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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does anyone have a good pocket knife if so what kind is it
A Bear Grylls Gerber scout would be a fine folder.
Buck 55 hunter, or the Kershaw Storm II…both made in U.S.
bsa lockback
BSA Swiss army climber glow it glows in the dark so you can always find it.
swiss army tinker
I think the boy scout knifes are the best. You can find them for 20 bucks at your local scout shop.
Cool… but do they have any fixed blades?
no
knife guy, how many knifes do you own?
iThink every Scout should have the official Scout Knife,like iHave.
That depends… what kind of steel is it made of and where is it made?
I also got a really nice foldable knife at a flea market! Hasn’t broken yet, just needed a little tightening because of a friend flipping it open.
Leatherman Blast, all around, fairly light, useful tools, rugged.
Yeah Leathermans have defiantly earned their place in the knife world. However I much rather have a GERBER bear grylls ultimate multi-tool.
I have a Buck 412 lockback knife, a Victorinox Huntsman multipurpose knife, an L.L. Bean multi-tool, and a Swiss Army knife.
cool=0
But you should have at least one fixed blade knife.
I bought a stainless steel locking blade for 2 bucks!it worked great!but i lost it.:(
IM A EAGLE SCOUT
lol
NICE DUDE!!!=) Congratulations!!!! I am a Star scout but I hope to have my Eagle buy the time I am 17.
i’m going to get my eagle when i’m 13
ummmmm… I dont think thats possible.
Hey,anyone have a Gerber LMF II? Everyone else says it’s really good.If you have used it or have it give me your opinion! Thanks all!
i have a dozer knife 🙂
cool! But I would like to know about the Gerber LMF II.
Are half jagged half fine blades okay?
Yeah I think they work great!
I like fine blades better, easier to clean and sharpen
But with a good serrated edge you can cut rope,wood,bone even metal! plus, Smiths (a sharpening stone company) makes a sharpener that can sharpen serrated edges. (PP1 Pocket Pal multi-function sharpener)
I have a serrated edge on my Winchester multi tool.
the correct term is “serrated” not jagged
very good but hard to whittle and sharpen
i have two pocket knifes and i really like yours how would you buy one if your only 11 the ones i like are the Swiss army knifes do you have any of those cas i cant tell
All you need is a good knife made in the USA . buck knifes kershaw gerber MADE IN CHINA. Benchmade KA BAR made in America. Save your money get a good knife made in USA
swiss made is kool, 2
Buck knives are not made in china….
And neither Gerber or kershaw makes ALL of their knifes in china! They make many in the USA.
You do know that ka-bar and benchmade have knifes made in china right? GERBER,KERSHAW and BUCK are three of the best knife companies out there! You shouldn’t be insulting them buy saying that they make all of their knifes in china.
All Gerber Knives are built in Portland Oregon
I am sorry to say but no… Gerber makes most of their knifes in china. But they do make a few in Portland, OR. this includes my Gerber LMF 2 fixed blade. so you are right and wrong…but believe me I wish you were 100% right!
dude, i have a great winchester knife and i have no idea where its from!( i got it as a
present.)
If its winchester then its made in china
Gerber mini-Scout rocks! it is small and light, but big enough
for heavy-duty.
The compact scout is just a little small for me. No offense to the knife it self but it is just a little small. But it is a great back up knife if you ever lose your main knife. I have the Bear Grylls Gerber Scout and it works pretty good. The Bear Grylls folding sheath knife is heavy duty but folds down. Another great knife is the Buck Red Point 750 folding knife.
the best knife you will ever have is a case brand medium folder
That is REALLY debatable! There are tons of great knifes out there to buy. But if the CASE works best for you then congratulations! You have found your dream knife! Your “dream knife” is the perfect knife for your needs. Different people have different needs, once they find the perfect knife for their needs they have found their “dream knife!”
my dream knife is the SOG trident
i would really love a microtech knife but they are way too expensive
Get a usa made BUCK.
what type of buck knife should i buy
get the BUCK 110 folding hunter.
where do i find pocketknifes to buy ?
i want a really nice, decent single blade pocket knife. any places u know where i can find 1
I would look for a pocket knife from any quality sporting goods store. I ask to see it before I would buy it. Make sure you buy the right knife for your needs. Also make sure it is the right size for you. If the knife is to large for you, you could have troble controling it. That could make it dangrous for you or people around you.
were do i fide a good knife
Anywhere.
Where can I find the 3″ multiple tool knife
where do i go to buy knifes
you guys seen the new bear grylls [BG] collection from gerber?
Yeah I just got the scout and its epic!
I agree. I have the Scout,Parang and Ultimate knife. All are really cool. But my favorite is the Parang! I find that there are just a few flaws with the Ultimate knife.Still a great knife!
what is better?
-a single blade lockback
OR
-a swiss-army type multi-tool?
Im stuck i have one of each but dont know which one to take on a campout
plz help
A single-blade lockback is great they can do many things,they are small,light,and are easy to carry in your pocket.Swiss army knives are good if you spend a lot of times in the out doors,but are bulky when worn casually like in the city. It is up to you for what you want to buy so choose wisely.
A “swiss army” style knife is very handy for opening a can and tightening a screw, and the “spear point” blade is good for poking plastic wrappers(mind that the blade doesn’t close and cut you) however it is not as easy to clean, harder to open, and the blade is thinner(good and bad) a “single blade lock back” knife is a simple and dependable knife that is easy to open(not so much to close, but is sturdier and safer) it has a thicker blade(durable) and
swiss army knifes do not have spear points.A spear point is a double edged blade meant mostly for spears and throwing knifes.
a swiss army type multi tool is what i would chose
why not both?
On outings i take my lockblade and a swiss army knife or a multitool
can only take 1 on campouts
take the multi tool knife
Get a bear grylls Ultimate multi-tool and you’ll be in like flinn! that thing has every thing in a Swiss Army knife but the blades lock When you open them. Much more safe!! Plus Bear is figure head to 2 million scouts world wide and chef scout in the UK! So you can trust his products!
Not completely true. My swiss army has everything except the pliers of the BG Ultimate, and the blade DOES lock open.
@ Some,body. swiss army tools that lock are VERY expensive(up to $240)! Plus most typical swiss army knifes do not lock. The BG also has an advanced locking system that most other multi-tools don’t have. THANK YOU for commenting though!! SO many people will make a comment and for so reason never come back to BL! Thank you so much for commenting!
WHERE CAN I FIND A LEATHERMAN FUSE MULTI-TOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the leatherman website
Check out your local Dunham’s or Gander Mtn.
Cabelas
Hey I’m looking at you add in boys life magazine, “Gear Guy’s 8 great picks” and I wanted to know which knife do you think is the best out of the 8 great picks? I also wanted to know if all of the tools on the Geber Fit locked into place? The last thing I wanted to know was where could I purchase one of these knives?
the sog auto clip is lite durable sharp and nicely priced I’d recomend any sog
I have a buck knife u want it
what kind?
All of my qseutions settled-thanks!
I have a Uncle Henry Schrade knife and a Case Sod Buster(complete opposites right?) an they are all i use. they are great because they hold an edge terrifically and have a thick blade. So they are in my opinion much better than a Swiss army knife, Swiss army knifes are better for whittling though.
i want a bucknife
If its a folder you want get the BUCK red point 750. If you want a fixed blade get an Alaskan Guide.