OT:(sort of) Question for all Canadians on the forum

MauiRob

MauiRob

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Nov 15, 2000
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I am planning a trip to the wilds of Nova Scotia this spring and would like to bring a choice "grizzly deterrent" (just kidding, but I love to introduce bears into any thread I can:D)khuk with me.

Question: what do you think my chances are of getting it through customs. If I leave it in the open and/or declare it what happens? If I hide it and they find it, what happens?

My gut feeling is to leave it home, but I thought I'd check. After all, I know some guys who hunt up in Canada and must bring knives along with their guns.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.
 
Rob -
A poster on SIGForums asked about the wisdom of taking handgun into Mexico, for protection on business trips he is about to be assigned to. There, a single roun of .22 ammo, loose in the floormats of his car, got a Texan several months in the jusgado just for accidental possession. Their laws are draconian. Canada's are not that nasty, but they are STRICT. Best bet is to make an inquiry through their consulate, or tourist bureau (a search should turn up the proper source). If you describe it as a Nepali Khukuri, a large camp/utility/hatchet/knife, you will be putting the best face on it, and telling the truth. Before AC was in high school, his grandad took the boys on a Canadian tour in a motorhome. At the border, they made him seal, pack and ship his .357 back to me. Because he had many wilderness stops on his route, the M97 12 ga. and the Win..30-30 were allowed. That was 30 years ago.Today, I would almost want written authority to take anything useable as a weapon across any border (including some state lines :()

PS - Never ever hide anything you don't want them to find. They will find it going in, or coming out, and it will be theirs, along with your rear. Even pre-checked and declared, the opinion of the border officer and whatever authority you may have cleared it through may be at odds, and the border officer will win out. At least, if you declare it, you may have the chance to send it home.
 
Yes, it's probably a good idea to contact Canada Customs for such info. Canadian laws are less strict concering knives. From what I understand sitting here in Riyadh :) you can carry any bladed thing as long as it's not concealed. However the authorities will probably stop you and ask why you have such a thing on your person.

Do a search in the general forum, cuz this topic came up a few months ago. Whatever you do, contact Canada Customs for the real scoop before you start packing fine Nepalese cutlery to the Great White North.
 
I've been lurking for a couple weeks, tempers have cooled since my last posts - mine included - and this seems like a good spot to offer some input again.

IANAL, but I believe that practically any blade but a punch dagger, switchblade, or centrifugally opening knife is 'street legal' in Canada - provided you have a good reason to carry. In these parts, 'self-defence' doesn't count as good reason. A khukuri, as a working knife, is just fine out in the bush, though I'd hesitate to wear one in town.

I'd advise, however, against trying to get a khukuri through customs. Too high-value an item, venturing into a legal grey area. Consider buying a good machete once you reach your destination, instead. Distasteful to an HI buff maybe, but Tramontina makes a decent-quality 17" machete for around $20 Cn. Better that than losing one of your 'babies' in a border SNAFU, and at that price it's pretty much disposable.
 
Hi Rust, I think tempers have cooled down. We'll just talk khuks this time and things should be ok!
 
That's the intent, SkagSig. I have a lot of things I'd like to say, and I'm not going to say a damned one of them. Strictly business from here on in.

Also, I think I forgot an important point about Canadian knife laws. Don't carry concealed. That's just common sense, I suppose.
 
Thanks for good advice guys:)

Yeah, I think I'll leave em at home:( If it was going to be an extended stay I might mail one ahead to my friend, but it'll probably just be 3 days so I guess I can make it that long without a khuk.

Although being around Grizzlies makes me wish I could carry my Mossberg 12 ga. pump on a shoulder strap---Don't spose that would go over very well either though;) :D Of course I could just tell customs that the shotgun was strictly for getting Salmon the easy way:D
 
Taking knives and guns across borders can certainly lead to some unpleasantries. Better have the right papers, especially these days, if you're going to try it.
 
You could try a villager, if you have one. A smaller, "tool" knife might pass, especially if it is transported with other camping equipment. But do call Customs and ask.
 
Thanks Irregular:)

That's a good idea. Problem is that I "Walosified" the handle and polished the blade so now I love the darn thing too much! Thanks for nothing Wal:mad: ;) Just teazin:D
 
Another piece of advice. If you're planning on going off-trail anywhere, take along either a good GPS system or a big ball of string. The forests of Nova Scotia are famed for eating people, and you can get hopelessly lost after just a few hundred feet of hiking.
 
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