Knife laws in Canada?

[rxq]

What are the laws regarding carrying a knife in your pocket in Canada?

AFAIK, it's only illegal if it is an auto or if its a butterfly knife. Carrying it concealed is also illegal.

Am i correct?
Since concealment is illegal, does that mean i must carry my knife with the clip visible?
If so, I carry my knife in my pant pockets. I do not usually touch in my shirt and my shirt may cover the clip. Does that count as concealment?

 

[tapedeck74]

As far as folders go, knives that open automatically with the push of a button or other device on the Handle are prohibited. As are knives that open by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal force.

Regarding concealed carry of pocket knives, it is not illegal. Concealed carrying of a weapon is illegal. If you're carrying a knife with the intent of it being a weapon then that would be illegal, if you're carrying it as a tool, it is not.

I carry my folders concealed all the time, I don't like to advertise.

 

[gadgetgeek]

no one knows. not me, not the cops, sure as hell not any judges. best option is have a damn good reason and the ability to back it up. ie, a rescue knife and your first responder card, or a multi-tool and something to support having it (business card if you are a contractor or the like)
most local laws contradict federal law, so depends on who stops you and where. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW!!!!! some places have length limits, some don't.
the best idea is to not get charged, so be upfront about why you are carrying.
under federal law, concealing a knife is ok, a weapon is not. in calgary, carrying a knife openly is out, but I've never been stopped for my multitool. none of it makes sense, but then I avoid bars, clubs, and places where police are likely to do a "roundup"

as an aside, mall cops can kick you out, but they cannot afaik confiscate anything, so best idea would be "I'm sorry sir, I'm leaving now" unless you stole something, they cannot hold you (and even if you did, if they can hold you or not is up for debate)

 

[hiker123]

If the government made it clear then how would they be able to do whatever they want, when they want? =P

 

[Ptaltaica762]

I carried a Spyderco Police STi as EDC for around 12 years with the clip visible.In that time I only had 3 cops ask to see it (one being my uncle-Patrol Sargent..at his house for Christmas dinner.Looked at it said "cool knife").The other two..pretty much the same thing.
One thing my uncle advised me on was to "never, ever say that you'd use it defensively...no matter what scenario a cop might pose to you. If you admit that you'd use it defensively and say..."well maybe if I was outnumbered" you're toast. Automatic seizure of your knife and charged with carrying a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

I also wouldn't openly carry in a public meeting place(that's a very vague,broad number of places)open to interpretation.Too many sheeple and cellphones around-all it takes is one person complaining that your knife is making them nervous and your toast again. When I'm inside a store,library,etc.,I'll carry it concealed in my pocket,pouch,jacket to eliminate that possibility.

I now EDC a Spyderco Manix C95-almost twice as thick as a police model and it imprints in the pocket pretty clearly.I also EDC a Leatherman Charge Ti on my belt and get some weird looks from "sheeple".I'm going to get a custom made sheath to hold both and wear it on my belt.This way it's perfectly legal and nobody can say squat.