As mentioned in another thread, Canadians now have the option to carry short-bladed knives in their carry-on for domestic flights.

The blade must be well under 6 cm. In a folder, that is measured from the pivot. This translates to a blade under 2" with a cutting surface of 1.5". (Also, it better be a blade you are willing to surrender without pain -- Murphy's Law applies.)

So: how do you get maximum utility from a very short blade?

For example, I find that a long, stout handle is much more important than the blade length when it comes to accomplishing bush tasks.

Thoughts?

My thought is that I agree. The AG Russell Woodswalker is just one example of that, unfortunately, it has a 2-3/8” blade so it’s unqualified. Maybe AGR can make a Woodswalker with a ~1.9” blade, keeping the handle as is. Very useful fixed blade in a small package.

I would anticipate that shortly there will be knives on the market that comply with this regulation. As it stands, I would have to grind down the blade on my PS4 by a little more than a 1/4" (6 mm) to make it work.

From what I've seen, the effective sizing and use of a lanyard can make a short handled knife more usable.

There used to be pictures on-line of usage of Doug Ritter's Mk5 (1.75" blade) in various uses. Not sure if those are still available.

A PS4 shouldn't be a problem at all. Same with a Micra or Style CS.

I measure my PS4's blade as 5cm including pivot, and its length closed is under 6cm.

I suspect small pocket tools like this are the reason for the change in regs. Searching for these wastes a lot of time in the security line without increasing public safety in any meaningful way.

However, while a PS4 is handy around town, it's severely limited in off-pavement use.

Agreed. I have an old Spyderco Ladybug that meets the regs. I've been experimenting with a sturdy key ring and a mini-carabiner fob to extend the handle. Mixed results so far, but better than the 'bug by itself.

Duh, who would have thought that the pictures Doug had posted about the Mk5 were on his Mk5 web site. Huh!

http://www.dougritter.com/rsk_mk5.htm

Hi,
Can you cite your sources on that?

I thought blade length was measured from the end of the handle

Are you only going by TP 14628 E - Prohibited Items List - Transport Canada which says
- Knives with blades of more than 6cm
- Scissors with blades longer than 6cm as measured from the fulcrum

The stuff on scissors before the pivot would be considered "bolster" portion of the blade, because its in front of the handle

Sure!

http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=288596#Post288596



The point is, this is a regulation, not a law (or a right).

In practice, security staff retain a fair amount of discretion. If you give them a bunch of grief at the gate, you will not come out ahead. Ever.

It's wiser to stay well within the parameters of a regulation that is eminently more sensible than the one it replaced.

here in the us of a we're suppose to be able to carry minis like a SAK Classic or leatherman PS4, but TSA will take them from you anyway.