New policy takes effect April 25. Know the rules and when in doubt, ask

In a dramatic policy change, the Federal Aviation Administration has announced plans to allow small knives on commercial airplanes. Starting in late April, airline passengers can carry pocket knives with small blades.

We’re not talking tactical knives. Even most Swiss Army knives are still banned. But the new rules allow small knives with blades of 2.36 inches or shorter to come into the cabin and travel in your pocket or a carry-on bag.

Fixed or locking blades are not permitted. Neither are knives with “molded grips.”

I contacted several knife brands this week to find TSA-compliant models in current stock. Gerber’s VISE multitool is one example. It has a pliers, screwdriver, bottle opener and a non-locking, 1.5-inch blade that should pass inspection in an airport security line.

Wenger’s Esquire and Evo 81 models are more fits. These tiny Swiss Army knives have 1.75-inch blades, small scissors, files, and other implements. Approximately 25 knives in the Wenger line qualify, the company cites.

Columbia River Knife & Tool lists five models. Buck has a couple of candidates.

Victorinox Swiss Army sent me a detailed spreadsheet. The brand lists more than 50 knife makes and models from its line that acquiesce with TSA’s new rules. Included are knives from the Classic SD, which is the brand’s basic red-handled best seller, to the Lime Classic Edelweiss, a cute pocket knife adorned with the Swiss national flower.

The new rules take effect on April 25, and flight attendant associations and large airlines such as Delta have expressed serious concern and opposition to the policy change.

The TSA “Prohibited Items” document is highly visual with knife examples. Bullet-pointed lists reveal what is and is not allowed, including blade length, width and knife types.

But there’s room for interpretation with some points on the document.

SOG Knives & Tools sells a knife – the Micron – that has a 1.5-inch blade. It looks like a mini tactical knife, including saw teeth and a tanto-point tip.

Most likely TSA would allow it, but I would double check with an agent before trying to pass through with the Micron’s aggressive look and hand-contouring grip.

Gerber goes so far as to list its above-mentioned VISE model as “TSA Compliant” on its website. Other brands I contacted have knives that work but were still parsing the situation before making claims.

“SOG advises everybody to follow the TSA rules,” said a representative for the Washington knife brand.

Stephen Regenold is founder of www.gearjunkie.com. Also, on Facebook.com/TheGearJunkie or on Twitter via @TheGearJunkie.

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