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.
Just remember, even though larger pocket knifes may seem cool, they can be difficult to carry around. A smaller reliable knife is easier to carry around in your pocket
Too bad BSA Supply Division, like Wal Mart can’t sell any USA made items. Keeping the economy going. Smokey Mountain has USA made BSA knives.
The Case knife is likely made in the USA.
Are sheath knifes legal in scouts
Yes. Fixed blade knives are completely legal and authorized by BSA. Check with your local troop to see if they are authorized at the local level.
Yes it’s ok to carry a sheath knife
(Some people will however try to tell you otherwise )
For an excellent sheath knife I would recommend any mora knife
They make great knives that are very affordable around $10-$30
Owned a leatherman sidekick for almost a year, best knife I ever had. the only reason I don’t own it todsy is it fell into a latrine on a campout
I hear all the talk about leathermen… I prefer the gerber multitools instead. they are easier to open and close one handed and with the locking handle, you don’t have to worry about the knife closing on your hand
leathermen have knife locks to
Leatherman are made in the USA whil gerber is made of cheap materials in china
The 20$ Smith & Wesson Oasis knife is a pretty good knife.
Odd…no official BSA knives? Still have my Camillus BSA knife that I got in 87…great knife at a good price….
No sheath knives in boy scouts
Sheathed knives are absolutely allowed in BSA.
The CASE built knife is a BSA licensed product.
I carry an Ontario RAT 1 in my pocket and I’ve got a Leatherman Wave on my hip in a belt sheath.
I love the Ontario Rat 1. It is pretty fast, and has AUS-8 steel. This steel is a budget steel, but a regular steel, like S30v steel can run you over 100 bucks. AUS8 steel has an okay rust resistance, has pretty good edge retention and is a softer steel, resulting in easy sharpening. I am also thinking about getting a Leatherman Wingman. I would also recommend the spyderco tenacious, but I feel that 8Cr13Mov steel is just a little bit lower grade than AUS-8. The spyderco tenacious is around 35 bucks and the Ontario Rat 1 has a 3.5 inch blade, weighs around 5 ounces and is around 27 dollars on amazon
Personally, I’ve had better luck getting knives at either Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas.
Alright. I own around 30 knives (not including kitchen knives). I never leave home without my gerber paraframe tanto(at least) and/or my buck bantam lockback (at most). Thats pocket knives. On outings of hunting,hiking,camping or more depends on what kind of blade you should use.
Also on outings you are gonna wanna have a coleman (or a durable brand like that) utensill pack. It has a food knife,spoon,fork,and bottle opener all compact in 1 tool. Also you should get a little case for it. I have a case for mine. I have used the coleman for 4 yrs and never replaced it (its a really helpful tool). Tell me if this helps.
Buck bantam bbw is good