Sal - A TSA Compliant Knife Please

FCM415 said:
Regardless, I don't trust the average TSA screener to know the differences between what will be legal to take aboard and not. I will be looking to see what knives will be discussed here and on the rest of the forums on what is acceptable but I am weary of dealing with them as I do travel plenty... I would rather check my "contraband" in on a locked bag. If I need to cut something on an airplane (which I never really do), I'll McGyver something.
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It would be interesting if Spyderco got pre-approval/worked with TSA to develop a knife with their seal of approval on it, or something. Take the guesswork out for the security guards.
 
I agree they probably had in mind small SAKs. But God forbid they should just say so. I kinda wonder how they define "molded grip".
 
liamstrain said:
It would be interesting if Spyderco got pre-approval/worked with TSA to develop a knife with their seal of approval on it, or something. Take the guesswork out for the security guards.
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They would likely demand Sal to be strip searched.:)
 
I remember hearing in a documentary about victorinox that they lost a large % of there sales after 9/11 because a good portion of their business was in airports selling pocket knives for people to take on there travels... I figure they are jumping for joy over at the Victorinox HQ -

As someone mentioned it seems like it would be hard to spyderco to do a blade that is only a half an inch blade width - a 12 mm spyder hole is .47 inches...
 
shawn_ray said:
What exactly is the point of this thread? Does the OP really want Spyderco to build a knife so you just can use a Spyderco in a plane? What??? Who really needs a pocket knife during his flight? Buy a SAK if you really need to cut something on a plane...
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Actually Spyderco HAS designed a knife in the past for flying. Of course that was pre TSA. It was called the Copilot. Of course it wouldn't meet the new guidelines in two ways. The length is fine, but the blade is way too wide, and it's a lockback.

Honestly, I have a hard time understanding the 1/2 inch wide guideline. Don't those guys who wrote the regs know that it's the EDGE that does the cutting? I can't see how the width of the blade plays into the matter at all.
 
I like what the former head of the TSA had to say:

"The threat of taking over a plane with a small, sharp instrument is zero. You cannot necessarily prevent violence on an airplane, but that is not the TSA's mission. TSA's mission is to prevent a successful, catastrophic terrorist attack, and you cannot get a successful, catastrophic terrorist attack with a small knife or a Wiffle ball bat.
 
KrisOK said:
Honestly, I have a hard time understanding the 1/2 inch wide guideline. Don't those guys who wrote the regs know that it's the EDGE that does the cutting? I can't see how the width of the blade plays into the matter at all.
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Let's face it,we're talking about the TSA.They are legendary for doing things that make no sense.
 
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We need a re-handled ladybug maybe like a cricket shape slip-it ladybug!
 
Can we just boycott the airlines already? All it would take is a week of not flying to have the TSA kicked out.
 
KrisOK said:
Actually Spyderco HAS designed a knife in the past for flying. Of course that was pre TSA. It was called the Copilot. Of course it wouldn't meet the new guidelines in two ways. The length is fine, but the blade is way too wide, and it's a lockback.

Honestly, I have a hard time understanding the 1/2 inch wide guideline. Don't those guys who wrote the regs know that it's the EDGE that does the cutting? I can't see how the width of the blade plays into the matter at all.
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Not that the TSA makes sense, but a wider blade jabbed into someone would make a significantly worse wound.
 
Hi Cactus,

We've begun a design, but the retrictions are really restrictive. A "stick" handle like a SAK, a thin blade with a "trademark" non functioning hole. All of the features that we work hard on; locks, ergonomics, one hand open, etc. have been eliminated. We can still offer a better steel, but innovation has been linited.

sal
 
gph said:
I'll see your golf club and raise you a circa 1970s wooden goalie stick :)
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Here's my favorite hockey stick.

Sal Glesser said:
Hi Cactus,

We've begun a design, but the retrictions are really restrictive. A "stick" handle like a SAK, a thin blade with a "trademark" non functioning hole. All of the features that we work hard on; locks, ergonomics, one hand open, etc. have been eliminated. We can still offer a better steel, but innovation has been linited.

sal
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I'm sure you'll come up with something representative, but I'll be happy with my regular Spyderco in the checked luggage.
 
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Thanks Sal.

CC

Sal Glesser said:
Hi Cactus,

We've begun a design, but the retrictions are really restrictive. A "stick" handle like a SAK, a thin blade with a "trademark" non functioning hole. All of the features that we work hard on; locks, ergonomics, one hand open, etc. have been eliminated. We can still offer a better steel, but innovation has been linited.

sal
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Sal Glesser said:
innovation has been linited.
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Additionally, this whole arena of airline "security" seems to be fluid, and today's regulations may not be tomorrow's. Plus, the TSA website notes that "[T]he final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items through security checkpoints." These goofballs can still confiscate your TSA-compliant Spyderco out of ignorance or malice, and so maybe a knife that is subject to confiscation should not be spendy. Just something to consider.

This is a non-issue for me as I have not been on an airplane since the TSA was birthed, though I recognize that not everyone can avoid the airport. Were I to fly, I would carry the appropriate SAK (Classic) or Leatherman (Squirt?).

I would vote for doubling down on Para 2 production or the G10 Endura in Powernoodle blue, and forget the TSA Spydie. :)
 
I said earlier that I would leave the design up to the professionals. I lied.

I have an idea.

A simple friction folder style with G10 scales. The blade would have a hole, a small one in the traditional trademark location on the blade. It is different, preserves a one-hand-opening and (hopefully) won't be too expensive to manufacture.

An idea on the "lock":

A hole at the end of the rounded tang. If a user wanted to convert it (entirely on his own) to a fixed (or lock) blade, they could drill a matching hole in the scales that would match up to the hole in the tang when the blade is fully open. This would allow the user to convert the knife to a fixed blade with the addition of a pin.

... and (of course) good steel, a deep carry clip, etc.
 
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