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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Victorinox knives are the best I’ve ever used Gerber makes good ones too, but a $20
Victorinox will last you years.
No I would not take these swiss knives most do not lock and that is a big hazard! I looked it up and the ones that do lock cost a ton! Gerber is a good company though
how do i remove rust from a knife?
Sandpaper or steel wool
thanks!
Sure thing. But it will scratch up your blade. I have a old hunting knife that is a back up and it is REALLY scratched up but it still works good.
anybody who wants a good knife should check out the gerber assisted opening blade sold at most wal marts
No, a Buck QuickFire would be a better choice. Gerber is a good company but their assisted knifes are made in china. While Buck’s are made in Post Falls, Idaho!
I had an LMF 2 while in deployment and a Tactical Assault Paratrooper Knife (TAP-K) auto knife. but they only let me keep the LMF the TAP-K is illegal and ONLY available for the military which stinks because that was a good knife. oh well at least I now have a Buck quick fire assisted opening knife. Its not nearly as good or fast but is still a great USA made knife! take it from a Paratrooper… its a good knife!
I got a Buck QuickFire assisted opening knife and it ROCKS!!
So do I! I love it and I love Buck!
@slyfox I’ve noticed the oldest scouts realize they can do with less when they can pack all they need in a small space and end up packing lighter
I’ve noticed one thing more than anything about scouts with knives, the older the scout the smaller the knife. Every new scout wants the 20 function knife until it comes time to carry it on a backpack outing. That’s when the desire for a small one blade knife comes in handy. Weight and size become an important factor then. Personally, I use a single blade knife by PECK. Its titanium with a steel edge, weighs almost nothing, clips to a pocket if desired and only costs about $22.00 at Gander Mountain. I do own other knives; my other main knife is a Swiss Army altimeter that I use for elevation and temperature monitoring on outings. Its sissor is the most useful blade of the three offered. Again it comes down to preference.
not true with our scout troop!When I go camping/hiking I carry a Gerber LMF 2 fixed blade and a Gerber Bear Grylls parang machete for chopping limbs and to use as a hatchet.
Fixed blades and machettes are not allowed in scouting according to the guide to safe scouting. Your Scoutmaster should stop that right away.
Look kid, it clearly says in the boy scout hand book that they are “not recommended” to does not say the are illegal. Different troops have different rules about fixed blade and machetes. Let me tell you brother if you lived where I lived you would be glad to carry a fixed blade and a machete. Where I live the weather, mountains, cliffs and forests fight fiercely and you need a good solid fixed blade to fight back with. YOU try climbing a almost vertical cliff with buck brush everywhere with out a machete! Thank you for being concerned but us Idaho boys know what were doing.
My scoutmaster has nothing to stop. non of the guys(or me) have ever cut them selves or misused their fixed blades of machetes . secondly, it says in MY scout book that they are “not recommend” it does not say they are “not allowed” I live deep in the Idaho Mountains and you need a good solid fixed blade to get the job done.
If you want to buy a knife I could help u choose a good one please say how much u want to spend and what kind of a knife u want small med large fixed blade, classic lock back, trapper Swiss army, Multi tool, etc
OK this is a test. Lets say I want a 4 to 4 and 1/2 inch fixed blade what would YOU recommend?
i think carbon blades are better then stainless steel becuase they sharpen a hole lot better
Do thay stay sharp
Carbon is good for sharpablity, but it stinks in edge retention! If you want a REAL GOOD steel that is as easy to sharpen as carbon but as hard as ceramic then CMP S30V steel is the steel for you! Buck Knifes makes them for Cabelas. they are called the Alaskan Guide Sires of knifes.
my sister wants a pocketknife but i dont know what kind of knife to get her any suggestions?
@ireadalot. Ok let me think. Hmmmmmmmmmm… Oh! a Buck 55 hunter would be perfect! Or a Gerber Bear Grylls mini-scout. The Buck 55 is $30 on Amazon.com And the Mini scout is $12 on Amazon.com. hope these suggestions help! By the way, I like your name!
There is two brands I buy; Swiss Army Wenger and Leatherman. Both Swiss Army company give you quality knife but I like the design of the tools and blade of the Wenger over the Victorinox. Beside US made, Leatherman are very solid and durable. I recently got the Skelatool for $30 at Fry’s Electronic. Another model that I have and like is the Blast. It’s a midsize tool with knife, saw, scissor, file, pliers and other tools.
To me quality and material is very important because they determine the life of the tool. Knife made in China just does not seem to hold up.
The victorinox tinker or recruit are good choices also a buck lockback is good
no offence jj55 but a swiss army knife would not be a good idea because they do not lock and that can be a big hazard to little(and big) kids!
tinkers are the bomb
Swiss Army knive do lock, I use a Fireman; it has two locking blades, one standard and one surrated.
Knife xpert is right! most swiss knifes DO NOT lock. and the ones that do lock cost a bundle!
A Buck 55 or a Bear Grylls Gerber mini-scout or a Gerber Mini-Paraframe
I have 3 knives 2 of them are Gerber Gerber is my faverite brand
If you’re sister’s under 13, I recommend some sort of small multi-tool knife, possibly, if you can find it, Sheffield brand. If you’re sister’s like, over 13, maybe a larger knife, but not uncomfortably large. Also, ask her if she wants it fixed blade if she’s over 13. Those are my favorite kind. 😀
I say a claus double blade 5$ at OSH
The gerber bear grylls are great knives they have serrated edges and rarely go dull. You can choose from a fiked 4.9″ blade or shorter folding blades the folding blades come w/ either a belt clip or military grade nylon sheath, both are the same size and are great knives. The only down side is they are a bit bulky.
I have the Ultimate knife, folding scout, parang, ultimate multi-tool and my brother has the mini-scout and the mini-multi tool. I think they could do a bit better job on the fixed blade. It still works but I lost the fire steel, the whistle and the sheath broke a little. I replaced it with a USA Gerber LMF II. Just take good care of your Ultimate knife and it will do fine(dont beat it up like I did!) great products! just wish they where made in the US. I totally agree with you me185!
I’ve got the Scout and its perfect for my uses but tenderfoots always complain about why you need to clean a knife after using it!
i have a buck bantam for 20$it is so awesome! buck is the best
were can i get a good knife
cabelas, sportsman’s warehouse, Bass pro, Amazon.com. I would get a Gerber LMF II or a Ka-bar Becker Champion. I would not recommend Ka-Bar fighting knifes Ka-bar is a super good company but their fighting knifes are meant for Marines not Boy scouts.
were can I find a good fixed blade knife
I suggest a Gerber LMF 2. $65 Amazon.com. Or a Ka-bar Becker BK2 $50 at Amazon.com is a nice light weight knife. I would not recommend a Ka-bar USA fighting knife. They are SUPER good knifes BUT they are meant for fighting more then utility. oh and irock the comment right below me, the Gerber suspension is $25 on Amazon.com. Really good and has a dependable locking system.
i wonder what the best knife brand is i am looking for a good multitool i am looking for one that is under $50.00
Gerber Suspention is 40$ at walmart.I have one it is AWSOME!!!!!!!!
I would have to go with Ben the Gerber suspension is only 25 bucks on amazon.com I have the BG(Bear Grylls) version of it and it is a good quality tool I would get one!
What is the best Buck knife?
All Buck knifes are good!Some of their best and most loved knifes are The 110 Hunter,55 hunter,vanguard and the infamous 119 spacial! Hope this helps!
I am getting a new Buck QuickFire assisted opening knife. Buck has the best quality control or their knives. My dad got a Buck Vanguard skinning knife and that thing wont get dull!! We gutted and skinned two deer and it has come no where near losing it’s edge!Buck is the best U.S.A. made company!
the Gerber Suspention is AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Ben! I have the Bear Grylls version of the Gerber Suspension. It ROCKS!!!! I carry it every day! It is SO handy!
Can weblose take knives on campouts
Get Kershaw knives. I have one and it is the best knife I have ever used, they also come with lifetime sharpening. Also, Leatherman knives are really nice and have a lifetime warranty on them. I have them both and I absolutely love them. The Buck knives are really sharp and durable, they also fit really nice into your hand. I have at least one of each of them. They are amazing, each with their own benefits and limitations.
You are right… Kershaw,Leatherman, and Buck are all top-of-the line knife companies. Gerber is another good one.I am thinking about getting a Buck Quickfire assisted opening knife to replace my old Buck redpoint 750.
Winchester knives are great too!!!!! but forget their multi tools.
Toatally.
i have 3 knives
I have 16 knifes.
I have 10 knives
@ The Rock. SWEET! how many fixed blades?
I have 38 knives plus two machetes and 3 hatchets
so do I
I don’t think the official boy scout and cub scout knifes are good… not only are they made in CHINA but the blades don’t lock! and I know from experience that non locking blades are junk. sorry BSA but its the truth.
chad 101 i have a bsa lockback made in the usa by BEAR MGC
Hooraaa!! Way to go BSA! I guess I was wrong! Thanks for correcting me on that one gunslinger! But they still do make a lot of knifes in china.
bsa whittler knife is good tho it nerer goes dull ive had it for years and havent sharpened it once and it still works great
what steel is it made of?
The Gerber USA made LMF II is heavy but is tough as nails and will get you out of a jam every time. Weather you are stranded in a mountain range or lost in the amazon it will always get you out with out a scratch! It is my hunting,survival,camping and hiking knife. always ready at my side.
I have a swiss army huntsman. multitool swiss army RULES. you can even get a multitool with a lockable blade. check victorinox.com if you do search swisschamp. its AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like the GERBER Bear Grylls ultimate multi tool better. it has rubber non-slip grips,spring loaded pliers and the fine and serrated blades lock into position.
yes you can go to leatherman’s website almost all their stuff locks.
I have over 15 knives
Really how many fixed blades?
I have 16 knifes…5 folding knifes,2 multi-tools,1 swiss army knife,1 mini swiss army knife,1 Defender throwing knife,5 fixed blades, and 1 machete. my favorite fixed blade is the Gerber LMF 2.