. The scenario it is placed in will determine its use. In other words, if I simply carry a knife around, I am carrying a tool. If I am attacked and I feel my life is in danger, the tool then becomes a defensive weapon. It is all about perception.

[tardisrider]

I've seen this come up a couple of times on Dave's throughout the years. Very often, whenever anyone mentions carrying a knife, some people will automatically talk about how that person might stab someone or otherwise use the knife in a fight.

It's always confused me a little, because I've always carried a Swiss army knife but it would never even occur to me to consider it a weapon. I use it as a screwdriver, bottle-opener, envelope/box opener, all of that sort of stuff. In the mid to late 90s, Koreans used to call Swiss army knives "MacGuyver Knives" after the tv show--though I'm not sure if that's still the common term. Haven't had that conversation in a while.

Also, I've never been in a fight in my life--well, actually, come to think of it, maybe once in 3rd grade or something--but if I were attacked, mugged say, I'd be way too scared to think of using my pocket knife for defense. And if I did, it would probably come out something like this:

"Hey, hold on a second Mr. Mugger, let me reach into my pocket here and find my knife and open it--wait, no, no, that was the screwdriver--okay, here we are, here's the blade...I've been meaning to sharpen it...alright, well I'm going to run away, now, and don't try to follow me or we'll have to go through all this again."

Another thing--maybe related, maybe not: I seem to recall that there used to be a lot more talk on Dave's about getting into fights. Some posters, not the majority but some, used to talk about getting into fights like it was a frequent occurrence. Like I said, I've never been in a fight in my life (with that one exception of the time that Billy Shapiro called me a doo-doo head or something) and I always wondered who the lunkheads were going around having punch outs at the drop of a hat. I still don't know.


(oh, and for what it's worth, I've gone in and out of Korea a gazillion times with small pocket knives in my checked luggage--it's never been an issue anywhere. No idea about legality in the strictest sense, but it's never come up and I've never even thought of making a declaration. I've even taken similar knives in my pocket on international flights planes but those times were pre-9.11 when stuff wasn't such a big deal)

[CentralCali]

[myenglishisno]

OP: I originally called you a "knife nut" but then I read your other posts and saw that you weren't and edited my post. Sorry for jumping to conclusions.

Anyway, I've been to knife/sword shops here. If you can't bring it through customs, there is a store in Insadong (a tourist area) that sells every kind of knife/sword known to man so I'm sure you could get something similar. I wanted to buy a sword once because, erm, sword, however I doubt I'd be able to take it out of the country so I didn't.

[Steelrails]

Like I said OP, if you do carry a knife, make sure its a multi-tool one, like a leatherman. Then, there is no issue of whether it is a weapon or a tool. Everyone knows a Leatherman or a Swiss Army knife is a tool.

A folding blade knife can go either way, but the odds of it being seen as a weapon substantially increase. Again this also goes with how you look. Do you have a gray beard and are dressed in fishing/hiking clothes? Glasses and look as intimidating as a mouse? Or do you have a military style haircut and a scowl?

And I would suggest not carrying the knife, a folding blade, to school. The knife might become a distraction in the classroom. You'd probably be better off carrying a box cutter and a clip of markers and a red pencil.

Again, it is as much how you look and carry yourself that will determine how people/authorities react to the knife in Korea. I'd strongly suggest carrying a multi-tool over the folding blade. No need for confusion and hassles.

[madoka]

[12ax7]

Food for your thoughts: A Canadian hunter was arrested at a border town a few years back for illegally importing a firearm into the US. The arrest took place at a gas station. One entrance to the gas station was in Canada and the other in the US.

[ED209]

Bring whatever knife you want, just keep it in a pencil case.

[Skippy]

I keep a pocket knife. I keep it in my back pocket. I got it shipped here from an online site. Cheap.

Still keep it small, do not wave it around, keep it hidden in pocket, you will be fine. Still the perception and being caught with it is the problem. People can get into trouble for anything. So if you are the type that likes to go out and seems to run into trouble everyweek, do not carry. Consider a leatherman or utility device instead as it will be seen more of a tool then weapon.

Also I totally understand ttompatz original point. I think more people need to understand our rights here in Korea. That can include from carrying a knife, to smoking dope, to free speech, to working.

As a guests of this country we have a limited sets of rights and have restrictions on what we can do. For example you may not like the rich people aka 1 percent, decided to protest at occupy Seoul. Let's say you get picked up by police. You do not have the right to protest. The government may just say it is against your visa and kick you out.

I remember years ago, a group of expats decided to do a play and made some money on it, I think for charity, but due to some politics, they where almost deported for working outside of their visa. Never mind that most of the players made no money, was doing it for pleasure, they broke the law.

Remember you are not in Kansas anymore. Still a nice country and quite free, but things will not always be the same.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I'd much rather someone ask what the laws are and not make the mistake of bringing it, then complain about having it taken away (or worse,) after the fact. The OP knew that laws were likely different, and started this thread to ask what the laws were. Again, there was no need for snark.

[fermentation]

Concealing and carrying a weapon without a viable reason is illegal and can lead to a fine. But there are plenty of Koreans who carry little knives with them. It's not like cops are going to go around searching people (No TSA thank goodness) so unless you wave it around in public there won't be a problem.

[Captain Corea]

[Halcyon Chimera]

I am seeing that some recommend carrying a multitool instead. I can handle that. I have a Leatherman Wave perfect for that role. Thanks, again, for the input. I will leave my beautiful Benchmade at home

[runthegauntlet]

I have a Leatherman multitool, a Gerber multitool, two Kershaw speed-safe knives (one about 7 inches overall, the other about 5), and two Gerber knives, both about 5 inches overall. On my keyring I have a Swisstech tool/key that opens into a blade, and on my bag I have a small Gerber that has a one inch blade, screw driver, etc.

I always travel with one of the multitools and one of the knives and have been in and out of the airport dozens of times. I also hike with a pocket knife clipped to my front pocket all the time.

I even asked my Korean fiancee if that were okay for walking down the street (to the start of the mountain) and she said of course.

So, yeah, that works for me. Whatever works for you.

[ejyanaika]

sorry to hijack, but still falls into the same lines.

does this no carry-law also apply to no ownership? I don't have a place in the states to leave my stuff, and i'd rather not sell my more expensive/hard to find knives. thanks for any information