[MatthewVanitas]

I've been buying up inexpensive pocketknives for a month or so now, and giving them away as tips, gifts to random passersby, leave sitting on window-sills, etc.

The first lot cost me 90c/ea, then bought a TSA confiscation lot for 60c/ea. Then I found a source for these little multitools, and ordered 100 of them at 20c/ea. Not sure, but might be able to get down to the 10-15c range if I order, say, 1000 of them.

Any suggestions as to whether there's a better bang-for-the-buck that I'm missing?

Cons:

--lanyard would be better at end away from blade, but that would add a step in manufacturing.

--scissors seem pretty silly on a knife this small

--lanyard hole is not ideal for keychain, might have to buy a package of slip-rings and see how long it takes to install 100 of them. If it's more than 5 minutes, forget it.

Pros

-- solid little chunk of stainless steel

-- people might actually carry and use it

-- sharp enough to open packages, but really not a good weapon (won't tend to get idiots in trouble)

-- if I can get them as low as 10c ea, I can hand 'em out like jellybeans. Not that I hand out jellybeans currently, so it's not the best simile.


-MV

[Baba Louie]

Where, pray tell, does one find these TSA confiscation lot sales at $.60-.90/unit?

[MatthewVanitas]

@BabaLouie: where does anyone buy anything? Go to eBay and search under "knives" and add the keywords "confiscated", "TSA", or "NTSA".

Just depends on whether you feel like buying your cheap knives by the pound.


I'm digging these little multitools. I might call the wholesaler and get a price quote for 1,000 or more. If anyone else is interested in getting a bulk amount to hand out in your daily life, let me know.


Handed out about a dozen today. Gave one to a drive-in cashier, left others sitting on top of parking meters, etc. I consider this to be one of my little performance art projects, and far less annoying than most performance art.

-MV

[Highpower1]

i'm actually going to one of the surplus sites that's located in Atlanta in the very near future. Lots of item's on ebay tagged "tsa confiscated". It'll be interesting to see what type of stuff they have there.

[boredelmo]

matt, i was just looking into getting one. send one my way.

heck ill just look for them around UT.

[MatthewVanitas]

@elmo:

There were a bunch of them sitting on ledges in the Blanton Art Museum, last I checked.

I'll bring a handful of 'em to the range for you.

-MV

[cpileri]

Matt- you just became an accomplice in govt-sponsored looting (see attached).


But seriously,
Its a kinda nutty idea, but I think what you're doing: spreading a useful tool around, helping dispel the fear of weapons 'one little multi-tool at a time'; is great!

I am still waiting fo rthe Killeen Daily Herald to have an article on "Anonymous Austin-area Man Gives Pocketknife for Tips". :)

C-

[MatthewVanitas]

Matt- you just became an accomplice in govt-sponsored looting (see attached).


The argument could be made. However, if the TSA couldn't sell them, it's not like that would stop them from confiscating them. If would just mean more knives being turned into scrap and sold back to China.

Its a kinda nutty idea, but I think what you're doing: spreading a useful tool around, helping dispel the fear of weapons 'one little multi-tool at a time'; is great!

I'm fine with the "nutty" part, so long as the "inexpensive" part works out. I figure the bang (slice?) per buck is good, so I'll go with this.

Now just have to email the wholesaler and try and get a larger quote. These aren't exactly ideal in terms of quality (durable but a bit crude), but the pricepoint is hard to beat.

-MV

[old4x4]

Baba, ever get a GOOD knife from one of these confiscations?

[HiWayMan]

Matt- steve, sm, did a thread on these little give away knives not to long ago. I love these and still have one on my keychain. In fact, it was the first knife I got to carry, as mom and dad didn't see it as a knife. Keep up the good deeds and spread those knives about.

[MatthewVanitas]

ever get a GOOD knife from one of these confiscations?

Baba's question, but I'll chime in.

Out of over 500 knives, I've found one Camillus Silver Sword, neat little stainless 1.5" lockback. That's about it.

I find a few decent cheapies, including a neat little $2 ripoff of a Benchmade liner-lock (complete w/ thumbstud and pocketclip). Sorry elmo, utswabbie got that one, but I have a bagfull of other ones you can mess with, will bring them to the range next Thurs.


-MV