Pocket Knife | Transportation Security Administration (2024)

FAQs

Can you bring a pocket knife through security? ›

In general, you are prohibited from traveling with sharp objects in your carry-on baggage; please pack these items in your checked baggage. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?'

Checked Bags: Yes

Except for plastic or round bladed butter knives.

A knife is only allowed if: The blade is no longer than 2.36 inches (6 centimeters) in length. The blade width is no more than 0.5 inches at its widest point. The knife does not have a locking or fixed blade.

It is an offence to carry any sharp or bladed instrument in a public place, with the exception of a folding pocket knife where the cutting edge of the blade is 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less. Please note that the term 'cutting edge' is not limited to an area of the blade that has a textured or serrated edge.

In the United States and European nations, TSA prohibits knives in carry-on luggage, except for plastic or round-bladed butter knives. However, blades can be packed in checked baggage if they are sheathed or securely wrapped to deter injury during air travel.

Things You Should Know

Knives are allowed on checked bags. Just put the knife in its sheath or wrap it in bubble wrap and packing paper before putting it in your bag. You cannot bring any knives through TSA in a carry-on unless they have blunt, non-serrated edges or are made of plastic.

Knives. Except knives with rounded-blades, blunt edges without serration/teeth such as butter knives, or plastic cutlery. Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

They are not considered weapons.

Pro tip: If you're taking a TSA compliant tool (like Style PS or Tread) through security, it helps to unfold it and open all the tools, so it's obvious in the scanner that everything is TSA compliant.

Traveling by Rail and Bus

Amtrak, for example, bans knives completely. They are not allowed on your person, in your carry-on, or in stowed luggage. Generally speaking, this policy is not as strictly enforced as the TSA policies, but its lack of enforcement does not mean the laws and regulations don't exist.

Can you take a pocket knife on a cruise? ›

Prohibited Items

Knives, scissors and open razors (Recreational dive knives are allowed, but must be held in the custody of the Guest Services Manager or Chief Security Officer and must be checked out/in by the owner for dive excursions during the cruise.

Otherwise, California law has no laws regulating the maximum lengths of knives. However, certain localities do: In Los Angeles for example, you cannot openly carry knives with blades longer than three inches. As discussed above, it is unlawful to carry concealed dirks or daggers.

You can take a Swiss Army Knife on an airplane in the U.S. as long as it is locked securely in your checked baggage. In your pocket or carry-on bag, it will wind up in the box under the TSA desk never to be seen by you again.

A pocket knife can be a valuable tool in unexpected situations or emergencies. Disasters can strike at any minute, and a pocket knife can help you cut through seatbelts & debris, open cans of food, or even assist in first aid situations. It's an indispensable tool during emergencies.

In the course of any given day, a good multi-tooled pocketknife can be used to open a letter, slice an apple, open a can or bottle or pull a cork, extract a splinter, dislodge a morsel, snip a thread or cut an article out of the paper, file a nail, and on the list goes.

While the blade itself isn't magnetic, the liner lock, pocket clip, pivot, thumb studs, and screws certainly are. Between this and the aforementioned issue with carbon fiber, the Anti-Grav lights up a metal detector like a Christmas tree.

Security metal detectors are designed to detect metal objects such as guns, knives and tools. If you have ever been through a metal detector arch, maybe at an airport or when entering certain public buildings, you will recall that you are asked to place all metal objects in a separate tray.

TSA regulations and a variety of laws prohibit all knives in carry-on luggage or on your person. Knives are allowed in checked luggage. Be sure to secure the blades of folders and sheathes on fixed blades. If you are carrying expensive knives, consider a padded case or a knife roll.

Checked Bags: Yes

Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with knives of any length are prohibited. Please pack these items in your checked bags. Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with scissors less than 4 inches may be placed in carry-on bags.