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.
could someone QUOTE the regulation that states ” Fixed blade knives are not allowed in scouting”. Which manual, and passage please!
absoluteley none they just dont want us throwing them and yes i know what you meen
I use a Sharper Image knife. Now, I know that their known for making
lights, and fans, but this is a good knife!
Hammer-head attachment with nail remover, star-head screw-driver, flat-head, saw, file, pliers, wire cutters, and the classic knife
blade.
And get this, I found it on a back-packing trip when I was playing
capture-the-flag!
i use a victorinox huntsman it is a great pocketknife for me because it has everything i need in it as well as other tools that will come in handy sometime soon.
thanks that helps alot and it all is true i just bought a knife off your guide and now i have a great knife(along with my other 14 knifes
Where I lived previously, in *censored*, the blade length limit was 4 inches. I moved to *censored* and bought a knife that was 3.5in. but it turns out the limit here was 3 inches. Just a warning- check with your troop before buying a knife. By the way this is the knife I use (not in scouting, exceeds limit) Ozark Trail lockback knife. I bought it at Wal-Mart for $15
I use a 1957 black wenger scout that is the best knife i’ve ever used (except fixed blade, but those aren’t allowed in scouting.)
OADude,
Fixed blade knives are allowed in Scouts however a blade above 4 inches in not a wise choice. Heck I wish I bought a regular scout knife instead of the LMF II. Sure it’s a good knife but it’s a hassle to carry around.
I use a Buck 750 Red-Point, it is one of the toughest knives I’ve ever used. I would usually use a fixed-blade knife instead (I hunt& fish a lot), but you know, scouting doesn’t allow fixed-blades. But anyway, the 750 Red-Point, one of the best scouting knives ever. I’ve had it for a good 2 years, and have never had to sharpen it. And its lock is very safe for scouting stuff.
amen to the red point 750 THEY ROCK
I own an assisted opening knife (no they are not illegal) just the totally assisted blades are… Gerber is a good brand and Smith and Wesson sell cheap/good ones at Big 5 soooo…
assisted opening knives are also illegal in some states unless you are a first responder or police officer.
most assisted opening knives that I have seen have some sort of safety. I own one that has a little switch on the side that’s a safety
FOR THE LAST TIME ASSISTED OPENING KNIFES AND AUTO KNIFES ARE LEGAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a small swiss army knife and i’d like better one for around 15$. What brand should I choose.
if you want a good knife cheap, raise your budget a few bucks and get the Gerber Paraframe 1 for $25. It’s coated carbon-steel, so it won’t rust easily. And it’s super light, plus it’s one-handed opening/closing.
Try this:
Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker Lockblade Pocket Knife (Black)
It can be found at Amzaon for $31.00
BE Warned the scout knives re flimsy steer clear.
Also fixed blade knives are illelgal at almost all scouting events.
Also 2: A assisted opening knife is cool but Unless you have a knife pocket in your pants or a pouch it could pop open on you.