Ferrocium Rods on Airplanes

K Williams

K Williams

Joined
Nov 17, 1998
Messages
3,296
Is it OK to carry a mini ferro rod in my wallet while traveling by airplane? Also, does anyone know what the knife carry laws are in Puerto Rico? Thanks.
 
i think it could cause problems for carry-on because it could be used to ignite explosives or fuses. Ferrocerium is also mentioned on the DOT hazardous materials list.

I don't think it would cause a problem if you have one rod in your checked luggage.
 
About 3 years ago, I was going through an airport with a ferro rod on my keychain. The TSA worker took it from me, acted very alarmed, pulled me aside into a private room, and brought in a supervisor. The supervisor took a look at it, told me it's not on the banned list, I'm free to go, and have a nice day.

I don't know whether the rules have changed, but I suspect you will encounter rather arbitrary decision making by the TSA, and it could go any way from nothing to a major situation, if you try to take a ferro rod on a plane.
 
You know... with all these damn rules, I hope I'm never on a plane that has to make an emergency landing in a remote area. No knife, no fire, sh*t..probably can't even carry a whistle.
 
I have flown 30+ flights in 2007 and I always carried on a Hot Spark on my keys; never a look. I also had EMT shears, a FAK and sometimes a Ritter PSK all without any scrutiny.
I bury my knives in my checked bag; in side shoes, deep in pockets of folded pants, zipped in a jacket pocket or inside your toilet kit.
Bill
 
I carry a slim flint rod on my keys, too. NEVER had a problem with it at airport screenings (though Ive never passed thru a TSA checkpoint!).
Mine has a sheath of heatshrink cable over it & its not immediately obvious what it is.
Even the crazy courthouse security guard who wouldnt let me take a fauxton into the building ('cause it was bright & I could shine it in someones eyes!!!! Honestly!) didnt bat an eyelid at the flint-rod.

I think mine's called the "Ranger Firelighting flint", its another BCB product.
 
blackviper91 said:
A whistle could be used to deafen and stun all of the airplanes crew. After which you could easily highjack it. Whistles are dangerous!
Click to expand...

I cna make a whistle out of a piece of aluminum I can get from an inflight soda can...Good to know in case I want to hijack a plane, lol...:D
 
It's eased just a little. You can now carry on common matches (one book) or a common lighter like a Bic or Zippo again. You may want to thank smokers for that! Since lighters makes both sparks and flame, a rod should be OK... it's just that they can't list everything. No strike- anywhere matches, lighter fluid refills or other flammables. Go to an airline website for details to stay out of the search rooms.:) ss.
 
Just an FYI.

If you put your knife in your checked bag , hidden it may very well not be there when you get to where you are going.

The times I have flown since all this craziness I have always put my folder in a ziplock freezer bag , the kind that you can lable , with a few other essentials and I marked clearly on the bag what it's contents were , my name and the date , down to the specific make and model of the knife.

This way my knife will not 'accidently' get a new owner.
 
rebeltf said:
The times I have flown since all this craziness I have always put my folder in a ziplock freezer bag , the kind that you can lable , with a few other essentials and I marked clearly on the bag what it's contents were , my name and the date , down to the specific make and model of the knife.

This way my knife will not 'accidently' get a new owner.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand how gift-wrapping it will make it impossible to steal?
 
Sound Idea said:
I'm not sure I understand how gift-wrapping it will make it impossible to steal?
Click to expand...

Not impossible but this way your letting the searchers know that your not some schmuck who just puts whatever into their suitcase , that you are
100% aware of everything you are carrying , its written on the bag with your name and date. ( you are less likely to just let it go and not fight itif your belonging turns up in some jerks collection )
TSA is notorious for 'disappearing' items they can deem 'illegal' on their own whim.
 
the TSA list of prohibitive items. It's all there. No, a whistle cannot deafen all crewmembers. In fact, it would probably barely be heard in the cockpit.

Pete
 
I guess I have been lucky so far; lots of leg flown in 2006-2007(50+) always with knives in checked bags and not one stolen. I will keep my fingers crossed for my flight back to CA next week.
Bill
 
AV8R said:
the TSA list of prohibitive items. It's all there. No, a whistle cannot deafen all crewmembers. In fact, it would probably barely be heard in the cockpit.

Pete
Click to expand...

Sarcasm and humor are apparently not your strong points. :)
 
I guess I'm just so used to peoples' crazy misconceptions concerning air travel, that I posted too quick and that one got past me. You're absolutely right....

Pete
 
I have a BSA Hot Spark on my keys and a mini ferro rod from Hoods Woods in my wallet. Neither have ever raised any concern. Flying this Christmas, the Hot Spark and my house key were the only things on my ring. I tossed it in the bowl and all was fine. I actually forgot all about the tiny rod in my wallet, so it went through in my pocket without triggering the arch.

On the other hand, a family heirloom (a ship's captain's compass) I had in my carry-on alerted the X-Ray tech so the bag got a hand search. They let me know and didn't open the bag untill I was right there, watching the screener.

-- FLIX
 
I ended up putting the multi-tool, knife, and ferrocium rod in the checked luggage. Nothing was stolen.
 
I'v done a fair bit of travelling and I always bring several knives/swords home as a souvenir. From Japan I got a full sized katana (Cost me $19:D), From India it was 2 Khukris and several daggers, got a stag handled hunting knife from Germany and and the tsa didnt even bother me about it. the only thing that ever got said about the was "thats a beutifull sword :thumbup:). This was all after 2001. I even always take my edc knives to the place but you have to be carefull about them getting stolen by airport staff. I had a LM wave stolen in India and my brother had a swiss champ stolen in the emirates.
 
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