Short answer: in the U.S., flashlights and power banks can go in your carry-on, but knives, multitools with a blade and pry bars must go in checked bags, and power banks are not allowed in checked bags at all. Scissors can fly in the cabin only if the blades are shorter than 4 inches from the pivot. The TSA officer at the checkpoint always has the final say.
TSA rules for common EDC items
| Item | Carry-on | Checked | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashlight | Yes | Yes | Spare lithium batteries stay in the cabin |
| Power bank or portable charger | Yes | No | Lithium-ion power banks must be carried on |
| Knife | No | Yes | Sheathe or wrap it; rounded butter knives and plastic cutlery are the exception |
| Multitool with a knife blade | No | Yes | Blades of any length |
| Multitool with scissors, no blade | Yes | Yes | Scissors under 4 inches from the pivot |
| Scissors | Under 4 inches | Yes | Measured from the pivot point |
| Pry bar | No | Yes | TSA lists crowbars as checked only |
Source: TSA's What Can I Bring? tool, checked in September 2026. Rules change; look up each item before you fly, and check your airline and your destination too.
Most phone-size power banks fly without question. Very large ones can need airline approval, so check the watt-hour rating printed on the case against your airline's rules before a long trip.
How to pack an EDC kit that clears security
- Split the kit before you leave home. Anything with a blade, and the pry bar, goes in the checked bag, sheathed or wrapped.
- Keep lithium in the cabin: the power bank and any spare batteries.
- Put small items in one pouch you can lift out at the bin, so the bag goes through the scanner without a search. The compact zip organizer is sized for cables, cards and a small light.
- Empty your refillable bottle before the checkpoint and fill it after.
- Leave anything ambiguous at home. If you are not sure about an item, it is not worth missing a flight over.
Before you fly: a five-minute check
- Look up anything unusual in TSA's What Can I Bring? tool.
- Charge the phone and the power bank, and pack the power bank in the cabin bag.
- Wrap any blade and put it in the checked bag with the pry bar.
- Put the small-items pouch at the top of the cabin bag, where you can lift it out at the bin.
- Carry your ID where you can reach it without unpacking.
What to carry in the cabin instead of a blade
On a travel day, a knife mostly opens packaging and cuts tape. Scissors under 4 inches or a multitool without a blade handle both. A compact flat flashlight flies in the cabin and earns its place in a dark hotel room or on an overnight layover.
What if something prohibited turns up at security?
It happens. Depending on the airport you may be able to step out of line to check the bag, take the item back to your car, or leave it behind. Allow time either way, and pack the night before so it does not happen twice.
Which bag for a travel day?
A small backpack under the seat plus a crossbody on your chest is the combination that works: documents and phone stay in front, the rest rides behind. Sling bag vs backpack explains the split. The modular crossbody bag and the 14L modular backpack share pouches, so the organizer can move between them at the gate.
Flying abroad? Blade and tool rules vary by country and airport, and airlines can be stricter than the airport. Check the rules for every airport on your route, including the return leg.
FAQ
Can I bring a flashlight on a plane?
Yes, in carry-on and checked bags. Keep spare lithium batteries in your carry-on.
Can I bring a multitool in my carry-on?
Only if it has no knife blade. A multitool with a blade of any length goes in checked baggage; scissors on a multitool are allowed if they are under 4 inches from the pivot.
Can a power bank go in checked luggage?
No. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must travel in the cabin.
Is a pry bar allowed in carry-on?
No. TSA lists crowbars as checked-bag only, and a compact pry bar should be treated the same way. See everyday uses for a compact rescue tool.
This is a summary of TSA guidance for U.S. airports, not legal advice. Other countries and airlines set their own rules.
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