Swiss Army Knife

You can't carry a Swiss Army Knife or corkscrew on to an airplane. The only way bring them to Europe is via checked baggage. Considering that Swiss Army Knives are made in Switzerland, it's a safe bet you can purchase them in Europe.

You're kidding--right? If you want to test the "system" go ahead try it. Otherwise, I would suggest that these items go into your check-in luggage--not your carry on luggage. The authentic/original Swiss Army knives are sold all over Europe. Not sure if they are necessarily inexpensive because of the exchange rate. Have fun on your trip.

Thanks for all the help... the corkscrew is what I was most concerned about... for the Vino.

the swiss army knives are at every kisok or gift store - so buy one over there. The corkscrew is indeed alowed (sans blade) as TSA states. HOWEVER = It did mention on the list that "pen knife" was ok... which is 2 cm or less i thought - but why risk it!

All the guys I know are getting an 'authentic' knife straight from Switzerland - but I'm mailing them back :)

Rick Steves himself says he has a small knife he's gotten through security many times, but I wouldn't risk it. Not only will they probably look at you funny, it may hold you up and I'm for packing the way that's the LEAST likely to cost me time in security!!! I don't even carry tweezers in my carry-on and I breeze through security without problems every time. My 15 yr old was held up on the way to Paris a little while because he didn't take his shoes off and apparently there was a metal "shank" in them. My husband & I just stood there with the old "I told you so" look and he's since become very adept at streamlining through security. He didn't like being singled out! He's also a serial "wallet loser," so he has a wallet with a chain he connects to his belt loops - he now even removes the chain & stashes it in his checked luggage 'til he gets to his destination.

please don't put it in your carry on if you don't want to lose it. my daughter lost hers when she was escorting her child through security. no option to mail it back, etc. she lost a keepsake because she had forgotten it was in her purse.

i have seen security people take snowglobes from children's backpacks because they contain liquid. i never take anything in my carryon that i can't bear to lose!

Why in the world would anyone take a chance of: having the item confiscated, and/or holding up the already-lengthy security lines???

Just got back from Europe. You can get Swiss Army knives starting at about 10 Euros. That's for a small one... I bought one in Liechtenstein that was 15 Swiss Francs... It has scissors, a small knife, toothpick, tweezers.

Matt, they will confiscate your corkscrew. The nice TSA man at Heathrow will attempt to soften the blow by empathetically stating, "It's hard to think of everything"...

As a senior with slightly arthritic hands, I always have a small Swiss Army Knife in my pocket. There is so much that I cannot easily open anymore. However, I never carry it on the plane. Not a good idea at all.

Just a note to let needlepoint and knitting people know that my wife carries on a pair of scissors on each long trip we take. Yep, a real pair of metal scissors. Absolutely no challenges. The secret is that they are children's scissors with round tips on the end. For her sewing needs, they work great. I've seen ladies doing their knitting every once in awhile so the knitting needles seem to make it as well.

I am a knitter, and right after 9/11 there was a big confusion in the knitting community about knitting on the plane, and would the knitting needles be permitted onboard. At that time, it was not allowed, people had to give up their needles at the checkpoints. I am not sure if it is allowed now, the info I get is contradicting. But I long time ago gave up the idea of taking my knitting on the plane, my needles are too expensive to lose. I just save up a couple of New Yorkers before the flight and read. But in the back of my mind I always think about the fact that a tranatlantic flight would equal a whole nice new sweater, start to finish. Sigh.

According to the TSA website:

Knives except for plastic or round bladed butter knives are not permitted in carry-on (you can place in checked luggage)

Corkscrews are ok in carry-on or checked

Knitting or crochet needles are ok in carry-on or checked

nail files and clippers are ok in carry on or checked

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#3