Travelling with a shinai - Questions (and hopefully some answers)

[Kazekoru]

So, here's the deal. In a few months, I'll be traveling outside of the country in order to visit some relatives, and possibly celebrate for... Oh, you know. Three straight weeks. [Yeah, we like to par-tay, especially since this is a massive reunion.]

I'd like to bring my shinai with me to show my relatives.

Problem is : will Hong Kong customs and Thailand customs be a problem?

I've read around, and I saw the whole "PVC Pipe case" thing, and I'm going to see if that works. I'll take apart my shinai, bubble wrap them, put them in a custom ABS plastic [heavier-duty type pipe] case, and put it in the cargo bay.

Even if I'm unable to take it out of the country, it'll still make a nice carrying case. Okay, back on-topic.

Has anyone ever had any trouble leaving Canada with their shinai? If I just say "It's four pieces of bamboo with some string and leather", and show them the proof [ opening the case, hur-dur. ] will they allow me to pass customs? Furthermore, would it be a good idea to put it in the cargo bay of a plane?

I'm worried about temperature damage, and the actual damage to each individual slat. I know for a fact that each slat is flimsy on its own, [one can break one arrow, but not many, as the proverb goes] but with bubble wrap and indestructible [or damn-near it anyway] plastic, snapping shouldn't be a problem. Temperature damage - it might ice over and what-not at high altitudes, so that might be a problem.

TL;DR ver. : How do I take a shinai outside of Canada into Hong Kong, then to Thailand without having to worry about temperature damage / damage in general?

[Kazekoru]

Also, in Canada, I'm not sure about the carry-on luggage type rules. I've seen that the carry-on luggage must be a certain size, so I'm guessing bringing the case onto the plane as carry-on is not allowed.

[It's supposed to fit in a square about 1'cubed. Somehow, I doubt a shinai would fit in that. >_>]

[Kazekoru]

My project album : http://s479.photobucket.com/albums/r...Shinai%20case/

I'll keep posting new pictures as I complete the project.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I've always just checked them in my regular shinai bag and had no problem. No need to do anything special, although I would make sure you have at least two in the case as one by itself is a little weak. If anyone asks you what they are, say "bamboo sticks" or "sports equipment" or "martial arts equipment". It's not an issue unless you want to take them on the plane.

But unless you intend to train wherever you're going, I'm not sure why you'd want to blow one of your checked luggage pieces on shinai. Show 'em a picture.

[Anonymous]

Most people I know pack fishing poles in capped pvc/abs pipes, and I have yet to ever hear about anyone having issues with them. Someone asked if I had a massive fishing pole in mine when I moved my naginata around.

[braxtonhicks]

I've always just checked them in my regular shinai bag and had no problem. No need to do anything special, although I would make sure you have at least two in the case as one by itself is a little weak. If anyone asks you what they are, say "bamboo sticks" or "sports equipment" or "martial arts equipment". It's not an issue unless you want to take them on the plane.

But unless you intend to train wherever you're going, I'm not sure why you'd want to blow one of your checked luggage pieces on shinai. Show 'em a picture.

What Gendzwill Sensei said. I have one of those black cordura ebogu zippered bags. My checked shinais were totally fine. Although going through the airport with a vaguely gun shaped bag over my shoulder did raise a few eyebrows.

[Kazekoru]

I do plan to try to train, actually, some basic suburi and a lot of those "hold it in one position forever" exercises. I'm going to avoid doing anything that might have to mess with form as of right now, since I'm still a beginner, but I >need< to strengthen the muscles in my left arm for the "control and power". Also, the bulk of my family is carrying all of my clothes. I have all of like three shorts and a few t-shirts, so I really don't need a piece of luggage all to myself. I say, "Hey, why not. If I can, I will.".

Another thing, for simple weight training, sticks+rocks just doesn't have the same feel as a shinai.