Spyderco & security checks at airports.
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braveheart
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Spyderco & security checks at airports.
Hi everyone, this is Braveheart, an alias for a 20 years running gun and blade journalist, writing for some of the most prominent magazines in Europe, based in Italy. I am researching for Security Checks at airports statistics connected with folding knives carried on the body (not in cases). I have a very long experience on this, especially with Spyderco products, in different areas of the world. A metallurgy and blade size-shape feature is in the works, with connection to metal detectors of various type. Any comment and personal experience will be welcomed. Please state type of blade (steel) model and instance. Keep on rocking - Braveheart.
Hi Braveheart, I never carry concealed, I always put a mid-size folder (up to 3 inch blade) on my key ring and pass it across the metal detector in the key tray. I have gotten thru every time, even with a half-serrated blade (US airports only).
Typical Spyderco carry in the past has been a Walker Lightweight (FRN Handle, plain edge blade).
Also carry a Stainless Steel handle Dragonfly in the same manner.
"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur
Typical Spyderco carry in the past has been a Walker Lightweight (FRN Handle, plain edge blade).
Also carry a Stainless Steel handle Dragonfly in the same manner.
"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur
My experience is all over the ballpark. There does not appear to be any standard machinery or calibration, nor any standard interpretation by security personnel, at US airports (or secured US federal/state buildings, for that matter). There are trends that you're probably well aware of, though.
Swiss army knives and Leatherman-types almost always go through carry-on bags, or around the metal detector in the change basket, unchallenged, regardless of size and blade type.
Knives that look like money clips sometimes, but not always, go through the change basket unchallenged.
If they do get challenged, I have had good luck with Delica and equivalent sized knives (specifically, a Benchmade 705 Axis), even if half-serrated (another Delica). The staff almost always have to think about the half-serrated blade; a plain edge gets no further thought once they eyeball the size.
If a non-Swiss Army or Leatherman knife is in a carry-on bag in profile view, the operator will always flag it for a visual. If it's on its edge, I have never had it inspected. (Some of these guys are good enough that they can tell you the model of the Leatherman or SAK that's in your bag -- I've had that happen.)
In theory, you could take your 5" folder with the fully serrated blade with evil black teflon coating on board in your carry-on bag if you pack it correctly (and are lucky), but I haven't bothered trying. A 4" or less plain blade seems to pass _any_ inspection at US airports, and seems to be able to get by without inspection a fair percentage of the time, so that's what I usually take. Since that's adequate for most urban and suburban tasks, I don't feel too inconvenienced by this.
There are some metal detectors that still seem to be set so that a Delica doesn't set them off, but they are fewer and farther between.
Someone once suggested carrying a self-addressed, prepaid FedEx mailer to facilitate getting rid of a knife at the airport without losing too much time (or the knife). Since the Delica seems to pass every review, I don't bother any more.
Good luck with the project.
Swiss army knives and Leatherman-types almost always go through carry-on bags, or around the metal detector in the change basket, unchallenged, regardless of size and blade type.
Knives that look like money clips sometimes, but not always, go through the change basket unchallenged.
If they do get challenged, I have had good luck with Delica and equivalent sized knives (specifically, a Benchmade 705 Axis), even if half-serrated (another Delica). The staff almost always have to think about the half-serrated blade; a plain edge gets no further thought once they eyeball the size.
If a non-Swiss Army or Leatherman knife is in a carry-on bag in profile view, the operator will always flag it for a visual. If it's on its edge, I have never had it inspected. (Some of these guys are good enough that they can tell you the model of the Leatherman or SAK that's in your bag -- I've had that happen.)
In theory, you could take your 5" folder with the fully serrated blade with evil black teflon coating on board in your carry-on bag if you pack it correctly (and are lucky), but I haven't bothered trying. A 4" or less plain blade seems to pass _any_ inspection at US airports, and seems to be able to get by without inspection a fair percentage of the time, so that's what I usually take. Since that's adequate for most urban and suburban tasks, I don't feel too inconvenienced by this.
There are some metal detectors that still seem to be set so that a Delica doesn't set them off, but they are fewer and farther between.
Someone once suggested carrying a self-addressed, prepaid FedEx mailer to facilitate getting rid of a knife at the airport without losing too much time (or the knife). Since the Delica seems to pass every review, I don't bother any more.
Good luck with the project.
I flew out of Baltimore last march,enroute
to lax, and they flagged my large voyager
tanto serratted. I gave them a few minutes
of inspecting it, then walked over and said
"I am fully aware that you have the power
to keep this tool, I just wanted to let you
know that if that is your decision, I intend
to create more paper work than you could
possibly do in 6 months". She frowned as she
handed it back.
to lax, and they flagged my large voyager
tanto serratted. I gave them a few minutes
of inspecting it, then walked over and said
"I am fully aware that you have the power
to keep this tool, I just wanted to let you
know that if that is your decision, I intend
to create more paper work than you could
possibly do in 6 months". She frowned as she
handed it back.
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sam the man..
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- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Hi Braveheart... Welcome to the Spyderco Forums..
I don't conceal carry at airports especially when it comes to boarding flights. I keep them Spydies in their concealex sheath inside my bumbag. Had an interesting experience at the LAX last year when the security personnel noticed my Endura during a scan. I was asked to deploy the blade which is later released because its legal carry in California *phew!* <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
In Malaysia, I don't have much problems packing the knives because I do have to take domestic flights to cover my assignments.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Sam
have spydies will travel
I don't conceal carry at airports especially when it comes to boarding flights. I keep them Spydies in their concealex sheath inside my bumbag. Had an interesting experience at the LAX last year when the security personnel noticed my Endura during a scan. I was asked to deploy the blade which is later released because its legal carry in California *phew!* <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
In Malaysia, I don't have much problems packing the knives because I do have to take domestic flights to cover my assignments.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Sam
have spydies will travel
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ftkinney
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- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Texan living in New Jersey USA
i have only carried a swiss army knife and once or twice a gerber multi-tool. i've never had a hassle with either. expept once with the multi-tool i bought it before they became popuar and the sercuity gaurd was not sure and had to get a supervior, it passed. for international flights i put my SAK in my bag with keys and shaving supplies to bolster the utiltarianess if needed. i have a domestic flight comming up and i might try to bring my bob lum chinese as a key chain.
FTK
FTK
Hi colleague just happened to come across this forum. I am a Hong Kong-based journalist myself, not on knives but politics--knives nut nonetheless.
Airport security in Hong Kong on restricted items include all kinds of weapons, but passengers are allowed to carry blades not more than 3inches.
All switchblades are, of course, banned.
I travel quite alot and among my travel gears I always bring either my spyderco michael walker lightweight, which never had any problems even with its serration, and quite often my 3inch cold steel voyager with a tanto point and half serration.
Suprisingly the custom never raised any questions with my cold steel when I put place it on the tray before going through the metal detector.
I had quite a bit of problem with the Singaporean airport security a couple months ago when I was travelling back to Hong Kong, they had my cold steel confiscated and had it sent back to Hong Kong in a seperate flight two days later--saying it "looks like an offensive weapon".
Good that I still had my backup buck 2.5inch lightening HTA in my bumpbag, which went through the x ray undetected with other items.
In general, the advice for you guys for travelling to Hong Kong is that don't carry anything longer than 3inch on your person, but anything as long as a two-handed scottish claymore could be packed in your check-in lugguages (I tried that when I was on my way home from the states). Customs staff are pretty friendly here.
Airport security in Hong Kong on restricted items include all kinds of weapons, but passengers are allowed to carry blades not more than 3inches.
All switchblades are, of course, banned.
I travel quite alot and among my travel gears I always bring either my spyderco michael walker lightweight, which never had any problems even with its serration, and quite often my 3inch cold steel voyager with a tanto point and half serration.
Suprisingly the custom never raised any questions with my cold steel when I put place it on the tray before going through the metal detector.
I had quite a bit of problem with the Singaporean airport security a couple months ago when I was travelling back to Hong Kong, they had my cold steel confiscated and had it sent back to Hong Kong in a seperate flight two days later--saying it "looks like an offensive weapon".
Good that I still had my backup buck 2.5inch lightening HTA in my bumpbag, which went through the x ray undetected with other items.
In general, the advice for you guys for travelling to Hong Kong is that don't carry anything longer than 3inch on your person, but anything as long as a two-handed scottish claymore could be packed in your check-in lugguages (I tried that when I was on my way home from the states). Customs staff are pretty friendly here.
braveheart, spin, JNewell, DAMSHARP -- welcome all of you to the forum. Don't ever recall seeing a thread with so many new posters, nor so many "foreign" people involved.
This is a topic that has been frequently discussed on Blade Forums, in the General forum at least scores of times. I believe the majority of it relates to internal USA flights. I'm sure you folks from other lands have a great deal of info to offer in this area.
The general gist of the threads on Blade Forums is: Blade no longer than 3", no serrations, better to just put it out on the change tray. As you all say, anything in checked in luggage.
A couple things -- Sal Glesser, president of Spderco also moderates the Spyderco forum at Blade Forums. I think it tends to average a few more posts per day, though this one is picking up.
Several custom, and a couple manufacturers make knives from G-10, carbon fiber, and FRNs of one variety or another, for concealed carry without a magnetic imprint. These have been part of, or generated threads on the general forum at Blade Forums. I would think there might be quite useful material for you there, braveheart.
Again, welcome. Hope all of you will continue to use this forum.
Stare
This is a topic that has been frequently discussed on Blade Forums, in the General forum at least scores of times. I believe the majority of it relates to internal USA flights. I'm sure you folks from other lands have a great deal of info to offer in this area.
The general gist of the threads on Blade Forums is: Blade no longer than 3", no serrations, better to just put it out on the change tray. As you all say, anything in checked in luggage.
A couple things -- Sal Glesser, president of Spderco also moderates the Spyderco forum at Blade Forums. I think it tends to average a few more posts per day, though this one is picking up.
Several custom, and a couple manufacturers make knives from G-10, carbon fiber, and FRNs of one variety or another, for concealed carry without a magnetic imprint. These have been part of, or generated threads on the general forum at Blade Forums. I would think there might be quite useful material for you there, braveheart.
Again, welcome. Hope all of you will continue to use this forum.
Stare
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sam the man..
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- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Hi Spin! Welcome aboard! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Thanks for the kind words Stare! Your opinions are highly valued... <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
I had the same problems entering Singapore.. My Endura, Spyderwrench and Mouse were detained and sent to the Arms and Explosive Department. They were labelled "Flick Knives" and were classified as "Potential Offensive Weapons". No point arguing with that because Singapore is quite paranioa with edged tools. The irony is this, you can purchase the same knives off the shelves at the Republic's retail outlet.. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Strange ain't it? But when it comes to the crunch, do stay calm and make an effort to extend you fullest cooperation with the authority... <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Sam
have spydies will travel
I had the same problems entering Singapore.. My Endura, Spyderwrench and Mouse were detained and sent to the Arms and Explosive Department. They were labelled "Flick Knives" and were classified as "Potential Offensive Weapons". No point arguing with that because Singapore is quite paranioa with edged tools. The irony is this, you can purchase the same knives off the shelves at the Republic's retail outlet.. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Strange ain't it? But when it comes to the crunch, do stay calm and make an effort to extend you fullest cooperation with the authority... <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Sam
have spydies will travel
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Joyce Laituri
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- Location: Golden, CO USA
Samo, strange that your stuff was send to the Weapons and Explosives dept. I got a friend who used to work at the singaporean army in the some kind of a special ops team, specialising in explosives and he kept telling me when I was in singapore that my cold steel i usually carry is "too short".
Well, he never shown me what he carries though.
I did argue with the airport customs in the incident mentioned earlier, and they finally agreed to send my cold steel separately. Well I wouldn't want to piss the authority there off since its not worth being caned for carrying a knive isn't it? Would make headline in Hong Kong.
Well, he never shown me what he carries though.
I did argue with the airport customs in the incident mentioned earlier, and they finally agreed to send my cold steel separately. Well I wouldn't want to piss the authority there off since its not worth being caned for carrying a knive isn't it? Would make headline in Hong Kong.
Braveheart, there is a German knife manufacturer that makes a few series of knives with ceramic blades. The scales are made of either titanium or zytel. I believe that the pivot pin is steel, but that is it. Also look to other manufacturers for titanium blades. Since no one is naming names here, I will leave it to your research skills to find them.
"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur
"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur
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sam the man..
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- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Hi Spin!
Speaking about the Singapore AED, I had to pay $16 Singapore Dollars to expedite the Spydies. Actually, they are not listed as "Scheduled Weapons", but being straight and by the book, the AED officer issued me with an "Export" permit so the I won't get into "trouble" with the Malaysian customs. Well, they won't cane you, they'll just confisticate your Spydie. Its really humiliating when the officers ridicule you by saying "You call that a knife" when they inspect our Spyderco Mouse...
Hmmmm, special forces? Yeah, lotsa Singaporean dudes are in the Military. They look unassuming but can be really skillful with their edged tools... <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Sam
have spydies will travel
Speaking about the Singapore AED, I had to pay $16 Singapore Dollars to expedite the Spydies. Actually, they are not listed as "Scheduled Weapons", but being straight and by the book, the AED officer issued me with an "Export" permit so the I won't get into "trouble" with the Malaysian customs. Well, they won't cane you, they'll just confisticate your Spydie. Its really humiliating when the officers ridicule you by saying "You call that a knife" when they inspect our Spyderco Mouse...
Hmmmm, special forces? Yeah, lotsa Singaporean dudes are in the Military. They look unassuming but can be really skillful with their edged tools... <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Sam
have spydies will travel
I lived in Taiwan for many years and in that time traveled to Hong Kong and Korea on several occasions. My only knife at the time was a Victorinox Spartan SAK. Never had any problems with it getting through security. In fact, due to my lack of problems with the SAK, when I fly domestically, I tend to carry perhaps an SAK Tinker (I retired the Spartan)or maybe the Soldier. Up to now, I have never brought a locking blade in a carry-on (have had lockbacks in my check-in).
I remember reading a few years ago that on his way to Mexico, Tactical Knives' Steven Dick was in LAX and he wasn't allowed to board with his Spydie Calypso Jr. because its blade locked open. (even though it's shorter than 3". I've heard experiences that range all over the place...some have gotten on with a 4" serrated blade, others have had problems boarding with a mini-SAK that was in a briefcase!!
Jim
I remember reading a few years ago that on his way to Mexico, Tactical Knives' Steven Dick was in LAX and he wasn't allowed to board with his Spydie Calypso Jr. because its blade locked open. (even though it's shorter than 3". I've heard experiences that range all over the place...some have gotten on with a 4" serrated blade, others have had problems boarding with a mini-SAK that was in a briefcase!!
Jim
BH,
Welcome to the forum. Your job sounds very interesting.
I have flown about 30 times over the last 10 years. They were all within the U.S. and mostly in Texas and New Mexico. I have always carried one Spyderco on my person on these occasions.
They were the fully-serrated SS Delica, plain-edged SS Endura, and a plain-edged Rookie in G-10. The SS Endura has been examined several times, but none of the others. About one month ago I took a serrated Rescue in my carry-on, as a gift, and didn't get a second look.
The serrated Delica was last carried onboard about three years ago. I have a feeling it would get more second looks now.
Take care,
stu
Welcome to the forum. Your job sounds very interesting.
I have flown about 30 times over the last 10 years. They were all within the U.S. and mostly in Texas and New Mexico. I have always carried one Spyderco on my person on these occasions.
They were the fully-serrated SS Delica, plain-edged SS Endura, and a plain-edged Rookie in G-10. The SS Endura has been examined several times, but none of the others. About one month ago I took a serrated Rescue in my carry-on, as a gift, and didn't get a second look.
The serrated Delica was last carried onboard about three years ago. I have a feeling it would get more second looks now.
Take care,
stu
I have flown International from Australia to New Zealand with a Native, Ladybug and Spydercard.No problems wasn't stopped.The Native and Spydercard were in my wallet.The Ladybug on my keys.
I have flown domestic in Australia with the same profile and I know numerous others who've had no problems.
I do have one friend (a law student) who had his Spydercard found when his wallet was passed under the x-ray.Caused no end of problems which he is now facing.The confiscated it and returned it when he landed.The police then arrived at his house to charge him with carrying a weapon in a public place witout a reasonable excuse.This is ongoing at the moment.
Regards
Ricki
info@outdooredge.com.au
Spyderco Club Member
I have flown domestic in Australia with the same profile and I know numerous others who've had no problems.
I do have one friend (a law student) who had his Spydercard found when his wallet was passed under the x-ray.Caused no end of problems which he is now facing.The confiscated it and returned it when he landed.The police then arrived at his house to charge him with carrying a weapon in a public place witout a reasonable excuse.This is ongoing at the moment.
Regards
Ricki
info@outdooredge.com.au
Spyderco Club Member
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braveheart
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braveheart
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saltybones
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dont mean to bring up a super old thread, but i cant even imagine being able to carry that stuff on planes, i mean a 3 inch blade!?!?, even before 9/11 i didnt bring more than a keychain SAK with me, granted i was only 12 at the time of 9/11, eventhough i had some 3 inblades, nothing more than the SAK came along...and note that this thread ended about a month before that day...