OP
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Thanks, John. I appreciate it!
Non-metallic 'tactical' pen?
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danez71
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OCTrainer,
Most of my life has been in sourcing/procurement/supply chain management for manufacturing companies in the electronics and electro-mechanical world. I've dealt with custom injection molds, castings, cnc, stampings.... all sorts of stuff. BIG and small companies. Currently, I'm dealing with domestic companies that are producing anywhere from a few thousands parts to a couple hundred thousand (in a year).
I'd be willing to sign a NDA to take a look at it.
To be fair... there's a good chance I wont be able to help but you never know.
The offer is out there for you.
I'm currently recovering from foot surgery... so I have a little extra time right now.
Most of my life has been in sourcing/procurement/supply chain management for manufacturing companies in the electronics and electro-mechanical world. I've dealt with custom injection molds, castings, cnc, stampings.... all sorts of stuff. BIG and small companies. Currently, I'm dealing with domestic companies that are producing anywhere from a few thousands parts to a couple hundred thousand (in a year).
I'd be willing to sign a NDA to take a look at it.
To be fair... there's a good chance I wont be able to help but you never know.
The offer is out there for you.
I'm currently recovering from foot surgery... so I have a little extra time right now.
OP
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Thanks, danez71. I appreciate the offer and sorry to hear about the foot.
This whole experience has really left a bad taste in my mouth. After sleeping on it over the weekend, I felt I had some unfinished business with this side project. Shortly after I sent out a few angry emails, calling out a few of these shops that either never responded or bailed after one email, I figured there had to be something I was overlooking. It's not like I've never brought a product to market, I just finished a prototyping project a few months back, using the very same polymer that I had in mind for this. Anyway, I received a few 'hail mary' leads, so this thing may not be dead just yet.
Regarding the NDA, that won't be necessary, but I appreciate the offer. This isn't something patentable, in my opinion (who knows the way the are just giving them out these days). If you don't mind, PM me your email and I will run what I have by you. Thanks again!
This whole experience has really left a bad taste in my mouth. After sleeping on it over the weekend, I felt I had some unfinished business with this side project. Shortly after I sent out a few angry emails, calling out a few of these shops that either never responded or bailed after one email, I figured there had to be something I was overlooking. It's not like I've never brought a product to market, I just finished a prototyping project a few months back, using the very same polymer that I had in mind for this. Anyway, I received a few 'hail mary' leads, so this thing may not be dead just yet.
Regarding the NDA, that won't be necessary, but I appreciate the offer. This isn't something patentable, in my opinion (who knows the way the are just giving them out these days). If you don't mind, PM me your email and I will run what I have by you. Thanks again!
danez71
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PM sent.
BTW, What you're describing doesn't shock me.
BTW, What you're describing doesn't shock me.
OP
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Roger that. I'll be in touch later today. Many thanks!
If something is made of nylon, polymer, or a carbon composite, obviously it doesn't show up on a metal detector, but what about other scanning mechanisms? For example, would something like a CS poly-based push dagger show up in other scans despite not using metals?
The two tactical pens I carry the most are a Benchmade Damasteel pen and one of the super compact models from Rick Hinderer made from copper and using a blunted rear tip. I guess we could also call the Surface Pro 4 pen a "tactical pen" given it is made with aluminum...and TSA is completely OK with me taking it on a plane with me! A poly offering smaller than Sharky would be awesome.
Should something change and someone make a pen down the road, I'll gladly support them. I'm sure anyone doing this on their own won't get the benefit of mass production CNC discounts, and understanding that the price would be higher as an outcome. I'd still show support for the product.
It wouldn't surprise me though if, in order to get that ball rolling, buyers would have to be willing to put a down payment so the person doing this has the capital to get this started, and the people handling the CNC or water jet cutting are assured that they are getting a quantitiy order high enough for them to make a profit. I would guess the implications are that the timeline from deposit to finished product could be a while. I can't speak for others but I would personally be willing to do that for something unique. I purchased a Damasteel Benchmade pen for the same reason, given no two are will ever be even remotely alike in pattern
The two tactical pens I carry the most are a Benchmade Damasteel pen and one of the super compact models from Rick Hinderer made from copper and using a blunted rear tip. I guess we could also call the Surface Pro 4 pen a "tactical pen" given it is made with aluminum...and TSA is completely OK with me taking it on a plane with me! A poly offering smaller than Sharky would be awesome.
Should something change and someone make a pen down the road, I'll gladly support them. I'm sure anyone doing this on their own won't get the benefit of mass production CNC discounts, and understanding that the price would be higher as an outcome. I'd still show support for the product.
It wouldn't surprise me though if, in order to get that ball rolling, buyers would have to be willing to put a down payment so the person doing this has the capital to get this started, and the people handling the CNC or water jet cutting are assured that they are getting a quantitiy order high enough for them to make a profit. I would guess the implications are that the timeline from deposit to finished product could be a while. I can't speak for others but I would personally be willing to do that for something unique. I purchased a Damasteel Benchmade pen for the same reason, given no two are will ever be even remotely alike in pattern
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OP
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I appreciate you wanting to support this project, cdk8. You certainly have great taste in pens.
What we were looking to do with this one was/is to make a polymer pen that would be equally (or more) robust than the aluminum high-end versions already out there, but without all the tacticool garbage marketing & without the silly "DNA catchers" that get these things flagged - Most of these companies feel that everyone who carries these pens needs to stab someone in the carotid artery, apparently. That seems so short sighted to me. A blunt tip is way more versatile, IMO.
Up until this point, this project has become a Sisyphean task. Could I get these made for $100-$150 a pop? Sure. But, in my mind, the key to any improvised 'weapon' is availability and accessibility - to all. There in lies the rub. How can we get these made, to spec, without it costing an arm and a leg...That, has proved very elusive.
Thanks again for the interest.
To be continued...
gotboostvr
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Have you looked into a small CNC machine in your garage?
Would it be possible to run these off a 3D printer maybe?
If you can take over the manufacturing of it yourself you could definitely save some costs
Would it be possible to run these off a 3D printer maybe?
If you can take over the manufacturing of it yourself you could definitely save some costs
OP
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Thank you for the suggestions.
I haven't had machine shop since high school and unfortunately, I simply do not have the skills/abilities to do it myself, I'm afraid.
Interesting that you bring up 3-D printing. I just contacted a few places that offered that capability this week. They felt the the walls of the pen would still be too fragile for our needs. It still could be an option if the diameter of the pen where thick enough. I'm running that by the engineer doing the drawings.
The other process called Swiss Screw machining was also recommended to me. They really feel that would drive the cost down considerably.
I should know more some time next week.
Thanks, again...
I haven't had machine shop since high school and unfortunately, I simply do not have the skills/abilities to do it myself, I'm afraid.
Interesting that you bring up 3-D printing. I just contacted a few places that offered that capability this week. They felt the the walls of the pen would still be too fragile for our needs. It still could be an option if the diameter of the pen where thick enough. I'm running that by the engineer doing the drawings.
The other process called Swiss Screw machining was also recommended to me. They really feel that would drive the cost down considerably.
I should know more some time next week.
Thanks, again...
danez71
Member
OC,
Check your email.
And give me some feed back, please.
Check your email.
And give me some feed back, please.
OP
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John/hso,
I hope it is okay to post this link.
It was brought to my attention today and it is very apropos.
Should have a new update on the pen soon.
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/defensive-knives-other-weapons/236123-my-s-w-tactical-pen-consfiscated-tsa-today.html
I hope it is okay to post this link.
It was brought to my attention today and it is very apropos.
Should have a new update on the pen soon.
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/defensive-knives-other-weapons/236123-my-s-w-tactical-pen-consfiscated-tsa-today.html
Shanghai McCoy
Member
^^^ Interesting read about that pen as well as the whole kubotans being verboten as well.
Question, if you need to have a cane does one need a note from their Dr. ?
Question, if you need to have a cane does one need a note from their Dr. ?
No problem posting the link. It would be good in the future to post a quick blurb about it: "here's a link about one guy's tac pen and TSA", or whatever.
When I tested some value-priced tac pens a few years ago, it was clear from my research that TSA can choose to not allow on any object that is not specifically protected like a walking cane.
When I tested some value-priced tac pens a few years ago, it was clear from my research that TSA can choose to not allow on any object that is not specifically protected like a walking cane.
silentnewB
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Kubotans (not that anyone at the FAA/TSA knows how to spell) have been verboten long before 9/11 or the existence of the useless TSA. As to non-metallic knives, they won't pass the backscatter scanners. even if they do get through metal detectors. The reason Cold Steel ships all of their plastic knives with a welded split ring attached is to comply with CA law that bans the sale of any knife made of a material that cannot be found by a metal detector. An acquaintance of mine used to be a knife dealer and a CS distributor, who gave Thompson the split ring idea.
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