Canada knife question…..

Monofletch

Monofletch

Basic Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
9,375
We are going to Niagara Falls. We will be staying on the Canadian side of the falls. What knife concerns should I have for edc? I know Canada is different from the US and I hate to get in trouble.
Thanks in advance.
 
No push daggers, autos or auto-assist/spring-loaded or balisongs.

I'd tighten up the pivot a bit on any folders so it cannot easily be flicked open by Canada Border Services when crossing the border (you may not even be asked if you have any knives, however). If you are asked if you have any weapons - the answer should be "no" with respect to any knife you have. Your knife is a TOOL, not a weapon. If you are asked if you have any knives, answer honestly. Assuming they do not fall into the category of my first sentence, you are fine - but again - make sure your pivot is tightened so it cannot easily be flicked open. Once you are on this side of the border, re-adjust the pivot to your liking. Owning/carrying a "flickable" knife is not illegal in Canada, but they may not be imported or brought into Canada.

There are no length restrictions for folders or fixed.

NOTHING may be carried with the intent of SD or for use as a weapon.

Some establishments (and all federal and provincial government buildings) have a no weapons/knives policy - look for any posted signs before entering.

Don't draw attention to yourself and give me a reason to detain/search you, and you're golden.

Enjoy your stay!
 
Last edited:
Crossing an international border; and this is both ways when you have what the guards there will define as a "weapon" can cause you issues.

I have been asked about weapons many times crossing, about gifts, about fresh fruit, about sausages, and even asked if I was bringing drugs. And yes US CBP has asked me if I'm carrying weapons.

So as a rule for me now when crossing a border the only knife I have in my pocket is a slipjoint. I don't pull up at the the kiosk & tell the guards I have a weapon. I remain, calm, respectful, and answer the questions. If they ask about weapons I say I have a pocket knife. I only take it out if the ask to see it. At that point they usually laugh.

I also never carry fresh fruit, sausages, gifts or drugs.

And again, this script of questions comes up both ways. When you cross if you have kids make sure they don't have an apple or an orange tucked under the seat. I know a fellow who lost his NEXUS pass because of his son's fossilized peach under a seat.
 
Thanks. I plan on taking my least scary folder or maybe my Mudbug slippy. I could put it in my pack when crossing too.
I would imagine that being at the falls would be easier than crossing somewhere else.
 
Monofletch said:
Thanks. I plan on taking my least scary folder or maybe my Mudbug slippy. I could put it in my pack when crossing too.
I would imagine that being at the falls would be easier than crossing somewhere else.
Click to expand...
I always find the crossing at a small location means the guards are not as stressed vs. a big city or tourist route.
 
When I crossed the bridge at Niagara Falls into Canada about 10 years ago the Canadian Border Patrol officer wearing a ballistic vest asked me if I was carrying any "weapons". I wasn't so I just said "no".
I had a folder in a luggage bag in the back of the car so I wasn't carrying it, and I consider it a tool.
 
KenHash said:
When I crossed the bridge at Niagara Falls into Canada about 10 years ago the Canadian Border Patrol officer wearing a ballistic vest asked me if I was carrying any "weapons". I wasn't so I just said "no".
I had a folder in a luggage bag in the back of the car so I wasn't carrying it, and I consider it a tool.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Don't go volunteering you have the type of knife that Lynn Thompson uses to eviscerate wildebeests.
 
shane45-1911 said:
No push daggers, autos or auto-assist/spring-loaded or balisongs.

I'd tighten up the pivot a bit on any folders so it cannot easily be flicked open by Canada Border Services when crossing the border (you may not even be asked if you have any knives, however). If you are asked if you have any weapons - the answer should be "no" with respect to any knife you have. Your knife is a TOOL, not a weapon. If you are asked if you have any knives, answer honestly. Assuming they do not fall into the category of my first sentence, you are fine - but again - make sure your pivot is tightened so it cannot easily be flicked open. Once you are on this side of the border, re-adjust the pivot to your liking. Owning/carrying a "flickable" knife is not illegal in Canada, but they may not be imported or brought into Canada.

There are no length restrictions for folders or fixed.

NOTHING may be carried with the intent of SD or for use as a weapon.

Some establishments (and all federal and provincial government buildings) have a no weapons/knives policy - look for any posted signs before entering.

Don't draw attention to yourself and give me a reason to detain/search you, and you're golden.

Enjoy your stay!
Click to expand...
The knife rules are pretty vague, but it mostly comes down to carrying being a thing that one person will get jacked up for and someone not causing a problem or not looking sketchy won't be. It's mostly about intent and place. If I'm a warehouse worker coming to and from work, there shouldn't be any issues with me carrying a knife. If I'm partying downtown in a crowd and the police attend, it's not all right. If you're carrying a multitool or Swiss Army knife you're generally not going to ever be bothered, unless you go into a restricted government site or an event arena, where they are looking for stabby things.

What is and isn't concealed is left open to interpretation. If I have a pocket clip showing it may or may not be concealed, depending on how deep it is and it's concealed the moment that pocket clip is covered by an untucked in shirt or jacket. You can have a knife in a backpack be confiscated as a concealed weapon(s), even if it isn't very accessible. Enforcement is pretty uneven on the subject and generally used by the police to target people they suspect are up to no good.

Niagara Falls is a fun place to vacation. If you go to the Space Needle, just have appetizers and drinks, because food at space needle restaurants is always terrible and overly expensive. There are some great restaurants in that city, but the space needle isn't one of them. The view is great though. If you want to do photography while taking the Maid of the Mist close to the falls, get a waterproof case (underwater) for your camera. I ended up with a DSLR camera that was NS before eventually coming back to life after 6 months in a bag of salt, rice, and desiccant packs.
 
I crossed the border into Eastern BC a few times last year. On one crossing I was specifically asked asked about switch blades, but not about knives in general.

When I’m going north, I usually take a Spyderco Roadie for my pocket and a Delica for my bag. I’ll be heading to Fernie again in a few weeks.

For whatever reason, it always seems to be a bigger hassle crossing back into the US.
 
BD_01 said:
I crossed the border into Eastern BC a few times last year. On one crossing I was specifically asked asked about switch blades, but not about knives in general.

When I’m going north, I usually take a Spyderco Roadie for my pocket and a Delica for my bag. I’ll be heading to Fernie again in a few weeks.

For whatever reason, it always seems to be a bigger hassle crossing back into the US.
Click to expand...
Customs is all about who you get as a customers officer. One day you get a smiling guy who is welcoming you across the border like he's meeting you at the door to the party you're invited to and the next time you get the guy whose wife is divorcing him after he was rejected by the RCMP. You don't want to get that guy. I've also gotten the most hassles going from Canada to the US, but I guess they're just bored with the pickings, where they're more concerned with you transporting fresh produce into the US (get him Jim, he's got an orange!).
 
The Grendels said:
Enforcement is pretty uneven on the subject and generally used by the police to target people they suspect are up to no good.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, you are correct.

The take-away point to all this is simple, as both you and I have alluded to.....Don't attract attention and give me (or any LEO) an excuse to give you a second look.

In almost 40 years of law enforcement, I have confiscated exactly ZERO knives from people who were otherwise being respectful and law-abiding.
 
Monofletch said:
Thanks guys. I’ll be careful choosing.
Click to expand...
Have fun and consider all the tools you get to play with and things you get to fix with whichever one you choose. 😸 I usually end up travelling with a pliers based multitool or SAK. My wife prefers an Opinel N°7.

Zieg
 
I went to Canada for bear last August and had a Remington 1173L in my pocket and a Wayne Hendrix hunter in my luggage. The paperwork for my Remington .35 Whelen was in order and no one even asked about knives. There was no mention of knives in the firearms paperwork I filed and our resort owners made no mention of any restrictions. BTW, I had a wonderful time.
 
MessieurRick said:
I went to Canada for bear last August and had a Remington 1173L in my pocket and a Wayne Hendrix hunter in my luggage. The paperwork for my Remington .35 Whelen was in order and no one even asked about knives. There was no mention of knives in the firearms paperwork I filed and our resort owners made no mention of any restrictions. BTW, I had a wonderful time.
Click to expand...
It's very different for rural or wilderness locations, where there's more of an expectation of purpose to carrying a knife. In some parts, having a rifle on your saddle isn't going make anyone bat an eye: something I've personally done. A lot of Niagara Falls is one big entertainment district and it's considered one of the safest cities in the world to visit. I was there for a few days, there were always a lot of people around, and I felt zero issues with safety day or night (the Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse in the Hilton Hotel was the best place I ate at).
 
The Grendels said:
It's very different for rural or wilderness locations, where there's more of an expectation of purpose to carrying a knife. In some parts, having a rifle on your saddle isn't going make anyone bat an eye: something I've personally done. A lot of Niagara Falls is one big entertainment district and it's considered one of the safest cities in the world to visit. I was there for a few days, there were always a lot of people around, and I felt zero issues with safety day or night (the Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse in the Hilton Hotel was the best place I ate at).
Click to expand...
Good points all. Sadly not true of most large cities in the States.
 
Last time in Niagara falls I had the Spyderco Kris on me the whole time.
At the Skylon Tower, the Maid of the Mist boat ride, butterfly conservatory, Marineland, etc.
I had my wife hold onto it when I went on the Skyscreamer because I figured it would be bad if it went flying out of my pocket and hit someone. ;)

No worries at any attraction, restaurant, etc.
Might be a different story at the Casino.

Basically don't wave your knife around like a jackass and things should go just fine. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top