Boy Scout Knife

Rick1955 · Feb 8, 2001

You don't see near as many official Cub Scout Knives as you do official Boy Scout Knives. But I know Camillus still makes them. I have one. Mine is a miniture (about 2/3 the size) of a Bou Scout utility style knife and has white handles. Not an antique - I bought it for my collection about 10 years ago.

Cubs don't have Totin' Chip - Boy Scouts have that. Cub Scouts have Whittlin Chip - Totin' Chip teaches knife, axe, and saw - Whittlin Chip teaches only the knife.

You should try to find that Cub Scout knife - all Scout knives are collectable - it will be a nice keepsake anyway.

I carried a pocketknife every day in school - we were allowed to. Now most schools won't allow any kind of knife on the grounds. Sad.

I have hear of Royal Rangers but don't know anything about them. I would be interested in hearing more about the "Cut and Chop" training though.

All young people need to be taught the proper handling, use, and care of knives.

Thanks.

Originally posted by RH:
I don't remember a Tote n Chip card, but I do remember my first scout knife - a blue handled 3 (or 4 ?) blade with the gold Cub Scout crest on the handle.

I remember proving my worth to get it by peeling veggies (cut away) with Mom's potato peeler.

How's this for politically incorrect - I can remember proudly weraring it hanging from the bail on my belt IN SCHOOL. I went to Catholic school, and we were allowed to wear our uniforms on meeting day, the knife was part of the uniform.

My Mom might still have it in her tool box, I think I'll check next time I'm there.

I've worked with the Royal Rangers, which is the Assemblies of God version of BSA, and they issue a "Cut & Chop" card for edged tool handling. Same as a tote n chip, I guess.

Edgedance · Feb 8, 2001

Rick,

Agree on the Tote n' Chip, you really take them away from adult leaders too? I love it!

You'll be happy to know that last week I signed up to be an assistant scoutmaster for a local troop. I'm 26 and don't have kids, but I've found recently that I'm not going camping *nearly* as much as I should. My new troop camps once a month, so it'll give me an excuse to go out, and the boys will have a 'young guy' to keep the patrol leaders and SPL's in line!

I used to carry a boy scout knife to school every day too. In second grade my teacher tried to take it away from me and I solemly showed her my Tote N' Chip and said that it meant I was allowed to carry it.

Best.
Todd (edgedance)

Rick1955 · Feb 8, 2001

We've talked quite a bit about Totin' Chip in this posting area - this is the training with woods tools, including knives in the Boy Scouts of America.

Totin' Chip is currently required to achieve the 2nd Class Rank in the BSA and has the following requirements:

Read and understand the use of woods tools and safety rules from the BSA handbook.

DEMONSTRATE, proper handling, use and care of the pocketknife, axe, and saw.

Use the knife, axe, and saw as tools not playthings and use them only when you give them your full attention.

Respect all safety rules to protect others.

Respect property. Cut living and dead trees only with permission and only for good reason.

Subscribe to the outdoor code.

(Sounds like good rules for all of us knife people!)

Upon successful completion of these requirement a Scout or Scouter can be granted "Totin'" rights along with a Totin' Chip card which means that they have successfully completed the training and will comply with the rules and can use woods tools during Scout activities - when appropriate of course.

"Totin'" rights can be taken away. Some people cut a corner off the Totin' Chip card for each viloation and when all four corners are gone, the Scout has to be re-trained in Totin' Chip. But that is not a BSA requirement - in fact in some opinions - it is no advised or allowed. Personally - I don't allow 4, or 3, or 2 violations - I take the whole card on the first offense (which means that the violator is no longer allowed to handle or use woods tools during Scouting activities) and make the Scout re-train. That might sound harsh but safety is involved so I would rather error on the harsh side rather than have someone get hurt.

Cub Scouts have a "Whittlin' Chip" card which teachs properly handling, use, and care of the pocketknife only.

Revvie · Feb 8, 2001

Rick 1955
I'm always glad to hear of a guy in scouts for the long haul - you've worn a few patches over the years too!
I've been a Weblos Den leader, a Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, a Unit Commissioner, an Assistant District Commissioner, served on and chaired the District Training Committee (s) ( usually doing the cutting tools part of Training Events) been on Troop and Pack Committees, District and Council Committees, and the National Relationships Committee, am an OA Brotherhood member and made three trips to Philmont. Yeah, I've collected a few "knots" over the years too.. but the part I still like best is helping a Tenderfoot learn both leadership and responsibility as he learns about himself.
I've also gotten to become friends with some of the neatest people as a result of Scouting.. Keep up the Good work - I hope our trails will cross someday.

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Don't wrestle with the hogs - they enjoy it and you get dirty !
Jonesy

mell · Feb 9, 2001

hi everyone!
My first knife was a swiss army either called the hunter or the huntsman. It was a boyscout edition that my father bought me when I first entered scouting. I love it and still use it today 9 years later. It has served me well.

Matches · Feb 9, 2001

Somehow,over the years I misplaced my scout knife

but my very first knife was an Imperial.We didn't have the cards in my troop nor did we get much in the way of training,but this thread has brought back some scouting memories.

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"Just me and my multi-tools."

Rick1955 · Feb 9, 2001

Scouting is a good program - both for the boys and for knives! At least they are one group that understands the importance of a good knife and how to use and care for it.

Looks like there are many of use in here who are or have been in Scouting. From the looks of it a good number here also got their first knife as a result of being in Scouts.

I too enjoy working with the younger Scouts. Just something about a boy learning things that they can use all their lives.

Originally posted by Revvie:
Rick 1955
I'm always glad to hear of a guy in scouts for the long haul - you've worn a few patches over the years too!
I've been a Weblos Den leader, a Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, a Unit Commissioner, an Assistant District Commissioner, served on and chaired the District Training Committee (s) ( usually doing the cutting tools part of Training Events) been on Troop and Pack Committees, District and Council Committees, and the National Relationships Committee, am an OA Brotherhood member and made three trips to Philmont. Yeah, I've collected a few "knots" over the years too.. but the part I still like best is helping a Tenderfoot learn both leadership and responsibility as he learns about himself.
I've also gotten to become friends with some of the neatest people as a result of Scouting.. Keep up the Good work - I hope our trails will cross someday.

Claus · Feb 12, 2001

Hi Rick!

Does anyone know if other countries have "official" Scout knives?[/B][/QUOTE]

In Germany we have a traditional knife pattern for boy scouts.

http://www.bundeswehr-versand.de/115813.htm

As you see, it has the same design as the Mauser bayonet, only smaller. I don´t know when it first approached, but I guess around first world war.

Later it was used by the Hitlerjugend (HJ) during the Third Reich, but with the HJ-signet on the handle despite of the boy scout lily.

Keep sharp!

Claus

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A man without a knife you can´t really call a man.

My grandfather

Rick1955 · Feb 12, 2001

Hi,

Interesting. Fixed blade knives are officially "discouraged" in Boy Scouts in the USA. We carry mostly pocketknives. There are several Official Boy Scout Pocketknives. There used to be an Official Boy Scout Sheath Knife - but no longer.

What does the law in Germany say about carrying knives? Are their limitations on types and blade lengths?

Thanks.

Originally posted by Claus:
Hi Rick!

Does anyone know if other countries have "official" Scout knives?

In Germany we have a traditional knife pattern for boy scouts.

http://www.bundeswehr-versand.de/115813.htm

As you see, it has the same design as the Mauser bayonet, only smaller. I don´t know when it first approached, but I guess around first world war.

Later it was used by the Hitlerjugend (HJ) during the Third Reich, but with the HJ-signet on the handle despite of the boy scout lily.

Keep sharp!

Claus

[/B][/QUOTE]

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Your survival knife is the knife you have on you when a survival situation arises.

Rick1955 · Feb 13, 2001

Do any of you out there happen to have one of the official BSA Sheath Knives?

Originally posted by Rick1955:
Hi,

Interesting. Fixed blade knives are officially "discouraged" in Boy Scouts in the USA. We carry mostly pocketknives. There are several Official Boy Scout Pocketknives. There used to be an Official Boy Scout Sheath Knife - but no longer.

What does the law in Germany say about carrying knives? Are their limitations on types and blade lengths?

Thanks.

------------------
Your survival knife is the knife you have on you when a survival situation arises.

Lance Gothic · Feb 14, 2001

Brothers & Sisters 0f Steel,
Brother Scouts,
Rick1955,
I know the feeling we all share in this regard, knives, about Scouting. My Dad organized jambories years ago. A wonderful experience!
Speaking of Scouting, knives and collectibles there was a book regarding a Scout enroute to see his father when the ship was caught in a tsunami and he washed up on an island. The book was a trade paperback with a light blue dust cover entitled "Shark Island"(?). Anybody remember this book? Non-fiction autobiography. The young man survives with the fixed blade knife he has in his kit. The tip of the knife was broken. He may have been a British subject, if memory serves.
As to Scout collectibles:
Mr.Doug Bearce in Oregon. (Contact me for his info.)
Rick1955, I used to have the knives like you do; fixed, folders, knife/ax combination and so forth. (E-mail me for a phone #. I live across town. I'd like to discuss a collaborative project.)
The best advertisement about Scouting was one from back in the seventies (?): Hank Aaron, Neil Armstrong, President Gerald R. Ford and others admonishing the viewer to become a Scout.
Regards,
Lance Gothic
Shibumi

Rick1955 · Feb 14, 2001

Hey Lance,

Scouting is a great program. Not for all but a good all around program for boys. All guys would be better off, in my opinion, with some Scout training and experience. And the Scouting movement is fairly knife friendly!

Will do Lance.

Originally posted by Lance Gothic:
Brothers & Sisters 0f Steel,
Brother Scouts,
Rick1955,
I know the feeling we all share in this regard, knives, about Scouting. My Dad organized jambories years ago. A wonderful experience!
Speaking of Scouting, knives and collectibles there was a book regarding a Scout enroute to see his father when the ship was caught in a tsunami and he washed up on an island. The book was a trade paperback with a light blue dust cover entitled "Shark Island"(?). Anybody remember this book? Non-fiction autobiography. The young man survives with the fixed blade knife he has in his kit. The tip of the knife was broken. He may have been a British subject, if memory serves.
As to Scout collectibles:
Mr.Doug Bearce in Oregon. (Contact me for his info.)
Rick1955, I used to have the knives like you do; fixed, folders, knife/ax combination and so forth. (E-mail me for a phone #. I live across town. I'd like to discuss a collaborative project.)
The best advertisement about Scouting was one from back in the seventies (?): Hank Aaron, Neil Armstrong, President Gerald R. Ford and others admonishing the viewer to become a Scout.
Regards,
Lance Gothic
Shibumi

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Your survival knife is the knife you have on you when a survival situation arises.

Rick1955 · Feb 18, 2001

Do any of you out there collect Scout knives?

I recently saw a couple of 1940s Remmington Official Boy Scout utility knives at a gun show. They were in pretty good shape, one better than the other. Both had seen some use and then looked like they had been put away. But I thought the dealer's price was a bit too high.

The problem with Scout knives is that many of them see a good amount of use, mostly by boys so finding older ones in decent shape is not all that easy.

Originally posted by Rick1955:
I was just wondering how many of you got your first knife as a Cub or Boy Scout, and if so, what kind of knife was it?

As for me, I did get my first knife as a result of being a Cub Scout - it was a Sabre Brand utility style pocketknife. I still have it along with several other Official Scout knives as well as many others.

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Your survival knife is the knife you have on you when a survival situation arises.

Rick1955 · Feb 22, 2001

I finally gave in an got a Norman Rockwell Commemorative Boy Scout utility knife - 2000 edition. I guess I will have to get the 2001 too.

Any one else out there collect them?

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Your survival knife is the knife you have on you when a survival situation arises.

Rick1955 · Mar 5, 2001

Does anyone know if there was ever an official Boy Scout knife in the "Barlow" pattern?

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Your survival knife is the knife you have on you when a survival situation arises.

Metalica · Mar 5, 2001

As I remember, the one condition that I started scouting was that my parents let me have a pocket knife. It was an little ka-bar with a bone handle, from my grandfather

Revvie · Mar 6, 2001

Rick -
About the sheath knife in B.S.A. - when I was about 14 or so I got a "Kit Carson" kit -a plumb hand axe and probably Western fixed blade housed in one sheath.. somewhere I lost the knife -but I do still have the hand axe... as well as my Dad's hand axe from his days as a scout. I remember those fixed blades well.

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Don't wrestle with the hogs - they enjoy it and you get dirty !
Jonesy