Border-Crossing into Canada

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ronemca

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Jul 5, 2008
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I realize that there are regulations/restrictions in the USA and Canada governing the sale, use, carry, and shipping of automatic knives. I also realize that the wording of these rules is not difficult to find online. But I need something different...

I have purchased online -- and plan to purchase in various brick 'n' mortar US stores in the coming months -- several different knives. Most of them are assisted-openers which I will be bringing across the border into Canada by air in my checked baggage. If/when they are inspected, the customs officer is bound to raise his eyebrows...and I would very much like to be able to show him proof that assisted-opening knives are NOT automatics. Do any of you have a suggestion about where I might obtain some literature that I could use?

I'm speaking more about documentation that clearly describes a specific knife as "assisted" rather than not making any reference at all to its mode of operation.

If you're wondering -- and who wouldn't be? -- the type of items I'm thinking of are:

Schrade - ExtremeSurvival A/O
Gil Hibben - Pro Folder A/O
SOG - Flash II S.A.T.
Kershaw - JYD & OSO Sweet A/O
etc. etc.

My concern is this: If a customs officer is examining and/or handling a knife that looks menacing -- and he is not familiar with the applicable laws -- he may ignorantly assume that a knife that opens "fast" or "easily" or "with the touch of a lever" is prohibited. And I'd like to be able to show proof that it is in fact NOT an automatic, but an assisted...which is legal to bring into Canada.

Please note this is not about the "carry-ability". I already know for sure these assisted openers can be brought in; I just need to be able to prove they're not autos.

TIA!
 
Tighten down all the pivots a lot so they're a pain to open and require two hands. Then how will the officer even know it's an AO? That's what I've always assumed was the best method.
It's not literature, but it hides the AO so it does what it needs to.
 
I take it you are worried about the Canadian Customs? We recently won a battle with US Customs on the issue and they will not confinscate Spring Assited knives (In you stowed baggage)
 
CDHumiston said:
I take it you are worried about the Canadian Customs? We recently won a battle with US Customs on the issue and they will not confinscate Spring Assited knives (In you stowed baggage)
Click to expand...
Well...no. As I said, it's not about whether they confiscate assisted-openers -- which they shouldn't -- it's about proving an assisted-opener is NOT an automatic.

I agree with the 'tighten-the-pivot-screw' idea...but this would not be possible on a knife that is being shipped. (The package might be opened, and -- absent documentation proving otherwise -- the knife could be presumed an automatic because it opens so quickly) Also...I would FAR rather have a brochure or a statement from the manufacturer that says:

Schrade ExtremeSurvival A/O [SCHEXT] An assisted-opening knife with a plain 3½" satin blade, a composite Zytel handle, blah blah blah.

That way I could produce it (or have it included with a shipped knife) to prove that the knife in question is NOT an automatic.
 
I think you will run into bigger problems having a bunch of NIB knives as it could look like you are skipping out on sales taxes, or operating a business. Also saying assisted opening doesn't mean much, it isn't really a legal definition. If you are bringing them in via checked bag, tighten the pivots, it will make your life easier, as for the ones being shipped, hope they don't get opened. thats about all you can do. trying to armchair lawyer a customs officer on a bad day might get you in more trouble. that said, I just flew back from Aus in january and wasn't asked to open my bags, I just declared the knives I had (check the weapon box, seems dumb, but it is what it is) and assured the nice officer that all of the knives were fully legal in Canada.
YMMV
 
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