I may be coming to Canada to do some work and was wondering are there any restrictions on Blade length etc. for pocket knives. I typically carry a larger folding knive in one pocket and a leatherman on my belt. Are there any laws or even taboos about this in larger Canadian cities such as Toronto, Quebec and the like?
I just want to be sure and follow whatever laws apply, but find the leatherman and pocket knife handy in my work. Any help or suggestions from our Canadian friends would be appreciated........DJ

Things have changed radically here, due to a huge influx of non-traditional immigrants and an increasingly centalized, statist government. I wore a sheath knife as part of my clothing for years as I did not want to go into the bush without one and carried a belt pack as well, with a few other things. Now, sodomites can prance about the public streets showing off their altered genitalia, but, wearing a knife gets you snotty remarks and nosy glances from coppers, many of whom are foreign-born visible-minority members who do not accept or comprehend individual freedoms.

I would carry my kives in closed belt sheaths, openly and NEVER go into a pub with a Knife on. You should be o.k., but, if stopped by cops, simply tell them that you are using these for work and that is why you must carry them. Toronto is now a shithole where Jamaicans can kill each other and even Canadians with little real consequence, but, REAL Canucks have to toe the mark and walk the line.....

DJ, I carry a Gerber pocket tool all the time in the open on my belt and the only time I had a problem was in a Surrey,BC courthouse. We tend to forget these things when we wear them for soo long and that was the case with me. They just asked me to take it back out to the car. I was told by our RCMP E-Division that there are no concealment laws in Canada but it doesn't hurt to be co-operative when in a strange country. If stopped by a city cop you are more likely to have a problem than if stopped by the RCMP. I hope you enjoy your trip up here, we could use the tourism dollars! derf

Kutenay, thanks for the reply. In a pub should I even leave a pocket penknife or whatever at home like you have to at an airport, or do you mean a sheathed knife? I've traveled through 4 countries in Europe and never got hassled but I'm a little worried about Canada. I feel naked without a blade of some sort at had..........DJ

I would never carry ANY type of knife in ANY establishment serving alcohol in this country, zero exceptions. I won't go into details, but, this is based on considerable, personal experience. If, you have a knife in your possession and get into an altercation in a bar, the consequences can be really devastating. so, better safe than sorry.

Thanks Kutenay, I WILL heed your advice........DJ

derf

I'm pretty sure there is a concealment law in Canada. I've been robbed by the police for a couple of knives over the years. You complain, they threaten to charge with concealment.

I've walked ionto plenty of bars with a pocket knife, I always for get they are on me.

However, I dont' get into fights, either.

BC Liquor Laws forbid anyone briging any sort of weapon into a licesensed establishment.

However, think abotu where you are going. If it is the early evenign ina good part of town, and you are goign to the local pub, noone will be upset baout your Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman.

Go to one of the rougher bars in Vancouver, and you are going to have an issue withthe staff and or police if you are carrying the Swiss knife.

You can carry an uzi if you want--just stay out of trouble and no one will know. I carry a large fighter sometimes an as long as you stay out of trouble who would search you??????????

the chef

Toronto is a Liberal campgroud. nobody but Sihks are going to get away with any exposed knife for long.
Having said that, I always have either a 3 or 4 inch folder in my pocket. It's just handy.
like the others say, be aware of where you are going, and the chance of an altercation.
I even took one on the parliamentary tour (Pre 911). They took it away from me when we went to the gallery, but they gave it back when we left.

Maybe these sights might help:

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/canada.html

http://teapot.usask.ca/cdn-firearms/Gov/c68

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-46/42061.html

Lynn D

quote:

Originally posted by djpaintles:
Kutenay, thanks for the reply. In a pub should I even leave a pocket penknife or whatever at home like you have to at an airport, or do you mean a sheathed knife? I've traveled through 4 countries in Europe and never got hassled but I'm a little worried about Canada. I feel naked without a blade of some sort at had..........DJ

DJ your a big guy, What about your fists?

quote:

DJ your a big guy, What about your fists?

Maybe, but there's allways someone bigger and stronger......Like you ........DJ

I've always thought the only real restriction was that you are not allowed to cut sombody up with a pocket knife but I could be wrong!
I inadvertently caused a bit of a commotion at a border crossing when I opened up my Gerber Gator to slit open a package for inspection. The official apparently felt that I "coming at her" with a knife. She was somewhat mollified when I, instead, attacked the box from Brownells. Always sympathetic to the fears of others, I no longer open my pocket knife in government installations!
I have a real nice 10 inch Bowie from Bob Lay I've always wanted to wear just to see what would happen but they would probably just take me out to the nearest tree and hang me so it just stays on the wall. Regards, Bill.

I believe hnives which can be opened with one hand (switchblades) may be prohibited.

Not true, switchblades and stilettos are specificaly prohibited, but spring-assists and thumb stud folding knives are fine. Keep them in a sheath on your belt and you shouldn't get any major grief. Do not keep them in your pocket. If the action is very smooth and takes little effort, try tightening it up. The "legality test" is basically when an officer takes your knife and can open it either by simply flicking his wrist or by holding the blade and letting go of the rest of the knife. If it doesn't open, you're good to go.