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
Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment? Click here to send in your questions for the Gear Guy. Selected questions will be answered here and in the printed magazine.
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I have the Victiorinox Huntsman which has 13 tools it works really for leather work or fixing a backpack or tent pole
Sog tactical knives are actually really good if you are looking for a folding knife go with the salute. Fixed go with the seal pup.
That is cool I have to look into that
DearXxleathermenwavex,
As it turns out yes you can as long as the blade is under 3inches
i want a wenger giant nife
I’m a fan of the Gerber Paraframe (two sizes, each with a clip). It has a partially serrated blade. I also found a decent three blade Imperial Schrade knife on Amazon for less than $20.
WalMart: Victorinox Super Tinker Knife with Leather Clip Pouch ($27)
lol
wow! the Wenger giant knife is HUGE! it must be hard to carry that around!
ya it sure is!!
Why are one set of knives shown here described as “…unnoticeably carried in any pocket.” Is that relevant for cub scouts?
when do we need the pocket knives
I thought the boys were only aloud to carry locking folding knifes in scouts. Is this wrong?
Only allowedto carry a folding knife in Cub Scouts, with their wittlin chip which comes as Bears.
Boy Scouts can carry fixed blade knives.
Check the guide to Safe Scouting to check this or any other safety related questions.
Leatherman wave is my favorite.
Mine too!
Dear gear guy,
I am looking for a new multitool what are your tips about the brands of multitool
A very sturdy folding knife is the Cold Steel Spartan and With a 4.5″ locking Blade it can handle just about job big or small.
the multitool bracelet also comes in black and you can also add a watch face
I carry a Leatherman Freestyle. It has one blade with a liner lock and a pair of pliers with a wire cutter. I find that in the real world, I often need to hold something still or cut it loose. Compact tool kits are great and I keep one on my bicycle where I might need it, but my Freestyle is the tool I keep with me.
Funny, Scouts for decades carried a slip joint knife—-that is, one without a locking blade—-with no problems. It all comes down to keeping in mind how to use the knife safely. I guess a lock would be better for some but don’t forget—any lock on a blade can fail, don’t depend too heavily on them.
yes, but they also would carry a fixed blade and/or a hatchet along with that
Hey, I’m looking for a new knife. My old one is worn down, and isn’t of much use anymore. Anybody know any good places to look? Thanks in advance!
A knife that i would recommend is he CRKT M16-01KZ. it is an inexpensive but durable knife from a great company
go to cabellas and get a buck 110 folder or if that is to bulky get a standard swiss army champ knife at Walmart whitch would roughly be around 30$ and on the one ten folder it would be 40 dollars roughly.
The Gerber gator is the best knife ever I just kneed to sharpen it
For general eveday carry to meetings and outings, we recommend our youth be able to core an apple with their knife. When did BSA approve a fixed blade sheath knife for carry? I have seen these promoted in BL and Council Camps.
Spyderco Manix 2, best knife I have ever owned, had it for 3 year and still going strong.
Scouts have sold fixed blade knives for years, but most troops and some camps forbid or discourage their use.
they should have more leathermans they are such good tools to have
the leatherman freestyle is a wonderful tool, with just a locking blade and pliers it isn’t bulky but is very handy!
The leatherman is far and away superior to any folding knife. The folding knife is pretty much obsolete unless you cannot carry a multitool.
Carried one every day and used it every day in Afghanistan. Folding knife was in my pocket as a backup but never really used it.
Actually I have a Ka-bar and it is not awkward to carry, in fact it can double as an ax and is a great tool.
the Leatherman Tread is the coolest multitool i have ever seen
Must be a Marine using a KABAR instead of tools better suited for the job.
Well, these are all great knives, except for the Morakniv. (No tip on a knife? Really?)But they don’t really compare to some of the classics. I’m not seeing any Case knives or Bucks, which are the classics. I carry my good o’l custom Buck 110 and a custom Swiss. (Hey, i like costom outdoors gear.)