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Large sheath knives

Q. I’ve been looking at buying a new knife. I found a sheath knife with a 5-inch blade. If I did get one could I carry it?
— Mike the Knife, Colonia, N.J.

A. Good question, Mike. Though BSA has no national policy against large sheath knives, the organization does discourage their use for safety reasons. In fact, most local councils and camps do expressly prohibit the use of such knives. Better choice: A good folding knife with a locking blade. There are hundreds to choose from, many which meet the same needs as a five-inch sheath knife.


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39 Comments on Large sheath knives

  1. Why then are there many available boy scout endorsed fixed blade knives? It doesn’t make sence.

  2. i love smith’n westen knife’s

  3. i have a roughly 3 1/2 coast cutlery co. knife any input?

  4. I have a 6 inch long knife, could i carry it around in boy scouts? Need to know!

  5. Knife Guy 103 // April 27, 2014 at 9:55 am // Reply

    For a good fixed blade that won’t let you down I reccomend the Becker line of knives by kabar they all have full tang construction. Also the rodan and life land hunter by Condor are excellent knives. But if you have the money, go with an esee 5. It will last you your whole life.

  6. live and let live self defense knives rock

    • Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // October 2, 2013 at 10:14 pm // Reply

      What do you mean by self defense knives? Do you mean assisted knives? I have a assisted Kershaw EMT as my PDK (Personal Defense Knife) and EDC (Every Day Carry)

    • thank u finally someone that gives good advice that i can agree with. gotta love them bk2’s 🙂

  7. Csn you carry a ka-bar on scouting trips I heard it was up to a troop vote and/or state and park law

  8. I have seen the BSA folding knives go for 20 to 40 (50 dollars for the special 100th anniversary knives) and then i see deals all over military surplus and ware house have survival knives for 10 to 20 that are 6 to 8 inches long. sports man HQ has a lot of replica military knives for under 20$

    • Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // November 8, 2011 at 11:28 pm // Reply

      Don’t wast you money on a china made knife that will break when you need it most! get a Good STRONG fixed blade like the Ka-bar becker champion or the Gerber LMF II or a Buck knife. all are made in the US and are dependable. (Gerber LMF 70$ on amazon)

    • Yeah but it is a scouting knife and it isent worth the long drive to get to these stores and when you can get it sent to you for free

  9. Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // October 20, 2011 at 1:53 pm // Reply

    I go with the GERBER LMF II best survival knife for me.

  10. I carried a sheath knife the entire time I was a scout. I got my Eagle. Joined the service. Have been a Cub Scout Leader and a Boy Scout Leader. I believe in accountability. Let the kids carry Sheath knives. If they bring a macchete….make them peel carrots with it….and hike 5 miles with it….they will see the error of their ways. Duh!

  11. I,m looking for a good sheath knife where can I find one?

  12. Not to mention batoning and splitting wood is so much easierwitha sheath knife

  13. My troop allows sheath knives on camp outs we all have a sheath knife and our folders

  14. Fixed blade knives have a legitimate purpose, are sold by the Boy Scouts in their Chefs Tool Kit, and recommended in The Survival Handbook, an officially licensed Scouting publication. Safety is a matter of proper training, not bans.

  15. I like swithblades best

  16. The Raving Jackal // September 28, 2010 at 11:08 pm // Reply

    There should be some sort of age requirement on them. As for senior scouts and adults though, there should defenitly be no restrictions.

  17. I agree with zbob farther down

  18. Sheath knives are just as dangerous if not less dangerous than folding knives. It is easy to get distracted while opening or closing the folder which is just one more way to get cut. Sheath knives you just pull out of their sheath and are ready. This rule is ridiculous.

  19. kilimajaro // July 12, 2010 at 12:40 pm // Reply

    i like sheath knives better

  20. interesting

  21. I don’t think that the Boy Scouts should have a problem with sheath knives. If they are good enough for the military they should be good enough for us.

  22. Is there a size rule for knives cause I heard itwas the width of your palm

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