Cub Scout Knife for Favorite Nephew

MKP

MKP

Joined
Sep 25, 2011
Messages
150
My nephew earned the right to carry a knife. He is only 8 years old. I am going to buy him a knife, but it must be something that is acceptable with the organization. The Cub Scout organization is from Maryland. Please recommend a knife for him, something under $100.00. I have never been a scout so I am clueless on what is allowed or not.

If I google "Boy Scout Knife," I get Case Cutlery. Are they any good? I could not tell what kind of steel they are using. I also notice that none of the "official" knife has any lock on them? Strange! Is this against the rule to have lock on knives? If not, I rather get him one with a lock -- lock back is fine.
 
Locking knives are fine. Case makes traditional knives and very few of their models are locking. The main thing here in Maryland is that they normally insist the boys have folding knives. For a young man that age I'd probably recomment a Swiss Army knife, perhaps something like an Alox Pioneer or perhaps a Tinker. It isn't the sexiest thing on the planet, but it is a good knife for him to start with and it should last him as long as he wants to keep using it. For a locking knife, something like the Kershaw Shallot would be good.
 
Do a search for Victorinox Boy Scouts of America Swiss Army Knives. There are several different versions that would be great for a scout.
 
Do Not go to the Scout office to purchase your knife for him. They charge premium prices for the same knife. Swiss Army brand has some excellent knives like the Boy Scout model or the Tinker that are perfect for first time knife owners. Put a short cord of about 20 inches on it with a loop at each end. One end for the bail and one end for the belt. He won't lose it and it will be a little less than arm's length for when he uses it. He can also put it around his neck when doing activities and it will stay with him. You should EASILY get a quality knife for under 30 bucks this way with a lot of features.

Incidentally, there are no restriction in the BSA handbook on knife size or construction with a valid Tote-n-Chip card. A scout can carry anything that he can get away with, even a machete. Certain people in certain organizations have been spouting crap for years cause they are afraid of scouts doing what they should and integrating personal responsibility and liability at places like Scout camps and such. That is not per the scouting program, however. I personally carry a 3 1/2" sheath knife everywhere I go and I make them ask me to remove it and explain themselves. I then educate them on the ACTUAL rules for knife carry.


(Current BSA Commissioner)
 
A smaller multi tool such as a Leatherman Juice S2 would be nice.

My boy is 8 as well and in the Cub Scouts.

http://www.scoutstuff.org is a good resource.

There are a ton of logoed official Scout knives.

You might want to ask his den leader what they recommend.

Good Luck
 
broe said:
A scout can carry anything that he can get away with, even a machete.
Click to expand...

I was just looking over the packing list for our camp this summer. They forbid the carrying of fixed blades. Might want to check with the specific leaders in charge of the boys den or pack and see what they recommend and what the local camps he will be attending allow.

I am thinking of packing a fixed blade and testing if the rules apply to parents as well.
 
I agree with the Victorinox suggestion, something along the lines of a Tinker, Super Tinker, Alox Soldier, Farmer, Hunstman, Explorer...you get the idea. They have a model to suit just about any need. I always like to use one with a saw and scissors, like the Huntsman. They even make a Huntsman with the BSA logo.

Why a SAK? They are well built, they have very consistent quality. They are universally accepted, no worries about offending an overeager person at scout activities and camps. And they are inexpensive. You can find the Huntsman for around $30 plus shipping without any effort.

They don't have the latest greatest steel, but that is fine for someone who is just learning to care for and sharpen a knife.
 
Thank you everyone for great advices. Being an uncle has its privilege. One of them is the right to spoil the boy rotten. I was hoping I can get him something really cool. But he will get a SAK because it is what is good for him. I will get him some cool toy at later time.
 
Hard H2O said:
A smaller multi tool such as a Leatherman Juice S2 would be nice.

My boy is 8 as well and in the Cub Scouts.

http://www.scoutstuff.org is a good resource.

There are a ton of logoed official Scout knives.

You might want to ask his den leader what they recommend.

Good Luck
Click to expand...

The boy is not even my son and I am immensely proud of him. I cannot imagine how proud you are of your son.
 
Well, speaking as a former Cub Scout and Eagle Scout, he'll probably lose it (I did about that age). Give him a real cheapy he can wreck, and later, when he's grown to appreciate fine things, give him a knife he'll treasure and use for many years to come.
 
I tend to agree with Ed, even with the best of intentions chances are good he'll lose it, I wouldn't spend $100 on this knife - save that until he's a teenager. I got my 8 year old a Kabar Dozier folding hunter. Solid, dependable, locking, and only about $21. If you want something with a liner lock for him maybe a Buck Vantage. If you want to spend a bit more the Buck 55 could be a good choice, still small enough for a pocket and a classic design.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Well, speaking as a former Cub Scout and Eagle Scout, he'll probably lose it (I did about that age). Give him a real cheapy he can wreck, and later, when he's grown to appreciate fine things, give him a knife he'll treasure and use for many years to come.
Click to expand...

ditto. Lost 3 SAKs from age 9 to 14. Carried a 3.25" S&W Exteme Ops from 14 until Eagle. It got put through a lot and consequently, has a lot of up and down blade play...but I never had to worry about losing it since it was so cheap~

I think you can buy him some of the Alox saks...they're a bit nicer than the boring red plastic and a few dollars more.

Purchase him something nice when he's around 13 or 14. (I saw a LOT of Spydercos back in my day) I'm a 2005 Eagle for frame of reference.

Boys love to borrow and abuse each others knives...:mad:
 
I would second a good SAK. Will have most the tools he will need.
imo a child should not have a knife that opens single hand.

William P said:
Boys love to borrow and abuse each others knives...:mad:
Click to expand...

I can vouch for that. When I was a kid, I borowed my SAK to a moron who thought it was a throwing knife
 
Case Mini-Blackthorn with BSA insignia. It's lightweight, officially licensed, is inexpensive (<$20) and most importantly, is a lockback. As a Scout leader I've seen more boys that age hurt themselves with a slipjoint because they accidentally fold the blade back on their fingers (did it myself around 8 years old :D) The classic US made Cub Scout knife had liner locks because of that.

Once he's older and in Boy Scouts, a classic Scout style is still the coolest choice IMO. Case's Jr. Scout, or even a SAK with BSA insignia have the tools they'll use in the field.

National doesn't forbid fixed blades but many camps and even Troops do. My Troop doesn't and I occasionally wear a small fixed blade at meetings and camping outside of Council camps. The reason so many do forbid them is because boys will be boys, and one small fixed blade can lead to another boy going camping with a 12" Bowie.
 
As a former scouter, I recommend a good Swiss Army Knife. Tell him what the dollar limit is and then let him choose.

Congratulations to your nephew on getting his Whittlin' Chit. He has many more fun adventures ahead of him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top