TSA to allow small nonlocking knives.

I saw this on TV, and I think golf clubs are included in this. Supposedly the people who work on the planes are objecting to these changes.

Looks like no more than two golf clubs. I could play a round with a 7 iron and a putter... Who in the world only brings two clubs?

Holy COW guess I've got some work to do to prepare that old novelty bat I have kicking around some place.

Sure glad there's no way to hurt anyone with a short stick of about 24" and 23 oz...



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In completely unrelated news, Eskrima lessons seem to be suddenly full at the local dojo...

Jsg81 said:

Looks like no more than two golf clubs. I could play a round with a 7 iron and a putter... Who in the world only brings two clubs?

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Golfers are notoriously superstitious. Bringing a "lucky putter" or "lucky driver" onto the plane would be in keeping with this.

TSA will allow the sort of knife that almost nobody finds useful enough to carry, as if it's a big plus for travelers. It's diddly. Yet the flight attendants have their undies all in a wad over it.

I wonder what bigwig likes to carry a knife that has an exactly 6cm blade.

What happened to America?

Don't fly much these days, but if I did, I'd carry a cane. They can keep their tiny little Swiaa Army Knives (thats the only knife I have that fits this criteria), and I'll rsttle their brains with my hand made high density polyethylene club... I mean, cane.

I need to buy a quality high density club. I mean cane.

I fly often enough to justify it, and I'll be spending lots of time in courts in the future.

Bobson said:

I need to buy a quality high density club. I mean cane.

I fly often enough to justify it, and I'll be spending lots of time in courts in the future.

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Send me your measurements and I'll make you one. PM me your e-mail address and I'll e-mail you pics of the two I've made.

So in doing some quick research, a knife that fits the TSA's new requirements and can be opened 1-handed is the Spyderco Squeak. It might be my next knife purchase. I do fly 4 or 5 times a year.

Any other 1-handed opening options out there that fit the specs? I know there are hundreds of good options if you don't mind a traditional 2-handed opener, but 95% of my folders are 1-handed, and I like the concept very much.

A few of the Boker Plus Chad Los Banos designed Subcom knives, and the David Curtiss dseigned Nano, are available as slip joints with the 42 suffix. However, I'm not sure if these knives exceed the blade width limit because they are pretty stout.

USAF_Vet said:

Send me your measurements and I'll make you one. PM me your e-mail address and I'll e-mail you pics of the two I've made.

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PM sent. Thanks man.

What do they mean by "knives with molded grips"?

Would the grip of the Spyderco Kiwi be considered molded?

I'm finding it very difficult to see this as a good thing. Especially because...

Well, used to be, they saw a knife on the x-ray, they called a bag check, and ran through the standard procedure.

NOW, they spot a knife on the x-ray.... call a bag check, and... I guess they have to open it, measure it against a ruler, test the folding/locking mechanism, and then decide whether the grip is too comfortable to be allowed?

I wondered about that too, RX-178. Specifically, how many incompetent TSA employees are going to be confiscating knives that people are allowed to carry under the new policy? From what I hear, the TSA has a reputation for hiring some real geniuses.

Actually, the specifications sound almost exactly like the Victorinox Gentleman's Companion.

Which would be something I carry more than EDC, if a person will allow that use of language. (I know I've had to check mine at the courthouse door/sally port.)

Could be TSA got tired of having buckets of $9.95 retail knives at the end of every shift.

I enjoy to carry a small Case knife on a daily basis and am thrilled that I can not have to worry about donating any more to TSA on my almost weekly flights.

Thankful for the first common sense I've seen from TSA.

Mark

Hooray for Common sense.

If you look at the info TSA published: http://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/assets/pdf/tsa_permitted_items_update.pdf

They'd consider ANY knife that has even the most basic ergonomic shaping to be "molded." The only knives they'll allow are the small "executive" type blades with nothing more complex than a basic lozenge shape.

So nice blades like the Kiwi are completely out.

The TSA can allow what they want through the metal detectors, but thats where their authority effectively stops. They have no jurisdiction over airline policy and the airlines will still have a strict no weapons policy (aside from FFDO, FAM, and a few others.) I'd imagine that anyone actually using their little penknife on a flight will be immediately removed and banned from the carrier.

And nail clippers are still banned. Hooray for logic.

Sounds like it`s not likely to please very many people. As i understand it they won`t allow you to keep your little SAK key ring knife in your pocket, but it`s ok in a carry on bag! not likely to satisfy anyone who wants a knife for defense, Yet at the same time terrified airline people got their knickers in a knot about it!
Gooberment`s finest hour, eh what?

Oh my. After reading their very specific PDF guide to what is and is not allowed, I see the options are basically limited to very small SAKs and maybe some Case or similar designs. No fancy Spydercos or Bokers or anything fast or hefty. Not much of a victory, here.

Now I'm wondering, what does the height (top to bottom) of the blade have to do with it's "scariness"? Not more than 1/2"? Geez.

JJEXP said:

I'd imagine that anyone actually using their little penknife on a flight will be immediately removed

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That doesn't sound very fair. Do you think they'll at least wait to land the plane before removing passengers?