Knives

[cpaharley2008]

Reading what is allowed and whether to declare items, knives were mentioned. I carry these 2 in my Escape, one being a "Buck" knife with 3.5" blade, the other a "Cutco" knife I received with an expensive $$$ household knife set 40 years ago. I use it to cut meat, similar to a steak knife. It's blade is 4.5" long.
Can anyone tell me if I should leave these at home or declare them? I have crossed the border for the past 6 years with them and never gave them a thought? Thanks for any comment.

[Ron in BC]

I wear my Leatherman almost 24/7 and sometimes a knife similar yours. I use the Leatherman almost every day.

Never had anyone ever ask about them. It's my understanding that it's the length of the blade, like over 4", that's a potential issue if you're wearing it on your belt, like a hunting knife for instance. No problem in the bush but in some urban areas it might be a problem. As for knives in the trailer I can't imagine them ever being a problem.

Ron

[gbaglo]

Concern is over switchblades and those star throwing knives. I assume you have kitchen knives in your trailer.

[Jim Bennett]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9_GlqRRs0s

Seriously though, like Ron said, I can't imagine any knife being an issue. We have knives much bigger than a wee buck knife, though like Ron, my Leatherman is my go to most of the time.

[Brian B-P]

I think the relevant page from the Canada Border Services Agency would be Import and Export a Firearm or Weapon into Canada. While the list published on that page is "not exhaustive", I would think that if there were a simple restriction related to folding or size it would be included.

• The Buck knife appears to be a lockback. As long as it doesn't open itself with a spring by pushing a button or swing open (making it a switchblade or flick knife, which have all sorts of legal issues), I'm not aware of any restrictions; it doesn't match anything prohibited in the CBSA list, as far as I can see. I always have a knife like this around for utility use, and wouldn't expect that to be an issue for travel by road (flying is another matter, of course).
• It's hard to see why the Cutco would be treated any differently from fixed-blade knives of similar length in the kitchen. Again, I don't see anything matching in the CBSA list, but that's just me.

I'm assuming that these are carried in the trailer (or stored in the tug), not on your person, and that if asked at the border if you have any knives the answer is "yes" (kitchen knives and these).

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Jim
From the sound of things there's not a lot of concern with kitchen knives, filet knives, buck knives etc. I have four or five in the camper and my bug out bag. Never leave home without it
Dave

[davescape]

If we're talking about a simple jack knife or hunting knife there are no restrictions and length of blade is not an issue. You can carry any length of knife in your trailer but it gets more complicated when its on your person. Concealed weapons are prohibited and a knife only becomes a weapon when its intent is for self defense or offense. Technically you could carry a machete around on your belt but you might get stopped by every law enforcement official if you walk around a city that way. In the bush no one would bother you. You could also stuff the same machete in your backpack, but then it's concealed and a law enforcement officer might think that you have nefarious intent which makes it a weapon. Context and intent are very important so there aren't hard and fast rules. Generally a pocket knife in the pocket and a hunting knife on the belt (as a tool for cutting rope or fishing etc) are not a problem but you wouldn't want to carry the pocket knife into an airport and you wouldn't want to walk downtown Vancouver with a hunting knife: both would attract undue attention. Knifes with fancy springs and designed for fighting are a whole other story.