How to Buy a Good Pocketknife or Multitool
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.