Knives from Airport Confiscations

[Ideaphore]

The Pastor from the local airport sometimes has a few tables of confiscated knives at the Saturday Farmers Market. Here are are few knives I have picked up lately for $20 or less. I do feel sorry for the person that lost the big Gerber Magnum Hunter ! The medium Buck Stockman on the left is my daily carry at the office.

[jerryd6818]

Hey! That middle Case Peanut is mine!



Just kidding. Welcome to AAPK. Glad to have you aboard.

[carrmillus]

......welcome to AAPK!!!!............ .......................

[Ideaphore]

Thanks. Looks like an interesting place.

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK. I've often thought about what happens to all the knives confiscated by TSA at airports across the country. They have one of mine somewhere. My nephew once broke the blade off one of his folders before giving it over to the TSA, which he says visibly upset the TSA agent. My nephew told him if he couldn't keep it he didn't want anyone else to have it either. BTW there is a guy on eBay that sells knives he says were confiscated at airports, but doesn't say how he obtains them.

Ken

[jerryd6818]

BTW there is a guy on eBay that sells knives he says we're confiscated at airports, but doesn't say how he obtains them.

Ken

My local knife shop guy used to (shortly after 9/11) buy them by the box full. That was before they started going through them and taking out the good ones. You'd be amazed at the stuff TSA confiscated. I think they still auction them off from time to time but I don't know where.

I lost three to TSA because of my bad memory. I wish I'd been smart enough to break the blades. At one time they had envelops at security and you could buy one for $10 to send your knife home. I declined because at the time I was carrying a $10 Marbles Chinese Doctor's knife and had a second one at home. I didn't figure it was worth it.

[tjmurphy]

From what I understand, TSA contracts out for people to collect the knives (for which the contractors are paid) and they in turn get rid of them (sell). So, the contractor gets paid twice for your knife.

[royal0014]

Didn't the TSA loosen the restrictions some last year? Seems I read that here on AAPK.
Blade under a certain length and non-locking Somebody said that the Case peanut qualified
is why I ask ^^^^

[Paladin]

We have a local salvage store operated by the state and they have the confiscations from about 7 airports. I used to go in there and sneak up on a bargain or two but lately the good knives have all been sorted out and you know where they go.

Ray

[Old Hunter]

Let's see, the US Gov't/TSA, to protect us from all the US citizens that have never used a pocketknife to hijack a plane (or train), steals (ok, confiscates) our knives - then sells them off to a contractor that gets to sell them to ANYONE - what a country! OH

[philco]

Didn't the TSA loosen the restrictions some last year? Seems I read that here on AAPK.
Blade under a certain length and non-locking Somebody said that the Case peanut qualified
is why I ask ^^^^

Operating from my faulty memory here;

I recall that proposal was put "out there" for public scrutiny. There was such an outcry from the SHEEP that the proposal was withdrawn.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Capt. Farrel]

Let's see, the US Gov't/TSA, to protect us from all the US citizens that have never used a pocketknife to hijack a plane (or train), steals (ok, confiscates) our knives - then sells them off to a contractor that gets to sell them to ANYONE - what a country! OH

I am pretty sure that it is illegal to sell conficated things here in Germany. As far as I know they have to be destroyed. At least this is the official way. I am sure the better ones end up in the staffs pockets....

[btrwtr]

Ken,

I wish I had thought of breaking the blade before my last trip. I'd hate to think of that deadly Swiss Executive falling into the wrong hands. I should have broken blade, scissors and nail file and then put the tweezers and toothpick in my pocket.

I know better now. Thanks for the tip.

Wayne

[jerryd6818]

Exerts from a post on the TSA Blog -- http://blog.tsa.gov/2009/09/what-happen ... items.html

"Our officers would really rather not have you lose the trusty pocket knife your grandfather gave you. They would really prefer you didn’t have to surrender the knife you used to cut your wedding cake. When prohibited items come through the checkpoint, passengers are given options:

1) Take the item to the ticket counter and check it in your baggage or a box provided by the airport.
2) Many airports have a US Postal Service or other shipping services area where boxes, stamps and envelopes can be bought so you can ship your items home.
3) If there is somebody seeing you off, you can hand the prohibited item to them.
4) If your car is parked outside, you can take the item to your car.

If you’re not given these options, you should ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. You can also use the “Got Feedback?” program to contact TSA Customer Support at that specific airport.

We understand passengers aren’t always able to use these options due to the chance of missing flights, etc.

So, what happens to these items if passengers can’t use one of the options? Many folks are under the wrong impression that our officers get to keep the items. It just doesn’t happen. If somebody is caught pocketing the surrendered items, they are terminated. There is zero tolerance for theft at TSA. I know of somebody who was fired for stealing .69 cents."

And


"Depending on the size of the airport, each day, week or month, the items are picked up. Because the items are excess government property, we must follow General Services Administration guidelines for the disposition of the material. Many airports use a TSA-provided contractor who collects the “stuff” and disposes of it….. quite literally, throws it away. Or, as some airports do, we donate items to approved, non-profit organizations in accordance w/GSA regulations.

We have heard of local schools receiving the scissors. We have heard of local police departments training with the mace. Some VA hospitals sell some of the items to help make ends meet. Some non-profits, including several state surplus property divisions, sell the material on the auction web site eBay, and put the profits in THEIR coffers. TSA does not sell or profit in any way from the selling of this voluntarily abandoned property."

[carrmillus]

..went to a local airshow several years ago and didn't realize they were checking for "weapons", so I stuck my Camillus whittler in my shoe till I got thru the gate, I wasn't about to give 'em that one!!!......... ...............

[tjmurphy]

Exerts from a post on the TSA Blog -- http://blog.tsa.gov/2009/09/what-happen ... items.html

"Our officers would really rather not have you lose the trusty pocket knife your grandfather gave you. They would really prefer you didn’t have to surrender the knife you used to cut your wedding cake. When prohibited items come through the checkpoint, passengers are given options:

1) Take the item to the ticket counter and check it in your baggage or a box provided by the airport.
2) Many airports have a US Postal Service or other shipping services area where boxes, stamps and envelopes can be bought so you can ship your items home.
3) If there is somebody seeing you off, you can hand the prohibited item to them.
4) If your car is parked outside, you can take the item to your car.

If you’re not given these options, you should ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. You can also use the “Got Feedback?” program to contact TSA Customer Support at that specific airport.

We understand passengers aren’t always able to use these options due to the chance of missing flights, etc.

So, what happens to these items if passengers can’t use one of the options? Many folks are under the wrong impression that our officers get to keep the items. It just doesn’t happen. If somebody is caught pocketing the surrendered items, they are terminated. There is zero tolerance for theft at TSA. I know of somebody who was fired for stealing .69 cents."

And


"Depending on the size of the airport, each day, week or month, the items are picked up. Because the items are excess government property, we must follow General Services Administration guidelines for the disposition of the material. Many airports use a TSA-provided contractor who collects the “stuff” and disposes of it….. quite literally, throws it away. Or, as some airports do, we donate items to approved, non-profit organizations in accordance w/GSA regulations.

We have heard of local schools receiving the scissors. We have heard of local police departments training with the mace. Some VA hospitals sell some of the items to help make ends meet. Some non-profits, including several state surplus property divisions, sell the material on the auction web site eBay, and put the profits in THEIR coffers. TSA does not sell or profit in any way from the selling of this voluntarily abandoned property."

HA!!!!!

[Keystone]

Years ago, forgot a cold steel vaquero in my pocket and bags were checked. Very upset at the pending loss of my knife, I gave it away to a guy who was clearly leaving the airport. I told him, keep it sharp, don't do anything wrong with it, and don't bring it to the airport.

I am glad to know these confiscated knives have an additional life.
Dan

[zp4ja]

Didn't the TSA loosen the restrictions some last year? Seems I read that here on AAPK.
Blade under a certain length and non-locking Somebody said that the Case peanut qualified
is why I ask ^^^^

Operating from my faulty memory here;

I recall that proposal was put "out there" for public scrutiny. There was such an outcry from the SHEEP that the proposal was withdrawn.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

You are correct Phil, but the SHEEP you are referring to is mainly the Flight Attendants Association. The totally freaked out and put pressure back which nixed the deal. I have a 18' laptop for work and it has a huge power supply with the dimensions larger than a brick and weighing at about 2 pounds. That would do more damage than a pocket knife. I fly quite often and you would be amazed at what they will allow people to carry on that could be used as a weapon. A pencil or metal pen could do more damage than a pocket knife. Just ridiculous!

Here is my routine that might help save a knife or two from being confiscated...

At home, I pack my carry knife in my toiletry bag and into my suitcase/checked bag. When I get to the airport, at the car (or rental car), I unpack all my pockets and put everything in my carry on backpack at the car except for passport, tickets, phone and eyeglasses.
If I forgot to put my knife or anything else in my checked bag, I can just slip it into my suitcase then and there. Haven't had anything taken by airport security yet with this method/routine.

Also, even in checked baggage, be mindful what knife you choose to take and the laws where you are going. I never carry my favorite swing guard, always a small pen or medium stockman and never something I am not willing to lose. I always check the knife laws before I go.

I was in Guadalajara Mexico Customs last Tuesday when the Customs Officer pulls my CASE 47 Stockman out of my toiletry bag. Persoanlly, that is not the time I wish to find out if it is legal or not. That is why I check beforehand.

Just hoping my reply might save someone some heartache...

Jerry