USB Swiss Army Knife - No, Seriously!

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/36148.html' target='_blank'>http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/36148.html</a><br /><br /></div>"It was bound to happen. Given that you can buy a Victorinox Swiss Army Knive with just about every gadget known to man, from horse-hoof awl to Hubble Space Telescope lens polisher, it's no real surprise that the company - in association with flash memory outfit Swissbit - is now offering cutting tools plus USB flash memory stick. The gadget will be unleashed on an incredulous world at CeBIT next week. The USB Swiss Army Knife is available with 64 or 128MB memory, plus all the usual extras - knife, corkscrew and tin-opener. The 64MB version will cost €55; the price of the 128MB version is tba."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/1392.jpg" /> <br /><br />Ok, this is simply cool. I normally carry around a 256 MB Flash drive with me, but more often than not I wish I had a small knife or pair or scissors on me. This way, I can have both! :mrgreen:

[Janak Parekh]

This is indeed very cool. Now, all we need is for Leatherman (http://www.leatherman.com/) to follow suit, and I'd be set. :D

--janak

[Mitch D]

This is indeed very cool. Now, all we need is for Leatherman (http://www.leatherman.com/) to follow suit, and I'd be set. :D

--janak

Being a loyal and longtime user of a leatherman I would have to agree with you Janak...

[OSUKid7]

where did I see this a few days ago? weird...maybe neowin or /. :roll: can't remember lol

[TMAN]

This looks real interesting but I am not sure it would work for the travelers among us. Imagine going through security at the airport and watching your important data being left behind.

[Jeff Rutledge]

This looks real interesting but I am not sure it would work for the travelers among us. Imagine going through security at the airport and watching your important data being left behind.

Good point. You'd definitely have to check this. I ultimately stopped carrying my Swiss Army Knife on my keychain because of travel.

Putting all of that aside, what a great idea! :rock on dude!:

[jb]

What, no camera???? That's no good.

Man, these people are slipping.

[x999x]

This looks real interesting but I am not sure it would work for the travelers among us. Imagine going through security at the airport and watching your important data being left behind.

Plan ahead and put the keychain in your luggage, then you won't have any problems.

I travel with my swiss army knife quite a bit, and I've never had a problem so long as I remember to put it in my luggage (not carry-on) at baggage check-in.

[dean_shan]

This would be nice but when you travel (by plane) you'd have to leave it and your data behind.

[TMAN]

This looks real interesting but I am not sure it would work for the travelers among us. Imagine going through security at the airport and watching your important data being left behind.

Plan ahead and put the keychain in your luggage, then you won't have any problems.

I travel with my swiss army knife quite a bit, and I've never had a problem so long as I remember to put it in my luggage (not carry-on) at baggage check-in.

You are absolutely right when traveling on multi-day trips. I often take one day trips and carry just my laptop bag. That sucks when I get to my destination and need a pair of scissors.

[arebelspy]

where did I see this a few days ago? weird...maybe neowin or /. :roll: can't remember lol

Been on The Gadgeteer (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/index.html) for a few days, maybe that's where?

I normally carry around a 256 MB Flash drive with me...

What do you guys actually use flash memory for? I can't ever see using it, I just email files around or FTP if I have to, when do you transfer files that much?

-arebelspy

[Janak Parekh]

What do you guys actually use flash memory for? I can't ever see using it, I just email files around or FTP if I have to, when do you transfer files that much?
Several things. I keep some utilities on my iPod that I can use in short notice when I consult for companies (instead of carrying CDs around). Integrating that with my Leatherman would make it handy...

--janak

[lapchinj]

That's cool :shocked!: just what I alway needed. I was really hoping that the next thing to be built into the Swiss Army Knife would be a coffee pot or some sort of microwave to heat up a pizza on an Artic expedition. :D

But are you really serious about this?

Hey, how about building in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth

Jeff-

[Deslock]

At first I thought it was cool, but I'd rather have a separate USB flash drive. If they integrated this with the Cybertool, that would be useful (I already carry both a Cybertool and a Leatherman).

[beq]

How come no one has tried to make a smaller USB 2.0 version of the original SanDisk Cruzer that uses removable SD card?

Something small like the tinniest USB sticks (http://www.sandisk.com/retail_cruzer_micro.html) but using SD cards. If not physically possible, then I'd settle for the miniSD or any other micro card format that has an SD adapter (like the T-Flash (http://news.com.com/2100-1041-5166554.html) recently discussed here)

BTW, are those half-size micro flash card formats able to run as fast as High Speed SD (10MB/sec)?

[arnage2]

BTW, are those half-size micro flash card formats able to run as fast as High Speed SD (10MB/sec)?

im sure, eventually (xd, minisd, and ms duo) they will be as fast.

Too bad that there is too many types of mini memory.

[noel_foster]

Acording to the manufacturers data sheet, it also includes an LED light and a pen, and will also be available in a flight safe mode!

[Kati Compton]

Sigh. I gave up on carrying any sort of Leatherman/Swiss Army Knife once they weren't allowed on airlines. I just don't think I could remember to take it out of my purse before traveling. :(

And for me, traveling is when I need the USB memory most.

I wonder what it will include in "flight safe mode"...

[x999x]

Sigh. I gave up on carrying any sort of Leatherman/Swiss Army Knife once they weren't allowed on airlines. I just don't think I could remember to take it out of my purse before traveling. :(

And for me, traveling is when I need the USB memory most.

I wonder what it will include in "flight safe mode"...

Maybe the knife is detatchable, or they'll release an alternate version and swap out the knife with a nail file, tooth pick, flat-head screwdriver, PDA reset Pin, or something of the like I'd imagine for a "Safe Flight" mode/version.

[manywhere]

This is indeed very cool. Now, all we need is for Leatherman (http://www.leatherman.com/) to follow suit, and I'd be set. :D
I would like to see it in the Gerber MultiPlier or this cool Recoil (http://www.gerberblades.com/products/view.php?model=8474). It would just to cool to open the Gerber tool with one hand *kash-ing* and insert the USB memory into the computer.... :drool:

[bjornkeizers]

where did I see this a few days ago? weird...maybe neowin or /. :roll: can't remember lol

Could it be The Register?.. I've seen it before too a few days ago.. think it was there.

Anyway, neat, but if you actually need this / just want one .... you should seek professional help. :D

[beq]

BTW, are those half-size micro flash card formats able to run as fast as High Speed SD (10MB/sec)?

im sure, eventually (xd, minisd, and ms duo) they will be as fast.

Too bad that there is too many types of mini memory.
Thanks... Hmm for SD adapter compatibility I think the only choices are miniSD and that T-Flash so far... xD is too big/thick IIRC, and I know MS Duo is just too big (in fact I'd consider MS Duo in size range of regular SD)

Anyways maybe I should start buying only miniSD/T-Flash and have the SD adapter and the flush CompactFlash adapter handy :D So to insert into a PC Card slot for example, I'd stick the miniSD/T-Flash into the SD adapter, then into the CF adapter, then into the CF-PCMCIA adapter, then finally into the PCMCIA slot, whew! (Yeah I know, I could skip a step with a PCMCIA SD adapter)

Definitely too many formats, but hey what can you do (sigh)... Especially if it's true that future cellphones will support the micro card formats instead of the standard cards, then I might really adopt the above strategy (assuming miniSD/T-Flash will be available at least up to 1GB and at 10MB/sec speed)...

Whoops sorry to stray OT

[Deslock]

How come no one has tried to make a smaller USB 2.0 version of SanDisk Cruzer?

Something small like the tinniest USB sticks (http://www.sandisk.com/retail_cruzer_micro.html) but using SD cards.
Here are some *really* small USB 1.1 flash drives (the i-stick is so small, it looks fragile):
http://www.verbatim.com.au/products/productdetail.cfm?ID=TDA128S
http://www.4inkjet.com/insticisusbf.html

I dunno if USB2 versions of those are in the works or not, but the Cruzer Micro is already tiny. It's thicker than an SD card, but is not as wide. I personally use a Cruzer Mini 2.0 and I've always felt it's plenty small except that it's a bit long, which the Cruzer Micro addresses.

[Deslock]

where did I see this a few days ago? weird...maybe neowin or /. :roll: can't remember lol
slashdot ran it a few days before ppcthoughts.

[beq]

How come no one has tried to make a smaller USB 2.0 version of SanDisk Cruzer?

Something small like the tinniest USB sticks (http://www.sandisk.com/retail_cruzer_micro.html) but using SD cards.
Here are some *really* small USB 1.1 flash drives (the i-stick is so small, it looks fragile):
http://www.verbatim.com.au/products/productdetail.cfm?ID=TDA128S
http://www.4inkjet.com/insticisusbf.html

I dunno if USB2 versions of those are in the works or not, but the Cruzer Micro is already tiny. It's thicker than an SD card, but is not as wide. I personally use a Cruzer Mini 2.0 and I've always felt it's plenty small except that it's a bit long, which the Cruzer Micro addresses.
Sorry Deslock, I goofed. I didn't notice that SanDisk's current USB stick drives are also called Cruzer. My post was referring to the original Cruzer that uses a removable SD card. I wanted something with removable card, but small like these stick drives you mention (but as you point out, this is physically impossible since SD card is too wide). So perhaps something with miniSD or T-Flash...

My gosh that Pretec iDisk look small. And the PQI i-Stick is a novel idea and very interesting (USB drive & flash card in one), or would be if its flash card interface format had caught on instead of SD in devices... It is very thin as you say 8O

[Kati Compton]

Maybe the knife is detatchable, or they'll release an alternate version and swap out the knife with a nail file, tooth pick, flat-head screwdriver, PDA reset Pin, or something of the like I'd imagine for a "Safe Flight" mode/version.
Given that nail files and screwdrivers are also not flight safe, I don't think that would be it. Maybe it's just the USB drive... I need to find a flight-safe corkscrew. I think it's just not possible. I end up just buying one when I get wherever I'm going and leaving it in the hotel room. :(

[dma1965]

where did I see this a few days ago? weird...maybe neowin or /. :roll: can't remember lol

Could it be The Register?.. I've seen it before too a few days ago.. think it was there.

Anyway, neat, but if you actually need this / just want one .... you should seek professional help. :D

I saw it on Slashdot.

[Pony99CA]

OK, I carry two Swiss Army knives with me (a Swiss Champ and a Cybertool 41) and I think this is dumb. Unless the USB reader detaches from the knife, there are lots of issues:

The problem travelling (as previously mentioned).
It would be awkward to install with the big knife body getting in the way.
Once installed, you'd have the weight of the knife pushing down on the end of the USB reader, which can't be a good thing.
You couldn't use the knife while you were transferring data.

If the USB reader does detach, why not just carry a separate knife and USB reader in the first place?

Yes, it looks cool, but a moment's thought should change most people's minds. It does give new meaning to "cutting-edge storage", though. :rotfl:

Steve

[ppcsurfr]

http://www.edgememory.com/products/edm/New%20Products.asp

http://www.edgememory.com/images/diskgo_watch_pluggedin.jpg

how about a watch to go with that...

I know there are other stuff now... I guess I just have to look for them

Mabuhay!!!

Carlo

[dmjames]

The knife with USB is neat, a leatherman version would be cool, what will they think of next a multitool and MP3 player maybe! or even PDA! An all in one multitool, MP3/PDA phone will make the belt lighter. :D

[beq]

I think this is dumb.

It would be awkward to install with the big knife body getting in the way.
Once installed, you'd have the weight of the knife pushing down on the end of the USB reader, which can't be a good thing.

Hehe the voice of reason :mrgreen: Would look cool though to see the big ol' knife with all blade extensions out, sticking out from the USB socket of your ultraportable notebook :) Might be heavy enough to tilt the notebook...

Or get the Leatherman version and give your co-worker the "evil eye" as you deftly tilt and swivel the base to reveal.. tada a USB flash drive

(Yeah I'm hokey)

[ctmagnus]

How come no one has tried to make a smaller USB 2.0 version of SanDisk Cruzer?

Something small like the tinniest USB sticks (http://www.sandisk.com/retail_cruzer_micro.html) but using SD cards.
Here are some *really* small USB 1.1 flash drives (the i-stick is so small, it looks fragile):
http://www.verbatim.com.au/products/productdetail.cfm?ID=TDA128S
http://www.4inkjet.com/insticisusbf.html

I dunno if USB2 versions of those are in the works or not

Lexar has USB2.0 versions.

[Pony99CA]

how about a watch to go with that...

I'd seen that Edge watch before, but I have a watch I like, and it looked like it might be a bit bulky. Here's another Flash Watch (http://www.meritline.com/ml-usb-watch-5-in-1-mp3-128.html) I've found that's also an MP3 player!

http://store3.yimg.com/I/meritline_1780_11420976

One of the cooler Flash Drives I've seen are the real pen drives (http://www.meritline.com/mespusbpendr.html).

http://store3.yimg.com/I/meritline_1781_25047057

These things would make very cool spy gadgets. I can see James Bond or Sydney Bristow using these. :-D

Steve

[dean_shan]

how about a watch to go with that...

I'd seen that Edge watch before, but I have a watch I like, and it looked like it might be a bit bulky.

No it's not to bad. I use that as my watch and am very impressed. People don't even know it's a flash-drive until you pull out the cord and plug it into a compter.

[Pony99CA]

I'd seen that Edge watch before, but I have a watch I like, and it looked like it might be a bit bulky.
No it's not to bad. I use that as my watch and am very impressed. People don't even know it's a flash-drive until you pull out the cord and plug it into a compter.
Ah, yes, that was the other problem I had with the watch drives -- you'd have to take the watch off to use the drive (or stay in an awkward position for a while :-D).

I think the pen drives make a lot more sense. You could always carry a second pen (like in your PDA stylus :)) for those times you were using the Flash drive.

Steve

[brent_anderson]

http://www.swissbit.com/file/ds_victorinox.pdf

The second page has a picture of the USB storage detached from the knife.

Brent

[Jonathon Watkins]

Now that *is* nice. Being detachable makes all the difference. I wonder what price these things will run to.

[brent_anderson]

Now that *is* nice. Being detachable makes all the difference. I wonder what price these things will run to.

I will probably get one, I carry this now....

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-2912

If they integrated a USB key in this , that would the the perfect pocket tool for the office.

Brent

[dean_shan]

I think the pen drives make a lot more sense. You could always carry a second pen (like in your PDA stylus :)) for those times you were using the Flash drive.


Problem is I am always losing pens. If I have my data on my watch I won't forget it.

[ctmagnus]

From the PDF:

*available in 2 versions; with Knife, Scissors and File, and as a flight-save (sic) version without these tools for airplane travel

Now, is anyone worried about getting on a plane with one of these? :)

[spacehog]

ive already placed an order for one of these with my friend who's attending cebit. i always carry my swiss army knife, as its attached to my keychain (it's one of those small ones that companies give away for free), and i find myself always needing the usb flash disk, which i own but do not carry with me everywhere for fear of losing it. the concerns mentionned above seem a little far-fetched to me:

yes, i will have to "miss-out" on knife usage whilst im transferring files, but realistically, how long does it take to transfer 64mb of files? and do you REALLY need to be using the knife at the exact moment youre transferring files to the reader? once transferred, you pop it out of the usb drive, and then if the need occurs to transfer again, you just pop it back in. i believe that's the whole point of a thumb drive, convenience and portability.

as for travel, as one person mentionned, ill put it in my checked luggage and just fish it out of the suitcase once i leave the airport. no big deal. i wont be needing the flash drive or the knife on the plane, at least not to the point where it can't wait till ive recovered my luggage from the caroussel...

[Pony99CA]

Now that *is* nice. Being detachable makes all the difference. I wonder what price these things will run to.
As I said, if it's detachable, why not just get a separate knife and USB drive in the first place?

If you're worried about losing the separate USB drive, what makes you think you won't lose the knife drive? :-)

Steve

[spacehog]

not sure if youre addressing me, but i wont lose this cause itll be attached to my keychain, replacing my current flash drive-less swiss army knife.

[Pony99CA]

ive already placed an order for one of these with my friend who's attending cebit. i always carry my swiss army knife, as its attached to my keychain (it's one of those small ones that companies give away for free), and i find myself always needing the usb flash disk, which i own but do not carry with me everywhere for fear of losing it. the concerns mentionned above seem a little far-fetched to me:

yes, i will have to "miss-out" on knife usage whilst im transferring files, but realistically, how long does it take to transfer 64mb of files? and do you REALLY need to be using the knife at the exact moment youre transferring files to the reader? once transferred, you pop it out of the usb drive, and then if the need occurs to transfer again, you just pop it back in. i believe that's the whole point of a thumb drive, convenience and portability.

Apparently your current USB drive is too portable, if you don't take it with you because you're afraid of losing it. How convenient is that?

Here's a scenario for you. You start transferring data, and your boss comes in and says you have to go to a meeting right away, so you leave the knife drive at your computer while the data transfer finishes. Then, in the meeting, somebody needs a screwdriver or something, but your knife isn't with you.

Of course, if the USB drive is detachable as mentioned above, it's a moot point.

But here's a scenario that's the reverse of the above. You're at party and somebody needs a knife (or some attachment on the knife). You loan them your knife, but forget to get it back. The next day, you find your data all gone.

If you think that's far-fetched, that happened to me in college. I loaned my Swiss Army knife out at a party, and never got it back. When I noticed it was gone, I posted a note in the bathroom, but nobody returned it.

The next year, I was visiting with a friend in his room, and saw a Swiss Army knife sitting on the table. I asked my friend if I could look at it, and he let me, even though it was his roommate's knife. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was the same model as the one I lost, and the large blade had a ground-down tip, just like mine had (some idiot had used the tip of the blade as a screwdriver).

After I explained the situation to my friend, he said he obviously couldn't let me take the knife from his roommate. However, he did mention he had to go to the snack bar in a few minutes, and that's how I finally got my knife back. :twisted:

True, it didn't have a Flash drive in it (USB didn't even exist back then :D), but loaning a knife out isn't that uncommon. How many people loan out their USB drives?

as for travel, as one person mentionned, ill put it in my checked luggage and just fish it out of the suitcase once i leave the airport. no big deal. i wont be needing the flash drive or the knife on the plane, at least not to the point where it can't wait till ive recovered my luggage from the caroussel...
Possibly, but maybe other people want the option of using that drive on the plane. Also, now that you're supposed to leave your checked bags unlocked, that makes it even easier for it to "disappear" on the flight.

Hey, if the knife drive works for you, that's cool. I think it's silly, but that's just my opinion.

Steve

[spacehog]

Apparently your current USB drive is too portable, if you don't take it with you because you're afraid of losing it. How convenient is that?

Exactly, I'm afraid of losing it now cause it's not attached to anything, it's sort of like a pda, on a much smaller scale. Once it's attached to my keychain, it'll be impossible to lose.


Here's a scenario for you. You start transferring data, and your boss comes in and says you have to go to a meeting right away, so you leave the knife drive at your computer while the data transfer finishes. Then, in the meeting, somebody needs a screwdriver or something, but your knife isn't with you.

I'm a full-time student, so this wouldn't apply, but I'll answer it hypothetically. This is a 64MB drive, it wont take more than a minute to transfer data. If the boss's request is not urgent, I'll tell him that i'll be there in 20 seconds cause I'm working on transferring a file, and it's almost finished. If it's so urgent that it needs immediate attention, ill simply cancel the transfer, pull out the drive, and then transfer it back once i get back to my desk. I think you're making the whole transfer process seem much more tedious and complicated than it really is. Situation 1, i have the screwdriver cause i told my boss to wait 20 seconds and the transfer is done. Situation 2, i have the screwdriver cause i pulled out the drive before the transfer was complete and ill do it after meeting.


But here's a scenario that's the reverse of the above. You're at party and somebody needs a knife (or some attachment on the knife). You loan them your knife, but forget to get it back. The next day, you find your data all gone.

Very simple solution that'll solve the problem. I don't loan it. Instead, I look around for something else, or if I must loan it because my life depends on it, ill loan it and follow the guy using it till he's done, then kindly ask for it back. Would you not do the same with your pda, or phone? Or do you tend to loan it (pda or phone) and expect it to be returned when the borrower's done? I consider this tool as valuable to me as anything else i carry on my person (phone, pda, keys, wallet), therefore I'll make sure I always know where it is.


If you think that's far-fetched, that happened to me in college. I loaned my Swiss Army knife out at a party, and never got it back. When I noticed it was gone, I posted a note in the bathroom, but nobody returned it.

I'm sorry to hear that. I wouldn't have been that careless and the situation would never have occured. See above for explanation of what I'd do in a similar situation.


True, it didn't have a Flash drive in it (USB didn't even exist back then :D), but loaning a knife out isn't that uncommon. How many people loan out their USB drives?

Again, refer to previous explanation. Since this isn't "just" a knife, it won't be treated as one (assuming a knife would be treated like an expendable tool). I'll make sure I know who has it, and I'll take the 2 minutes to wait till the borrower's done to take it back from him. If he needs it for longer than that, then I'll simply not lend it to him and help him find a suitable replacement.


Possibly, but maybe other people want the option of using that drive on the plane.

I can't speak for everyone, but I can speak for myself and I know I'll never do anything on a plane that involves saving onto a flash disk and which can't wait till the plane has landed and I've recovered my luggage. It's not like the flash disk can serve any immediate purpose on the plane... Wait, maybe there's a person on the plane who badly needs a file on my pc, and wants to save it on his own pc? Then i'll get his email address and send it to him as an attachment. He can't wait? Oh well, sorry.


Also, now that you're supposed to leave your checked bags unlocked, that makes it even easier for it to "disappear" on the flight.

I'm hard pressed to believe that the flash disk, concealed in a sock or a shoe (only to ensure that it's not visible to the eye, i know the x-ray will detct it regardless of how it's stashed), will be a primary target for luggage looters handling baggage. I'm pretty sure they'd rather go for the digital cameras and/or notebooks. And anyways, I travel about once a year so this isn't really an issue for me. The likelihood of my flash disk getting stolen is slim to none.


Hey, if the knife drive works for you, that's cool. I think it's silly, but that's just my opinion.

It does work for me, and I'm sure it'll work for a lot of other people. I disagree with your opinion and think it's silly (with respect to the attention you give to minor issues and far-fetched situations), but that's just me. ;)


Steve
Kevin

[Ken Mattern]

... when do you transfer files that much?

-arebelspy

All the time! My girlfriend has two and I have one (interesting story there as the Army told her she couldn't use her 256 meg one, so they gave her a 128 meg memory stick :roll: ). When I need to give someone an update of my software, or a database, I simply plug it into their computer and bang!

It's faster and cheaper than cutting a CD for a 64 meg video so that one person can view it at his desk. Email attachments can't be that large and I can't set up a server for FTP.

My American Express, Army ID and memory stick. I don't leave home without them!

[Jonathon Watkins]

From the PDF:

*available in 2 versions; with Knife, Scissors and File, and as a flight-save (sic) version without these tools for airplane travel

Now, is anyone worried about getting on a plane with one of these? :)

No - becuase then it's basically just a USB stick alone. :lol:

[beq]

BTW, are those half-size micro flash card formats able to run as fast as High Speed SD (10MB/sec)?

im sure, eventually (xd, minisd, and ms duo) they will be as fast.

Too bad that there is too many types of mini memory.
Thanks... Hmm for SD adapter compatibility I think the only choices are miniSD and that T-Flash so far... xD is too big/thick IIRC, and I know MS Duo is just too big (in fact I'd consider MS Duo in size range of regular SD)

Anyways maybe I should start buying only miniSD/T-Flash and have the SD adapter and the flush CompactFlash adapter handy :D So to insert into a PC Card slot for example, I'd stick the miniSD/T-Flash into the SD adapter, then into the CF adapter, then into the CF-PCMCIA adapter, then finally into the PCMCIA slot, whew! (Yeah I know, I could skip a step with a PCMCIA SD adapter)

Definitely too many formats, but hey what can you do (sigh)... Especially if it's true that future cellphones will support the micro card formats instead of the standard cards, then I might really adopt the above strategy (assuming miniSD/T-Flash will be available at least up to 1GB and at 10MB/sec speed)...

Man, miniSD is only up to 128MB for now :( US available from SanDisk and Lexar (and Panasonic in May)
http://news.com.com/2110-1041_3-5174013.html

[Kati Compton]

*available in 2 versions; with Knife, Scissors and File, and as a flight-save (sic) version without these tools for airplane travel
Now, is anyone worried about getting on a plane with one of these? :)
No - because then it's basically just a USB stick alone. :lol:
Yeah, but I already have a USB drive. :P ;) I want the tools, but flight-safe. Blah.

As for someone mentioning checked luggage - I generally try to fly carry-on only. It helps give me more flexibility in case of flight problems.

[karen]

Maybe the knife is detatchable, or they'll release an alternate version and swap out the knife with a nail file, tooth pick, flat-head screwdriver, PDA reset Pin, or something of the like I'd imagine for a "Safe Flight" mode/version.
Given that nail files and screwdrivers are also not flight safe, I don't think that would be it. Maybe it's just the USB drive... I need to find a flight-safe corkscrew. I think it's just not possible. I end up just buying one when I get wherever I'm going and leaving it in the hotel room. :(

Bring a wine puller instead. Some people call this an ah-so as well. Two flexible prongs and no sharp edges. Gives you a bottle opener as well.

I haven't had any trouble travelling with it - mine is really flexible, otherwise, they'd want to take it.

K

[Kati Compton]

Bring a wine puller instead. Some people call this an ah-so as well. Two flexible prongs and no sharp edges. Gives you a bottle opener as well.

I haven't had any trouble travelling with it - mine is really flexible, otherwise, they'd want to take it.
I don't seem to be able to use those successfully. But maybe I should learn. ;)