Last Updated on August 24, 2022
The Swiss Army Knife famously has a little tool for every situation.
But for it to be useful to a traveler you’ll need to be able to take it with you on the plane.
It’s won’t be any use to you if you need to leave it at home!
Let’s see what the rules are.
Swiss Army Knife TSA Rules
The Transportation Security Administration manages the airport security checkpoint.
One of their main goals is to make sure weapons including knives are not brought into the airplane cabin.
Here’s what they say about Swiss Army Knives:
Swiss Army knives are not allowed on planes in hand luggage because the TSA considers any knife that is not a plastic knife or a round butter knife to be a potential weapon.
The problem is the blade and blades of any length are prohibited from carry-on bags.
A lot of Swiss Army Knifes are surrendered at the airport security checkpoint. They end up being sold in bulk at auction.
Here’s a bunch of confiscated Swiss Army Knives:
To avoid this situation you can pack a Swiss Army knife in checked luggage, it won’t need to be securely wrapped, just make sure the blade is folded down so that any TSA agent or baggage handler searching your baggage won’t be injured.
You could also ship your knife to your destination to avoid checked baggage fees. It will probably work out a lot cheaper if you usually travel light.
Or you could buy a pocket multitool without a blade as an alternative.
Victorinox, the company behind the Swiss Army Knife, does make a flight-friendly product called the Victorinox JetSetter.
It’s a bit basic.
I much prefer the Leatherman Style PS multitool:
And per the TSA rules, tools without blades, 7” or less in length, are allowed through the security checkpoint.
The Bottom Line
You can’t bring a Swiss Army Knife or any pocket multitool that has a blade on a plane in your carry-on luggage.
You can pack a Swiss Army Knife in hold luggage but make sure the blade isn’t exposed and nobody with cut their hand if they take a rummage through your suitcase.
One alternative is to ship your Swiss Army Knife to your destination.
Or you could buy a multitool without a blade, but then you can’t really call it a knife anymore!