Eagle scout knife and edc..

[Midwest Ninja]

As an Eagle Scout, I can say I've had to re-earn my Totin Chip upwards of four times (I only got 4 cards, but I had to get it more than that) and my Firemn' Chit at least twice (fire making privileges) in the 6 years i was in BSA. ALL of those were the result of safety violations. Oddly enough, no one said anything about my balisong as long as I wasn't flipping near people, but that SAK was a dangerous weapon. Let's face it: teenagers do stupid things, regardless of training.

 

[leatherman]

A friend of mine whos son is getting his eagle scout soon,asked ME to make a knife to commemorate the event. I thought the design that Thayne and I put together would be a good choice. Here is what I came up with..3/16 01 tool steel,6 inch blade(Thaynes design) flat ground,micarta handle with a slight palm swell..stainless fittings..and a hand stitched 7 oz "Eagle" sheath. Heres a look..

Good stuff! I didnt realize you did leather work! We had a whole 'nother subject to chew on and havent used it.

At least now we have stuff to talk about at the meet n greet.

 

[Thomas Linton]

First, that first knife is a beauty - a real camp knife -- even a hint of a long Nessie. He should be a proud Eagle to carry that fine knife.

As for Scouts and knives, this is not a "liberal"/"conservative" thing. (Although, how anyone can call Scouts "liberal," given the present meaning typically given that word, is beyond me.)

It's an ignorant/knowledgeable thing. Our society has changed. There are few handtool users around. Perfectly normal tools look alien and dangerous to the ignorant. I mean, did you even look at a sickle? A SWORD (Woops. Corn Knife )?

Local Councils and units absolutely can ban fixed-blade knives. Many have done so. It is theor right under Scouting bylaws. If you do not agree, work to change the rule or go elsewhere. A Scout is Obedient.

AustenTXShooter is on the track: BSA policy "discourages" "large sheath knives" on the grounds of utility in the Scouting program. Meanwhile, BSA sells 8 "kitchen" knives. No prohibition. No mention of safety. Not to mention the continued sponsorship of the use of axes, a far more dangerous tool.

When one asks those responsible for banning all fixed-blade knives why they adopt that rule, they always mention "safety." (Most Councils that ban "all" fixed-blade knives still sell those 8" kitchen knives, by the way. Check into that mmmotorcycle.)


I then ask these men if they expect boys will encounter fixed-blade knives. They say, "yes." Then I ask them how the boys are to learn safe use of such "tools" (Always call them tools.) and if we are missing an opportunity. I point out the actual BSA policy (They seldom have any idea what it is, urban legends having replaced much knowledge.) I show them a Bark River Mini and a Lone Wolf Ranger, the one banned and the other allowed as a folding knife. "Where's the logic," I ask.

At the least, I leave them unsettled.

I offer to address their unit Commitee or Council Executive Board.

Above all, I remain calm.

How to insure safe usage? It is actually easy, as James61 knows. It is part of what Scouting is SUPPOSED to be - boy led. It's not one - or ten - adults watching. It's ALL the Scouts watching, and they are FAR tougher than the adults. (Kids tend to see black and white, not gray.) We have had one troublesome incident in the last twenty years (The kid had to go.). "Rat on Your Buddy Week" is 52 eeks a year when it comes to Tot'N'Chip. That method has worked for nearly a century, but does not work when it is not even tried.

If you are involved in Scouting, do not leave the field to the ignorant. I have sucessfully had bans dropped at two Scout camps. I, and others, prevented our Council from adopting a ban.

Or you can haul out "sheeple," etc. and piss everyone off.

 

[glennbad]

Well put, Thomas...

I remember an incident that happened back when I was an asst. cubmaster a few years back. I was at resident camp with the boys from my pack, and one of the rules was no knives. Period. So let me get this straight...they teach whittlin chip card at camp, they sell pocket knives at the scout store (with prior parent approval, of course), but you can't have knives at camp.

For some of these boys, owning and using a pocket knife was something they really hadn't had much of a chance to do, except at scout camp, certain events, etc. The boys that already had their whittlin chip had knives with them, and some of the boys that earned them got to buy knives.

We decided in this case to "bend" the rules slightly, and allowed the boys to use their knives around the camp site only. The boys were ecstatic, were very safe (no incidents), and got to enjoy one of the things we enjoyed when we were kids. Many of the boys were begging their parents to let them buy a knife when the parents came to pick them up.

I'm all for following the rules, but there has to be some common sense involved. It's hard enough to keep kids interested in scouts nowadays. Half the fun is being able to do things you might not otherwise be allowed to do. (BB gun, archery, knives, fire, etc.)

Most of the higher-placed leaders (professional scouters) will back up any individual unit that has a good argument. As long as it follows the Safe Scouting Guide, they will support you rather than risk losing scouts.

Glenn

 

[martensite]

A friend of mine whos son is getting his eagle scout soon,asked ME to make a knife to commemorate the event. I thought the design that Thayne and I put together would be a good choice. Here is what I came up with..3/16 01 tool steel,6 inch blade(Thaynes design) flat ground,micarta handle with a slight palm swell..stainless fittings..and a hand stitched 7 oz "Eagle" sheath. Heres a look..

nice looking knives. how did you heat treat the steel?

 

[James 61]

Thanks for the input Thomas.
The troop I was in from Tenderfoot to Eagle was very big on being a boy run program. I remember teaching Whittlin and Totin classes to the Cub Scouts and younger Boy Scouts I was a senior scout. I've also played a role in enforcing the rules of not only tool safety but also fire and general camp safety. I still have my original totin and Firemn chits with all the corners intact. The tool and fire safety program can and does work.

Being in a boy run and adult supported program was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Unfortantly my children are girls so my Scouting days ended when I turned 18.

 

[k-spar]

Being in a boy run and adult supported program was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Unfortantly my children are girls so my Scouting days ended when I turned 18.

get em into a venture crew. girls are allowed in those, and i think the ages are like 16-21 or something?

too bad girl scouts has to suck in this country, lots of other countries have great scouting programs where boys and girls are integrated.

 

[razcob]

Those are beautiful knives. Are they made of INFI?

 

[James 61]

get em into a venture crew. girls are allowed in those, and i think the ages are like 16-21 or something?

too bad girl scouts has to suck in this country, lots of other countries have great scouting programs where boys and girls are integrated.

I looked into it a few months ago when the wife and I were discussing scouting. I did not have much luck finding anything. No big deal as they are still too young. My wife's daughter is 6 yrs and our daughter is 6 mths. Maybe by then there will be a team for them to join. In the mean time I will start their outdoors education now.

 

[bruce]

Thomas Linton said "Local Councils and units absolutely can ban fixed-blade knives. Many have done so. It is theor right under Scouting bylaws. If you do not agree, work to change the rule or go elsewhere. A Scout is Obedient."

Can you point me to the "National" bylaws that allow this? The one time I challenged this, National couldn't cite the horsepower the local councils were trying to wield. I think it's a case of the local councils doing what they want until someone makes them stop – overstepping their bounds. If the local councils do not have the authority to "ban" certain items, then your challenge of obedience is pointed in the wrong direction.