Long Term Storage: Soakers or Hard Guards

[gorgonzola]

Hey All,

I searched the forum but couldn't find anything. I have a new pair of skates. I want to keep my old ones for rainy days or backup skates in case TSA abducts my new ones for some reason.

They're going into a temperature-controlled environment. No moisture.

Hard guards or soakers? My gut says soakers, but has anyone done this before?

 

[Diana Delafield]

Hey All,

I searched the forum but couldn't find anything. I have a new pair of skates. I want to keep my old ones for rainy days or backup skates in case TSA abducts my new ones for some reason.

They're going into a temperature-controlled environment. No moisture.

Hard guards or soakers? My gut says soakers, but has anyone done this before?

I wrap each skate separately in a soft cloth, like a towel. Loosely. Lay them on their sides on a shelf so there's no pressure on the blades. Keeps the dust out and makes absolutely sure the blades and soles are as dry as possible. I figure if there was even a hint of moisture left in the crevices of the picks, even soakers would enclose that tiny bit of dampness and encourage specks of rust.

 

[tstop4me]

Hey All,

I searched the forum but couldn't find anything. I have a new pair of skates. I want to keep my old ones for rainy days or backup skates in case TSA abducts my new ones for some reason.

They're going into a temperature-controlled environment. No moisture.

Hard guards or soakers? My gut says soakers, but has anyone done this before?

Hard guards are for blade protection when you are wearing your skates and sitting or walking off-ice. They should not be used for storage, short-term or long-term, because they can trap moisture and promote rust.

For plain-carbon steel blades, first make sure they are thoroughly dry, and then cover the picks (which might have damaged plating; and some Eclipse blades have chrome relief on the picks) and the unplated areas (hollow, edges, chrome relief) with a thin film of oil. Preferably use oil formulated for metal (e.g., motor oil, engine oil). Do not use oil that is unstable over time (e.g., cooking oil, essential oil). @Diana Delafield 's suggestion above for a towel wrap is a good one, because it allows the skates to breathe. Just be careful the skates don't take a tumble. I prefer to slip on soakers to protect the blades against dings should they take a tumble (I guess I'm more tumble prone than she is. ) Store the skates such they can breathe (e.g., the above towel wrap, or a cloth bag; not a plastic bag).

 

[gorgonzola]

@Diana Delafield and @tstop4me thank you for the suggestions. I'll make sure they're stored in a breathable area with soakers/towel lightly dabbed with oil for protection.

 

[Query]

I want to keep my old ones for rainy days or backup skates in case TSA abducts my new ones for some reason.

Skates | Transportation Security Administration

Including ice skates and rollerblades.

www.tsa.gov

Of course policies could change, and perhaps some TSA employees don't know the policy. Some people have suggested keeping a copy of the page (and the web address) with you, if they are in carry-on luggage. (Also, if you travel outside the U.S., other countries might have other policies.)

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Soakers.

 

[gorgonzola]

Skates | Transportation Security Administration

Including ice skates and rollerblades.

www.tsa.gov

Of course policies could change, and perhaps some TSA employees don't know the policy. Some people have suggested keeping a copy of the page (and the web address) with you, if they are in carry-on luggage. (Also, if you travel outside the U.S., other countries might have other policies.)

It has been my experience traveling through the US that different airports in different states have personnel that have the following reactions:

1. Figure skates are allowed
2. Only hockey skates are allowed since figure skate toe picks can be used as a weapon.
3. Skates are only allowed if they are checked in bags.

And different TSA members at the same airport have dissenting opinions. There is no consistency half the time even if you show them the rules. I haven't had a problem recently, but I almost missed a flight waiting to have a supervisor to let me through the gate.

 

[Query]

Wow, toe picks are weapons, but not edges??

 

[gorgonzola]

I didn't really understand the logic either, so I just assumed it was some legacy rule. Never mind the rest of the giant metal blade. Nothing to see here...

 

[tstop4me]

There's little logic to the TSA list. Here's a pertinent sampling.

(a) Skates

Carry On Bags: Yes
Checked Bags: Yes
Including ice skates and rollerblades.

(b) Knives

Carry On Bags: No
Checked Bags: Yes
Except knives with rounded-blades, blunt edges without serration/teeth such as butter knives, or plastic cutlery.
Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

(c) Scissors

Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags: Yes
If packed in carry-on, they must be less than 4 inches from the pivot point.
Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

(d) Knitting Needles

Carry On Bags: Yes
Checked Bags: Yes
Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

Special Note. All the above rules carry the explicit qualifier:

The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

This qualifier of course will lead to inconsistent enforcement.

* There was a niche figure-skate blade company called SkateScience (now kaput). Their advanced freestyle blades had the most wicked toepicks I've ever seen. Those blades would likely cause a TSA agent to jump.

* Note the stringent restrictions on knives, but the relatively lax restrictions on scissors. But scissors as is can be potent weapons. And the better scissors have screw pivots. If you remove the screw during the flight, you essentially have two knives.

* On one flight a long time ago, I sat next to a little old lady who was knitting. She had ginormous knitting needles (probably at least 14 inches long). I asked her whether she had any problems bringing them on board. She said no. She travelled frequently and liked to knit for her grandkids. Never had an issue. My wife knits, and she now also routinely brings knitting needles on board without a hitch. Granted, knitting needles have blunted tips, and the larger ones are typically fabricated from tubular aluminum, not solid steel. But I would think you could inflict some serious bodily harm with them.

 

[Diana Delafield]

* On one flight a long time ago, I sat next to a little old lady who was knitting. She had ginormous knitting needles (probably at least 14 inches long). I asked her whether she had any problems bringing them on board. She said no. She travelled frequently and liked to knit for her grandkids. Never had an issue. My wife knits, and she now also routinely brings knitting needles on board without a hitch. Granted, knitting needles have blunted tips, and the larger ones are typically fabricated from tubular aluminum, not solid steel. But I would think you could inflict some serious bodily harm with them.

There was a Scottish news item years ago about an elderly lady who was acquitted of killing a man, with a verdict of "accidental death". He'd leaned over her in a bus shelter to grab her purse while she was knitting as she waited, and she jabbed at his face with a needle. It went straight up his nose into his brain and killed him instantly.

 

[tstop4me]

There was a Scottish news item years ago about an elderly lady who was acquitted of killing a man, with a verdict of "accidental death". He'd leaned over her in a bus shelter to grab her purse while she was knitting as she waited, and she jabbed at his face with a needle. It went straight up his nose into his brain and killed him instantly.

Reminds me of the bizarre fencing scenarios in which a foil went up an opponent's nostril and pierced his brain. Murphy's Law with a vengeance. I think if you tried to intentionally do this, you would have a really hard time. I'm glad the elderly lady was acquitted, though. Don't mess with little old ladies, if you know what's good for you.

 

[Query]

I apologize for being one of those guilty of pushing this thread off-topic.

 

[gorgonzola]

I apologize for being one of those guilty of pushing this thread off-topic.

The original question was answered so I don't mind the anecdotes even inf they are a tad gruesome.