Anybody travel?

B

Buck268

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Nov 5, 2006
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I don't travel by air much but I do like to have options. What are some good options for EDC while traveling by air that will clear TSA scrutiny? I know they have some pretty specific rules and some surprising things will and won't pass (ie: supposedly scissors and screw drivers under certain lengths are OK) but whats the best option for a quality multitool for EDC/carry on?

At the moment my on-hand plan is the Swiss Tech 6-in-1 along with my flashlight and a mini bic. I would be more comfortable with a more capable multitool, though. Something closer to my Swisstool Spirit. Any suggestions?
 
Ultimately there are no good options because regardless of what is allowed by TSA rules, if one agent decides a knife or multitool isn't to his liking it's not allowed.
 
I've traveled with my swiss-tech (I have the one with the two drivers in each "handle") And as far as I can recall I've never had a problem. I've also possibly stowed it, so I can't say for sure if I've carried it every flight. I've heard the little key cover tools generally pass as well.
It all depends on what you think you might need. For me its something to break zipties, (no luggage locks for me thanks) and something to repair glasses. Everything after that is bonus.
My key tool also has a very small cutting edge that could be used to start opening a stubborn package.
 
I EDC a Micra along with a full sized folder. When I do day/short air trips, I carry a Micra that I've cut the blade off of with a dremmel. It goes through TSA just fine and to be honest, the scissors on the Micra handle 80% of what I need.

For longer trips where I want a knife with me, I put my knife in my checked baggage. I carry a cheap knife when I do to minimize the pain if my checked baggage gets searched and pilfered.

I'm curious if a knifeless pocket sized tool like an S2 or a larger tool like a Wave would make it through?
 
View attachment 1073181 When I fly, I take a Buck Selector. The blade goes in the checked bag, and I carry on the handle. If you can disassemble a knife or tool and spread the parts around in different bags, it lessens the chance of thievery. Thieves aren’t looking for kits.
 
I have had problems with small devices with no knife blades, sharp bevels or points. I have a steel disk on my keyring with less than quarter-inch screwdriver nubs on the sides. Two nubs are small and medium flat-blade screwdriver tips. Two have angled tips that can fit in philips-head screws for light turning purposes. That is the only thing that has gotten through all TSA inspections. It turns out that San Diego was one of the toughest TSA teams. Generally I pack my SAK in my checked luggage. In a pinch I would buy a cheap SAK at a thrift store at my destination. I have lost at least 6 SAKs and other small multitools without knife blades. Last time was in December when my checked baggage left on the conveyor belt before I noticed I still had my SAK in my back pocket. There was no handy place to mail it from the Maui airport.
 
I have the IDL version of those 6 in 1's. They're marginally useful, and not very comfortable to use, on account of the sharp edges of the drivers. But, if you need tweezers with a strong grip, these'll do.

I've tried the Style PS. Lost it at Disneyland. Doubt I'll buy a replacement. Small pair of cuticle scissors made it through, though. The Gerber Dime Travel was absolute garbage.

Same cuticle scissors has been through TSA a dozen times or more. I keep meaning to try Slip N Snips, small, collapsible scissors, but they're buried in the garage. I'll get around to digging them out eventually.
 
Here's the thing - with the TSA any agent can take anything away from you they want. And they do. You can't argue or reason with them. They don't need a catalog with a picture of your gear to "know" it's banned. They just make it up as they go. They generate tons of confiscated items and sell them to Ebay dealers for resale. It's there every day. I would just check it into the hold if it has any value to you.
 
Pack the SAK or multi of your choice in a checked bag. Easy.

Personally, rather than risk someone stealing an $80 multitool, I'd bring a SAK and a small pair of needlenose pliers. YMMV.
 
Gerber shard. It’s got Phillips, flathead, bottle opener, prybar, bottle opener and non-bladed package opener. I fly with it all the time and it’s been fine for years. The TSA don’t even blink. I keep a small eyeglass repair kit too.
 
I carry a SAK of some sort and a Spyderco Cat. I check them, taking no chances. However, if someone likes it more than me, I have not lost a lot of money.
 
I have a modded Climber with no blade layer or awl that I’ve flown with a couple of times. It passed scrutiny, but one TSA agent made me open every tool to confirm it wasn’t a knife.

My “Nailcare” SwissCard never gets a second look, so it—along with a P-38–gets the nod more often than not when I fly these days.
 
Currently on tarmac waiting to take off to Mexico City. There is a Minichamp in my checked bag along with my main folder. I normally take a Vic Climber or Explorer along but going to try the Minichamp out this time. Will pick up a larger SAK there if the mini doesn’t do its job -but I’m excited to try out depending on a SAK this small.
 
I carry a bladeless Wenger Esquire. (equivalent of a Vic Classic, but with the blade replaced by a micro screwdriver) It gets challenged by the TSA nearly every time, but once they see it hasn't got a blade, they let it through. (USA) It varies by country, though. I try to remember to also carry a self-addressed, stamped padded envelope, in case I get a real hardass of a TSA agent. Then, have them mail it back to myself.

I had a bladeless Gerber MP600, but they insisted on taking the removable abrasive-edged jigsaw blade before they let me through with it. That ticked me off.

The best option is just checking it in luggage, but it's a tough call for domestic flights, since that costs an extra $25.
 
Agreed that for domestic travel $25 in each direction is a tough pill to swallow. I recently went the route of buying a knife at my destination and then mailing it home the last day for 5 bucks. Worked great and the other $45 went toward a cool knife and not a stingy airline.
 
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