OP stated they need to recheckin at Heathrow who have every rght to refuse a knife at security
That's why he can't buy it at Geneva ( after security) and take he with him. He wanted to know if it was possible to buy them after security at Heathrow ( as it is in Geneva) to avoid that risk.
I think I've seen them after security in the souvenir type shops there but I'm not 100% certain.
Even if he is able to buy, after security, he would need to be aware of the blade size and how exactly it is measured (from end of sharpened blade or entire length) and will still need to check with the relevant airline.
I can see money being lost and loads of hassle - even connections missed.
Take a small bag/case, buy it here, pack it in bag and check that in - the other alternative ain't worth the hassle, for want of losing a few minutes watching bags go round on a carousel.
If i buy after security, that's it !
It's allowed and can be transported in cabin baggage, there are no further checks as to what you have in hand baggage.
A 50p bottle of water one side is considered dangerous, a £5.-- bottle on the other side is not, work it out !
Thankyou all for your answers, suggestions and advice, i'll let you know if i end up in Wormwood Scrubs (prison) or in Asia
l just discovered a pair of very sharp point nail scissors in my makeup bag which will have been in my hand luggage for two return journeys to the UK (terminal 5). I was amazed they haven't been picked up either at Zurich or London or perhaps they are now acceptable? Or travelling with a 6 month old and all the paraphernalia that goes with her was enough of a distraction?
If scissors are less than 6cm from pivot, then it's not a problem - officially.
Some airlines and airports other than LHR may have different regs.
http://www.heathrowairport.com/stati...nce_170311.pdf
I recently indvertently smuggled a 0.75 liter bottle of wine through security in Barcelona. I had bought it the night before and forgotten to repack it into my checkin bag. The security man said, is there a bottle in your pack and I said yes, and unpacked a bottle of cheap wine and left it there. When checking through my bag I discovered there was a second bottle still in there - a much more expensive one.
I was tempted to ask the stewardess if i could borrow a corkscrew, but on second thoughts decided not to push my luck.
I've not seen knives sold at Heathrow and I would not try to go through security in UK with even a short blade blade (I have cleared security in GVA before, no probs!)
ISTR some half-arsed Mail on Sunday article from 2013 getting agitated over how easy it was to buy SAK's at Zurich airport and bring them on a flight to UK.
I think Swiss army knifes and Swatches are great small gifts from Switzerland although I'd not give a knife as a gift in Asia. Some people see it as bad luck and a symbol of cutting the relationship.
And the answer is....................no !
As for giving a knife as a gift in Asia or anywhere, i fully agree, but somebody asked me specifically to get one.