Little knives rejoice!

This is great news! Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Carl.

I wonder what the standard for "molded" is?
 
pertinux said:
(...) While on the tippy-edges of the discussion here, I'm curious about why "molded grips" are on the still-banned list. As in, a knife with blades that meet the size requirements can still be disallowed due to its handle. I wonder if "gum fuddy" (dis)qualifies.... ;) (...)
~ P.
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This is an illustration from the .pdf doc I linked earlier, showing what TSA calls 'molded grips'. It all seems to be about the finger grooves on the handles which, I guess, would make gripping it as a weapon a little easier (speculating, but that's what it looks like).

David
 
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I see references to europe all the time when reading through some of these articles, but I can't seem to find any legislation or even something hinting at tiny knives being allowed over here. Can anyone help with that?
 
notthatsharp said:
I see references to europe all the time when reading through some of these articles, but I can't seem to find any legislation or even something hinting at tiny knives being allowed over here. Can anyone help with that?
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Good point. I had the same question.

-- Mark
 
pertinux said:
Lengthwise, it's (very) good to go:
IMG_7325_zpsb2218e16.jpg


However, the width oonches right at (if not over) 1/2" (it's closer than this image makes it look, because of the angle):
IMG_7326_zpscf6f1ca4.jpg


From this article:
130305161255-tsa-knives-story-top.jpg


And further:
TSA spokesman David Castelveter said the changes announced Tuesday will not slow down the screening process by requiring screeners to measure knife blades and weigh plastic bats. Screeners will use "common sense" when applying the rule, he said.​

Without a ruler, and at the mercy of the TSA screeners' "Common Sense" (sic)...? I'd be leery of risking a Pemberton given the main blade's width.

~ P.
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Not only the width. Notice that they are measuring blade length from the covers. You've measured from the choil. Not sure if its legal if you measure the full length.
 
Sounds like a good reason to pick up some single blade Schrade, Camillus and Bear Peanuts. That way if the TSA agent is on the overzealous side they aren't taking my stag damascus Case :eek:

I've always taken my Zippo (in checked luggage) in a special Otter Box clearly labeled with the TSA regulations and a copy in my pocket just in case. Whenever I go somewhere I pick up any souvenir Zippos I can find too and leave the orange seals on them til I get home.
 
bill2000 said:
Not only the width. Notice that they are measuring blade length from the covers. You've measured from the choil. Not sure if its legal if you measure the full length.
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I appreciate your concern, but we're good:
IMG_7313_zps86ff8a14.jpg

(The angle in the above picture is funny, but properly aligned and sighted, the Pemberton's main blade is right around 5.1 cm. With margin for error as shown above its length is still well short of the 6cm limit.)

Obsessed with Edges said:
This is an illustration from the .pdf doc I linked earlier, showing what TSA calls 'molded grips'. It all seems to be about the finger grooves on the handles which, I guess, would make gripping it as a weapon a little easier (speculating, but that's what it looks like).
David
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Thanks, David.

While joking about "gum fuddy," I'm still hoping there's greater clarity going forward. Unfortunately, all the examples of knives with "molded" handles also have at least one other feature that obviously disqualifies them. I'm still wondering if "contoured" will be interpreted as "molded"...?

The one Traditional example I can think of offhand that might otherwise comply (? - I don't have one on which to measure blade length), yet trigger a lack of "common sense" is Case's pocket hunter:

Screenshot2013-03-06at73638AM_zpsd4ae077d.png


It will be interesting to see all of this unfold.

~ P.
 
That's good to know ~P. Just wanted to let everyone know how the TSA would be measuring. Would hate to see anybody lose a knife to them because they didn't understand their stupid reg. I guess we should only be carrying golf pencils too.
 
I think it's time to buy some stock in Congress type knives.
The Half Congress is 3 1/2" closed. The Norfolk 3 3/4" closed. Plenty of handle for a good grip and two blades within spec.
2012-06-11_13-11-51_904.jpg

MenefeeHalfCongress.jpg
 
My only concern with some of these is what they will consider as a "molded" handle. Is a peanut, norfolk, or coke bottle pattern a straight boxy pattern like a Vic Classic? No, I don't believe so. Does that mean they will reject them because of it? I hope not. I'd love to carry my small Vic along with a peanut if possible. Not to use on the plane but for the destination. I really don't like checking in my luggage unless absolutely necessary.
 
Thanks!

Mods, please lock/merge this thread.

Any way to get TSA added to the subject line of Carl's thread? I never looked into that thread and didn't see any TSA connection.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Odd thing is (additionally), box-cutters are still banned, many/most of which all have blades shorter than the new length limit, and some even with narrower blades as well.
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David, I was more struck by the exclusion of knives with "molded", as in shaped, handles. From the examples shown, I would expect a small Opinel to get confiscated owing to the "molding" at the end of the handle.

My reading of this is that the intent is to remove knives that could be utilized effectively as weapons and that finger grooves and other forms of "molded" handles give the user enough increase in control to outlaw them. That's actually sensible, imo.

With this as backdrop, I think the box cutter exclusion makes sense. More molded handle. Locking blade. Effective slashing weapon (in a way that a Peanut is not).
 
This little beauty works. 3.68" overall, but the longest blade (sheepfoot) is only 2.14 inches long and .46 inches wide.

HalfCongress2.jpg
 
I believe "molded" is potentially meant to stop non traditional non locking knives like these from being allowed assuming one was made with a blade short and narrow enough to conform the the restrictions. Without more explanation, would a slip joint with an EO cutout be considered "molded"? Or a shortened swell centered #33?
IMG_2044.jpg
 
This change with the TSA shows a lot of hope. 6cm = 2.36" or 2 9/25" if you want the fraction, lol.
 
My advide would be to carry something you are not emotionally attachd to and that you can affort to lose. Maybe buy something in the $15.00 to $25.00 range of the size specified by the TSA Bulletin. Perhaps a Rough Rider (hey!! some guys say theye're pretty good - Trand being one of them I think). I sure wouldn't chance a $40.00 or higher valued knife at least until the dust settles.

When I got up at 0600 and turned the TV on, there was a piece running on Good Morning America about these new changes. It seems according to the program that the flight attendants are really in a tissy about this - espceciall, the fact that golf clubs and hockey sticks will be allowed. One flight attendand that was interviewed asked why do they need two clubs - one for backup maybe?

I know I'm a pessimist about this but I really do hope it works out for you guys and gals that fly the friendly skies - whether it be once a year for the holidays or regularly for business etc..
 
2Dead said:
I believe "molded" is potentially meant to stop non traditional non locking knives like these from being allowed assuming one was made with a blade short and narrow enough to conform the the restrictions. Without more explanation, would a slip joint with an EO cutout be considered "molded"? Or a shortened swell centered #33?
IMG_2044.jpg
Click to expand...

Until I saw it mentioned a couple of times on here it had not crossed my mind that molded was actually referring to shape rather than material but knowing those TSA morons and going back closely looking at the their examples I have now convinced myself that they are most likely referring to "shaped" with the term molded and that rules out a whole bunch of otherwise very nice compliant knives.
 
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