“At this point, I feel naked without it. Hate it when we do a weekend trip with carryon luggage only, and I don’t have one with me. That missing piece of kit really bugs me”
Yah, I think the “no knife rule” in carry on or person has a lot to do with the demise of men carrying a pocket knife. I know it did with me. After graduating from college I went to work for a major corporation and soon began flying regularly in the course of my job. So, not wanting to worry about inadvertently having a knife on me I quit packing. But, I do have several pocket and fold-backs of which some are kept in a bowl on my dresser along with several other misc objects that finds their way into my pockets. Anyway, now that I’m retired and rarely fly anymore I find myself dropping a knife in my pocket more often. I also keep three or folders in my pickup for various folders. Interestingly, awhile back I gave my twin adult daughters each a Swiss knife (a modest one with just most frequent needed features). They are both hikers and campers outdoorsy types. And, they tell me that often they are the only person in the group who has a knife on them - which makes them stars of the group. Btw, for first timers who are interest in getting buying a knife; suggest you go on line and read up on your state and city knife laws. If you think gun laws are quirky wait till you start reading up on knife laws, they’re bazzare. Fortunate, my state, Texas, finally at long last passed new legislation that finally cleaned up our knife laws a bunch.
Same here about flying, which I do/did a lot.
One of my favorite knifes wound up in the hands of TSA because I forgot to pack it in the checked baggage.
I got the Delta AmEx Gold Card because it covers free checked bags. So the knife goes in there. I usually put it back in my pocket at baggage claim, long before I head out the door.
A real PITA to check a bag, but like you, I feel vulnerable without it. Plus, I usually takes trips of a week or more.
Gibbs’ Rule
#9: never go anywhere without a knife. Correct.
I had the same experience. From time I was a boy, I never went anywhere without my swiss army knife. Then too I started working for a large corporation with a lot of airline travel and of course the airlines freak out when you try to carry one on board. Even before 9/11 this was a problem. I have 2-3 of them still in my bedroom closet in a small bucket full of other things that have gone out of fashion like old tie clips, cuff links, collar stays, etc.