Fixed blade for a Cub Scout?

My son is an 8-year-old Cub Scout and is looking forward to his first camping trip with the scouts this summer. He recently received his first knife, a SAK, and has shown that he can be trusted with it. For camping I'd like to get him a small fixed blade and have been trying to narrow down the choices. I want a quality knife, but not one that costs so much I'll disinherit him for losing it. It should be small, probably no more than a 4" blade. Personally speaking, I prefer natural materials. Ones I've been looking at so far are:

AG Russell Hunter's Scalpel
AG Russell Woodswalker
Grohmann Bird & Trout

His birthday's coming up at the end of the month, so I'd like to decide on something and order it within the next week.

Any suggestions?
 
Hi Guys,

Better beware and read this thread first!
frown.gif


http://www.knifeforums.com/ubb/Forum62/HTML/001160.html

I'm still waiting for documentation and proof, but if true, this would be very disappointing.

------------------
Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com
Email: ron@sogknives.com
 
RattlerXX

RattlerXX

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2000
Messages
3,012
I hate to see that happen. I remember my first fixed blade, that my parents gave me when I was a Cub Scout. It was a Camillus BSA skinner, and I still have it and the memories. They need to leave that one alone, and maybe just regulate the size of the blade or something. I don't know...AGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

[This message has been edited by RattlerXX (edited 04-11-2001).]
 
Even if he can't take his knife on Scouting trips, he certainly can with the family. Nothing is better for father-son bonding than camping and cooking over an open fire (well except teaching your son to shoot a .22). I would get him a Hunter's Scalpel. The handle design would give him a secure grip and the thin blade will reduce the force he will need for cutting. Lower force means higher safety. I would consider getting his knife in 6A (AUS-6) alloy. It will be the most corrosion resistant and the hardest to break. It is also the softest so it would be good for sharpening practise. I would get him a Norton dual grit India 8" bench hone and let him learn the art of sharpening by hand. That's still the cub scout skill that I find the most valuable.


[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 04-11-2001).]
 
For me, the obvious choice is a Cold Steel Masrer Hunter. Comfortable and secure kraton handle. Stainless too if you opt for the AUS8 version.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ron@SOG:
Hi Guys,

Better beware and read this thread first!
frown.gif


http://www.knifeforums.com/ubb/Forum62/HTML/001160.html

I'm still waiting for documentation and proof, but if true, this would be very disappointing.

</font>
Click to expand...

Ron, the problem with this subject is that it is left up to the scout troops leaders to decide what they will allow and then the rules at the different camps they go to may vary. A lot of scout leaders frown on what they consider a "too large" folder. You will find that in rural areas people have a different perspective on what is reasonable for junior to carry than you will in a suburban or city area. I was an adult leader in scouts many years ago and (60's & 70's) that contraversy was around then.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RattlerXX:
I hate to see that happen. I remember my first fixed blade, that my parents gave me when I was a Cub Scout. It was a Camillus BSA skinner, and I still have it and the memories. They need to leave that one alone, and maybe just regulate the size of the blade or something. I don't know...AGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

[This message has been edited by RattlerXX (edited 04-11-2001).]</font>
Click to expand...
I would like to add to what Rattler XX said bout regulating the blade length. As I have stated I was an adult leader back in the60's & 70's and that is how we solved our problem concerning fixed blades in the troop. We regulated the blade length, with the parents having an input. This, however did not negate the possibility of some camps having rules concerning fixed blades. This contraversy irks me just as much as it does you guys and I'm not involved anymore.
 
I saw that thread on kf.com and even commented on it over there. I think it's ridiculous that an organization would actually reward a scout with a SAK (which he earned during our annual fundraiser) and then discourage the use of a knife that is arguably safer.

I don't know what the local regs are on this and I'm not going to ask -- "It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission". As the den leader I'm not making an issue of it and, if others have a problem, we'll probably bring along the SAK as a back-up.

Back to the original topic, I'm thinking the CS Master Hunter might be a little bit meaty for an 8-year-old, no? And doesn't that come in Carbon V? I'm not sure he's ready for a steel that needs that kind of upkeep.

Set me straight if I'm wrong.

------------------
"I can't believe you stabbed me with this cheap piece of mail-order sh*t"
James Caan in 'Eraser'
 
As a scoutmaster and knife nut, let me reply here. The actual wording of the "Guide to Safe Scouting" is that "Large Sheath Knives should be avoided." That's weasel worded enough that it can be interpreted any way you like it. Our council camp forbids sheath knives at summer camp. I'm told because of past incidents with knife throwing, and such. The fault lies with the leaders (and parents) who didn't teach their kids knife safety, and to act responsibly. There are also real concerns that kids with a big knife are going to use it, and we are trying to encourage minimum damage to our surroundings.

I'm not sure as a leader if I would allow Cub Scouts to carry a sheath knife. Folsom's law of cub scouting is that the average intelligence of a group of boys is inversely proportional to the number of boys in the group. I do let my Boy Scouts carry a sheath knife if I believe them to be worthy of it. Having taught whittlin' Chip class to several dens of bear scouts, I'm just not sure they are mature enough, as a group. Sure there are exceptions, but not many.

Now, what kind of knife for scouts? I bought my twin webelos scouts each a Helle Speider, an excellent knife, especially at $30.00 each. It has the added benefit of being a Norwegian Scout knife, with the norwegian scout logo on the sheath. You can see them at http://www.ragweedforge.com along with a bunch of other really neat scandinavian knives.

Hope this helps.

Peace, Al


------------------
Al Folsom alan@folsoms.net
Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then if he gets mad, he'll be a mile away, and barefoot!
* * * *
Buck Collector's Club #1334 (oh man, this is gonna cost me...)
Micah 6:8


[This message has been edited by folsom (edited 04-11-2001).]
 
I would suggest a Mora #1 or perhaps a mora 2000 if you want something a bit fancier...the Mora #1 is 8 dollars and will do anything a knife needs to do, and the Mora 2K is 30 bucks...both EXCELLENT knives..
 
You might want to consider the Buck Woodsman, Model 102, in cocabola. It's a great camp and field knife with a 4" blade and smallish handle. Even though the handle is smallish, mine still serves me well (I've had it since the 70's.)

------------------
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
Great information on both counts, folsom!

Regarding the knife -- I checked out the Speider & I really like that knife. Plus, you get the connection to the Norwegian scouts that's a point (pun - sorry) of interest. For $30? Seems well worth the price.

Regarding the regulations -- You provided me exactly what I was looking for when I posted on the kf.com thread - a reference in the event someone makes a stink on the upcoming camping trip. Do you know where I can find that "Guide to Safe Scouting"?

I also agree with your assessment of scouts of that age. Luckily, we have a small den and I put the fear of God into them early on.

The Mora's another good choice -- one I hadn't considered.

I was afraid this would happen. Now I have too many to choose from. Maybe I'll buy one of each and dole them out to him for future birthdays, Xmas, etc. It'd still cost less than I spent at the Badget Knife Show.

------------------
"I can't believe you stabbed me with this cheap piece of mail-order sh*t"
James Caan in 'Eraser'
 
My apologies...though impassioned on the topic as shared over in KFC, I did not intend to pull this thread off-topic.

I think appropriate knife size and weight is needed for the kid, and certainly one that is appropriate for the setting (such as not a bayonet, large dagger, auto folder, or something else extreme). A 3-5" fixed blade, drop point field knife would be perfect. The SOG NW Ranger would be good (sorry, self promotion
smile.gif
) There are numerous outstanding knives in this category!

------------------
Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com
Email: ron@sogknives.com
 
I know that these won't come under the wire in your budget dept, but give a little looksie anyway.

http://www.marblearms.com/marblearms.html

I'd look at the Campcraft 2000 or maybe for a smaller blade the Trailcraft and I think Fieldcraft? Stacked leather or stag handles sound good to 'ya?? Yeah, me too!!

For some slightly better pricing on these knives check with Roger at Bayou Lafourche Knifeworks. He is a BFC sponsor with a great reputation for both service and pricing.
http://www.knifeworks.com./

No time like the present to spoil 'em!!!
biggrin.gif


--The Raptor--



[This message has been edited by Raptor (edited 04-11-2001).]
 
Unfortunately, the choice of whether or not to ban fixed blades rests with the local scout leadership. I was involved with scouting in the bay area, and they specifically forbade fixed blades (and liquid-fueled stoves, although you could buy liquid-fueled stoves from the official scout catalog). I am now in more conservative country in the San Joaquin Valley, and I don't think the local leadership has an issue with fixed blades. In fact, I am going with my son on this summer's high adventure (horsepacking in the Sierras) and the scoutmaster is actually happy that I am planning on bringing my .45.

------------------
Die Entropie der Welt strebt einem Maximum zu - R.J.E. Clausius
 
Hmmm...
If the fixed blade ruling is left up to the leadership to decide, I guess I'll have to take a more active role in the troop leadership. I have no problem with carrying a fixed blade in the woods, it sounds like good common sense to me. I always have at least one in my pack, and the other leaders have no problem with it.

I do remember a couple years ago when I was a Boy Scout in Indiana that we were forbidden to carry fixed blades. I think the reasoning was something along the lines of you can stab yourself through the sheath when you sit down
rolleyes.gif
...
I was quite frustrated by this ruling, and always kept a fixed blade in my pack, with a kydex sheath(like to see how the knife would cut through that one). I don't know what their ruling was on folders, but I always had a locking folder on me as well. I guess I just thought that if I was an Eagle Scout and 16 or 17 years old, then I should be able to carry what I please.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top