Sharpmaker in carryon luggage?

[JayTee705]

Does the Sharpmaker pass muster as an allowed carry on item? Does anyone have first-hand knowledge?

TSA guidelines are vague; I wonder if the brass safety guides, the ceramic rods or even the "Sharp" in the name might put the TSA tools in a tizzy. Or if those guys who've been helping themselves to our knives, multitools, etc., might realize they'd just like something to keep 'em sharp!

I split my time between city and country and have knives in both locations. But I'd rather not have to have sharpening tools in both.

 

[unit]

Well, if you go to their site they list 4 inch pointed scissors as "OK" to carry on, but I really doubt the guy in the terminal will care what the site says.

I can guarantee that the brass safety rods will draw negative attention, and the ceramic rods will possibly be scrutinized. I can not say for sure, but personally I would not even try to carry it on, I would put it in the checked luggage and it will not be a problem.

This topic comes up frequently (though not regarding sharpeners) and the result is often a long thread, but rarely a definite answer. The reason for this is the TSA agents have the right/ability/duty to use their own judgment. To say this another way, with a "gray area" item, you may pass some times and loose it (confiscation) others. And by "gray area" I mean anything that is not explicitly listed on the site, but you have a voice in your head questioning weather it will pass or not.

 

[Josh K]

Loose the brass rods and you should be fine. I can see no reason why they would feel a ~10" ceramic rod would be deadly. You'd have better luck with a sharpened pencil.

 

[freedoom]

If you are worried about it just put it in your checked bag. sandwich it between your clothes and it will be fine.

 

[wec12]

When I entered US from Taiwan in 2009, I had my Sharpmaker with me in my carryon because I had bad experience losing my Spyderco Viele and Delica in 2008. Besides the Sharpmaker, the white FRN handle of my another Delica with the lock bar attached was in my carryon as well.

Yeah, they did stop me for further inspection of the "black box" and white handle. Asked me what they were then everything went smoothly. FYI, I didn't have Sharpmaker's safety guards with me.

Have a safe trip.