Knife for Scout

M

Mr1911

Joined
Oct 29, 2006
Messages
13
I plan to give my granddaughters special necklaces when they're 12. I have a grandson now and I thought I'd give him a knife (folder). I want something really special, but appropriate for a young Scout. I also want it to be something he'll keep beyond scouting.

Any suggestions?
 
Greater Eastern Cutlery makes many models that I would consider heirloom quality,and a nice gift for a young lad.
 
majigy said:
Greater Eastern Cutlery makes many models that I would consider heirloom quality,and a nice gift for a young lad.
Click to expand...

Ahhh ya beat me to it! But yeah I'd recommend the #15 boys knife........great pattern!
 
Normally someone welcomes a member to the forums when they have their first post. In your case I will just say congratulations on your first post given you joined 6+ years ago. Good luck finding the right knife for grandson!
 
Thanks. I guess I joined and forgot abou it. My son mentioned the foum today, so I tought I'd join. What a surprise!

Anyway, the GEC #15 look really nice. I just looked at a Case Boy Scout knife also.
 
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A Swiss Army Knife (SAK) of some sort would be my suggestion.

Both my boys got a Victorinox Hiker as their first knife - after they'd earned their Whittlin Chip in Cub Scouts. Lots of useful tools for outdoor Scout trips. If you are concerned about the blade not locking, check out the Wenger Evogrip S18.
 
SAKs Are a dime a dozen. It seems like you want ah heirloom quality type knife, which would say to me GEC. Hands Down. Many wonderful patterns there, but I'll second the Boys Knife pattern. It is about the perfect knife to me.
 
Buy an affordable but quality knife for him.
Dont buy an heirloom-type knife for him at this point.
A good affordable knife, which he can beat the snot out of and dont worry too much about damaging or losing would best.
Or rather buy a user for him AND a heirloom knife to keep for him until he is old enough to really appreciate it.
 
SAKs and multitools certainly are a dime a dozen, but I'd still consider one of them in addition to whatever nife you choose for your grandson. Something like a Victorinox Farmer (which also has a small engraving plate on the handle) would make a great scout knife.

GEC and Case both make great traditional slipjoints (GEC is a bit better when it comes to fit and finish, in my experience). If you're open to something a bit pricier, I'd suggest looking at Fallkniven folders. They are smallish (under 3" blades, except for one model), steel is fantastic and so is construction quality. Something like a TK3, U1 (non-locking) or FH9. The U2 is very handy, but the black plastic handle doesn't scream "special".
 
I'd recommend a Victorinox Alox Pioneer. It is a classic scout design but without the scout emblem. It does have an engravable plate. Victorinox also makes several models with the scout emblem; unfortunately none of them have alox handles. A first scout knife doesn't need to be expensive to be very meaningful. The Victorinox runs about $25, the Case about $100, the Remington about $60. I still have my scout knife, an old Imperial, and my "Toten Chip" card in my "memories" box (we all have one of those). That was about 60 years ago. I like the Alox Pioneer as it is more durable than the red cellidor handles although I've never had any go bad except they scratch easily. It's not the price that matters for ones first knife. It just has to be a good knife, sturdy and usable. It will be a keepsake regardless of price. IMHO, high end folders are fine for later on if he shows an interest in collecting. Now is it a gift from his dad and all the memories that will go with that.

Rich S (sentimental old guy :-)
 
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I bought this one at the locol Boy Scout store for $35.
CamillusScoutLB001_zpsc3562636.jpg
 
Didn't know there were still boy scout stores. I recall years ago there were boy scout sections in many dept stores, but those have long ago ceased. Good find, but I don't consider that a "traditional" scout knife even with the emblem. To me a scout knife is a classic 4 blade/tool utility knife. Guess I'm just too much of a traditionalist. I did see that Bear and Sons MGC makes a nice scout knife for about $40.

Rich S
 
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You want something really nice but useful.
I would say Case XX Carbon Fiber Sod Buster Jr.
Small enough, useful enough, gets nice and sharp, and is beautiful.
It's something he could use for years and years.
You can even have it engraved.

They even have:
Carbon Fiber Medium Stockman
Carbon Fiber Folding Hunter
Carbon Fiber Lock Back
Carbon Fiber Trapper
Carbon Fiber Sod Buster - Larger version of the Jr.
Carbon Fiber Back Pocket

So they have several to choose from. I think any of them would be perfect for what you're looking for.
 
Rich S said:
I'd recommend a Victorinox Alox Pioneer. It is a classic scout design but without the scout emblem. It does have an engravable plate. Victorinox also makes several models with the scout emblem; unfortunately none of them have alox handles. A first scout knife doesn't need to be expensive to be very meaningful. The Victorinox runs about $25, the Case about $100, the Remington about $60. I still have my scout knife, an old Imperial, and my "Toten Chip" card in my "memories" box (we all have one of those). That was about 60 years ago. I like the Alox Pioneer as it is more durable than the red cellidor handles although I've never had any go bad except they scratch easily. It's not the price that matters for ones first knife. It just has to be a good knife, sturdy and usable. It will be a keepsake regardless of price. IMHO, high end folders are fine for later on if he shows an interest in collecting. Now is it a gift from his dad and all the memories that will go with that.

Rich S (sentimental old guy :-)
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Yup!!


And if anyone has a dozen SAK's to sell me for a dime please let me know.:)
 
wazu013 said:
I bought this one at the locol Boy Scout store for $35.
CamillusScoutLB001_zpsc3562636.jpg
Click to expand...

The pictured knife was made by a company that ceased to exist in 2007. The comparable model today is made by "CHINA," and has excellent fit and finish. Heat treatment?

There is a chain of Scout Shops, mostly operated directly by B.S.A. They carry a variety of CHINA knives, including a Trapper and an almost Stockman (sheep's foot instead of spay) plus several Victorinox knives with the B.S.A. logo.
 
Jeffwithaj wrote:

"And if anyone has a dozen SAK's to sell me for a dime please let me know."

Well, not for a dime, but check ebay, swiss army knives, click used. Hundreds
of them, many very cheap, some sold in lots of 5 to 50 at a time. Very cheap
way to get good used SAKs.

Rich
 
Victorinox Alox Farmer or Pioneer would be a great choice that would last forever. Want something a little and special? Get him one of a different color than silver (Google Swiss Bianco)..... or have it engraved.

Case makes a nice scout knife that is basically the same pattern as the Pioneer, but it might be a bit more bulky.
 
Rich S said:
Jeffwithaj wrote:

"And if anyone has a dozen SAK's to sell me for a dime please let me know."

Well, not for a dime, but check ebay, swiss army knives, click used. Hundreds
of them, many very cheap, some sold in lots of 5 to 50 at a time. Very cheap
way to get good used SAKs.

Rich
Click to expand...

To be honest they aren't that expensive to begin with.

BTW, do you know BOF?
 
So, what's the story on Swiss Bianco? Does he make Swiss Army Knives under license? Does Victorinox make custom models to his specifications? He does have some that are different than the run-of-the-mill SAKs.
 
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