How to Buy a Good Pocketknife or Multitool
Opinel’s No.07 My First Opinel Folding Knife ($17, opinel-usa.com) is sharp but without a point. The 3.5-inch blade is made from Sandvik stainless steel, and it holds an edge. The outdoors version ($26, scoutshop.org) also has a built-in whistle to call for help in an emergency.
With proper training, many Scouts can use a knife — a valuable tool for camping or working on a whittling project. A multitool provides multiple blades and other tools. Examples are saws, drivers and even forks and spoons.
A knife is not a toy. If you’re a Bear, Webelos or Arrow of Light Cub Scout, earn your Whittling Chip. If you’re in Scouts BSA, earn your Totin’ Chip. Then you will know how to safely carry and use one of these tools.
The CRKT Minimalist Drop Point ($36, crkt.com) has a 2-inch fixed blade with a tough handle that’s comfortable to hold. The carbon-steel blade sharpens quickly, and the half-ounce durable thermoplastic sheath has multiple mounting options.
KNIFE BASICS
There are several types of knives.
All-purpose folding pocketknives are common in Scouting. Most come with tools such as a can opener, screwdriver, tweezers and, of course, knife blades — all in one compact package. Though they can be extremely handy, a downside is the knife blade doesn’t lock into place, so it may fold up on your hand while you’re using it.
Lockbacks are simple folding knives with a single blade that can be locked. So you get the benefits of a sturdy fixed blade-style knife but in a convenient pocket-size package that can be folded open with just one hand.
Scouts have been using Victorinox Swiss Army knives for a long time. The Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman ($50, victorinox.com), a multitool with first-aid functions, has a suite of transitional tools, including a can opener, scissors and tweezers — plus large and small blades, saw, awl, leather punch and more. It pretty much has everything you need.
Fixed blades, are no-nonsense knives with a beefy handle and stationary blade. If you need a knife to accomplish the everyday tasks you come across in the outdoors, from whittling on things and cutting materials to spreading peanut butter on your sandwiches, a short, no more than four-inch-long, fixed-blade knife will accomplish all of that. Avoid large sheath knives; they are heavy and awkward to carry.
You’ll also find specialty knives such as river rescue knives with serrated blades for slicing rope, whittling knives designed for carving wood, and multitools, which are compact, handheld tool boxes. Most are built around a pair of folding pliers.
The Leatherman Sidekick ($70, leatherman.com) is a stainless-steel toolbox on your belt. The 7-ounce Sidekick has spring-action needle-nose and standard pliers, wire cutters and stripper, knife and serrated knife, saw, ruler, can and bottle openers, wood and metal file and three screwdrivers.
FOLDING OR FIXED KNIFE? KNOW THE POLICY
Knife policies vary among packs, troops, councils and camps when it comes to what blade types and lengths are allowed. Learn your unit’s policy before buying a blade of any kind. When it comes to types of knives, the Guide to Safe Scouting recommends “choosing the right equipment for the job at hand.”
BLADES
Most blades are made from strong and durable stainless steel. Blades are available in straight edge, serrated (jagged like a saw) or both. Bigger is not always better. A small, sharp four-inch-or-smaller blade can cut just as well as bigger knives but is much safer to handle and easier to maneuver in tight spots.
Stansport’s Folding Knife, Fork, Spoon Multitool ($15, stansport.com) has more than eating utensils. The tool, which separates into wo so you can use fork and spoon together, also has a can opener, corkscrew and chisel all in a belt-ready nylon carrying pouch.
PRICE AND QUALITY
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality tool. Often, an inexpensive knife will do everything you want it to do. As prices go up, you’ll see small improvements in the quality and size of the blade.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Knives and multitools can last your whole life if you care for them. Wipe your pocketknife with a damp cloth to clean it, and add a drop of food-safe oil at pivot points to keep it at its best. Use a sharpener to keep your blade sharp.
“A sharp knife will work for you, while a dull one works against you,” says Kyle Owens of Work Sharp, a company that makes sharpeners.
A great knife deserves an equally great sharpener. Work Sharp’s Pocket Knife Sharpener ($15, worksharptools.com) is small enough to stash in your pack, with a diamond sharpening plate and ceramic honing rod that have built-in angle guides so you can get a perfect edge on your pocketknife.
CARRY IT SAFELY
The smartest, safest place to stash your knife is in an easy-access spot in your backpack. You’re asking for trouble by wearing a fixed-blade knife on your belt. If you fall, the knife could rotate inward and you could land right on the blade.
At only 3.1 ounces, Gerber’s Armbar Trade ($50, gerbergear.com) has eight essential tools, including a knife, saw, awl, driver, pry bar, hammer and bottle opener, packed into a surprisingly small and effective pocket clip tool.
TREAT YOUR KNIFE WITH RESPECT
Treating pocket knives with respect not only ensures your safety, but also keeps others safe. Here are a few major no-no’s:
- Throwing a knife
- Using a dull or dirty blade
- Handing a knife to someone blade first
- Cutting while others are within your “safety circle” (arm’s length)
- Carving into something that doesn’t belong to you
- Cutting toward your body
Using a knife requires responsibility. Bear Scouts can start carrying a pocketknife after completing the Whittling Chip requirements. Members of Scouts BSA must earn their Totin’ Chip, which also gives them the right to carry and use axes and saws.
Ask the Gear Guy
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i collect knives. i got swiss army knives, pocket knives and multi tools. i have 12 knives and there still comin!
I have used the Buck 110 exclusively for the past 10 years. It is heavy, but I hardly notice it in my nylon belt sheath.
The “Wave” from Leatherman is great in that it has “one thumb” opening and closing lock blades. Carry it on your belt and you’ll find many uses for the pliers around camp.
I find the best knives are the swiss made Victorinox. they are the original makers of knifes for the Swiss army. I like them so much I bought a 31 tool one while visiting switzerland!
At Mejer they are expensive but very good!
I have a good Appalachian Trail lock blade knife I got at Lowes home emprovement it is easy to sharpen -and stays sharp! So if you want a low matananance knife you’d want to get one.
i have a swiss multi function all purpose tool. it’s great you have all of the standards that are in this article .
all of you need to get a case double x they are great
i carry a gerber clutch and a good locking blade will be getting a spyderco tenacious when i carry a sheath knife its the mora clipper
i collect knives and my favorite knife for scouts is a Winchester from my grampa i want to get a case hobo knife
I Got 2 PocketKnifes
hey i got 56 pocket knives if you want a sheath knife get a dajo survival knife its awesome it comes with a sheath, a whistle and a swedish firesteel
wow i only have 1 and my dad doesn’t even let me use it
CAN I BUY ONE FROM YOU
Yo guys i just got a virtually indestructible ARMY RANGER knife @ the gun show in marlboro its so cool! EPIC AWESOMENESS STRIKES AGAIN!
get the buck safespin its an mazing knife! cuts through anything on a campout i cut through a small tree with it and you can beat the life out of it and its perfect cost:30$
i used two have a buck safe spin and i agree THEY ROCK there perfect quality and cheep i lost my k knife 3 years ago and i am still looking for it
cool good for you
I love the website!!!!!!!!!!
most state have laws that do not permit switch blades BSA does not allow them do to safety concerns I recamend small buck knives also dacor does a very good job
If you own a Leatherman, you need look no further.
switchblades are perfectly leagal in any stete, if there is a law about them it is unconstatutinal…..we have the right to bear arms
Actually switchblades are illegal.(take it form an expert!)it is STATE LAW that you are not allowed to posses a switchblade. however autos and assisted opening knifes are allowed.
if your looking for a good knife get a gerber knife i have one and i’m not getting a new knife unless it’s a gerber
i have a CRKT M16-01KZ and it works great. I just need to find a good sharpener for it.
i love switchblades on pocket knives it so awsome and cool,i feel like to buy all of the switch blades……
For the trail:
1. A belt clip or big hole for carabiner
2. Less than 4″ blade
3. Lockback stainless
4. Part serration
5. Sharpen daily
6. Cheap to replace
OR you can just clip am army ranger knife to your belt [like moa] and go.
Swiss army all the way
i also have a original pocket knife a well abot inch long and has a blade a file thing and pliers in the side as well as a scredriver in the side and a curved knife u wear around neck on chain never pops open and i would say its perfect
amen to that
Awesome
I have a few knives belive it or not i have about 45 my dad gave me every single one he has and my mom bought me acouple.some are full of gadgets but there really heavy i have 2 that are one bladed but im looking to $buy$ a nice boy sout kinve but there all exspenzive except for the little ones but i need one that could be used for any subject and i could carry on my whole life wich one would you subjest?
CAN I BUY ONE
i have a Gerber suspension Tool it is awesome
go Winchester
i might get one to!
ME TO