TSA/school friendly leatherman mods?

[Scimonetti]

So I like to always have a multi tool or something on me. I have a little bike tool with allen keys I keep in my backpack, and that works because I'll always have a backpack with food/locks/tools in it when I'm biking.

I work on a lot of stuff and use complicated camera gear sometimes multiple times a day at school. I use a lot of homemade rigs(12ah lead acid battery box bolted to tripod to monitor, camera cages, many threaded adapters, bushings and jib cranes full of bolts, you name it) and could really use some vise grips or pliers and some basic bit drivers in a compact foldable package.

I'm thinking about buying a used leatherman crunch and taking off the one knife it has on it(a big factor in choosing this model) and replacing it with something else, maybe a bit driver?http://www.leatherman.com/crunch/1.html

I know people have modded leathermans before, what do you think of this idea? Where do I source a bit driver? Thanks for any help, I am constantly surprised by the wealth and widespread knowledge on this forum!

 

[CarsonConcepts]

Could try to find one of these
http://www.leatherman.com/97.html

~ Carson

 

[Art From De Leon]

They will take it just because it is a Leatherman type tool.

 

[Scimonetti]

I know leatherman makes "travel safe TSA compliant" knifeless models so I was going off that assumption. I won't be traveling with this at all though.

 

[SMKS]

You need to talk to the school officials and determine if a Leatherman or similar tool without a blade still counts as a "weapon."

What kinds of tools can you bring? Can you just pack up a super-small kit with a couple pairs of mini pliers and small screwdrivers?

 

[Scimonetti]

Yeah, the plan was definitely to ask beforehand. Bringing tools is fine, I think you might be right about a super small kit. I might even get by with a 4 in 1 driver and mini vise grips in my side pockets. Thank you for the input!

 

[NE Guy]

Wooderson: That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age.

Someone had to say it!

 

[G_P]

Try to talk someone into giving you an exemption to carry a leatherman with no knife blades.

When I was in HS, I got permission to bring boxcutters and knives to school because they were needed for a job I walked to after school got out. I just kept them in my locker.

 

[Scimonetti]

Try to talk someone into giving you an exemption to carry a leatherman with no knife blades.

When I was in HS, I got permission to bring boxcutters and knives to school because they were needed for a job I walked to after school got out. I just kept them in my locker.

Thanks! Our administration is pretty reasonable and I don't think they would have a problem with it, especially because the crunch is just pliers with 2 screwdrivers and a file in the handle. I'll talk to them after break.

I do need to figure out what to put in place of the knife. I might go over to the multitool forums too and ask too about the details of if the locking mechanisms match. I'm thinking the small eyeglass bit driver would be my number one choice, assuming it would fit, followed by the a diamond coated hone.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Become a teacher?.....my sidekick goes with me to school everyday!

What school are you at?

 

[Scimonetti]

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Need some washers but otherwise good. Drill it out, slowly shape to size and file a locking notch. I plan on applying a gun blue to the saw before installing. Before I start work on it I'll double check the 2" stubby, not pointed hacksaw blade is permitted. I am loving the crunch though.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Funny you mention this....we were having our Winter Carnival last Friday, the 7th grade team ran into some issues with their roll of duct tape so I whipped out my Wingman to cut the tape. Damn kid said something about teachers being allowed to have knives and not kids, with the freaking principal behind us! I try to do those little bastards a favor and that's what I get! Good thing the principal had no problem, never even batted an eye!

 

[cptn_zippy]

Correct. And you get to drive a car to school as well...adults are allowed to do things students aren't.

J

 

[Givl Reggin]

A sword is a weapon.
A dagger is a weapon.
A machete is a tool.
A pocket knife is a tool.

There's a distinct difference in my mind between a weapon and a tool.... now, there are many tools can be used as a weapon in emergencies; hammers, screwdrivers, awls, but even a pencil or pen can be used as a very effective weapon.... and something like a rope (shoe string) can make a garrote.

If they're going to have problems with people carrying pocket knifes, how do they classify the forks and knives in the cafeteria? Or the fire axe hanging on the wall?

 

[FJ 432]

Slightly off topic....

Google GSA auctions. On the left side of the website you look by state. Pull up Colorado and you will see auctions for all of the Leathermans, gerbers, swiss army knifes etc. confiscated by TSA at DIA airport.

Every 2 weeks....

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

Could try to find one of these
http://www.leatherman.com/97.html ~ Carson

This one still has the sisores on it, TSA would either take the whole
tool or try to break them off.
I have a friend that was a pilot for US Air, one day going through
the TSA gate they took his finger nail clippers out of his flight bag
and broke the nail file off...
Now understand that this is the guy who would have his hands on
the control yoke, he would be in full control of the plane and ye
they were afraid of him having a nail file.
These days I wouldn't take a chance with anything at school, even
if one official said it was OK, another one might bust you.
It's just not worth it.
It's sad what our world has come to, from the age of 12 I carried a
pocket knife every day, I was never without it. No one at school
ever said anything about it.
My senior year of high school I was taking electronics, the machine
shop class was right next to the electronics lab, one of the machine
shop guys made a black powder flintlock pistol as his senior project.
The last week of school we all went down to the football field
including the school principal and he shot it...
Can you imagine what would happen if someone tired to do that
these days???
It would be the lead story on CNN...

LLAP

.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Put it in checked luggage, hope it don't get stolen. Pretty much.

 

[honcho]

My favorite sad story is the mom who sent a cake with a knife to school with her child to share with his class. The teacher used the knife to cut and serve the cake and then reported the kid for having a knife. The kid was then suspended.

From the TSA web site I clipped the following:

Item Prohibited
Carry-on? Checked?
Box Cutters NO OK
Ice Axes/Ice Picks NO OK
Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives NO OK
Meat Cleavers NO OK
Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, and safety razor blades (disposable razors and their cartridges are permitted) NO OK
Sabers NO OK
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed, but blades longer than 4 inches are prohibited NO OK
Swords - cutting or thrusting weapons, including fencing foils NO OK
NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

The item on scissors seems to say that scissors with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed. To me, that would imply that all leatherman / swiss army knife type scissors would be allowable since none have scissor blades longer than 4 inches.

Given the stupidity of the rules, who knows what items would be consistently allowed.

I give thanks that I am not a high school student now as the things I did in school in the 70s would be prohibited today.

 

[theoldwizard1]

But, but, but .... the TSA could say the pliers are an "instrument of torture" !

 

[bczygan]

 

[NKlamerus]

Hey bud, check out MultiTool.org

I'm sure you will find knife less mods for the crunch. As well as how to add a pocket clip.

 

[NKlamerus]

I'd also like to add, I carry at my college.

I keep a Skeletool in my pocket with a streamlight nano-light.

In my EDC pack in my backpack I also have a ZT566BW, Leatherman Charge AL, as well as a 4" gearwrench crescent wrench. And some other various tools and first aid.

I can't tell you how many times a teacher has needed 2 pairs of pliers. Or WD40....... (I keep a pen can in my bag as well)

 

[NKlamerus]

Thanks! Signed up the other day after all of my searches led me there. It moves slowly but the knowledge is unparalleled! I got some helpful tips on removing the little knurled screws (they have locktite) and replacing them. The only thing I have to figure out is new washers to account for thickness difference and gun bluing.

Oh that won't be bad at all!

Is your username the same there?

And it is a little slower to reply. But it is a GREAT community. Almost never any fights or pessimistic comments!

 

[southalabama]

Good luck getting a school to make an exception.

They not gonna be able to distinguish

When I went to school we all carried buck knives

When dad went to school they propped the shotguns up in the cost closet so they could hunt on way to and from school.

Times changed.

Zero tolerance gonna get you.

 

[Beemer533]

This one still has the sisores on it, TSA would either take the whole
tool or try to break them off.
I have a friend that was a pilot for US Air, one day going through
the TSA gate they took his finger nail clippers out of his flight bag
and broke the nail file off...
Now understand that this is the guy who would have his hands on
the control yoke, he would be in full control of the plane and ye
they were afraid of him having a nail file.
These days I wouldn't take a chance with anything at school, even
if one official said it was OK, another one might bust you.
It's just not worth it.
It's sad what our world has come to, from the age of 12 I carried a
pocket knife every day, I was never without it. No one at school
ever said anything about it.
My senior year of high school I was taking electronics, the machine
shop class was right next to the electronics lab, one of the machine
shop guys made a black powder flintlock pistol as his senior project.
The last week of school we all went down to the football field
including the school principal and he shot it...
Can you imagine what would happen if someone tired to do that
these days???
It would be the lead story on CNN...

LLAP

.

And meanwhile, as the TSA is saving us from nail clippers and the like, grandma walks through security with 12" aluminum spikes (otherwise known as knitting needles)...

Totally ridiculous..!

 

[Barrymaxx]

Having this in your pocket could literally cost you your life if you are ever contacted by police.

 

[Coach James]

My favorite sad story is the mom who sent a cake with a knife to school with her child to share with his class. The teacher used the knife to cut and serve the cake and then reported the kid for having a knife. The kid was then suspended.

From the TSA web site I clipped the following:

Item Prohibited
Carry-on? Checked?
Box Cutters NO OK
Ice Axes/Ice Picks NO OK
Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives NO OK
Meat Cleavers NO OK
Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, and safety razor blades (disposable razors and their cartridges are permitted) NO OK
Sabers NO OK
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed, but blades longer than 4 inches are prohibited NO OK
Swords - cutting or thrusting weapons, including fencing foils NO OK
NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

The item on scissors seems to say that scissors with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed. To me, that would imply that all leatherman / swiss army knife type scissors would be allowable since none have scissor blades longer than 4 inches.

Given the stupidity of the rules, who knows what items would be consistently allowed.

I give thanks that I am not a high school student now as the things I did in school in the 70s would be prohibited today.

Honcho, have a link? This is the only thing close I could find.

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/weird/Cake-Knife-Suspension.html

Coach

 

[vintage nut]

A lot more tolerant in canada it seems. My school just doesn't care. I always have either my benchmade or my spyderco in my pocket, and a number of teachers know and don't care. Heck, I have actually carried a buck 110 on my belt all week and no one has said a word

you can never have too many tools

 

[rick carpenter]

Whatever final version you end up with, take pics and bring them to get approved first. Then bring in the tool to your teacher or counselor and have them walk you up front for final approval. Request that the teacher or counselor ask for an email saying it's OK "as is" in case someone catches a glimpse of it and freaks out.

Zero tolerance may not let you have even a knifeless Leatherman though. They might not want someone to see it, assume it has a knife, and then assume they can carry a knife "because you did". A lot of people have problems with zero tolerance. Not me.

 

[Major Ramifications]

No weapons? Really? Do they let you bring in your *****?

 

[Scimonetti]

I got the third prototype of a large flathead somewhat finished.


It being shiny makes it a pain to photograph haha, but I am pretty happy with it.