purchasing swiss army knife

You can still pack a corkscrew for US flights. I carry a collapsible one that has a bottle opener as well. Then on the plane, keep your plastic silverware (knife, fork, spoon) and you are set. You still lack a good sharp knife, but when you are wandering, maybe pick up a cheap paring knife at a market if you really need one. I used to just buy a Swiss Army knife there, but after 3 or 4, I really don't need another at home.

Most stores that carry camping supplies carry Lexan silverware. Technically, they're plastic and okay to carry-on but they are much tougher and will cut all but the hardest of breads. Works well for cheese, fruits, sliced meats, etc..

I don't usually have any trouble finding a place that sells Swiss Army knives on my first day. I make sure it has at least one decent blade, scissors, a cork screw and tweezers. I think it's usually under $20 (dollars not Euros). I use it for my trip then give it away before I fly home.

Here's something i was thinking of doing....my local dollar store sells what looks like a swiss army knife (same tools but generic gray covering) for $1. I was thinking of sending it to me at my first hotel and have them hold it for arrival.

It's not very heavy and shouldn't cost much to send. Probably cheaper than buying a real one overseas.

You can find a nice inexpensive (and ubiquitous) Opinel brand folding knife in any knife shop or department store. A $1 throw-away corkscrew ditto.

Just in case you are flying through Heathrow, you will NOT get a corkscrew through security in your carry-on.

Laura,

Depending on what neighborhood you are staying in, there may be a small housewares type store. Rue Rick Steves (sorry, couldn't resist) has one and I picked up some cheap flatware and a cheese knife. Just be prepared for dealing with security if you want to visit St. Chapelle. They DID kindly let me through with my cheese knife, but had to search my bag to make sure that was all it was after seeing it on the x-ray.

I never have any problem taking my knife, fork, spoon in my carry on. As another poster noted if you buy your "plastic ware" at a sporting goods store (like REI)it's not really plastic at all (well, at least it's nothing like what you buy for picnics at the grocery store). Cuts crusty bread, cheese and so forth with no fuss. Spoons are soup spoon size (very useful). Have never had a problem with a corkscrew as long as it was mostly plastic and had no blade. Heathrow is everyone's nightmare so all bets are off there.

Well, part of the problem with Heathrow is it seems you always have to go through security, even if just changing planes. If you look at "allowed items" lists for the US and Europe, you will see that corkscrews are allowed through US security, but not at most European Security points. Not a problem on the way over if you are flying all the way through, but if you have to go through security to change planes, then there may be issues.

As someone who used to pack tools, viscious dive knives, spare parts, string, tie-wraps, kitchen sink, enough batteries to power a small city, etc. ( think McGyver) when traveling to remote scuba diving areas in the pre 9/11 timeframe, I can assure you: Sharp things are available everywhere you go. If you are just looking for something to hack food, the heavy backpacking plastics folks already mentioned will suffice, if you need something with an edge on it, hit the Monoprix or someplace like that for a 3-4" plain paring or 6" kitchen knife. Unglamorous, cheap, ugly and all you need- Shipping something over will exceed the value of just picking up something for a maybe 3-5 Euro whilst you are over there. Flip it or donate it when you are ready to travel home.

If you are determined to have a pocket knife, be prepared to pay 2- 3 times that. Avoid airport stores.

The BEST place to buy a Swiss Army knife is at the Factory store in Schwyz! Stopped by there on a whim and found a cool store with every cutting instrument known to man (or woman)-- and pretty reasonable prices. No factory seconds, BUT they have an onsite engraver who will engrave your product for 5 swiss francs! Cool place to pick up Christmas presents!!

John and Diane
Maple Valley, WA

Last year, I bought a corkscrew for my brother and forgot to put it in my checked luggage. I was flying Lufthansa out of Munich. At both check points at the airport they saw it in my carryon, inspected it and let me take it home.

A corkscrew without a blade can be carried on, at least at US airports, but not if it has a blade to cut the foil on the wine bottle, then it's forbidden for carry-on because TSA considers it to be a knife blade.

If you only need a knife to cut food, you can pack a heavy plastic one. I don't know where to get a good one , but I kept the one I was given in Delta flight for my food. I guess you can do the same in any airline company.