I mailed the blade back, didnt fit in suitcase. Took the hilt in the suitcase. Bell services taped 3 boxes together and i put sheathed blade in that. Boxes were the rectangular priority mail type.
I saw that posting from the TSA, but I'm curious about whether airlines are actually allowing them as carry-on. I had read that the blades were about 36" long, which would exceed the maximum allowable size for most carry-ons, even at the diagonal.