Okays...you may not like this but this is how it is.....its another country okay & not the US...their rules we may not like - but they do have the right to enforce their laws.......just as we do back in the US.
As you are going to Europe & me here in OZ (Australia) & I do work in legal....then huge caution....as the rules for entering Europe are much differant than the US...its their country after all & they make the rules for their country, not another country.
My legal advice is this....scissors, (& no mastter how small they are) nail clippers, pins, sewing needles, croquet needles, knitting needles....put all in your check in lluggage & not your hand luggage....you may cause very considerable delays whenst your hand luggage is screened if you have them upon boarding - & I don't mean it by being screened in the US - but it is screening upon arrival in Europe is differant.
I am a US female & working in OZ & my work in in legal which does take me to many overseas countries...advice is as above......whether you adhere to it not then thats up to you.....& if anything goes wrong that you do get pulled aside in Europe once your hand luggage (not the check in stuff that goes in the cargo hold section) is screened....& if it get a bit worrying, then ask for our US Embassy Representative - okay.
Cheerio, Jane