Reno Knife Lost!!

Kevin,
Sorry to hear about this, hopefully you will get compensated for it.

When I travel I carry my knives in a Doskocil lockable pistol case. TSA checks it with the x-ray (it is locked during this) and they either say it's fine or sometimes do a physical check of the contents with me in person and then it is relocked. I've been told that they can still cut the lock and check it if they feel the need but so far I've had zero problems doing it this way (BIG KNOCK ON WOOD).

I'm gonna check into the starters pistol, sounds like a good idea.

Good luck,
Jon Christensen

P.S. It was nice meeting you at the show.
 
Maybe I am wrong, but I believe the TSA locks offer a purpose over other locks.

I am going to assume the following here:
1) TSA locks can only be opened by TSA employees without being damaged
2) TSA employees who can open the locks are indeed employees of the federal government. They better be vetted by them.
3) Baggage handlers can only get into luggage if it isn't locked or if they break the lock.

If a bag locked with TSA-locks gets checked-in and arrives with something missing, then there is a limited number of possibilities:
1) The locks are broken / missing - airline handlers at fault
2) The locks are opened - TSA at fault because they either took the items or forgot to re-lock (as they are supposed to do)
3) The locks are closed - TSA at fault - no one else could have gotten in

I guess there could be an argument for 2 and 3 that the lock was picked instead of opened, but this should be tough to prove. Also, in case 1, the airline could point the blame at TSA and say they broke the lock to make it look like it was the baggage handlers.

Of course either the airline or the TSA would fight the statement of blame.

I think there is one way to handle this, even though no one will ever pass this into law:
* Make the airline responsible for checked luggage.
* To prove content (in case you are carrying valuables), show at check-in, get a signed statement from the check-in counter employee that the item was in the checked luggage
* If it is missing, the airline must re-imburse.
(Of course, this doesn't protect your underwear, but who cares!)

From the beginning I have found this whole "new" idea after 911 ludicrous - that you can't lock your luggage anymore, but no one is at fault if something goes missing. It is in fact a license to steal for anyone handling your luggage.

TSA locks have at least provided some measure of security. But this is only valid if the TSA is actually considered liable if something goes missing from a TSA-locked piece of luggage.

In the end, we likely are not any safer. You can lock your luggage in the rest of the world, and it doesn't seem any less safe there. This is the typical overreation that our government is infamous for (like no lotion on board in greater than 2oz bottles or whatever the size is).
 
Thor I am said:
Maybe I am wrong, but I believe the TSA locks offer a purpose over other locks.

I am going to assume the following here:
1) TSA locks can only be opened by TSA employees without being damaged
2) TSA employees who can open the locks are indeed employees of the federal government. They better be vetted by them.
3) Baggage handlers can only get into luggage if it isn't locked or if they break the lock.

If a bag locked with TSA-locks gets checked-in and arrives with something missing, then there is a limited number of possibilities:
1) The locks are broken / missing - airline handlers at fault
2) The locks are opened - TSA at fault because they either took the items or forgot to re-lock (as they are supposed to do)
3) The locks are closed - TSA at fault - no one else could have gotten in

I guess there could be an argument for 2 and 3 that the lock was picked instead of opened, but this should be tough to prove. Also, in case 1, the airline could point the blame at TSA and say they broke the lock to make it look like it was the baggage handlers.

Of course either the airline or the TSA would fight the statement of blame.

I think there is one way to handle this, even though no one will ever pass this into law:
* Make the airline responsible for checked luggage.
* To prove content (in case you are carrying valuables), show at check-in, get a signed statement from the check-in counter employee that the item was in the checked luggage
* If it is missing, the airline must re-imburse.
(Of course, this doesn't product your underwear, but who cares!)

From the beginning I have found this whole "new" idea after 911 ludicrous - that you can't lock your luggage anymore, but no one is at fault if something goes missing. It is in fact a license to steal for anyone handling your luggage.

TSA locks have at least provided some measure of security. But this is only valid if the TSA is actually considered liable if something goes missing from a TSA-locked piece of luggage.

In the end, we likely are not any safer. You can lock your luggage in the rest of the world, and it doesn't seem any less safe there. This is the typical overreation that our government is infamous for (like no lotion on board in greater than 2oz bottles or whatever the size is).
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or things like almost strip searching old women and crippled up FAMOUS old men like the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan......my mother actually saw that happen.....what kind of dim-witted rube is TSA hiring that wouldn't know who he was?!?!?!?!?!?!?. He was apparently a good sport about and didn't try to pull rank it even though it was apparently very difficult for him to get his shoes on and off because he was in pretty bad health at the time.
 
Thanks for your comments.
I like the gun case idea, however think I will just go the Priority mail route from now on.
Jon, it was a pleasure to meet and talk to you. Had quite a time last Thursday night.
 
Thought I would give everyone an update on the stolen Hendrickson:

I feel I've done all I can at this point. Put claims in to Collectors Insurance Agency, Continental Airlines and TSA. Sent photos to Reno for distribution to pawn shops, knife websites and talked to Jay today. I have been trading e-mails with Nancy over the last week as Jay has been quite sick since returning from Reno. He's feeling much better now.

Will wait now to see what happens as far as recouping the cost of the hunter.

Jay and Nancy were both upset over the theft and as some of you suggested Jay did offer to make me another piece, possibly as soon as the Blade Show. That didn't surprise me as they are just wonderful folks. We also decided he would make me a Bowie utilizing the same style handle with a Damascus clipoint blade. This way if by a rare occurrence the hunter is recovered, then I would have a Bowie / Hunter set rather than two identical hunters. I will keep you posted as information comes in from my claims. Again, thanks for your interest and kind words.
 
this kind of news is really upsetting....I've checked a lot of knives and never had any problem. I use a separate rifle case, though....and it's packed in a way to make it easy to look at and obvious if it's open. But you have to fully open it and remove stuff in order to even sneak something out. Anyway, I know that doesn't help you now...but maybe next time.

No way I'd trust USPS with a high-dollar knife, irreplaceable knife. They are terrible about processing claims. Not that the others are much better...but they are at least workable. If I HAD to ship a precious knife....I would overnight it period. Overnighted packages are well cared for and require all sorts of signatures/scans/etc.

"Fingers crossed" on your claim...I wish you the best. :thumbup:
 
Kevin,

You've done as much as you can so don't beat yourself up over it. Good to hear that Jay will work on a replacement for you as a priority. Hopefully the other blade will turn up and you'll have a nice set.
 
I can't help it but wish the thief drops the knife and tries to pick it up before it hits the ground and get the nastiest cut possible in his hand.

I have been robed before, big time (no knives though), and I know how you feel.
 
BrB said:
I can't help it but wish the thief drops the knife and tries to pick it up before it hits the ground and get the nastiest cut possible in his hand.

I have been robed before, big time (no knives though), and I know how you feel.
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Jeff getting robbed is a bad feeling; I was robbed once at gunpoint when I was seventeen working as cashier in a supermarket and then again about 15 years ago while working in my Auto Parts business. Trust me those experiences were much worst that getting my knife stolen, however it has intensified my anger over the lost knife.

Daniel, you make a good point. When you get a package overnighted it doesn’t set long enough for anyone to mess with it and as you say it's scanned every step of the way.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Thought I would give everyone an update on the stolen Hendrickson:

I feel I've done all I can at this point. Put claims in to Collectors Insurance Agency, Continental Airlines and TSA. Sent photos to Reno for distribution to pawn shops, knife websites and talked to Jay today. I have been trading e-mails with Nancy over the last week as Jay has been quite sick since returning from Reno. He's feeling much better now.

Will wait now to see what happens as far as recouping the cost of the hunter.

Jay and Nancy were both upset over the theft and as some of you suggested Jay did offer to make me another piece, possibly as soon as the Blade Show. That didn't surprise me as they are just wonderful folks. We also decided he would make me a Bowie utilizing the same style handle with a Damascus clipoint blade. This way if by a rare occurrence the hunter is recovered, then I would have a Bowie / Hunter set rather than two identical hunters. I will keep you posted as information comes in from my claims. Again, thanks for your interest and kind words.
Click to expand...
My liited exposure to Jay at the shows and hammer-ins led me to belive that he was kind of the ultimate "salt of the earth" kinda guy and this just goes to confirm that. I own two of his knives and couldn't be more pleased with them. I saw one of his journeyman knives at the local show this past weekend....big ole Maryland Camp Knife. The owner had it for sale but the price indicated that he really didn't want to part with it unless a looney with a huge wallet stumbled up to his table.....lol.
 
The last time I flew with anything expensive in my luggage I was told that I could have the inspector look in the luggage while I was present and then lock it afterward. It arrived locked and all was OK. Of course, soft luggage can be opend easily even if locked.

It's amazing how the news crews could catch baggage theives left and right with hidden cameras (before they were banned from doing those stories) but the people in charge can never seem to find anyone doing anything wrong.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Jeff getting robbed is a bad feeling; I was robbed once at gunpoint when I was seventeen working as cashier in a supermarket and then again about 15 years ago while working in my Auto Parts business.
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Kevin,So very sorry to hear about the pos doing this to you,of course,I'm talking about the incredible Hendrickson but also very happy to hear that Jay will be making you another knife and it sounds like a real beaut as well.
When I was 17 I was a bag boy/stockboy at a Valu-King grocery story and every night I would walk with the manager to the Night Deposit slot at the bank,for obvious reasons,so there was a witness as to the deposit being made.Anywho one night as we were making the deposit,a car pulled up next to us,guns pointed and money taken,thieves stole a car and were using it for the robbery,stolen car found the next day but no one was ever caught.Freakin' thieves.
Hoping for a positive outcome for you,have to agree about not beating yourself anymore as you've did all you can to get this resolved.
Think everyone has learned something from your unfortunate loss but it sounds like this is gonna' be resolved and hoping for the best possible outcome.

Doug
 
I received a check today from the insurance company for my stolen Hendrickson for the full amount I paid Jay. Jay will delivery me another knife at Blade so "alls well that ends well". Odd enough exactly 30m days after the lost. Actually less than 30 days from when I actually reported the lost.
I most definably recommend CIA. :) :) :)
 
It's good to hear that things will end up well for you after all.

Still a bummer though that it had to happen at all.
 
That is good news. Now you get to have the excitement of waiting for a new knife. Not really a fair exchange for all the stress of having the other knife stolen, but at least it's something.
 
Very good to hear Kevin. I have recommended this insurance to a lot of folks and it's good they paid on the claim.
 
I am very happy to hear that the insurance paid for the stolen knife in full!! AND that you are getting another knife from the maker.

Do you have a link for the insurance company that covered your knife? TIA!
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
I am very happy to hear that the insurance paid for the stolen knife in full!! AND that you are getting another knife from the maker.

Do you have a link for the insurance company that covered your knife? TIA!
Click to expand...

CIA seemed to have a good policy as it covers your knives at home, when traveling, when shipping or receiving through the mail, ups / FedEx or in checked luggage. But you never really know how good a policy or insurance company is until you have a claim. They proved to be Good.

http://www.collectinsure.com/
 
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