more straight knife talk here--just to echo what Steven said earlier: I travel with knives all the time--and other strange metal culinary tools and objects--and have never had any problem or incident flying domestically and checking this equipment as baggage. I inadvertently brought a very large knife--a 14" serrated blade-- on board once in carry-on and it was picked up in the scanner. It was removed from my bag, and after muttering some apology that I was a chef and that I knew better, boxed up separately and securely, and allowed onto the cabin but not at my seat. The real problem for a knife-wielding travelling chef or avid cook comes with international airports, which historically are much more sensitive to this issue, even with checked baggage. London and Paris are the worst (or best, safety-wise.) I've had checked bags with knives and equipment cases diverted in each airport and delayed for days on two trips to Europe to give demonstrations. There I was in Bologna, not speaking a lick of Italian, with 3 days to go before my demonstration and no promise of when or if my stuff would arrive. For 3 days I bought, begged and borrowed what I would need only to have my case arrive at the last minute by courier. My advice, send it ahead, disclose the contents, verify it has arrived or buy it there. You'll probably have to anyway.
