Travel Essentials – Swiss+Tech Utili-Key

There are times on the road when every traveller finds themselves needing a screw driver, bottle opener, knife, eye glass screw driver. There are always “I wish I had” moments when opening something, repairing something or any number of other daily situations that require ‘basic tools.’

Given the strict limitations of what travelers can carry on board flights with them, we all give up some of our ‘basic tools’ in order to be able to get on a plane.

For those seeking a simple solution to being able to fly with their ‘basic tool’ Swiss+Tech offers a simple tool for your needs. The Swiss+Tech 6-in-1 Utili-Key is easy to travel with undetected.

This Utili-Key is shaped like a key, looks like a key, hangs on a key chain like a key and never gets a second glance from airport security screeners when you place it on a key chain with your keys, toss it in your bag and run it through the x-ray machine.

The Utili-Key may not be as robust and functional as a Gerber MP400 Multi-Tool (and I love mine) but it can handle most of any travelers’ basic needs on the road. The Swiss+Tech Utili-Key features an eyeglass screwdriver; Philips head screw driver; flat head screwdriver serrated knife; straight blade knife and a bottle opener.

The design of the Utili-Key is such that users can get it on and off their key ring in about a second. The Utili-Key’s top section locks shut around a key ring or opens up on a swivel for quick access to the tools. No hassle at all to use the tool at will and as needed.

You should note that while the Swiss+Tech Utili-Key can be travelled with in a totally undetected manner, the tool its self is technically not allowed to be flown with as a carry on item. Users should be aware of this … however at around US$10 the item is easy to replace at many hardware stores should it be spotted by an airport security screener.

Below are three photos of my Swiss+Tech Utili-Key to demonstrate how this tool blends in with your every day keys on your key chain.

Happy Flying!

a key chain with a keychain and a key chain

a bunch of keys on a key chain

a key chain and a keychain

12 Comments

  1. I do like the tool, but I wonder if you really kind of wanted to tweak the TSA a bit with this post? Anyway, thanks for sharing. Keep flying!

  2. This was taken from me the very first time I attempted to get through airport security with it. I would not advise it for travel, although you can always mail it ahead to your destination. It lit up the scanners and was detected easily. My experience was at Denver International, YMMV.

  3. Eric,

    Your SwissTech was taken? Did you travel with it the way I suggested, on a keychain with keys and inside your bag?

    In the past two weeks alone my SwissTech has flown with, crossing through security at Newark (EWR), New York-JFK (JFK), Paris-Orly (ORY) and London-Heathrow (LHR) … LHR was three times in one day. It’ll pass through JFK-SFO-ORD in a few days.

    Off the top of my head my SwissTech has flown with me also through PHL,HVN,PVD,ORD,SFO,DCA,LAX, IAD,BOS, MCO,FRA and YYZ.

    It’s never had a second look by security … ever.

    Happy Flying!

    -Fish

  4. After dozens of successful flights with this key, a keen TSA screener finally got mine in Phoenix. I plan to replace it ASAP.

  5. I’ve been traveling with mine for over 10 years now throughout the US and several trips to Japan and Europe. The ONLY time it was detected was when I accidentally had my Leatherman Squirt in my briefcase, and that showed up on the scanner, so when they did the hand search of my bag, inspected everything, and the TSA agent got to my keyring and saw that, said “does that open?” and I was truthful. He just let me mail them back to myself. If they hadn’t seen the Leatherman, the Swisskey would never have been found. I wonder if some people who have had theirs taken don’t have enough keys with them on their keyrings, so they stand out on the scanner more. At any rate, it is a cheap little thing, easy to replace if confiscated.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *