Travel to Canada

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TomAiello
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Location: Twin Falls, ID

Travel to Canada

#1

Post by TomAiello »

I know that Canada is having all sorts of issues with knives and importation.

Are those same issues effecting private travelers?

I'm headed to Banff with my family next week, and wondering if I should switch to my "european jurisdiction" EDC for the trip.

Has anyone crossed the border by private car recently? Any thoughts?
5pins
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Re: Travel to Canada

#2

Post by 5pins »

We went up to Niagara Falls and then camping two weeks ago and I took a Native and an ESEE fixed blade. When we crossed the border we were asked if we had any weapons. I informed him about the knives and the axe we had for camping. He didn't asked to see them.

Best advice? Don’t take anything you are not willing to lose or go to Walmart after you cross.
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spyderg
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Re: Travel to Canada

#3

Post by spyderg »

So the current interpretation of the rules is no one hand open, locking knife from what I am aware of. The more one hand openable, ie flippers, Spydie holes etc. the worse. We are of course still allowed to own and carry such knives, we just can’t import them. If you do bring this type of knife, make sure it’s a user so it doesn’t look like you might be bringing it in to sell to someone and you’ll likely be ok. Remember, we are allowed to carry knives here but not for the purpose of self defence. So,if they ask you why you have it, it’s for opening packages or camping, not in case you get accused of stealing some guys beer and have to fight him off!
If you're wielding the sharpest tool in the shed, who's going to say that you aren't...?
TomAiello
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Re: Travel to Canada

#4

Post by TomAiello »

Since we'll be camping, it won't be hard to justify that. I'll have tents, sleeping bags, camping stove...etc.

I might just go with UKPK for EDC. I'll probably bring a (cheap) Mora for camp chores.
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wrdwrght
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Re: Travel to Canada

#5

Post by wrdwrght »

When I crossed into Ontario in May, I had decided not to risk it and, so, had a fixed blade, a SAK, and my just-arrived K390 Urban.

Asked if I was bringing weapons, I said no, thinking, wait, my knives are not weapons, I am the weapon (a sincere belief).

But I didn’t want an argument I’d lose and kept my trap shut. At least the knives I had didn’t fit the CBSA’s idea of a weapon.

When I return in August, I will include my S30V PM2. If I’m asked to show my knives and the PM2 gets taken, I can replace it. It’s still in production.

And if it’s taken, then I, an American entering on a Canadian passport, will be sure to ask why CBSA import rules are at such odds with Canada’s (MY Canada’s) reasonable knife-carry laws.

Nothing will come of such an encounter, of course, but at least I will have an event I can refer to when writing my member of Parliament for an explanation of this breach of the Rule of Law (in which Canadians take great pride).

So, Tom, either avoid the risk, or chance it with a knife you can replace or live without.
-Marc (pocketing my K390 PM2 today)

“Science is not the truth. Science is finding the truth. When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.” - Brené Brown
5pins
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Re: Travel to Canada

#6

Post by 5pins »

I almost bought a UKPK and if the situation hasn't changed next year I probably will. One for all of us. The kids kept using the Native for carving sticks.
SkySaw
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Re: Travel to Canada

#7

Post by SkySaw »

Good practice when ordering or carrying knives into Canada is to tighten the blade pivot screw a bit or ask your shipper to do this, so that it will be obvious to any border inspection that the blade is not assisted or otherwise too quick/easy to open.
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