Knife Laws for fixed blade daggers in Ontario Canada?

T

TheWzrd

Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Messages
1
Hi there, this is my first post so be nice please I don't know much about knives...

So I recently purchased the Smith and Wesson SWHRT9B, a double sided, 8-inch dagger with a leather sheath. I was wondering if this knife is legal to carry, just because I've read someplaces that double sided blades are illegal, and that the intent of the knife counts. Well, my intent is as an EDC knife, for opening boxes, cutting rope, stuff like that. So will this knife get me in trouble if someone blabs? I have extremely good self-control, so as it would be concealed, nobody would know but still... I'm nervous because I don't want to ruin my life by getting arrested or something like that..
 
There is no law that prohibits you from owning or carrying a double edged knife, but in the eyes of law enforcement it could pose problems. To lessen the chances of causing a problem be discrete. Don't flaunt the knife around strangers, keep it concealed and act normal and you will be okay. If law enforcement asks about the knife tell them it is a tool, and don't get into an argument, a double edged knife will raise concerns especially if you give the officer a reason to be suspicious. If you say its for self defence or a weapon, its game over.
 
First - I like big knives, and I'm especially fond of daggers; so please keep that in mind.
Typically, double edged knives are viewed as weapons; so, even if they are legal in your area (as Bufford stated), your knife will automatically put LE in a state of heightened awareness. (I don't know anything about Canadian police; but it would likely go beyond "heightened awareness" here in the US.) If ever confronted by LE, you might find the opening boxes and cutting rope story a hard sell - don't expect anything less.
As stated above - be discreet, and aware of your surroundings; realizing that people might not be comfortable with your choice of tool will go a long way toward preventing problems.

Personally, as much as I like daggers, I don't see them as great choices for general utility; so I don't carry them as a routine. Granted, my State has crazy knife laws; so general carry of daggers is automatically a problem...that may color my attitude in that regard.
Best of luck with your new knife.
 
You can own it but I hardly see that as a really good edc knife IMO. Single edged blades fit that better for me so I can lock in and use it. It's kind of like using a chainsaw to open boxes (while it would be badassery) could be a little extreme.
 
A dagger is a lousy knife to pick for the tasks you're telling us you wish to use it for. Knife guy or not, anyone looking at one of those things instantly think 'killing weapon'. I don't know about Canada, but here in the states, any prosecutor would have an easy time of proving to judge or jury that there is only one reason for carrying a dagger, and it ain't for opening your mail at the post office.
 
It's always so funny to hear arguments about the proof of intent by the law. Though in all reality it is really going to be down to your ability to justify carrying it. Like everyone said yes it is completely illegal to say that any knife is for self defense...though in reality you could be arrested for saying you carry a tampon for self defense and it would be classed as a weapon by definition in the Canada criminal code. Also be careful in how you throw around calling it concealed as that could also pose a problem, you need to not call it concealed and instead just call it as it is when you put it in your pocket. It's a mode of transport, this includes pockets, backpacks, bags or any other easy stow away containers. Concealment is classified as actually hiding it somewhere on you like say under your pant leg attached to you, or stuffed into your pants between your underwear. Concealment is classified by you showing that you took extra steps to actually hide it on you or somewhere. So it's best to stow it away yes but not covertly so, even then make sure you have a clear intended use in day to day life and you should be fine.


Being an avid knife person myself I often push the limits I think in what LE would like to see. Sadly enough most LE here in Winnipeg Manitoba seem to be devoid of the Canada criminal code and instead place their own moral judgement over Canadian law. This being confirmed by how I am now facing charges of possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes x4 for carrying two system of knives in completely calm circumstances and yes all knives were legal and were being carried in a legal manner. For the most part I'm just stressing that you look into the Canada criminal code yourself as the section involving knives is quite short so this type of thing does not happen to you as well.
 
Check your local bylaws, depending on where you live, that might give you an answer. Don't ask a local cop, they might not have the actual info. Also look into any areas that you frequently go, for example, the laws in Brampton might be different from Toronto or Ottawa. Canadian Federal law specifies intent when it comes to carry, that is true, but the burden of proof is on you, so it doesn't do to push it. Some cities have very poorly put together bylaw searches, so you may need to contact someone in the council office for assistance. Ignorance of the law isn't a defense.

Taraka, were you charged federally? or locally? I can see how four knives might be hard to justify. Best of luck with that.
 
A dagger is not a camp/bushcraft/table tool, it is intended as a weapon, period. If you like it, that's cool, play with them at home or hang them on the wall but don't carry them around. In fact, they are not even good fighting/defence tools! Any well designed bowie/fighter style knife likely outperforms a dagger, certainly in slicing motions and "snap-cuts". The toughness of a dagger is also very questionable. In Canada you are good if you can explain that you have your cutting tool for practicing bushcraft/primitive living type tasks. That can be a 3 inch folding knife or a 10 inch chopper. A dagger - not so much.
 
Oh it was locally (As far as I understand anyway) and it was actually two different occasions. The first was with my system of three knives. My belt knife, keychain knife and a survival one that usually rides in my backpack. They initially tried to charge me on the scene for having a knife that was too long and get this! a supervisor was called in after I instructed them of Canadian law and all three officers didn't have a clue. So instead of checking with the Canada criminal code I was illegally detained until they could charge me with something else. On the paper it said I was not charged with the made up infraction of "Knife too long" but instead "possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes" for having all three. One of them being a 1.5 inch buck hartsook knife on my key chain.

I didn't really want to sign the paper as I didn't agree that those charges had been legitimized but I was threatened with the use of profanity that I would go to jail if I didn't agree to sign to accept the charges. Right after that I was released and they stole my knives. I quickly read the conditions that it read on my paper and it just said to be a good boy pretty much(Which I thought I was) and that I couldn't carry any weapons in Canada. That's a really funny thing because you can't carry weapons in carry anyway, there is no exception to this rule. You can't have anything meant for self defense as it generates intent that someone will be harmed by you. So I was like "Okay.....so I can't carry any weapons so I'll just keep carrying my knives since they are not defined as weapons." put a cold steel srk on my side and a tops desert dingo in my pocket and lived for about one year like that.....cops stop me here and there and just wanna talk a bit and I never have a problem with that. Until one day two officers whom were older stopped me and my friend while coming back from a store and said that I was under arrest for breaking my conditions as they called my knife a weapon. I said it wasn't by definition in the Canada criminal code and that they needed to define the situation as to where they figured it was being used as a weapon, the officer charged me additionally with failing to comply for asking that question.
 
My friend whom carries a CRKT triumph neck knife was there aswell and they took his knife while they illegally arrested me for a second time with a supervisor overlooking it. All the cops were talking amid themselves wasting our tax paying dollars when my friend whom had his knife taken then asked if he could have his knife back. He was standing on the sidewalk and was not under arrest and didn't have his knife any longer as one of the officers took it. They then asked each other if they should give it back....then one said "no" and they proceeded to then arrest him for possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes when he didn't even have his knife on him. I ended up being put up in jail for 4 days in a gang block (with some nice guys) before I needed to even have a bail hearing for my release. Of course.....none of this is ever legitimized or questioned and the crown and judge looked at the cops words as if they descended from god. I was then given the extra restrictions that I couldn't carry weapons....plus under that a new one that listed that I can't carry knives anymore for any reason and can't be out after 10 p.m without being labelled a criminal.
 
Ok so very sorry about the trailing off posts and triple! But in the end luckily in Canada you can carry just about any fixed blade knife you can think of. Except for ones brass knuckles built in of course which would classify as an impact weapon designed for people. The blade though oddly enough would still be completely legal. Carry what you will but be cautious that you may be questioned one day about it and it will be up to the officer on the scene as to whether or not he likes you rather than Canadian law. So your best defense is to be kind, curious, polite and understanding as your character will be put to the test. That along with where you are stopped carrying it and the people you are with will be judged. Of course there are some places that don't allow knives, like government buildings (Go figure....because they make the laws.) bars or clubs. Also it's usually just best to when you are going to be on private property that you contact them and ask about how they feel about, it's up to them really as to whether or not they wish for you to have your knife.
 
that sucks man. have you looked into getting your record cleared and how long that will take? have you talked to any lawyers about the situation and any ways that your record could be cleared that way? is there any chance you can throw down the discrimination card?

This is why its important to know your local laws as well, Calgary bylaw is that knives cannot be visible. My guess is that in general a belt knife in an urban center is going to be frowned upon.
 
Are you sure? the Canada criminal code kind of trumps pretty much everything else across our country. Though again this is often left to anarchy. Which is the personal opinion of whichever supposed law enforcing agent. As far as I know that bylaw you mentioned doesn't exist, where did you collect that information from?
 
Where in Ontario are you? Specifically, are you in a rural area or in a big city? Like many have stated previously, it's not so much the law but the public perception of knives in your area. That being said, an 8" dagger for EDC is going to be completely useless as you'll never be able to pull it out without raising alarm. Keep the dagger at home and carry a reasonably sized pocket folder.
 
Taraka said:
Oh it was locally (As far as I understand anyway) and it was actually two different occasions. The first was with my system of three knives. My belt knife, keychain knife and a survival one that usually rides in my backpack. They initially tried to charge me on the scene for having a knife that was too long and get this! a supervisor was called in after I instructed them of Canadian law and all three officers didn't have a clue. So instead of checking with the Canada criminal code I was illegally detained until they could charge me with something else. On the paper it said I was not charged with the made up infraction of "Knife too long" but instead "possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes" for having all three. One of them being a 1.5 inch buck hartsook knife on my key chain.

I didn't really want to sign the paper as I didn't agree that those charges had been legitimized but I was threatened with the use of profanity that I would go to jail if I didn't agree to sign to accept the charges. Right after that I was released and they stole my knives. I quickly read the conditions that it read on my paper and it just said to be a good boy pretty much(Which I thought I was) and that I couldn't carry any weapons in Canada. That's a really funny thing because you can't carry weapons in carry anyway, there is no exception to this rule. You can't have anything meant for self defense as it generates intent that someone will be harmed by you. So I was like "Okay.....so I can't carry any weapons so I'll just keep carrying my knives since they are not defined as weapons." put a cold steel srk on my side and a tops desert dingo in my pocket and lived for about one year like that.....cops stop me here and there and just wanna talk a bit and I never have a problem with that. Until one day two officers whom were older stopped me and my friend while coming back from a store and said that I was under arrest for breaking my conditions as they called my knife a weapon. I said it wasn't by definition in the Canada criminal code and that they needed to define the situation as to where they figured it was being used as a weapon, the officer charged me additionally with failing to comply for asking that question.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but what do you do for a living? Is there a reason for having both an SRK and a desert dingo on your person at all times? With the public perception on knives these days why would you put yourself in that situation AFTER you've already been charged (albeit unfairly) with weapons charges?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top