I would weigh the chance of actually needing one of those toy blades against what will likely happen should I get caught with one, and I would definately leave it at home. It's just not worth the risk--at least for me.

Some years ago, I drove by an accident where the vehicle was fully engulfed and the passengers had been unable to free themselves. (I came by long after the passengers had died and the fire was burning itself out.) After seeing that, I decided that I would always carry a blade that was capable of cutting through a seat belt in case I needed to free myself or someone else from a vehicle.

I've carried a util-a-key for years. I don't use the blade for general cutting (I EDC a larger folder), but the other functions (especially the small screwdriver bits) are useful in their own right. Unlike a SAK or multi-tool, the util-a-key is *always* with me.

Although I've flown with the util-a-key in the past, in my case that's now a moot point. As I said, I haven't flown since the summer of 2002. I strongly disagree with so many aspects of the TSA that I will no longer fly. Make EDC selection much easier. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Dave F>