Canadian Knife Laws???

S

systemadude

Joined
Jan 22, 2008
Messages
13
Anyone know the Canadian Knife Laws (at least in Ontario)?

Can you carry an assisted opening blade?
A switchblade?
Is there a maximum size blade one can carry?
Concealment?


Any help or links to web sites would be awesome!
 
Assisted open yes.
Switchblade no.
No official length limit, but around 3-3.5 inch folders fit the "tool" category best in the eyes of most LEO's.
If it flicks, leave it at home or tighten the pivot.
Concealment is tricky. You're not allowed a concealed weapon, but carrying weapons is a no-no anyway. So, technically, as long as the cops(and/or courts) count your knife as a tool, then no hassle. No charge for concealed tool.:D
However, if the LEO says it's a weapon, and it's concealed, you'll be fighting a concealed weapons charge.
Age and appearance impacts on the consideration of tool versus weapon, as does location(tactical folder in a bar MAY be considered a weapon).
 
Systemadude,
I'm from Northern Ontario, (Smooth Rock Falls) and have carried a knife since a kid. I'm now a Building Official, in the public eye, and carry a Laguiole 7.5" folding pocket knife in a belt sheath. No problem because it's a daily used tool, I've got a mini-mag and a cell phone on my belt too, all tools for the job.

This is from part three of FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS, from their definitions (84.)

(a) a knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifu gal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife, or
(b) any weapon, other than a firearm, that is prescribed to be a prohibited weapon;

so then we look at the definition of weapon:

weapon" means any thing used, designed to be used or intended for use
(a) in causing death or injury to any person, or
(b) for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person.


So.. common sense applies.
Here have a nice little link to a search page for Canadian Law.

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/search

Hope this helps...
--J
 
in addition to the above laws, your actions and appearance contribute a lot to getting nailed by an LEO.

for example, i see this all the time:

dude walking around, at the bus stop or at a coffee shop patio etc, flicking his knife open and closed. or showing it around to his buddies

VS

gentleman sitting in coffee shop using his knife to remove the crossword puzzle from the paper, or sharpen his pencil.

guess which one gets his knife taken away? (hint: dude)

I have seen guys with "tactical" folders showing them off, flicking them open in public and then getting them confiscated, while two tables over is a guy with a 8" hunting knife in his belt sheath and who never gets bothered. Generally i find that younger males get their blades confiscated and older males who look like contractors or gentlemen never have an issue.

Be smart in how you display and use your knife and you will never have a problem.
 
Nothing to be sorry about! A question about Canadian knife laws could easily fit under either forum.... I just think the Canadian forum gets more traffic, and definitely more Canadian traffic. :)

Welcome to BladeForums!
 
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