Knife for a Boyscout?

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GuyWithTheThings

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I was just browsing the forums and this question popped into my head. If you have or had a Boyscout or girlscout, what knife would you get them, folding, fixed, or both?
 
I gave my son a SAK farmer when he joined the Boy Scouts and he loves it. I also got him a case trapper for his 9th birthday next week.
 
Gosh a Swiss Army Knife of whatever configuration you think is most useful is gonna be very difficult to beat. :thumbup:
 
So, if he is 9 then he is in cub scouts....

My boys have been collecting knives since they got their whittle chip in cub scouts...now my oldest is life, just about eagle, and the last thing I got him was a zt 0350...for the younger guys I would recommend a good swiss army, if you have a BSA store close by, they usually have a nice selection of knives with the BSA logo on them, including victorinox...
 
I went through my entire Boy Scout career including several extended lightweight backpacking trips with with a Leatherman PST backed up by a Victorinox Tinker.

Victorinox Farmer or Pioneer, Leatherman Wave, or a Case Trapper. I liked having either two bladed knives or a backup knife in case one blade was dulled or damaged I still had a useful blade.

When I was in scouts fixed blades were prohibited but not sure if that was across the board or just my troops rules.

I still have that PST and it means a lot to me, and it's still in great shape as well.
 
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But seriously, a decent SAK is going to be the go-to answer here. :D
 
ulsterbsa4bladescout2.jpg

I was issued one of these that had my serial number on it (kinda like the NSN now). Nowadays the scouts annoy patrons at Kmart peddling popcorn, so they might pass the the money on to the homeless. I bet none of them even has a knife on them, or is able to start a fire, mark a trail, or build a shelter. It's a sad, sad thing.

Today I use a Vic Soldier Alox (Farmer or Pioneer is a good one too). Hard to beat really.
 
manowar669 said:
ulsterbsa4bladescout2.jpg

I was issued one of these that had my serial number on it (kinda like the NSN now). Nowadays the scouts annoy patrons at Kmart peddling popcorn, so they might pass the the money on to the homeless. I bet none of them even has a knife on them, or is able to start a fire, mark a trail, or build a shelter. It's a sad, sad thing.
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May I ask how you came to that garbage conclusion? Tens of thousands of Scouts sell popcorn during that time of the year who can do all the things you mention. What about selling popcorn at K-Mart says to you "I bet these kids can't do anything, it's sad." Come on, now.
 
Mora Companion for a fixed blade, and an Opinel for a folding blade. I'm a scoutmaster and give many of these as gifts or prizes to scouts. I'm not much of a fan of non-locking folders like SAKs, and the BSA knives are not very good any more. I suppose an SAK Trekker or other locking blade would work, but they are pricey.

For my own sons, they got matching custom knives engraved with their names, a Blind Horse Knives Bushcrafter and an Adventure Sworn Bushcrafter. The son still in scouts takes one of these on every campout, usually the AS. They also always have a Leatherman Wave (old style).
 
manowar669 said:
Nowadays the scouts annoy patrons at Kmart peddling popcorn, so they might pass the the money on to the homeless. I bet none of them even has a knife on them, or is able to start a fire, mark a trail, or build a shelter. It's a sad, sad thing.

Today I use a Vic Soldier Alox (Farmer or Pioneer is a good one too). Hard to beat really.
Click to expand...

Don't know about your town, but I'll bet that ALL the scouts selling popcorn in my town have a pocketknife on them, know how to start a fire and build a shelter. Furthermore, in our program, we teach them how to not need a marked trail. YMMV.
 
guns_and_labs said:
Mora Companion for a fixed blade, and an Opinel for a folding blade. I'm a scoutmaster and give many of these as gifts or prizes to scouts. I'm not much of a fan of non-locking folders like SAKs, and the BSA knives are not very good any more. I suppose an SAK Trekker or other locking blade would work, but they are pricey.

For my own sons, they got matching custom knives engraved with their names, a Blind Horse Knives Bushcrafter and an Adventure Sworn Bushcrafter. The son still in scouts takes one of these on every campout, usually the AS. They also always have a Leatherman Wave (old style).
Click to expand...

You might know then, are fixed blades allowed in scouts now? Like I said now my troop when I was growing up didn't allow fixed blades but I am not sure if that was troop policy or organization policy at the time.
 
collim1 said:
You might know then, are fixed blades allowed in scouts now? Like I said now my troop when I was growing up didn't allow fixed blades but I am not sure if that was troop policy or organization policy at the time.
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I don't believe fixed blades are allowed. At least where I live.
 
collim1 said:
You might know then, are fixed blades allowed in scouts now? Like I said now my troop when I was growing up didn't allow fixed blades but I am not sure if that was troop policy or organization policy at the time.
Click to expand...

They are allowed in many troops, but not in some of the council or national camps. BSA nationally only says that "large fixed blades are discouraged." I would add that they were allowed in the troop I ran in California, and certainly throughout Alaska.

They certainly were allowed in my troop when I was a scout. Mine was a Buck.
 
This is the actual BSA policy, from the Guide to Safe Scouting, and repeated in handbooks and field books:

"A sharp pocketknife with a can opener on it is an invaluable backcountry tool. Keep it clean, sharp, and handy. Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish. Since its inception, Boy Scouting has relied heavily on an outdoor program to achieve its objectives. This program meets more of the purposes of Scouting than any other single feature. We believe we have a duty to instill in our members, youth and adult, the knowledge of how to use, handle, and store legally owned knives with the highest concern for safety and responsibility.

Remember—knives are not allowed on school premises, nor can they be taken aboard commercial aircraft."​

The prohibition is a local troop or residence camp option. For troops, it's usually because of scouts pushing the limits inappropriately. For residence camps, it's simply because they are so crowded and fixed blades have limited utility in that environment.
 
manowar669 said:
Nowadays the scouts annoy patrons at Kmart peddling popcorn, so they might pass the the money on to the homeless. I bet none of them even has a knife on them, or is able to start a fire, mark a trail, or build a shelter. It's a sad, sad thing.
Click to expand...

As long as they don't start handing out rainbow flags, I think we're fine. Than again it wouldn't surprise me. Anything to get the donations flowing.
 
guns_and_labs said:
This is the actual BSA policy, from the Guide to Safe Scouting, and repeated in handbooks and field books:

"A sharp pocketknife with a can opener on it is an invaluable backcountry tool. Keep it clean, sharp, and handy. Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish. Since its inception, Boy Scouting has relied heavily on an outdoor program to achieve its objectives. This program meets more of the purposes of Scouting than any other single feature. We believe we have a duty to instill in our members, youth and adult, the knowledge of how to use, handle, and store legally owned knives with the highest concern for safety and responsibility.

Remember—knives are not allowed on school premises, nor can they be taken aboard commercial aircraft."​

The prohibition is a local troop or residence camp option. For troops, it's usually because of scouts pushing the limits inappropriately. For residence camps, it's simply because they are so crowded and fixed blades have limited utility in that environment.
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Thanks for the answer.
 
Boy or Girl Scouts in these days are really spoilt for choice.
But there are some basic rules they must still adhere to.
As minors on the road to responsible adulthood,
Organisations such as these probably covers that ground.
It would be prudent to be frugal when it comes to
Placing any knife in the care of these youths.
I would advocate for instance an opinel penny knife.
And it's good to see that opinel has updated with the times.
The opinel DIY for one,
Would make an excellent choice.
couteau_opinelbrico1-z.jpg
 
GIRLYmann said:
Boy or Girl Scouts in these days are really spoilt for choice.
But there are some basic rules they must still adhere to.
As minors on the road to responsible adulthood,
Organisations such as these probably covers that ground.
It would be prudent to be frugal when it comes to
Placing any knife in the care of these youths.
I would advocate for instance an opinel penny knife.
And it's good to see that opinel has updated with the times.
The opinel DIY for one,
Would make an excellent choice.
couteau_opinelbrico1-z.jpg
Click to expand...

The opinel diy seems to be a very handy tool to have on you. Very convienent. I need to get on the ball and pick one up but from what ive seen, you cant go wrong.
 
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