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How to Buy a Good Pocketknife or Multitool

Opinel's No.07 My First Opinel Folding Knife

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.

CRKT Minimalist Drop Point knife

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.

Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman knife

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.

Leatherman Sidekick

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

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.

Work Sharp's Pocket Knife Sharpener

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.

Gerber's Armbar Trade

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.

58 Comments on How to Buy a Good Pocketknife or Multitool

  1. I have lots of knives but for utility purposes i use my S.O.G. Flash 2 but i would suggest any S.O.G. knife for any situation. Another great knife is leatherman multitool which is great for a lot of jobs.

    • hippiescout151 // April 18, 2011 at 1:44 pm // Reply

      i was just on the sog site and i think their best knife is the SEAL Revolver. I would get it but its 10 inches long.

  2. Appalachian Trail makes some pretty good knives that last a long time, don’t cost too much, and are very useful on scout campouts. I bought four knives, two of which are usefull multi-tools, for just $20. I use them all the time.

  3. I think it is a good guide to use if you are going to buy a knive.

    like me!

  4. Italian Artist // January 26, 2010 at 9:06 pm // Reply

    Well i would go with fixed bladed knife like the one i have its a KRIKT they have varry good quality knive and they are pretty cheap too.

  5. Leatherman’s ROCK

  6. ive got a sheffeild and boy is it useful!

  7. Instead of a swiss army knife I also recomend a gerber fixed blade knife

    • Knifetipper // March 26, 2010 at 9:15 am // Reply

      Gerbers are great, im not going to lie, but i had an assited opening knife from them and the safety failed on me after about a month or so. No, it didnt cut me, but it couldve. Im ordering a fixed blade tonight to replace it, im getting the SOG field pup. gerber fixed has some good products, but theyre not grabbing me much.

  8. boyscoutB900 // January 21, 2010 at 4:32 pm // Reply

    got a sweet leatherman over 15 tools good blade

  9. i ahve a fix blade knife. would i be allowed to use at scout outings?

  10. a basic swiss army (like a tinker or spartan) will pretty much do anything you need. keep it sharp and be careful.

  11. serratedknife // January 18, 2010 at 8:54 am // Reply

    i have a navaha muela flip knife. iv bin usin it 4 lik 2 yrs and it went in a river with me and fell off a boulder it was resting on and its like non scratched. i reccomend muela

  12. Old Timer knives hold their edge better than most knives, they aren’t made no more.

  13. I have a gerber suspention multi-tool. It is awesome and only $30.

  14. My knife is one blade and it works well for me,it is very sharp
    andworks well and it is my fith knife and itis like my matatey
    very sharp and useful!!!!!!!

  15. I have a Swiss Army Knife campers edition it’s the greatest knife I’ve ever had!!!!!!!

  16. I got the benchmade 910 stryker locking blade. It’s sick and it is so sharp.

  17. i have a apelachen trail locking knife.it’s great.

  18. This more of a question the gear guy section in boys life magazine said something about a knife called the gerber curve where would you get it?

  19. Do NOT get cheap no-brand knives. The other day, I was on a campout and someones cheap ol’ swiss army knife imitation broke and all the tools fell out. My real swiss army knife has been lasting for three years ow like it’s new. Only downside is that swiss army knives have kind of flimsy blades, so I use a leatherman now.

    • hippiescout151 // April 18, 2011 at 1:46 pm // Reply

      ya my friend got a knife @ walmart for $2 but it has served him well for all his scouting years!!!

  20. piggy the bacon // November 21, 2009 at 8:52 am // Reply

    I have a swiss knife that does everthing i need to do around the house

  21. get a butterfly knife in chinatown…. 3 bucks………
    butterfly knifes are fun.the will never break.

    or a multi knife for 5 bucks, it’s really good quality.
    they will last for your whole lifetime

  22. to BBT i got a 12 function victornox swiss army knife called the tinker at target 4 $13

  23. What is the best kind of Swiss Army Knives made by Victorinox?

  24. i recomend thevictorino

  25. I have two pocketnives they´re both pretty cool, try to go for well known brands like victorinox, leatherman and gerber.
    Reccomendations: Victorinox Ranger and Leatherman Skeletool

  26. I want to buy a swiss army knife $30.00 or under. I am 11 years old and want it to last at least 10 years. What one should I buy.

  27. i have a good one wht do i do whith it

  28. My troop won’t allow fixed blades, but i’m trying to change it. here is a reccomendation, the leatherman core.

  29. I have a 20-fuction knife, its awsome!

  30. Leatherman surge is probly the sturdiest tool out there. Compare it to a swiss army knife and it will feel like lead. but you get tons of tools for its weight.

  31. smart gear guy // August 25, 2009 at 7:39 pm // Reply

    Go for good brands like Clutch&Gerber, i have a small folding multi-tool with pliers and it is Awesome! my cousin also has another one by the same people and it is about $30 and is super light with three blades, a three in. a two in. and a serrated 3 inch blade.

  32. how do you order/buy them? pleas respond

  33. I have a REALLY NICE “Victorinox” 2 blade pocket knife. I got it for $12.99 at Seirra Outpost in reno,Nevada. Some other good places to get knives are at “Cabela’s” and “Bassproshops”. Here’s a tip: Don’t get a cheapie $2.00 knife lying on a mini mart shelf. Invest some money into a good knife. Not all good knives are that expensive!!!

  34. I have a knife with my name engraved in it

  35. Bigger is NOT better, I like my “BUCK” 5″ folding,lock blade,straight edge knife,it comes with its’ own pocket sheath. Easy to keep sharp and use. Cost me $29.95 from outdoor outfitter. Look on line for blades and other useful gear,ie: “Campmor”,”BassPro”,and “Cabela’s”.

  36. were can i get a us military knive?

  37. hikerdude55 // July 29, 2009 at 3:27 pm // Reply

    i gote a winchest pocetknife and it cuts thru 2 inch thick rope in about 5 minuets becase i sit at my table and i sharpen it for 2 hours it can even cut thru a fairly large branch in 20 min see ya pplz 🙂

    • Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // October 28, 2011 at 12:20 am // Reply

      My knife can cut through 2″ rope in 3 SECONDS!!!!! your knife must be dull, you do know that you can ruin a knife by sharpening it to long right??

  38. I have a Swiss One-Handed Trekker. It is a very good Knife. I prefer the Serrated. It is a lock-blade. IT ROCKS

  39. i have 7 pocket knives and they all rock but my favorit are my swiss army knife and my lock back

  40. go to cabelas for a knife they have great deals i got a cabelas swiss army knife for only 5 bucks and it rocks

  41. I have way cool wal-mart knife That i found in the boy scout latrine in camp when I was eating my dinner in there

  42. i have a swiss army knife and i got it on june 6th for my birth day and shortley after like 4 days after was ranked up to weblows ow i almost forgot i got a gardener with the original swiss army knife

  43. I have a SOG flash 2 and its a great knife the spring assist helps with opening, a lock blade makes it safe, along with a open safty keeps it from opening in your pocket it is light and very durable. And best of all its made in the USA!!!!

  44. When backpacking to a campsite that doesn’t have a definitive latrine or other outside toilet, a temporary latrine must be dug and built. Traditional spades and long handle shovels are too tedious to carry on a hike. What is the best and most reliable folding and collapsible spade or backpacking shovel which can be attached to a backpack for the digging of a cathole or temporary latrine at a campsite when no other toilet facilities are within reasonable walking distance of a campsite? Thank you for your advice.

  45. Backpack Camper // June 23, 2009 at 3:19 pm // Reply

    Does the Totem’ Chip Boy Scout Skill Requirements specify the safe use of a long handle axe or a short handle camping hatchet? What is the best camping axe for use in cutting firewood for a campout?

  46. Try the Swiss Tool Spirit S by Victorinox. I have used it for more than a year and it is all I could ever ask. I carry it with me wherever I go. It is a little pricey, but it is definitely worth it!

  47. blacksmith // June 10, 2009 at 6:06 pm // Reply

    I am getting a one- handed trekker and which is better the serrated or non

  48. I dont agree with the boyscout law about no sheath knives. I would rather have a small fixed blade than a folder.

  49. i have a victorinox one hand non serrated trekker that has a saw can opener bottle opener and more and nice sized locking blade even though it has tools

  50. i just got a victorinox poketknife at wal mart for about $10

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