KRSW

Does anyone travel with silverware / chopsticks? If so, any recommendations? Any issues with airport security? I routinely cook in hotel rooms and usually pinch some plastic utensils along the way, but I'd like to have something better and reusable.

CDTraveler

I usually pack a stainless steel spoon and fork in my carry-on - stirring one's tea with a plastic spoon - not a pretty sight! These are from my collection of random silverware I've collected over the years, so no great loss if I were to lose them. Also no recommendation to give, sorry. I have a Swiss Army knife small enough to get through security, but I don't usually use it for food, more like for opening the food packaging. I would not try to travel with a table knife in a carry-on as most have a blade longer than TSA allows. If I'm checking a bag, I do have an IKEA paring knife I'll pack.

serpens

Please tell me more. I thought any Swiss Army knife would be confiscated; I've even heard tales of the Swiss Army "knife" with no blade being confiscated.

CDTraveler

TSA keeps changing the rules, but at one time there was a "knives with a blade under a certain size are allowed" rule. The main blade on mine is under 2 inches, and it's been in my carry-on bag going through security at least 3 trips. Maybe they just missed it?

serpens

Based on my reading a moment ago, that seems to be it. I visited the TSA web site and found this excerpt on this page. On the other hand, it sounds like a butter knife would be allowed. I imagine it all comes down to the individual agent, and there can be a lot of variability.(If this turns out to be a duplicate post, it's because the first attempt appeared to get stuck with the spinning ball.)

ETA. At the URL I cited, I entered knife in the search box, and then got the result I quoted.

Hoyaheel

I have a set of Light My Fire sporks I usually throw in my bag, and I keep some metal chopsticks in my carry-on bags. I can't remember if I've had the sporks carry-on or not - they don't have a knife, but the fork edge is serrated for an inch or so - guess that's not a problem. I tend to gather other plastic utensils & napkins for eating otuside of a restaurant/store when I travel, but try to clean them out once I get home.

I also have a waiter's corkscrew I travel with - the "knife" portion has been removed. Still gets pulled aside by most TSA, but once they see there's no "blade", just the screw, they let me go. (unlike Costa Rica in ....2009? who confiscated my corkscrew :-( I also had my dad's really really old pipe tool in my bag (it had been there since high school, probably, and was lost in the bottom of a bag I don't use often...Until I tried to fly out of DCA and they took it. Even smaller "blade" than a corkscrew, not at all sharp. Oh well. That loss was hard - sentimental.

CDTraveler

This link explains the rules I was referring to about small knives. 2013 is about when I put my Swiss Army knife back in my bag for travel. Guess I'm just lucky the TSA hasn't noticed it since then.

TGarza

�Three days before the new changes were to go into effect, TSA decided to do more consulting regarding the changes and they eventually scrapped the changes altogether.�

The 2013 proposed rule changes by the TSA were never implemented. Chuck Schumer and the airline flight attendants unions complained with the rule being rescinded.

Interesting result from Spyderco who designed the Roadie knife to comply with the rules since none of their existing line complied.

CDTraveler

With the TSA, there is often a difference between the rules and the practice. I've flown at least 3 times round trip, so 6 times going through security, with the Swiss Army knife in my purse, and neither TSA nor Dutch or British airport security reacted to it. YMMV.

TGarza

Several European countries and Canada allow small Swiss Army knives. The proposed TSA was inline with these countries.

TSA has never noticed the derma safe blade on my key chain which has been against the rules since 2001.

1200GS

Funny enough - I flew probably .. 40 segments with the small (classic?) swiss army knife in my bag without an issue. Used mostly for scissors, but nice to have a small pin knife occasionally. It finally got confiscated last week going through the new style baggage scanners at terminal A EWR.

OskiBear

I used to keep a plastic spork (with the serrated edge to act as a "knife") in my toiletry bag for when I would want to eat something in my room. However, it finally broke and I never replaced it. It's generally been fine as I just go downstair to the restaurant/bar/front desk if I need a utensil and that's never been a problem.

CDTraveler

Moral of the story: avoid EWR

(there are so many reasons to do that...)

KRSW

From personal experience you're far more likely to get things stolen at EWR than confiscated by the TSA

CDTraveler

Hence the "(there are so many reasons to do that...)" in my post!

Fine if you're eating in the hotel, not so useful al fresco. We are fond of hitting the local farmer's/street markets and picnicking in a park, so the spoon, fork, and paring knife if we brought it, are usually in the daytime sightseeing tote.