cheap, decent quality folder for air travel

rdangerer

rdangerer

Joined
May 26, 2000
Messages
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I'm looking for recommendations for a cheap folder ($20 to $30) that could be "sacrificed" in order to catch a airline flight when in a big hurry and there is no time to check a bag. Needs to be at least 2" to 3.5" max in length. And a locking blade.

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I've been doing some business travel lately. A good bit of the time I plan to check a bag and so carrying a decent knife isn't a problem.

But about 25% of the time I'm making a 1-2 day quick road trip via air travel, i.e. can carry on a bag.

And sometimes I'm in a rush for the airport on the way home, and missing a plane can cause an overnight stay and change of plans for the next day's business... so it might save me an overnight and the hassle if I could "carry on" the bag I'd normally "check" (with a decent folding knife inside).

Hence==> I'm looking for recommendations for a decently designed but inexpensive folder ($20 to $30) that could be "sacrificed" in order to catch a airline flight when in a hurry and no time to check a bag. Alternatively, if I suffer major brain fade, and accidentally leave a folder in a carry on item, and they spot it in x-ray, it's history. No negotiations, from what I understand. (I realize you can often hand a bag to the flight attendants at the last minute before getting on the plane, but that means it made it through x-ray already)

I often will carry a Spyderco Jess Horn (discontinued) or a Spyderco Calypso Jr (also discontinued), but these are worth somewhere in the $50 to $90 range, too much to sacrifice.

One that caught my eye is this... the Ka-Bar Dozier lockback, item "B" the dropped point:

ka4062.jpg


Good things:
1. cheap
2. blade profile
3. it locks
4. small-ish

Mediocre things:
1. AUS-8 at only Rc56-58.
2. Zytel handle
3. not sure if the spear point and drop point have pocket clips

Any other cheapo ideas welcomed. Needs to be a locking knife that is 2" to 3.5" long, and generally inexpensive ($30 or less preferred).

This Gerber isn't too bad either... ATS-34 and supposedly at Rc60-62 per AG Russell:


ge6768.jpg
 
After they find the knife they'll keep you around just so you miss your plane:D
 
IMO your time, money and body cavities would be put to better use skipping the idea of screwing with airport security these days. But if youre really intent on doing it anyway you might as well do it right. Get yourself a Blackie Collins Letter Opener made of a non-metallic composite that wouldn't set off the metal detector. They even make a folding version.
 
Don't screw with airline security, not now. They're paranoid as hell and if for some reason they found it on the plane after they missed it at security, you could be dead meat. Just carry a diamond sharpener and buy a Kershaw Vapor at a Wal-Mart near your destination, it's much less hazardous.
 
Maybe you could consider some of the slimmer Victorinox knives. They are usually less than $20 and if you attach a lanyard you could hid it in a body cavity in an emergency. Why give up a good knife to the airline security when a little discomfort can keep your knife safe. :eek:

Just kidding, I wouldn't try sneeking a knife aboard a plane.
 
The Ka-Bar is a good knife. AUS-8, even at only Rc56-58, is fine for a short trip where you may not even be planning to keep it. It is razor-sharp and very sturdy. It has a good clip. The handle is rigid and, as a lockback, cleans out easier than a linerlock with all that mechanism in the way of lint.

My only problem with it is that I am embarrassed to like so inexpensive a knife so much :o Seriously, though, if you are looking for a cheapie you can toss, rather than having to check a bag just to keep it, DO THAT. Forgetting to throw it away may just get it confiscated, or it may get you in worse trouble, and missing your flight.
 
I think that your best-bet would be to carry something like a Spyderco FRN Endura (or Delica), and carry a padded mailing envelope with postage and your address on it. That way, IF you have to make a quick "emergency" flight, you can drop your knife in the mailer and send it to yourself, rather than having to give it up.:).
 
It's quite a valid thing to carry a knife that one can "afford" to lose.

This is what I do with my EDC when I have to travel by air -
I do NOT take my customized SAK, since I won't even risk the remotest chance of losing it.
So I change and carry a plain SAK - that I still prefer not to lose - but can "afford" to.

The knife will be placed in checked luggage -
a flight is enough of an "event" - even if it's done often -
that I am very UNlikely to forget I have a knife.

For the occassion that I will want to travel and board with only a carry-on -
I would NOT even dream of trying to sneak on the knife
(and I'm pretty sure that was not the poster's intent)

However instead of thinking about "sacrificing" the knife - by surrendering it or throwing it away -
here are a couple suggestions to consider that may be "better" -

(1) Mail it to yourself - deliberately pack a stamped addressed jiffy bag for exactly that purpose.

(2) failing that - give the knife to some deserving person (before going to the airport)
 
Rob:
Aloha. I sure am glad you sold that Carson....I would have cried if you would have had that thing confiscated!
My "cheap" 'knife is one of those Spydercos with a plastic handle, a clip at the other end like a carabiner, and a fully serrated blade. It is non aggressive looking, the serrations mean that it does not have to stay super sharp and I lose it..........oh well!
You had better sell all of those nice customs! (dont you dare...if you do, email me first!)

wabi
 
I'm also sure rdangerer didn't mean he was going to purposely sneak a knife on a plane.
Does a fully flat ground piece of Carbon V sound interesting? The Cold Steel Trail Guides are Zytel lockbacks with real thin blades. The large one is only .082" at the spine and fully flat ground from there. Oal, it's about the size of a Buck 110, but there is also a smaller model.
 
Yeah, I'm not stupid enough to TRY to smuggle a knife on a plane.

We're talking about "oops, it's in my pocket, I suffered brain fade, and I walked through x-ray and they decided to take it". Or maybe I forget and leave in a carry on and they spot it and take it.

That's part of the reason for a small blade ... low intimidation factor. No black blades, no serrations. And low cost.

Originally posted by glockman99
... and carry a padded mailing envelope with postage and your address on it... drop your knife in the mailer and send it to yourself, rather than having to give it up.:).
Click to expand...
...Appreciate the idea about a pre-addressed, and pre-stamped padded envelope... I'll make that part of my travel prep list. Very good idea.
 
Why sacrifice a knife?

Get a padded mailing envelope with a self-adhesive flap. Slap about $5 worth of postage on it. Address and return-address it to yourself. Write, "First Class" beside the address and "Return postage guaranteed" below your return address. Now stash it in the back pocket of your briefcase or carry-on bag.

If you find yourself needing to loose a knife before heading through security, just put it in that envelope. Ask the nearest knowledgable person where there's a letter box. And mail it home.

The notation "return postage guaranteed" means that you have guaranteeded to pay any postage due. So, if $5 isn't enough, when you get home you'll find a slip in your mail saying that you need to come to the post office and pay the remainder, but you will get your package.
 
Gollnick's advice is good - but $5 postage is too much, and the post office looks for "Excessive manual postage."
What you can do is go to the post office, and have the package weighed, and find out the first class postage (under 2lbs and it is a fixed rate for the US48). Buy the stamps and slap them on. Then you're ready to go.
The postage for a 5oz package is around $1.06
$5 might set off some alarms and get your knife confiscated by the post office.
 
why would it be confiscated? unless it is contraband, which i do not think a knife is, USPS has no business taking possession of your knife. stolen is a different matter.

but i agree it might cause suspicion.
 
For those that advocate "hiding" knives on your person, I'd like to remind you that NEW x-ray machines are being installed in airports that can pick up those plastic knives and other hidden weapons on your body.
 
Originally posted by rdangerer
...Appreciate the idea about a pre-addressed, and pre-stamped padded envelope... I'll make that part of my travel prep list. Very good idea.
Click to expand...
Thank-You.:).
 
For your postage problem, try priority or Express mail... Flat rate, for a pound or under, anywhere in the CONtinental US. It also does not hurt to weigh your entire intended package long before your trips so that you have correct postage.

Personally, I'd just buy a knife when I get to where I'm going, or pack it in checked luggage.
 
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