Knife for a Boyscout?

As the others have said, the most useful knife for him would be a Victorinox of some sort. Mine was made by Camillus a long time ago, but it was the same idea. We were allowed to use fixed blades in the Boy Scouts above Tenderfoot. Here, practicality is, again, the rule. Something like an Kershaw Field Knife, or even the Mora that was mentioned. It should not be large. I had a Buck and they are hard to beat. 4" is about right with 3 1/2 on the short side.
 
I agree with a SAK being probably the most suitable knife for a Scout. However I would recommend one of the bigger Victorinox (say One Hand Trekker) or a Wenger (Ranger line) with a locking blade and hole in the blade for one hand opening.

Out of the two, I like Victorinox over Wenger better. Because even though the blade on the Wenger Ranger line seems to be a bit bigger, they are not sharpened all the way to the handle and don't include tweezers. The extra length on the saw blade is handy but doesn't compensate (from my point of view) the overall bulk of these knives.

With a locking blade, even they cannot compare to a fixed blade, you still have a higher degree of safety.
 
A good SAK and proper instruction on how to use it. I had what would now be called the Huntsman when I was in Scouts. Great knife, that I still carry.
 
I'm a Scoutmaster and have one Boyscout and two Cubscouts in the program. They've each received a lock blade for their 8th birthday. The often opt for a blade at Christmas and birthday time. They currently have a Kershaw Skyline, Cryo and Blur between them. A couple have received Coldsteel Kukris (I think they are more useful and lighter than hatchets.) If you've got some knives, let them take a look, educate them and see what they like.
 
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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Contrary to urban legends, the B.S.A. has never prohibited sheath knives or other fixed-blade knives. It sold sheath knives for fifty years and other fixed blade knives for 96. It It says that it "discourages" "heavy sheath knives" (except, strangely, filleting knives, which I never thought of as "heavy"). It expressly recommends sheath knives with a "short" blade and stout handle as "ideal" for outdoor program. (Boy's Life, June, 2008) B.S.A. also expressly recognizes the responsibility of its troops to teach proper use of all "legally owned" knives. (Guide to Safe Scouting).

Nevertheless, councils and troops have the option of adopting their own rules. And many have zero tolerance for fixed-blade knives - mostly out of ignorance - thus ignoring their express obligation to teach safe use of fixed-blade knives.

Oddly enough, B.S.A. publications on wilderness survival (by former UK military types) suggest large khukuris and bolos. Apparently, no one is reading all the literature to make sure it is consistent - or perhaps no one is reading all the literatuire in any sense.

IMO the SAK "Farmer" is a great pocket knife for a Scout.

Other than SAK's and collectibles sold under the Case brand, all official BSA knives sold today are made by the CHINA company, whoever that might be. The fit and finsih are perfectly acceptable. The metallurgy is anyone's guess.
 
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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.

Today I use a Vic Soldier Alox (Farmer or Pioneer is a good one too). Hard to beat really.
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What the heck? What corner of the air did you pull that out of? We (I'm an Eagle Scout) sell popcorn to raise money for the troop. I'm terribly sorry it annoys you. I have a knife on me all the time, excluding ventures into a school or government buildings. I can do all those things you have so blatantly told me I couldn't. My first campout was a wilderness survival campout where we built out own shelters. I've been to Philmont and summited Mt. Baldy. I would say I'm not too "sad."
 
wazu013 said:
There are BSA stores around the country and on line. They sell a variety of knives with the BSA logo including a variety of SAKs. Here's a link to one.
http://www.scoutstuff.org/bsa/camping/knives-accessories/knives.html

I walked into the store in Seminole, Fl and found this one.
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Given that Camillus has been closed since 2007, you are fortunate to have found a knife with that brand made 8in U.S.A.

scoutstuff.org is the site for B.S.A.'s Supply Organization
 
Last week I was at the store picking up some stuff, and around this time the local boyscouts chapter is going around selling popcorn. Well when I was picking up the stuff on the shopping list, I overheard one of the "scouts" complaining to the manager about a customer with a knife, with that customer being me.

That's just plain sad...
 
As a scout I started with some kind if small folder given to me by my grandfather. I think it was a Case. My dad got me a small SAK and then I received a leather man. I never looked back!

I sold popcorn, and can/could do any of the outdoor survival skills aforementioned. I find it embarrassing and sad that anyone would equate scouting to simple mindedness like that. It's a way to fund a group, and most of those boys could save their own behinds in a tough spot. And probably yours and mine too!

We were taught responsibility and respect by the scouting program and turned out just fine. I think youngsters need to be taught responsibility early and the program does it just fine!

I will give my boys the same as I received... Case folder and SAK... When they act responsibly with the blades we'll go from there!
 
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.

Today I use a Vic Soldier Alox (Farmer or Pioneer is a good one too). Hard to beat really.
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Yep, that's what came to mind. I think some of them also had an awl on them. I would do that or a sak.
 
As a scout, specifically an Eagle Scout, I appreciated anything someone I loved gave me. What I used the most was my Vic SAK but would have loved to have a real Multi-tool, aka.. Leatherman. Next would be a all-around knife, something I could carve with and wouldn't lose an edge daily, something like a Mora Craftline or a Mini Condor Bushlore, or as a folder maybe a Buck Vantage or a RAT 1. Something that can be lost without getting in too much trouble but will do anything thrown at it. I learned more than I can remember as a Scout and still thank my family for making me stick with it regardless of how I felt at the time. I hope you find something great but hope that whatever you decide on is appreciated.
 
As another Eagle Scout, lots and lots of non-locking folders were used by idiot ringmeat kids without incident.

Fixed blades have always been somewhat discouraged on the smaller is better theory. Also, from my observation, one of those idiot ringmeat kids is more likely to be injured by a fixed blade simply because a kid is likely to have it arranged improperly and to be stuck after falling during one of the inevitable games of graba$$ in which young Scouts frequently engage.
 
"Ringmeat" - How to increase your word power. :D

The most common "woods tools" injury in Scouting - exceeding all others combined -- is "knife closed on finger(s)"

Amazing how many fixed-blade knives come with really terrible, flimsy sheaths.
 
Unless your son is an Eagle Scout, I'd probably stay away from fixed knives. I'd get a Boy Scout or Girl Scout a SAK Fieldmaster, Farmer, or tinker depending on how much you think they'd use it. If you wanted to get a fixed blade, I'd get something old school and classic. Like a buck special or a kabar usmc
 
A swiss army knife would be the best bet, but I have a feeling an Opinel would be a pretty good knife as well.
 
JDX said:
Unless your son is an Eagle Scout, I'd probably stay away from fixed knives. I'd get a Boy Scout or Girl Scout a SAK Fieldmaster, Farmer, or tinker depending on how much you think they'd use it. If you wanted to get a fixed blade, I'd get something old school and classic. Like a buck special or a kabar usmc
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While responsibility may be age related, it is not rank related.

The Buck Special and Ka-Bar USMC (Fighting Utility) are longer than BSA suggests, although not prohibited. The Buck handle has less grip than I like. (I bought mine so long ago that it's pre sharp grind lines.)

I would suggest something with a 3-4" blade, a sturdy handle, and a stout sheath. That's what Europe calls a "Scout knife" - especially if it has a guard.

The SAK's are great suggestions. High quality and design at a reasonable price for that quality.
 
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