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 youâre a Bear, Webelos or Arrow of Light Cub Scout, earn your Whittling Chip. If youâre in Scouts BSA, earn your Totinâ 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 unitâs 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.
âA sharp knife will work for you, while a dull one works against you,â 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-noâs:
- Throwing a knife
- Using a dull or dirty blade
- Handing a knife to someone blade first
- Cutting while others are within your âsafety circleâ (armâs length)
- Carving into something that doesnât 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 Totinâ Chip, which also gives them the right to carry and use axes and saws.
A really awesome knife is the Pazorada by CRKT amazing or any big name brands are great too but i recommend the pazorda
I’m not a scout but I’m really need a knife for a survival kit any suggestions on what type, I like ka bar and gerber, but any ideas
Go swiss Army with 2 blades and a mini saw/ file combo. 2 blades in case one breaks missusing it in a survival circumstance, the file can be used as a sparker and the saw to cut tough things like animal bones.
I would go with a Bear Grylls compact fixed blade or a Gerber LMF II ($70 amazon)
a good knife is benchmade mini griptilian. it is expenseve but better than others.
If you want a good knife if you are a scout get a ka-bar i own 6.
I too own a Ka-bar; use it for gutting my deer. It’s not a marine knife either. It has a 4″ blade; hardly a killing knife a marine would carry into battle. Cost about $38.00 w/ sheath.
Cool,I own a pocket knife myself.
Cool but i own 27 pocket knifes.
i know what knife that i want, but i can’t find one that won’t fall apart… where should i buy one that wont fall apart as i’m useing my magniesem fire starter?
what kind of knife are you using?
i always use a ka-bar
I wasnt talking to you ninja! Although Ka-Bar is one of the best brands out there I do not highly recommend them for scouts as they WHERE built for marines and not for Boy scouts.
Hey Scouts:
WD-40 is not an oil, itâs purpose is to loosen rusty bolts and similar items (Please read the label). 3 in 1 oil will work for knives but can be toxic to some people. Always use a knife oil as it offers superior lubrication and protection and is not dangerous if minimumly consumed. Also, never use food oils, they will gum up the pivot and can spoil like any food source item; again causing illness.
It is a solvent and a lubricant. It will work fine scouts!
WD-40 works fine scouts, dont listen to trail monkey
WD-40 is perfectly ok to use on knives. It is both a lubricant and a solivant.
Even the gear guy says to use it. As usual you dont know what you are talking about trail monkey
I did as Off-Trail monkey said and read the WD-40 lable; he is correct! It can be toxic if “ingested by fumes or orally”
we get it! buy yourself a ka-bar.
I never said it wasnt toxic! I just meant it is ok to use on knives!
Swiss Army all the way baby!!!
I know right
Their is this one great BSA multitool that is very nice for scouts, Their is a bigger simaler one that leaders would like, I have the smaller one and my dad has the bigger
one. They are green and come in a case. I would have a hard time describeing it.
I just finished a backpacking trip and I found a Gerber EVO jr while hiking! I oiled it up with some WD-40 and now it works good as new. It has an awesome flipper on it and is a good little tactical knife.
If you are looking for a knife, then get one you really like.
I
If you want a good, quality knife then get a kershaw chive!
I do not own one, but i have held one( in the smoky mountain knife works in tennesee).
what i like is a winchester or remington or northwest trail
Both Winchester and Remington make great fire-arms, I myself have a Rem. 870 Express 12 gauge. However both companies make low quality knives. Winchester makes very junky multi-tools. Go with a Leatherman, Gerber or Buck.
Leatherman Charge TTi, it is expensive but it is amazing.
No Boy Scouts are allowed to carry a fixed blade knife (on troop/pack activities). Cub Scouts are not allowed to carry aknife with a blade longer than 3 inches on pack activities. (I’m pretty sure.) It is implied in the artical that you can do both of the above.
How many times do I need to explain this… The BSA handbook says they PREFER you not carry a fixed blade.
I carry a fixed on every camp out.
Any boy scout can carry a fixed blade. It is up to the troop to decide if their boys are responsible enough to carry a fixed blade.
I agree
i will choose the gerber dime
get a schrade team primos folding knife. I have one and it’s never failed me, schrade is a good American brand
AppalationTrail is good
ive had 2 gerbers and they fell apart
best folding knife -buck
best multitool-leatherman
best small sheath -old timer
Go swiss baby !!!!
Go gerber, theyre sharp and inexpensive. You can get them at walmart same place where I got my ozark trail multi-tool
A good place to find relatively cheap and very good quality knives is a local gun show/ expo.I got a US Army Ranger folding survival knife at one and it has served me well in my years of scouting.
Where exactly did you get this “paratrooper” knife. If it’s not an auto or assisted knife then you probably got a cheap knock off. Also wheres it made, and by what company.
My dad served for eight years as an elite paratrooper in the USAF and he had a genuine jumper knife. It was cool but he couldn’t keep it when he was discharged. He would know if it was real or not if you could discribe it.
Buck and Gerber.
get the v46 gerber knife works good
my case xx really keeps its edge and is very useful
my sons troop allows the use of fixed blade knives and he uses my ka bar usmc knife and I have used it for over 10 years and it works great for him
Bear Gryles ultimit knife 50$ or more but worth i also recommend a cheap 5$ swiss army knife
go swiss knives
please tell me more about swiss knives
A mora companion, and an swiss army fieldmaster make an exelent combination for me. But for you maybe not. The knife (or knives) you carry should be based upon what you feel you should carry.
Get a Buck x tract
Got my multy tool last October for $5.50. For a hunting season bonus Very sharp Saw and knife blades perfect for scouts
Had my multy tool for since last October 4 hunting. sturdy handle and great sharp saw and blad . perfect 4 for scouter on the go!
Yay for Swiss army knives!!!
tru that
Check out Schrade’s carbon knives. Sharp, inexspencive and tough. Made in USA too.
I prefer the “Leader”.
The bad thing about carbon steel is that it cannot hold its edge and will rust very quickly.
Swiss army knives are really awesome, so if you don’t have one, you should get one.
That is what im gettin for Christmas dude. I have also had one before.
SWISS ARMY KNIFES ROCK!!!
someone needs to make a survivle gear guide.
Amen!
get a good one that you think is perfect. if you do not know or are sure which than get a good one that is nice and sharp,easy to handle,and has lots of functions.
Get a cold steel machete
NO WAY! Get a Gerber Bear Grylls Parang machete, you can use it as an ax!
Way!
Why do people keep using my name? Cut it out Knife Xpert! I know it was you because you made a similar comment before!
3 in One oil is better choice for lubricating a knife. (It is made by the same company that makes WD-40).
WD-40 is a lubricant and a solvent – it breaks things down. It can ruin a lock or the inner workings of delicate equipment. It can also remove finish or paint. It can also irritate the skin.
way to go
hmmmmmm… well how come all my knives and machetes are in great shape and I have been using WD-40 on them for 20+ years?!
WD-40 is not an oil, it’s purpose is to loosen rusty bolts and similar items (Please read the label). 3 in 1 oil will work but can be toxic to some people. Always use a knife oil as it offers superior lubrication and protection and is not dangerous if minimumly consumed. Also, never use food oils, they will gum everything up and can spoil like any food source item; again causing illness.
WD-40 can lubricate and clean a bike chain, too.
Your totally wrong dude! Yes WD-40 is toxic and i wouldn’t go around drinking it. But it is perfectly fine to use on knifes… It works especially good when sprayed into the locking mechanizium
A leather man sidekick is your best bet
Hurray for Swiss Army Knives!!!!!!!
Amen
Attention: I am changing my name to Delta 8 since that was my squad’s call sigh while I was a Special-ops paratrooper.
my troop alows fixed blades and the hand book discuregis them
The best knife you could possibly ever get is a swiss army knife. I had my Tinker for 3 years know and its still like it has just been took out of the package. (With some scratches on the handle, of course).
i’ve had my tinker for a few yuears too and it never fails to impress me
i like gerbers or buck fixed blade
I agree, an ax is the ultimite camping tool.
An 3/4 ax is the ultimite campers tool; you can chop, cut, and hammer most anything with it. My ax also has a knife in the handle for little things. Best thing about an ax is it’s better for staring down a bear; we’ve had to do that once.
The best thing for staring down a bear is a .44 Magnum or a .12 Gauge loaded with slugs.
A Gerber Bear Grylls Parang machete can beat an ax 100 times over! I have one and it rocks! The razer sharp blade can hack thru a 8 inch thick log in half the time an ax could! I am comparing it to my Gerber pack Pax which has lasted me 5 years now but the parang is much better and can clear brush as well while an ax cant!
Axes are awesome but a good knife will never let you down
Any knife less then $30 and made in china is not worth buying.
a swiss army knife is what I have and it has lasted me for a long time without dulling, get one with a lot of attachments though
Swiss knives are handy but most do not lock and me and my thumb have a grudge on non locking blades! Sure some of them lock but those cost a TON!(up to $240)
Time to buy a swiss army knife at new location. I bought a new S.A. Fireman – lockblade
w/ additional surrated blade, sissor and saw for $28.00 on e-bay. I then bought a second in a store for $36.00 for my son. The avarage swiss army lock blade cost around $44.00.
My SAK trekker has a one handed open lock blade, and only set me back 31 dollars. It comes with a free classic on Amazon, and is a quality tool.
Ok ok! I was wrong! BUT… your average every day Swiss knife does not lock. e.g. Spartan, Tinker etc… I even carried one in my kit bag while a para-trooper! But I cut myself more with that knife then with any other knife.
Smith and Wesson extreme ops CK105H knife is really great, and less then $15.
i want to buy one off those but my mom said i cant by one and i read the hole thing and
i relly want it
Carry an ax, knives are for wimps. You can open anything with an ax. If sharpened correctly you can whittle with it too.
Knives are not for wimps they are for The Prepared.
dude an ax is good but it cant beat a knife. Period. I personally love the Gerber LMF 2 fixed blade. I think you’ll agree this knife is not for wimps!
you try to go horse back riding with an ax on a 53 mile cattle drive.
Can’t cut food with an axe can’t carry an axe in your pocket easer to cut tape with a knive can’t whittle with a axe
Get a Kershaw!!!