Multi-tool without a knife?

[nullandvoid]

Does anybody know of a medium to full size multi-tool that doesn't include a knife? So that it might be safe to carry on an airplane these days. I don't have any particular needs other than pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutter would be nice, the usual stuff, can/bottle openers... I'm just wondering if one exists?

 

[dg]

Couldn't you just buy one of your choice and remove or cut the blades off ?

 

[d'mo]

Be careful, according to the PDF here, screwdrivers and pliers are't permitted. On the other hand, I've flown several times with my SwissTech pliers carried in my wallet as my LM Wave backup. The only time it was questioned was at a courthouse, but as soon as they saw it had no blade, they let it pass.

 

[RebelRAM]

Actually you may still not be allowed to take it on a plane even though it doesn't have a blade. The TSA might consider it a "tool" and prohibit it from carry-on luggage. Check out this page http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=183&content=090005198007e349
And also the PDF file listed on that page.
Also on top of that indivdual airlines set policies. So even if you get past the TSA, that doesn't mean you'll make it past your airline.

IMO, a lot of these TSA policies are rediculous. I'm quite sure most things I keep on my keyring wouldn't even get through.

--Jason

 

[nullandvoid]

Oh well, guess that about kills that idea. I used to be able to walk on with a case of tools and 4" folding pocket knife, obviously those days are gone but I hadn't realized that taken so much offense at normal small tools without pointy edges, well at least no more so than the average pen or butter knife anyway. Thanks for the link to the TSO

 

[RebelRAM]

I'm just offended that the federal government would trust my safety to nothing more than the pilots being able to keep the cockpit door closed. I'm sorry, but those boys are too busy flying the plane to deal with a terrorist. Plus these so called Federal Air Marshalls, it would be my luck that there wouldn't be one on my flight. Plus I have seen the shooting qualification course for that job. It's not tough enough nor does it require a high enough level of accuracy to suit me.

If I ever fly again and need to defend myself, well as my dad used to say "Don't make my take my belt off!" A pretty thorough and well deserved beating usually followed. I usually behaved after that point too /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

--Jason

 

[Hobydog]

You guys will get a kick out of this... my sister-in-law works at a State Surplus Property office. One of the things she does is dispose of property that is confiscated at the local airport. I was visiting one day, and she showed the confiscated property to me... it was LITERALLY full-size laundry baskets full of pocketknives and scissors and all manner of pointy and *dangerous* articles. I had NO idea that a fingernail clipper was such a dangerous item! There were HUNDREDS of them!! But, on the other hand, it surprised the crap outa me that someone would try to carry a dressmakers shears - basically a scissors with a 12" blade - on an aircraft!! When I fly, I unfortunately have to fly "naked"... no pocketknife, no Leatherman, no fingernail clippers... the only thing I am able to take is a VERY SMALL flashlight (Arclight AAA). Jeez - I'd almost rather fly without pants /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif than without my "gear"!

 

[JohnJ80]

The whole thing has gotten pretty ridiculous (I travel a lot). It strikes me that we have spent billions on a system that is optimized to find box cutters and prevent one specific form of attack from happening.

At the same time, you see frequent stories about how airports are still relatively a sieve from a security perspective - especially from commercial access. You can bet that if there is going to be another attempt with aircraft that they are going to need a whole lot more than 5 guys to take over an aircraft since everyone on board is an air marhall now.

I have travelled with a knife for years. I can't see how, since the vast majority of travellers want to see the plane fly safely, that having knives on board with the good guys, is a bad thing. I seriously would hate to be the next guy that tries to hijack an airplane. The rest of the passegers will tear the guy apart - I have absolutely no doubt of that.

Just my $0.02

J

 

[nullandvoid]

Well and as the old saying goes, if you outlaw guns, only the outlaws will have guns. Same goes for pointy things on planes, only the bad guys will have them, doesn't leave the good guys with as much to work with.

 

[Bill.H]

Seems to me that we'd have a lot less problems if everyone who boarded a plane was issued a short sword to carry for the duration. A lot cheaper then the security we have now, too.
(I'm only half-joking)

 

[RebelRAM]

I prefer the old saying "An armed society is a polite society"

I seriously doubt people would be such jerks and think twice before doing something stupid if they knew that there might be immediate repercussions from doing such an act.

--Jason

 

[dg]

This is a bit OT, but bearing in mind that a determined, well informed or trained hijacker could do a fair bit of damage with his bare hands, a rolled up newspaper, a bic biro, a glass of vodka, and a match, then it puts the knife thing into perspective.

I agree that there is no reason why you should need to carry a knife or multitool with you, but that is not to say that flights are any safer without them.

Its not what is in your hands, but what is in your head that matters

 

[nullandvoid]

The real point for me isn't so much feeling a need to carry it on a flight so much as I don't check luggage very often and the new rules add an awful lot of time to my traveling, or I have to travel without them, so far I have just done without them. Though my flashlights have gone with me and drawn no comments on either the M2 or the E1e. I haven't traveled since I got my ARC LSH. But I would prefer to be able to travel with just some basic tools such as a multi tool might provide without having to check luggage. Though I certainly wouldn't mind having additional options available to me if something did happen.

 

[RebelRAM]

I think for some people, myself included, it's just insulting that as responsible adults, that we aren't trusted with even the simplest of objects. I mean for all practical purposes I could turn a plastic comb into a weapon. But that is not my intent, nor is it my point. Our brains are always our best weapons. There are just some things I feel I should be allowed to carry anywhere. A good pocketknife is one of those things.

--Jason

 

[nullandvoid]

I'd be more offended but given the seeming trend toward letting the government control our lives I'm just not surprised. Serrated pocket knives are just SO handy for stripping cable though!! I know almost anything is a weapon if you want it to be, including pens and rope or twine, hands, feet, etc.. too but they haven't figured out how to make you check those as baggage yet. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jpshakehead.gif

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

[ QUOTE ]
nullandvoid said:
Does anybody know of a medium to full size multi-tool that doesn't include a knife? So that it might be safe to carry on an airplane these days. I don't have any particular needs other than pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutter would be nice, the usual stuff, can/bottle openers... I'm just wondering if one exists?

[/ QUOTE ]

You can check out the SOG's offerings. You can remove the implements on SOG's tools and remove the blade if you like. I doubt they'll let you board a plane with a multi-tool, even if you remove the blade. You're just better off storing it in your checked baggage to avoid hassles.

http://www.sogknives.com/tools.htm

 

[Kanai]

I recently had my swiss tech confiscated because it has a 'plier' I have traveled with it several times but last week a TSA moron thought he needed it.

 

[metalhed]

The whole problem here is one of illogical reaction to a perceived threat. The government is not trying to protect passengers and the general public with these confiscation policies, but merely applying clumsy public relations tactics in an attempt to make us feel safer.

The fact is, the main threat the government is concerned with is another hijacking and use of a jetliner as a weapon. However, if an assailant can't gain access to the cockpit to threaten the pilots, there is virtually no chance of a repeat of 9/11. The only reason the use of boxcutters was successful on 9/11, was because the control of the plane was taken away from the pilots. A clear "no open door" policy when it comes to the cockpit, combined with reinforcement of the door physically, should prevent the recurrence of these types of hijacks.

The confiscation of small tools, nailclippers, etc. does nothing to address the real next threat, small explosives. It should also be recognized from the recent attacks in Spain, that the desire of Al-Qaeda is for mass effect, not just killing large numbers of victims. The use of jetliners as weapons has had its impact. It is far more likely that the next large attacks will be against so-called 'soft' targets. Buses, railways, county fairs, business conventions are all more likely targets than airlines, and are vulnerable regardless of the safety of our passenger air system.

BTW, just ask any prison warden, guard, or inmate whether it is possible to craft a useful weapon from plastics or other materials which could evade detection by screening systems.

Go ahead, ask 'em. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

Back on topic...I kinda wish someone made a multitool without a knife blade at all. They always seem thin and fragile..I would prefer another tool in place of the knifeblade (like a 1/4" socket stud), and would just carry a quality folder for my blade needs.

 

[lbonser]

I've wondered about this myself.

When considering to reply, I thought about the last dozen or so times I've used my multitool... and just about every time, it was the blade I ended up using.

Just this last week to cut up some cardboard to make a custom-sized shipping box and to cut away from shrink-wrap from a pallet of equipment that came back from a tradeshow.