A man was recently arrested at Miami Airport with a razor blade and hacksaw blade in his shoe... It begs the question, Was he a member here? <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/South/12/22/airport.arrest.ap/index.html

~W

Yeow! Really hope not. If so, it would be an interesting first hand experience to relate, albeit rather <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

In any event, I'd like to presume that it was totally innocent.

Comanche7

Going to the airport for me is one of the most time consuming things I can do. Looking through my various bags, coats, vests, etc for stuff just wears me out. Fortunately I have not stowed stuff in my shoes.

I can totally relate to forgetting about where certain things have been stashed.

Yes it probably is totally inncoent. But why hacksaw blades? Also imagine this poor chap trying to explain stuff to his wife after he interupted their travel plans. It's going to cost him dearly.

Matt

http://www.wofl.com/_ezpost/data/2194.shtml

sound's like Pict! Hope it's not <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Polak187,

While I can't speak for the person that had them in the shoes, I do carry a hacksaw blade in my USK/Office Kit. For me, this is primarily to avoid having to use the serrated blades on the knives. Yes, in a pinch, it can be done, but for the small amount of space taken up by a good hacksaw blade, and the ability to perform better cutting, why bother with the knives? Obviously, what works well for me may not work well for others...

The particular brand will make all the difference in the world, I WILL NOT carry one of the old style blades that snaps if you look at it wrong or happen to twist the blade while using it. The Lenox bi-metal brand of blades has a great set of teeth that have been welded (by laser?) to a flexible metal backing. These blades can be literally twisted and tied into a simple knot and when released will simply spring back to their normal shape.

The blades have holes at each end and a frame could be "mcgyvered" out of other materials (split rings on ends of blade, with paracord loops to hold or tie off onto a quick framework). The blades will cut most steels and other normally encountered materials that one would want to cut.

As far as putting them in my shoes, I reckon that I'd need to remove the heel of my shoes / boots and coil the blade up and replace the bottom of the heel. It would require some forethought and careful handiwork, but would be a great place to carry a spare hacksaw blade....just not to the increasingly more common PC restricted environments.. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

HTH

Happy holidays,
Comanche7

akabu: I echo your sentiments.

RayW,

Good find, thanks for sharing it.

A quote from the linked article:

"They say he's only charged with a misdemeanor and federal officials are NOT involved."

It would appear that there is some sense of understanding, although a misdemeanor is still a heavy hit in my opinion. Still it is much better than it could have been...remember the stories about the grandmothers that were getting busted for knitting needles etc.?

Comanche7

It's a sad world...

I usually have on my person a folding hacksaw by Allway Tools, it has two blades, one for wood & one for metal.

http://ladybug24963.homestead.com/files/fldghsaw.jpg

I also have a slim carton cutter in my PSK, because it is slim,doesn't take up much room, and safer than trying to hold a bare razor.

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=946210

I will be adding a Pocketwrench II to my EDC in a few days.

I don't fly. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />