Knives in China?

N

newbie_nick

Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
83
Hey all,

Unfortunately, my company has decided to send me to China for a couple of weeks, and I was wondering if anybody knew what knife laws were like there. I'm not really worried about carrying for personal defense, but I would feel naked without SOMETHING to carry. I'd like to carry my Spydie Chaparral, but I also don't want to violate any laws there or get it conviscated. Does anybody have any first-hand knowledge that could help or do you know of a website that I could reference?

Thanks!
Nick
 
I do not know what the laws are in China. I've visited there twice and carried a knife the whole time without any problems.
My brother lived there for over 8 years and carried a knife everyday without a problem.
I think you will really like China, the people are very friendly.
 
Just to be safe, I'd carry a SAK. I don't know much about China's knife laws, but I know they are very strict and there are bizarre length and angle-related laws, and they vary from city to city. Switchblades are illegal for sure, and some cities outlaw "sharp" things all together. China does sell a lot of knives from street vendors and stores, so apparently they haven't completely outlawed knives. I'm pretty sure that if you carried a small Spyderco (2.5" or under) you would have no problems.

Don't quote me on this though, this is just what I got out of reading a couple of different interpretations of China's knife laws. It might be more helpful to tell us what city you are going to...
 
personally, when i have a doubt about a knife law, i carry an opinel. an opinel 6,7 or 8 should do the trick.
 
I'd contact the American Embassy in Hong Kong as a starting point. They might not be of much help specifically, but they would know where you can get some answers for your questions.
 
Just to let you know, there is a difference between the law and actual practice in China. There are pretty restrictive weapons laws. In reality, though, you can find every kind of knife and even swords in local markets. You just walk up and buy them, so I doubt anyone will bother you, and I'd say go ahead and take your knife. The worst that will happen is a cop might search you, find the knife, and confiscate it. They will not haul you off for something like that. As a foreigner, the cops will not mess with you. However--and this is very important--if for whatever reason a cop in China does stop you and confiscate your knife, don't fight them or argue. I've seen foreigners get f***ed up by cops in China. And don't think anyone will help you if that happens; the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in China can't intervene in China's domestic police affairs.
 
I live in China..
Although all auto-lock knives are not allowed to carry or use in public, but the real restrict only happens when you take a flight.
 
Just buy some neat local knife, and you'll have a carry blade and souvenir in one!
 
Here's What I Found Out:
Due to concerns about potential violence at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China is beginning to restrict "dangerous knives", requiring that purchasers register with the government when purchasing these knives. Included in the new restrictions are knives with "blood grooves", lockblade knives, knives with blades measuring over 22 cm (8.6 in) in length, and knives with blades over 15 cm in length also having a point angle of less than 60 degrees.[11][12] As of January 2011, according to an authorized Leatherman dealer in Beijing all knives with a locking blade are illegal unless they are part of a larger multi-tool like a leatherman. However, many people still carry locking pocket knives especially when camping with no issues. He suggested carrying locking knives in checked luggage on airplanes, and on your person in trains and subways since they could be confiscated if found in a bag. Foreigners are generally given a bit more leeway in China so if a traveler is caught with a small knife there will probably be no prosecution and at most confiscation.
 
Sounds Like You'll Be Just Fine.
As Long As You Don't Carry Something HUGE, You Should Be Good To Go.
 
Here's what I've found:

wikipedia said:
Due to concerns about potential violence at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China is beginning to restrict "dangerous knives", requiring that purchasers register with the government when purchasing these knives. Included in the new restrictions are knives with "blood grooves", lockblade knives, knives with blades measuring over 22 cm (8.6 in) in length, and knives with blades over 15 cm in length also having a point angle of less than 60 degrees.[11][12] As of January 2011, according to an authorized Leatherman dealer in Beijing all knives with a locking blade are illegal unless they are part of a larger multi-tool like a leatherman. However, many people still carry locking pocket knives especially when camping with no issues. He suggested carrying locking knives in checked luggage on airplanes, and on your person in trains and subways since they could be confiscated if found in a bag. Foreigners are generally given a bit more leeway in China so if a traveler is caught with a small knife there will probably be no prosecution and at most confiscation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife_legislation#China
Click to expand...

wikianswers said:
What are knife carry laws in China?

Answer:
no locking folders of any kind or switchblades unless the knife is part of a multitool like a leatherman

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_knife_carry_laws_in_China
Click to expand...

However I would do more research and ask the Embassy in HK as suggested.

edit: lol looks like Bladechick beat me to it.
 
Please do not use General Knife Discussion for knife law threads. That is why we have the knife law forum.
 
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