The bottom line:

To play it safe, always fly with your Leatherman in checked baggage.

Your Leatherman multi-tool has been by your side through lots of adventures and has helped you save the day. But for your upcoming plane trip, the best thing to do is to plan on putting it inside your checked baggage. TSA does not allow knives, scissors of a certain length, or many other sharp objects inside carry-on luggage.

Keep reading for tips on how to pack your Leatherman multi-tool safely and what to do if you forget to check it.

Possible Exceptions

Some Leatherman products are crafted to follow TSA specifications for a carry-on item. Those products are listed below. One of our models - the Style PS - complies with all TSA requirements for a carry-on multifunction tool but remember that it is ultimately up to TSA workers to decide what they are allowing on board or not. The current regulatory requirements can be found at www.tsa.gov. Other Leatherman products may be stowed in checked luggage that travels in the cargo area.

The following Leatherman products comply with current TSA regulations for carry-on items:

Tread
Tread LT
Tread Metric
Brewzer
Piranha 2
Style PS
Mako Ti
Grind
Jam
Thruster
Pump
Rail
Cam
Rime

Please note: Before carrying any Leatherman product on a flight or into any other restricted area, refer to the organization’s published sharp object policy for your own protection. Security agents, such as TSA representatives, have full discretion over allowable items for the safety of all passengers, and international laws may vary. Please also note that Leatherman does not warranty tools that are lost, stolen, or confiscated.

It’s important to mention that airlines have their own separate set of rules when it comes to sharp objects, and what you can and cannot bring onboard flights. So, if you get to your gate and your airline happens to do another baggage security check, you’re not home free just yet.

And because a lot of gate agents and airport employees aren’t familiar with what Leatherman multi-tools are, they could take the highest level of precaution and still question whether they’ll let you board with your multi-tool. In that instance, you may be asked to gate-check your bag. It’s never ideal, but the airline is trying to keep you, and all their other passengers safe, so there’s no use arguing with them. And look at the bright side—at least you didn’t have to get rid of your multi-tool altogether.

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. It’s a more proactive step you can take, so it doesn’t catch an agent by surprise or appear as though you’re trying to hide something.

how to pack your multitool when traveling

Always put your multi-tool in its sheath before packing it in your bag. We offer a wide variety of sheaths to fit nearly any multi-tool.

If you don’t have a sheath, wrap your multi-tool in a handkerchief or other soft cloth (t-shirts also work great), or place it in a small pouch. Now that your multi-tool is protected, be sure to pack it in a secure place in your luggage or backpack—in a shoe or side zipper pocket—where you can easily access it when you arrive.

What to Do if You Accidentally Bring Your Leatherman to the Gate or Security?

Uh oh. You forgot your Skeletool is in your carry-on bag. Or you forgot that your Micra multi-tool is in your pocket. And now you’re almost at the front of the line at airport security.

What do you do?

Well, the first rule in any situation like this is: do not panic.

Panicking doesn’t help and can just make things worse. While that’s always easier said than done, take a deep breath and try your best to keep calm.

At this point you have three options:

1. Take your multi-tool back to your car if you’re parked at the airport or call the person who just dropped you off to come pick it up.

2. Go back to the check-in desk and check your carry-on bag with your multi-tool packed inside.

3. Part ways with your beloved multi-tool and leave it behind.

Now that you’re ready for travel, the next step is to enjoy your trip and know you’ll be prepared for anything with your Leatherman at your side.

Find your next everyday carry with these essentials.