Knife Laws in Canada

Hey all, searched and didn’t find, but can anyone up north shine some light on the knife laws in Canada. Will be traveling to Bannf and Calgary for my honeymoon after Thanksgiving.

Anything not to bring? What’s ok? Websites/links would help. I guess the boyscout in me just always has to have a blade somewhere.

 

Anything you need for camping no problem, switchblades are prob a no go
If you need it for camping great, you don’t need it for protection up here.
Have a great trip

 

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/iefw-iefa-eng.html

 

What's legal and what CBSA think is legal are two very different things and many blades that are completly legal CBSA is saying are illegal. I know a spyderco shipment was just stopped because they claimed they are automatics.

Basically flippers are legal but according to CBSA they are automatics and illegal. I haven't had anything seized but on one of the Canadian knife Facebook pages many have lost them and in process of fighting it. Zero tolerance won't even ship to Canada anymore because of this bullshit.

Any fixed blade that isn't double edged will be fine as long as you say it's for camping.
Any folding knife the has a thumb stud the agent might say it's illegal. It's basically flick knives are illegal so are butterfly. But these CBSA ass holes are trying to say anything is a flick knife. Anything assisted will definitely be taken.

Best bet if you are bringing a folder, tighten the pivot screw so it's difficult to open and remove the thumb stud.

There's currently a class action lawsuit on this to have it updated to be clear what is and what isn't illegal because they leave the law up to interpretation to the CBSA officer instead of the rcmp who dictate what is actually illegal. And also intent on what you carry for. Do not say protection as that will be considered a weapon and be illegal. It has to be thought of as a tool.

For what it's worth I carry a spyderco pm2 all the time and have never had an issue.

Main thing is don't try and hide it that will just make them more likely to seize it. Be open about what the knife is and why you have it. Best bet to not losing it and otherwise don't carry anything you'd be really upset about losing.

I've crossed the border back and forth with a blade without issue but any time I go now I only bring a benchmade griptillian as I won't be too upset if I lose it

 

Joe you saying the CBSA are A-holes is wrong.
The CBSA aren’t dorks, they are trying to keep stupid stuff out, I have zero problem with that. Unless you’re in the drug trade and need to arm yourself.

Conrad if your doing lots of hiking and are concerned about wildlife you could pick up some bear spray.

 

First off, thanks for your replies.

I’m not really worried about self defense or anything like that, I’m mostly going skiing and snowmobiling with the Mrs. But I use my benchmade every day and would feel naked without it. Let’s say boot gets caught in underbrush or something I don’t want to have to worry about how to remove boot rapidly or something in case of emergency. I’ll also likely be buying some of my gear up there and would like to have a way to remove tags and what not. Maybe I’ll just buy a knife up there and fly it back. I just wanted to start wrapping my mind around what types of options I had while on adventure up there.

Down here in The Great state of Texas we can carry swords, Spears, axes, and just about anything we want. So thought I’d check in on the laws up north. Trying to be a good American and play nice when visiting the neighbors.

 

except what they are keeping out isn't actually illegal?
It all started with some CBSA agent trying to get a raise and say a flipper is an automatic when a shipment of Kershaw blades were coming to Canada.

Law saws anything that has a button or something in the handle that deploys the blade is an automatic. This CBSA agent said because after you flick the flipper it moves between the handle it is now a part of the handle and an automatic even though the opening mechanism is on the tang of the knife.

They're useless shits to me. They'll stop knives that are just being owned by collectors yet do fuck all to stop all the illegal guns that plague the Toronto streets or all the drugs that come in here. Yet will hold a Chris Reeves Knives saying its illegal when no fucking gang banger is buying a $600 knife to stab someone with.

Perhaps you don't follow this type of news which is why you are unaware of all this garbage that has been happening but it is being fought in the courts currently and there is a petition online for it and a donation page to help pay for all the legal aspects of it which many knife collectors are standing behind.

If the CBSA wants to stop balisongs, OTF, push daggers or any of the other actual restricted knives go right ahead, although I don't agree with why most of those are illegal the RCMP has made a ruling on it and they are illegal. But there is nothing stating a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or Paramilitary 3, or a Chris Reeves Inoski is prohibited in Canada. There is nothing that makes them an automatic or any of that garbage. With what the CBSA is saying is illegal is ANY knife you can open with one hand and not need two hands to open.

 

ya benchmade might get stopped. I've been hesitant to send mine in for Lifesharp lately with all this garbage going on. Worried I'll send a completely legal knife I bought here in Canada and when it is returned to me it will be seized when nothing has actually changed to make it illegal.

Like I said above this is all from a new law that was written that leaves it all as a grey area of to what is legal and illegal that is making some CBSA agents think legal knives are actually illegal.

If you tighten the pivot and remove the thumb stud on whatever Benchmade you want to carry (as long as its not an automatic or flipper) you really shouldn't have a problem but don't bring it if it has sentimental value etc. I mentioned above any time I go down to Niagara Falls NY to pick up stuff from my mailbox I carry my griptilian because I have three of them and if one gets taken I really won't lose sleep over a $80 blade being taken, unlike if CBSA took my Chris Reeves Inoski or Spyderco Nirvana.

 

I’m sure the it’s easier and safer for the RCMP dealing with someone if the whack job has to use two hands to open their knife, instead of one.
Less chance of a surprise for them.
It’s a tough job searching every container and car coming into the country.


Conrad you will have a blast skiing and snowmobiling up here,

 

but its not illegal? so CBSA have no business stopping one handed knives as RCMP has not made them prohibited? Its CBSA over stepping their boundaries.

For what its worth the Milwaukee knives they sell at home depot are closer to a flick knife than anything that CBSA are stopping.
Sorry but I do not see where you're coming from as this being ok when people are paying upwards of $600 for collectable knives that are not prohibited in Canada but CBSA is seizing them because they feel it is.

Also statistically kitchen knives are much more likely to be used in any knife attack than a high end folding knife, and anyone that knows a thing or two about knives would tell you that a folder is not a fighting knife and a fixed blade is much more deadly than a folder so really whats more dangerous? someone trying to open a knife while being taken down or someone that already has that blade out and ready to use in a fixed blade?

I guess you're fine with your rights and freedoms being mistreated though. Since thats exactly what this is. None of this is in regards to what is actually a prohibited knife in Canada. For what its worth you can buy any of the knives I mentioned in stores in Canada its just expensive here and cheaper online. And this is making the lifetime warranty and sharpening that comes with most of these knives completely useless.
I don't understand how this can be considered ok.

 

A sheathed, fixed blade can be pulled and used quicker than a flip and hidden just as easy. If my understanding is that they are banned because they are a quick deployment blade then I'm not following their logic.

 

From what I've come to understand its safety and intimidation.

The idea is that a butterfly or switch blade can open rather easy if a child picked it up.

And the theatrics of a butterfly I guess are seen to be intimidating.

As you said it's stupid because a fixed blade can be just as dangerous and could come out of the sheath rather easily.


Outside of what knives are prohibited it comes down to intent as well. And whether it's concealed.

Supposed to be visible (pocket clip)
Can't say it's for self defense otherwise it becomes a weapon. Say it's meant for opening packages and cutting a seat belt and you're good

 

Currently driving around with about a 6 inch fixed blade behind the seat, also have family who are cops. I'm an outdoorsman and my job is guiding front and back country camping. So far no problems, whether its a fixed blade, a regular folder or a crkt flick folder.

 

Soooo on a similar topic (that I hope doesn't start an argument) what are the gun laws in British Columbia? More specifically handguns. I assume it's just easier to leave it at home but thought I'd ask.

 

No open or conceal carry if that's what you're asking. Our laws are pretty tight for pistols, from your house and to the range.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/faq/index-eng.htm

 

Illegal to take into Canada. Don't bring handguns. If you intend to go hunting and bring a rifle in, you will need to have all your paperwork in order.

On a side note, @Joe23 , ...... this little critter has been kinda fun. Shame I'd have to sell it if I move back to Canada at some point.

 

Bear spray it is haha thanks for the info

 

Actually I believe CBSA will confiscate mace/bear spray also.......sorry

 

Jeez haha I'm fairly polite so I think I could talk a bear out of eating me

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=citUprKYyRw