Swiss Army Knives at Flughafen Zürich
Sep 26, 2016, 9:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: CLE
Posts: 94
Swiss Army Knives at Flughafen Zürich
When I departed from Zürich last week, I noticed that one could buy various Swiss Army Knives from almost any non-food retailer inside the sterile area. Since you can't take them through the security checkpoint, doesn't it seem counterintuitive to offer them for sale in the gate area? 
I may be missing something here, but I thought most of these had blades longer than 6cm.
Example of the airside Victorinox store:
I may be missing something here, but I thought most of these had blades longer than 6cm.
Example of the airside Victorinox store:
Sep 26, 2016, 11:42 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GVA
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Posts: 1,878
You can take Swiss army knives through checkpoints in Switzerland, at least some of the knives, presumably with shorter blades. You'll probably find that the store only has a small selection of knives. Victorinox also sell and market a bunch of other goods (as can be seen in the photo).
Note, if you do buy a knife, you will almost certainly not get it through any further security points you will be going through on your journey.
Note, if you do buy a knife, you will almost certainly not get it through any further security points you will be going through on your journey.
Sep 27, 2016, 1:58 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: SK Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 180
As catandmouse stated, knives are allowed through security:
That means that knives up to 6 centimetres are fine, which covers Swiss Army Knives. I think the regulations are similar for many (or at least some) European airports. I've certainly been able to take a Swiss Army Knife through security in Hamburg I forgot I was carrying it and prepared for it to be confiscated and was surprised to be told that it was fine.
Containers with more than 100 ml of liquids, as well as knives and scissors with blades over 6 cm in length, are only permitted in checked baggage.
Oct 16, 2016, 12:45 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1
As catandmouse stated, knives are allowed through security:
That means that knives up to 6 centimetres are fine, which covers Swiss Army Knives. I think the regulations are similar for many (or at least some) European airports. I've certainly been able to take a Swiss Army Knife through security in Hamburg I forgot I was carrying it and prepared for it to be confiscated and was surprised to be told that it was fine.
That means that knives up to 6 centimetres are fine, which covers Swiss Army Knives. I think the regulations are similar for many (or at least some) European airports. I've certainly been able to take a Swiss Army Knife through security in Hamburg I forgot I was carrying it and prepared for it to be confiscated and was surprised to be told that it was fine.
The offering at the airside Victorinox shop i took photo of last time:
Oct 17, 2016, 12:26 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: SK Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 180
On a somewhat related note, what knives do chefs in airside restaurants use?
Oct 17, 2016, 6:44 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
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I had a need for 5 of the regular Swiss army knives and wanted to buy them in Zürich, given that they are meant to be a Swiss product after all. I was in transit and my bags were checked through so I could not put them in my checked baggage.
I was not sure about the rules regarding security then, so was reluctant to buy landside. But I then discovered the existence of the airside shop so I decided to have a look. They were selling the knives I wanted for CHF 27 each.
So I decided to support my local industry by buying exactly the same product from a reseller in London for GBP 10 each (at the time, the exchange rate was about 1.5 - important to mention nowadays
)