On my travels this year I couldn't get out of Australia with anything sharp made of metal, in my hand luggage. I could take nail clippers, needles, and scissors with me as long as they were in my checked luggage. Any of these things would have been confiscated at the security check. And it was the same at every airport, train station and ship dock that we used. All sharp metal objects had to be in the suitcase.
A funny story: Every time we caught a train in Beijing we had to have our bags scanned by security. Sometimes there wasn't anyone watching the screen!!! and one time the girl who was supposed to be watching the screen was sound asleep!!! Most times we only travelled for one stop to get to my DD's house.