Had a close call last night with weird impotent security theater and ~$640 worth of knives.

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Many, many years ago I almost lost a prized folder at an airport. I was coming back from hiking in the Sierras in CA on the way back to Texas. This was well before NSA and other organizations or policing our airports. But still there were enforcement concerns due to threats to airliners. At that time each airport was different and it was up to the municipality on how they dealt with weapons or perceived weapons with travelers.

I didn't get it; I walked right up to the security folks with my medium size Boker folder in my pocket and tossed it out in a big tray so I could walk through the security. Never gave it a thought as it wasn't a very large knife but it was an old favorite.

I was horrified when they pulled me aside and told me they were going to confiscate my knife. I couldn't believe it. Being from Texas a lot of women carried knives bigger than the one they were looking at (about the size of a case sod buster). The security guy was really cool about the whole thing and listen to my frantic and sorrowful story. He let me get out of line run down to the end of the airport that had a FedEx vending machine in it. I mailed the knife to myself and went back through the security line and profusely thanked that fine man.

So I have two grades of knives; the ones I carry and use where I have no concern at all about them being taken from me or noticed in a way that could cause me trouble. The second grade are some of the knives that are of lesser quality, and knives I don't particularly like. They go with me when I am afraid I might lose a blade if for no other reason than forgetting I had it in my pocket. And I don't go armed up trying to anticipate every awful situation that could happen to me.

So far, so good. Only lost one medium quality Pakistani folder that looked a little bit like a Sebenza. I was actually glad to see that one go!

Robert
 
JWright214 said:
I can’t say much, I always have a small fixed blade and SAK on me, and most of the time either another small fixed or modern folder. Plus I have the fixed and folder in my little maxpedition “man purse”, if I leave the house. Plus the two fixed and a SAK in my backpack that stays in my truck 24-7. Excessive? For my needs, absolutely excessive. Do I really care? Absolutely not. 🤣 Oh, this is in addition to my Glock that I carry when I leave my house.
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Yeah, that is the thing with me, some roles are automatically filled, like, the Leatherman or SAK, that will near ALWAYS be on my person no matter what else I have. Same with the Matriarch. The copper REX 45 and Microtech are my "dress" knives though, those are specifically meant for occasions like this 😁
tokerblue said:
Too many knives and not enough guns.
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I agree! I can't pack where I am, though.
scriqui said:
I’m about to date myself…back in the nineties, I was in [redacted], back on the east coast and realized that the bar/club we were going into next for a friend’s bachelor party, had a security guard with a wand. Not wanting to lose my new Spyderco folder, I called my friend who was a LEO and asked if I should just dump my new knife in a garbage can or if I had any other options. He told me to step aside, put my knife in my shoe under my foot, and walk in. The reasoning was that they are lazy and don’t bring the wand all the way to the floor. I was completely skeptical and questioned my sanity, but did so and walked straight through. After I got inside I went to the bathroom and put it back in my pocket. Was it uncomfortable walking in? Hell yeah. But it worked. YMMV.
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Date yourself? Man, I'm worried about "dating myself" to be younger, seems like 60 is the average age for most of the regs I talk to on here, haha! All respect to my older knife bros though! Or knife elders!

Huh, not surprised that worked. I have noticed a few times going into concerts (where I have a heavily studded/patched vest that I wear sometimes) that if they cannot identify the source of beeping, they just let it go. Once saw a guy taking every single stud off of his vest at the door of an Overkill show at the House of Blues, felt horrible for him :(
 
Hashishiin said:
I know, I carry this because I like to. I don't strictly need to carry all of it. They are all there to fill a role, though. Main pocket knife (PM2), Multitool (Leatherman), small fifth pocket knife (MT) and "get off me" knife (Ma2). It is a surprisingly easy carry. Normally is a lot lighter, too, without copper to weigh me down.

But, any one of those would have still been not allowed by them, the small Sage my girl had, the MT, Leatherman... all over two inch blades. The security theater is still nuts.
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The PM2 (save the multitool options) can probably fill all those roles just fine. But carry whatever makes you happy, friend.
 
midnight flyer said:
Many, many years ago I almost lost a prized folder at an airport. I was coming back from hiking in the Sierras in CA on the way back to Texas. This was well before NSA and other organizations or policing our airports. But still there were enforcement concerns due to threats to airliners. At that time each airport was different and it was up to the municipality on how they dealt with weapons or perceived weapons with travelers.

I didn't get it; I walked right up to the security folks with my medium size Boker folder in my pocket and tossed it out in a big tray so I could walk through the security. Never gave it a thought as it wasn't a very large knife but it was an old favorite.

I was horrified when they pulled me aside and told me they were going to confiscate my knife. I couldn't believe it. Being from Texas a lot of women carried knives bigger than the one they were looking at (about the size of a case sod buster). The security guy was really cool about the whole thing and listen to my frantic and sorrowful story. He let me get out of line run down to the end of the airport that had a FedEx vending machine in it. I mailed the knife to myself and went back through the security line and profusely thanked that fine man.

So I have two grades of knives; the ones I carry and use where I have no concern at all about them being taken from me or noticed in a way that could cause me trouble. The second grade are some of the knives that are of lesser quality, and knives I don't particularly like. They go with me when I am afraid I might lose a blade if for no other reason than forgetting I had it in my pocket. And I don't go armed up trying to anticipate every awful situation that could happen to me.

So far, so good. Only lost one medium quality Pakistani folder that looked a little bit like a Sebenza. I was actually glad to see that one go!

Robert
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Harrowing story, glad you got your knife in the mail in the end! Oh yeah, I have to be more conscious about this kind of thing since I began carrying a knife regularly last year. Luckily, I do not go to a million bars, clubs so I don't deal with security much. I have never felt the need to sneak anything past security, what happened last night was just a pure stroke of bad luck and a place I hadn't been to before. If I did, I'd figure sneaking pepper spray is best, because... if something happens and you have to use something, look at the aftermath, and the perceived intentions, of disguised pepper spray vs a disguised knife. One's a lot better than the other. But I wear steel-toes inside venues like that, which is even more low-key defense.

Oh yes, I certainly have "grades" of folders, too, some that I won't risk in certain places... I expected this to be the LAST place with security concerns, so I had a laid-back attitude and grabbed the MT and copper REX-45 PM2 as like, dress knives.
 
I carry a SAK for the can/bottle openers and the screwdrivers. It’s also what I would use in public, crowded areas especially, if I needed to actually cut something. They are socially accepted by most people and non threatening. The fixed blade is there for two reasons, one of which is for anything nasty I wouldn’t want to clean out of a folder, and two is simply having a knife that has no moving parts to break. If I carry a third knife, being it another fixed blade, it’s because I will be doing something that actually requires a fixed blade and it will be the primary knife of the day. If I carry a modern folder as a 3rd knife it’s because I want to and I will most likely be in an environment that allows me to use it as a primary cutting tool. But 9 out of 10 I’ll just have a SAK and small fixed blade.
 
Sonnydaze said:
Went to a concert once with a 9mm in waistband. Car was a long way off, so put the gun next to a tree until concert was over....I would have been really upset if some guard had tried to take it away. Simple matter of forgetting I was wearing it...
Was a TERRIBLE concert...
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Man, that’s possibly the most irresponsible thing I’ve ever read on BF. I wear my 9 daily and never “forget” it’s in my waistband. If it wasn’t there when you went back, would you have claimed it was stolen? Don’t want a guard to take it but you’ll leave it for anyone else to find. To each their own but you’re not a responsible gun owner and give the rest of us a bad name.
 
JWright214 said:
I carry a SAK for the can/bottle openers and the screwdrivers. It’s also what I would use in public, crowded areas especially, if I needed to actually cut something. They are socially accepted by most people and non threatening. The fixed blade is there for two reasons, one of which is for anything nasty I wouldn’t want to clean out of a folder, and two is simply having a knife that has no moving parts to break. If I carry a third knife, being it another fixed blade, it’s because I will be doing something that actually requires a fixed blade and it will be the primary knife of the day. If I carry a modern folder as a 3rd knife it’s because I want to and I will most likely be in an environment that allows me to use it as a primary cutting tool. But 9 out of 10 I’ll just have a SAK and small fixed blade.
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I would love to carry a small fixed blade, but the laws are so weird about them in my area, they are contradictory... so folders are far easier for me to walk around with. I like things like the Mora Eldris or Companion HD up in the woods, or Ontario... I really need to up my fixed blade game though.

But yeah, I always use my Leatherman blade, or SAK, Chaparral, Case, something small like that, first, in public. I'll use something like a PM2 responsibly and carefully if I need it, like, used that knife to cut an apple to share in a Panera Bread, but practice situational awareness, no flicking and flourishing around the citizenry. See, that's why when people say "How do you carry an Espada XL", I say, "because I have a Leatherman next to it!". I never would wanna make the knife community look bad or reflect poorly.
 
I don't see anything odd or excessive about the selection of knives you were carrying Hashishiin.

A multitool. Infinite uses other than a cutting tool.

A full plain-edge folder. An ideal choice for most cutting needs.

A full serrated-edge folder. Ideal for cutting tasks that a plain-edge might not be well-suited for.

An auto. Just for fun.

And a mini prybar, for whatever reason a person might use a mini-prybar for.

And I assume they were all carried in a discreet, concealed manner.

I carry A LOT more hardware than that every time I go out (knives and tools). And as I've often said- I don't just carry for for the times when I expect to need them, I also carry for the unexpected times when I might need them. And every now and then life throws me a curve, and something I carry unexpectedly proves the value of carrying it.

There's more than one way to enjoy and appreciate knives. The existence of this forum is proof of that. If our interest in knives was based solely on practicality (buying and carrying only what we actually need), I doubt this forum would exist.

I don't have any security/metal detector stories. I don't go places where I might encounter such things, and I haven't encountered any unexpectedly.
 
killgar said:
I don't see anything odd or excessive about the selection of knives you were carrying Hashishiin.

A multitool. Infinite uses other than a cutting tool.

A full plain-edge folder. An ideal choice for most cutting needs.

A full serrated-edge folder. Ideal for cutting tasks that a plain-edge might not be well-suited for.

An auto. Just for fun.

And a mini prybar, for whatever reason a person might use a mini-prybar for.

And I assume they were all carried in a discreet, concealed manner.

I carry A LOT more hardware than that every time I go out (knives and tools). And as I've often said- I don't just carry for for the times when I expect to need them, I also carry for the unexpected times when I might need them. And every now and then life throws me a curve, and something I carry proves the value of carrying it.

There's more than one way to enjoy and appreciate knives. The existence of this forum is proof of that. If our interest in knives was based solely on practicality (buying and carrying only what we actually need), I doubt this forum would exist.

I don't have any security/metal detector stories. I don't go places where I might encounter such things, and I haven't encountered any unexpectedly.
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Thank you for your understanding, that is exactly my reasoning in carry, not just for the expected, but the unexpected, too, and for a bit of "dress", a bit of fun! I'm not going out tomorrow expecting to need the screwdriver on my Leatherman, but two days ago? Needed it unexpectedly and it saved me a trip to grab one!
"What do you need a pocket knife for"
"I don't know yet, but I'll know when I need it!"

And, as I am sure you know as someone who carries a bunch of stuff too, these are all relatively small and exceedingly easy to carry in a discreet manner, my shirt covered even the clips. Next time I go there, I will be following their rules, though, was just put into an impossible situation. haha.
 
Hashishiin said:
I know, I carry this because I like to. I don't strictly need to carry all of it. They are all there to fill a role, though. Main pocket knife (PM2), Multitool (Leatherman), small fifth pocket knife (MT) and "get off me" knife (Ma2). It is a surprisingly easy carry. Normally is a lot lighter, too, without copper to weigh me down.

But, any one of those would have still been not allowed by them, the small Sage my girl had, the MT, Leatherman... all over two inch blades. The security theater is still nuts.
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I would have been worry about my pants falling down. 😐

Security is usually there mostly for show. It reassures nervous patrons who might otherwise opt out due to fear; and discourages outright problems.

n2s
 
I have a hard time abiding by stupid rules like that, and don't if I can help it nowadays.

TL;DR summary down below

Chicago has a 2.5" blade length limit and I used to have a Spyderco dragonfly for when I went into the city. However, I stopped abiding by that a few years ago. Now, I not only carry my 3.4" Kershaw Launch 8 auto, but at least one gun.

Only time I've ever had an issue with carrying a knife was outside of the city at a western bar I went to with my ex and her best friend. Bouncer at the door tried to confiscate my 3" TSF Beast. Not a particularly large or threatening knife. No sign on the door about no knives. Bouncer saw the knife and reached for it, without asking. Stupid move. Bouncer was about 5'8" 160, I'm 6'4.5" and 250, probably more like 265 back then. I swatted his hand away and had some harsh words. He told me I wasn't allowed to have it according to bar rules. I told him I'd put it back in the car, he refused, had to take it then in there. Yeah I gave him two choices, both of which would result in me going back to my car and putting the knife in the glove box. He thankfully made the right choice. I don't like throwing hands or making threats. My hamfists are more than enough in a one on one fight, especially against a scrawny little **** like that. It's funny too, there was only one other bouncer was about the same size. I'm like yeah they really take security seriously. Normally I'd have left, but we'd driven an hour to get there.

I don't carry a knife for SD. I carry my gun pretty much everywhere, except places with metal detectors like the airport or govt buildings. I try to avoid those anyway. I just took an amtrak to Michigan a few weeks ago, no detector, nothing. Walked right in with my Sig on my hip and my Steyr in my backpack.

Living near Chicago, and the dumbassery that comes with that, I make sure to research places I am going so I know what to be prepared for. Especially with my transplant hospital being in the same neighborhood as where the diabolical attack happened to Juicy Smulliet.
 
Jdottinger said:
Man, that’s possibly the most irresponsible thing I’ve ever read on BF. I wear my 9 daily and never “forget” it’s in my waistband. If it wasn’t there when you went back, would you have claimed it was stolen? Don’t want a guard to take it but you’ll leave it for anyone else to find. To each their own but you’re not a responsible gun owner and give the rest of us a bad name.
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Not so fast. I have had a gun stolen from my car; a random breaking and entry as the same person had hit a number of cars in the same garage. Perhaps the spot he found for it was safer. The real culprit is the property owner who denies lawful carry.

n2s
 
Hashishiin said:
You guys were making me feel like I'm this kid...

Oh, the pry bar is just so that other people have something to borrow, cause when folks ask to borrow a knife, they normally don't need to cut, ha.

Scary thought indeed. That method he used did not work for me, but it wasn't a gun I left, though, but a belt.
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Back in late 70s, or early 80s, acquaintance of mine came up with an interesting “costume” for Halloween. He decided to go to a party while concealing twenty plus handguns on his person. As it turned out they came in handy when someone attempted an armed robbery at the same party. It also helped that at the time he was a high ranking commander for the Miami PD.

n2s
 
not2sharp said:
Back in late 70s, or early 80s, acquaintance of mine came up with an interesting “costume” for Halloween. He decided to go to a party while concealing twenty plus handguns on his person. As it turned out they came in handy when someone attempted an armed robbery at the same party. It also helped that at the time he was a high ranking commander for the Miami PD.

n2s
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Inspiration for the policy academy 2 sex scene with Tackleberry?
 
Sonnydaze said:
Went to a concert once with a 9mm in waistband. Car was a long way off, so put the gun next to a tree until concert was over....I would have been really upset if some guard had tried to take it away. Simple matter of forgetting I was wearing it...
Was a TERRIBLE concert...
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I see what you did there, you were trying to show the OP just how silly not just going back to the car was ..right? Well done you made the point that its the proper thing to do, being a law abiding citizen that is not only concerned with your safety but also that of the community as a whole is always the correct move. Some here will think you were serious and shun you as one of the dumbest, irresponsible morally delinquent idiots on the planet, but not me because I just know you were using sarcasm to help guide this young man.
 
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not2sharp said:
I would have been worry about my pants falling down. 😐

Security is usually there mostly for show. It reassures nervous patrons who might otherwise opt out due to fear; and discourages outright problems.

n2s
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I have a nice belt for it! And dang, good thing for that cop friend! Convenient, too! I'd want to hang with that guy Halloween night 😀
CHNeal said:
I see what you did there, you were trying to show the OP just how silly not just going back to the car was ..right? Well done you made the point that its the proper thing to do, being a law abiding citizen that is not only concerned with your safety but also that of the community as a whole is always the correct move. Some here will think you were serious and shun you as one of the dumbest, irresponsible morally delinquent idiots on the planet, but not me because I just know you were using sarcasm to help guide this young man.
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I keep trying to get this across, there was no car to go back to, I got there via a long Lyft ride, and at no point did any knife leave my possession, except to go into my girlfriend's possession.

As to the hiding of the gun... I'm just going to go full "That isn't what "I" would do". He looks like an older dude, though, lived a long life, could have done it 40 some odd year ago. Ierno, not trying to defend it but not trying to think the worst of the guy, either. I'm sure he did not tell the story to brag about how responsible that was.

Security gets you into weird predicaments. Surely, having the option to go put it under your seat, that is the move. I did not have a seat to put anything under. And, granted, using an alternate entrance and a knife is not the same as slipping a 9 behind a tree, I don't want the guy to get chewed up for sharing his experiences, smartest or not. Then again, one can expect various replies once that's done... Everyone is for safety here, nobody is promoting irresponsibility. I get that you are promoting the right thing.
 
Hashishiin said:
I keep trying to get this across, there was no car to go back to, I got there via a long Lyft ride, and at no point did any knife leave my possession, except to go into my girlfriend's possession.
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In your initial post you mention that you could have put it in a co-worker of your girlfriend's car, which could have been less awkward than creeping around the security.
 
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