Knife regulations - Travel Canada

[nick949]

Following on from the interminable Guzzi knife thread, any of you contemplating travel to or through Canuckistan may want to consult this from the ADV forum (with links to the Canadian Border Control sites).

I'm sure you all know to leave your bang-sticks at home, but many knives are also off the list.

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/carrying-a-knife-in-canada-new-rules-november-2017.1277607/#post-34123688

Nick

[Lannis]

Like the referenced thread says, it's probably a lot like the "No Pets" rule in some apartments.

Keep your pet clean and quiet, and management won't say anything.   Let it start getting rowdy and obnoxious, and they have a sign they can point to to run you out.

That list of knives (switchblades, butterfly knives, balisongs) prohibited in Canada USED to be prohibited here where I live.   People haven't got back into the habit of using them, so it probably wouldn't be a problem.   

I'd just leave the Spyderco ClipIt at home and carry a Case folder ....

Lannis

[Kiwi_Roy]

Like the referenced thread says, it's probably a lot like the "No Pets" rule in some apartments.

Keep your pet clean and quiet, and management won't say anything.   Let it start getting rowdy and obnoxious, and they have a sign they can point to to run you out.

That list of knives (switchblades, butterfly knives, balisongs) prohibited in Canada USED to be prohibited here where I live.   People haven't got back into the habit of using them, so it probably wouldn't be a problem.   

I'd just leave the Spyderco ClipIt at home and carry a Case folder ....

Lannis

I wouldn't try to get a switchblade past the border, you will certainly lose it if spotted.
Several times I have been in the office when they turned back a person with a DUI conviction

[Lannis]

I wouldn't try to get a switchblade past the border, you will certainly lose it if spotted.
Several times I have been in the office when they turned back a person with a DUI conviction

I wouldn't either; but the list does include knives that people commonly carry.   Very many normal knives have thumb-opening studs.

I'm just saying that if you leave it in your pocket and don't go waving it around, no one's really going to care as a practical matter.    I won't test it, but I'm sure that people (including Canadians) have knives in their pocket that are on the no-go list.

Lannis

[Kiwi_Roy]

You are probably right Lannis but if the border guard asks if you have any guns or knives what are you going to say?
So you say yes I have a knife, he may ask to see it, if it's a switchblade it starts going downhill from there.
I do carry a knife when I go camping but it's in the toolkit or cooking gear when I go through the border, not in my pocket.

[Mr Pootle]

Don’t bring a knife to the UK either. Flick knives have long been illegal, but an upsurge in knife crime in recent years has lead to stricter laws being enacted. It’s illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason save for one with a folding blade of no more than 3”. Lock knives, butterfly knives and the such are all illegal. The law includes knife blades that are part of a multi tool, so if you have a large leatherman, leave that at home.
And the law is enforced.

[oldbike54]

 If I manage to come North I will simply obey Canadian law . Seems simple enough doesn't it .

 Dusty

[Lannis]

The law includes knife blades that are part of a multi tool, so if you have a large leatherman, leave that at home.
And the law is enforced.

Last trip back from the UK this year, I'd been at a bike rally and gone straight to Heathrow, and still had my full-size Leatherman on me when I got to airport security, didn't even think about it.   Tossed it in the tray with the other stuff.   

The airport security guy pulled it out of the tray, handed it back to me and pointed me back to the baggage check area.   I was actually able to get my checked bag back, put the Leatherman in it, and back through Security and home.

So no go on a BA flight, but OK for the pocket ....

Lannis

[rodekyll]

Never cross the border with anything that will draw scrutiny.  As soon as a border agent (either side) finds anything -- even ammunition for a gun you're not carrying or the empty sheath of an out-of-specs knife they can proceed to disassemble your gear and bike.  They can be very thorough -- and you get to reassemble and repack the mess after however many hours you were delayed.  If any contraband is found after all that effort, you WILL be turned away.

Canada is really pretty reasonable about firearms.  They have a mechanism by which you can pre-declare guns that would be legal in Canada, fill out some paperwork with serial numbers and such, and pay a fee.  Last time I did the paperwork I think the permit was good for 5 years and 5 firearms.  I don't remember if you're allowed to also carry ammunition for them or not.

If you're from Alaska you've got a special relationship with the Canadian Govm't regarding firearms.  Alaskans often have to pass through Canada to get to somewhere else in Alaska, or they're coming home from America.  Alaskans are considered armed unless proven otherwise.  Guns are just part of the toolkit in the bush.  So Canada lets Alaska residents transport and carry with a lot less bureaucratic friction.

And personally, I'd take advice about customs and borders from someone who's never been there with a grain of salt.  Or not at all.  The idea that you should take the risk of transporting contrabrand because it's your attitude during the encounter that counts is complete nonsense.  This isn't smuggling your own candy into a theater where a whine and a wink forgives.  It's real, and customs doesn't cater to snowflakes.

[Matteo]

If I manage to come North I will simply obey Canadian law . Seems simple enough doesn't it .

 Dusty

Funny how many people have so much difficulty with that.
“When in Rome do as the Romans”

[HDGoose]

Many reasons why I have never been to Canada.

UK? England? It's has changed a lot since I lived there in 79-82. I lived in Ireland in 2006. They were starting to restrict knives then. I was asked about being an American and not allowed guns or knives, like in America. I simply replied that will all the trash laying about, there were many options. Some kids in Ireland thought they were tough, looked like an American street gang. Tried to rob my wife, and had a knife. She took the knife from them, and kicked them in the balls. When they saw us on the high street after that, they crossed to the other side.  And we kept the knife.

[pikipiki]

If the rules are same as uk. Anything that even resembles a switchblade is a complete no go. House key switchblade, comb switchblade bottle opener switch blade. If it can be adapted to become a switchblade it's a switchblade even if you could buy the same thing in Canada. Well that's how they explained it to me when they further rigorously went through all my stuff and had me strip down to my underwear. Only amusing moments in the couple of hours this all took was when they wrapped the offending article in tape to render it safe then stuck a label on it, then realising that they were training customs officers that day and were using me as a training exercise as I obviously wasn't a dangerous criminal about to knife anyone or deal contraband. That was 30 years ago, I think things got stricter since then.

[oldbike54]

Funny how many people have so much difficulty with that.

 Yep , just like if you are a visitor in someone's home , their rules apply .

 Dusty

[canuck750]

The rules are the rules ...... like the simple and undisputed rule that no handguns are allowed on airplanes.

The good folks at TSA in Phoenix reacquainted me with this fact a couple years ago. As I passed through security I emptied my pockets of keys, coins, .. the usual stuff.

My basket of metal bits was pulled aside and in short order three burly TSA inspectors took my basket and asked me step aside to secondary screening table.

Turns out a key chain my wife gave me had a tiny revolver with a spinning tumbler. The ranking TSA inspector asked we what this (the revolver key chain) was and what part of no hand guns did I not understand?

Being a dumb ass from up north I started to laugh and asked him if this was some kind of prank,.... oops not the response they wanted to hear.

So now it gets a little more serious and the TSA guys carefully examine the 'revolver' in detail, spin the tumbler, pass it back and forth.

I keep telling them its just a key chain and you can buy them in all the souvenir shops in Scottsdale, ... no reaction.

Then I ask them if I need to hand over the tiny bullets that came with the pistol or can I keep them?

Key chain pulled off the key ring, thrown into a bag, passport and boarding pass thrust back at me and the whole circus ends.

I guess I should be thankful I didn't end up in handcuffs, 

geez...... some guys have no sense of humour.

[Sheepdog]

I had a similar experience when flying after attending a dynamic entry school. “Your backpack tested positive for PETN...”  said the TSA supervisor. It took my federal officer credentials and a phone call to our secure communications desk to get out of that one...

[Lannis]

Funny how many people have so much difficulty with that.

I'm trying to figure out who you guys are debating with.   Everyone on the thread has said the same thing; "Follow the rules!"  like there's someone who's disagreeing with that ... ?

Lannis

[Kiwi_Roy]

I'm trying to figure out who you guys are debating with.   Everyone on the thread has said the same thing; "Follow the rules!"  like there's someone who's disagreeing with that ... ?

Lannis

I don't know Lannis but you have 4 posts on here, perhaps you can tell us LOL

[Lannis]

I don't know Lannis but you have 4 posts on here, perhaps you can tell us LOL

I don't know.  All I was doing was supporting the argument for "follow the rules" by recounting my Actual Recent Experience in a foreign country with a knife and law enforcement officers.

Although I'm used to the fact that ((some people)) don't actually read my posts, they just react to them!   Which means ....



  

Lannis

[HDGoose]

When the TSA folks as about any "explosives, guns knives, in you possession", they do not like the factually correct answer of "Nope, nothing with me. Everything I need is for sale in the secure area."

[roadscum]

I wouldn't either; but the list does include knives that people commonly carry.   Very many normal knives have thumb-opening studs.

I'm just saying that if you leave it in your pocket and don't go waving it around, no one's really going to care as a practical matter.    I won't test it, but I'm sure that people (including Canadians) have knives in their pocket that are on the no-go list.

Lannis

Seems to me government bureaucrats are paid to care, at time harass ..... and generally revel in the authority entrusted to them. It ain't worth the risk of loosing my knives and a veeeeeery long delay at the border. Lots of good riding in the lowe 48,  no need to go further north.

Paul

[jpv7]

I drive back and forth between Canada and the US at the Niagara Falls border quite often.  The Canadians ask a lot about guns coming from US which is understandable i guess, but they have never asked me about knives...if you have a knife and they ask, just tell them what you have.  Don't ever hide anything.  I wouldn't worry about knives anyway as the focus is really on guns coming from the US.

The American border patrol seems a lot more aggressive, but maybe it's because i am not an American citizen.  It doesn't bother me as I understand they are just doing their job.

The weirdest thing that happened to me was about 4 years ago.  I was in line waiting to get into the US, and I saw an American guard walking around with some sort of instrument, like a metal detector.

Turns out is was some sort of dirty bomb sniffer, looking for radioactive traces.  Now the friggin lady in the car behind me happened to have just had radioactive thyroid therapy the day before!  So the instrument goes off and they decide to bring all of the cars around her in for questioning! 

Lol..i had to wait about 30 minutes for them to let me go.   My luck i guess!

[sign216]

On my first motorcycle trip to Quebec, in the late 1980's, I took a rifle as part of my kit.  I was going camping.  Bike was a 1958 BMW R50, and the rifle was my brother's turn of century Winchester single shot .22.  I declared everything to the border officer, a matronly woman.  She thought I was an honest lad, and let me in with no fuss.

Those were the days....
Joe

[pete roper]

I would strongly advise against trying to bring any kind of knife or gun to Oz, or, most likely NZ where I am at the moment. Unless they are a needed tool of your trade they are frowned upon. Especially if you just try and bring them in because you're allowed them in your country.

If you need a knife, (Or a gun!) go through the screening and buy one when you get here or rent one, (Assuming there are such services, I wouldn't know.)

Pete

[ChuckH]

This discussion has been informative for me.  I plan on being in Canada twice this coming summer. 

First, after the MN Guzzi Rally in June, my wife and I will be traveling west to east across the top of Lake Superior and back into the US at St Sault Marie.  Second, to Lavinge for the ON Guzzi Rally after the MI Guzzi Rally, both in August.  Again, the crossing will be at St Sault Marie.  I'll be driving the "Ticket-Me Red" 'Vette for both trips, so don't want anything to draw more attention from the   

I normally carry a medium size Swiss Army knife.  Two blades (2 1/2" and 1 1/4"), can and bottle openers, cork puller, tooth pick, etc.

From what I have read, I'll be OK with this in my possession. 

Have a good day and ride safe. 

[Green1000S]

I had no trouble with my camping ax, sharpened shovel and 6 inch bladed camping knife last year. Customs officer asked if I had any weapons, I said no, but I do go to Trans Labrador Highway and as such I have shovel, small ax and knife to be able to camp and start a fire. Answer was , Oh, OK.... Nice and very professional.

[Matteo]

Since I was a kid I’ve made over a dozen or more trips through Canada. I’ve been searched by Canadian customs once, US customs 4 times.

[sign216]

Since I was a kid I�ve made over a dozen or more trips through Canada. I�ve been searched by Canadian customs once, US customs 4 times.

My brother used to be in a rock band, and when they went to Canada for some gigs, Canadian customs tore through everything they had.  Down to the last screw.  CN customs was sure that Amer. rockers would have contraband, but they came up short.

Band was into drugs etc, but knew enough not to cross the border w it.

[Sheepdog]

I made my only trip to Canada with a friend from Vermont back in 1979. We had no trouble at all, as my friend’s dad worked for the Border Patrol...

[nick949]

Picture this: a young, scruffy bearded, black t-shirt and jeans wearing, long haired driver, a 69 Chev Chevelle which had clearly never been washed in it's life, and 100lb German Shepherd, heading across the border at Sault Ste. Marie on our way to visit my girlfriend in London, Ontario by cutting through the States via I75 Flint and Port Huron Michigan.

No knives in transit, but to nobody's great surprise I was pulled over for a vehicle search. The dog and I were told to 'stand over there' while a couple of US border guys went through the car. After a quick search of the front seats (finding little but old coffee cups and burger wrappers) one of the guys tackled the rear seat.

Now, at this point I should explain that Mishi spent quite a lot of time in the car. Even through mid winter, she would often wait in the car while I was in the gym or socializing, amusing herself by chewing on a bone or just curled to stay warm.  Sometimes I may have left her a little too long - on one occasion she must have been snacking on something foul, as dogs do, and I had to peel frozen diarrhea off the vinyl.

The border officer checked the floor behind the front seats then slid his hand down the back of the rear bench. I had a hard time controlling my impulse to laugh. The look on his face as he quickly withdrew his hand was priceless. I've no idea what Mishi had hidden down there, but it was obviously slimy and foul. 

The search was over - I was on my way.

Nick

[rodekyll]

I'm assuming that Mishi was not the girlfriend's name?