All,
A friend is leaving for "The States" on the 12th and she is prepared to bring back some gear for me. Now my question is two-fold:
What is the cheapest a Vic SwissTool can be bought over there? It will be cheaper that almost anywhere in I suspect but saving 10-15 dollar is always welcome.

What other survival gear would you recommend purchasing there? E.g. photon's, SureFire's or Ray-Ban's.

Maybe the Eurpean members realise the answer to question two even more...

Thanks in advance!! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Also I'd like to get a quality folder for my EDC which is missing from my kit so far.. Was thinking of a basic Benchmade or equivilant around $100 and like to hear your experiences.

I am concidering the SureFire L1 because of the brightness, toughness and price. Opinions?

Umm... I think that depends on how you want to approach bringing the items back in. Check with customs and if there's any allowance. Otherwise, you'll be paying VAT for sure. If it's an item packed in with other things as an everyday travel item, then maybe not such a big deal, especially for what you want. I'm pretty sure they look at wine/spirits/tobacco/jewelry and other commonly undeclared items. I'm not sure they'll care about a flashlight and a folding knife, but if they look brand new.... if they are still in packing, then for SURE they want to know about it.

Anyway, I would check your local laws as they pertain to customs and figure out your strategy. In no way am I recommending you break the law. I had a friend get off a cruise ship last fall with a Brietling watch and new digital camera from the Carribean and he planned on declaring them, the taxes were fairly minimal considering the purchase. The guy in line next to him was asked several times by a suspicious customs agent if he had anything to declare. After refusing about 6 times, they asked him to come with them, opened his bags right there and pulled out a case of illegal cigars (cuba embargo). So, not only did he lose a several thousand dollar box of cigars, but he also had to pay a MASSIVE fine. Can't remember exactly, but it made the loss of the cigars pale in comparison. Oh, and it's possible to do time for it too. Definitely not something I'd recommend you ask a friend to do. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It may be cheaper & simpler for her to post them back to you from the states. If she has to fill in a custom's form, mark them as " gifts, no commercial value" that way she should not have any problems. If asked why, tell them that he is a keen outdoors man. ( lawful excuse) if the lad from H.M. Customs is feeling arkward.

Which part of the US is she comming to? You have to add local sales tax to some prices (for example it is 8.50% in NYC). Also unfortunatelly the best deals are not in the shops but on the internet. If she is staying in some place you know ahead of time you can make an order and ship it there. On multiple items combined from the same merchant shipping is low and you can get a great deal...

What exactly are you looking for anyway?

Also on the way back as already specified: MAKE SURE EVERYTHING GOES INTO CHECK IN LAGGUGE.

Cheers guys!!
She is going to Milwaukee. My plan is to order it of the net and send it there. Take of the wraps, maybe add a few scrathes, chuck it in the checked luggage and pass it as personal items. Ive read a painful story from a guy who ordered airsoft rifles from China or the US. After the parcel passed customes the guy had to pay import tax... Ill find the link

As for the laws: on all products outside the EU import tax is added IIRC.

The products: Surefire E1 or A2 (havent decided yet), Wiley X B2, and a decent folder but must dosome more research before deciding. Maybe its time to say goodbye to my Swiss Champ...

However the risk of paying tax is worth it, some products are only half the price on the other side of the pond with the positive currency rate at the moment.

Why did you never try to ask a member here to buy you stuff and than mail it to you? Pocket knife, flashlight and some other misc stuff wouldnt raise any questions and that $20 that you pay for postage is still little price to pay especially if you mark the package "used/gift". You can get really good deals if you shop around places like CPF or Bladeforums for used deals. Just a suggestion.

I don't know if if she--or you--have ever experienced a Wal-Mart before, but I would highly avoid it--except for the Spyderco Native available for $40 USA in some locations. I bought one for a buddy and it is simply a great blade. Send her to the Sporting Goods section and tell her to ask for display number 60. If they don't have it then it will still have been worth the trip. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It had crossed my mind before Polak. Just add a note like "Hey mate you left this at my place" and post it. Can always use that idea in future.

Thanks for the heads up on the tax deal, Izzy!

Can SureFire's be bought cheaper anywhere than their official website? Last I heard was they would punish anyone who didnt retail their products for recommded prices....

Norad, sounds like a great deal, does Walmart send to US addresses? (Then she will pick it up, remove wrapper and goes in with checked luggage)

I am not sure if Walmart ships items or not. But you can't throw a rock in the USA without hitting a Walmart--that's how many of them there are. She will have no trouble finding one. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />