Need Advice--Is A Knife Appropriate for a Eagle Scout Gift?

Consider a nice SAK, a Leatherman Tool with an initials and date engraved, Buck 110 or 112, or a Case Copperlock. All would be excellent gifts. About no fixed blades?
What is that. Anyone who has spent any time in the out of doors knows a fixed blade is usually a more versitile tool than a folder. Folders are great for SAK's, multi-tools, or back-up, all very usefull in the woods, but a fixed blade is usually more disirable for its strength. We to carried fixed blades in camp etc..., also hatchets axes, machetes. We were taught that they were tools and were treated as such.
 
I can’t think of a more appropriate gift for a Scout, or any outdoorsman. Cammillus offers several knives with the BSA logo, as a matter of fact.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
Ya know... if he is a really good kid... an engraved Sebenza would be the cats meow! When I was a young scout I packed an old military survival knife, along with a machete and Buck 110... still carry several knives... hmm, I must still be a kid!
 
I had heard that the BSA did not allow fixed blades and I went nuts and called district office in our state. I was told that they were not acceptable so I asked for chapter and verse, not an opinion. What they found was a letter stating that the lack of training given to young scouts, and the availability of large "Rambo" type knives had resulted in a lot of hacked up trees and scouts, therefore they were not "recommended" but were not technically prohibited. I represent the sponsor of a scout troop, varsity team, venture post, and a cub scout pack. I told the district that my scouts were showing up to camp with fixed blade knives -- not choppers -- and they better not turn them away or give them any grief! They didn't. I've found a few scoutmasters, district executives, etc. that tried to tell me that even though the BSA didn't prohibit fixed blade knives, they did. I told them they had no authority to do so and if they wanted any money from our "Friends of Scouting" drive, they better back off. So far, so good. It's time to stand our ground. But it's also time to properly train our scouts!

Bruce Woodbury
 
As an Eagle Scout (1981) and current Scoutmaster for the Laguna Beach, CA Troop 38 I can certify that the boys on my watch all have their "Tote N' Chip" cards. No card, no knife at meetings, camping trips, etc. For those who don't know, a Tote N' Chip card sort of a Concealed Carry License for a knife. I go over knife, hatchet, saw and ax use and safety with each of the scouts and require demonstrated safety and competent use before issuing the cards. If my scouts are seen to do something unsafe, a corner is cut off the card -- and if the fourth corner gets removed, the card is taken away, my scouts get some counseling and based on the interview, may be able to requalify for a new card. Sounds tough, but the boys like the card and love it when I slice off someone's corner for an indiscretion.

As far as a gift, definitely get something engraved. I was just checking out the Case Knives website and I think an engraved Case would fit the bill perfectly!

DRC

Do a good turn daily!
 
Eagle Scout Class of 1988 speaking here:

I, too, have mixed feelings about BSA stance on fixed blades. My thought is this...it is their organization and if they feel that (as a whole) they should discourage some leaders from allowing their boys to carry a fixed blade...so beit. HOWEVER, I also think that the Scout Master should have the intelligence to educatate the boys in the uses, pros/cons and safety that goes with such a knife. My troop was "Tote-n-Chip" strict, and some of the older boys (myself included) were allowed to use fixed blades on campouts. However, some of the boys that were there could pass the Tote-n-chip test but I would not want to be within 100 feet of them when they had their knife out. Understand the concept? Some boys (most likely the ones who will NEVER reach the rank of Eagle) are the ones who cannot handle the responsibility. That is NOT saying that only Eagle Scouts in this world are mature enough...it means that the ones who cannot handle it, will not be able to stick it out and have the maturity to make it there.

If people are not happy with the way the BSA is handeling the responsibility of coordinating and organizing one of the greatest groups of young men in the world, then those unhappy people should get involved to make a change. It is similar to the person who doesn't vote and then they complain about the government leader. Take some ownership in it and see if you can make a difference. When I received my Eagle, I promised myself that I would give back at least the same number of years as an adult leader that I spent in as a boy. I hopefully made a difference.

My opinion...give the boy one of two things...a great user knife that he can carry in and out of the woods everyday, or a nice collector type knife that one day he can mount on his office wall to tell a story about a nice family who shared in his maturing process.

Eagle Scouts make up less than 1% of the boys in the BSA...that is impressive I think! reward him for his hard work, dedication and maturity...no matter his age!

David


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David P. Sproles
Eagle Scout Class of 1988
dps2970@hotmail.com
 
When I was an Assistant Scoutmaster (Troop 104, NCAC), before arthritis took me down, I asked the Scoutmaster why he didn't allow fixed blades. He said that he didn't much care for the national policies, but he had reached his decision when he had found it nearly impossible to stop the boys from playing things like mumblety-peg with the knives and that it was a great deal more difficult to do that with a folder due to balance matters. He had finally put a stop to the fixed blades when, on a camp-out, a boy got a blade stuck in his foot, even after all of the lectures and Tote-n-Chip losses. After that, no more fixed blades. Later, we relented under a new Scoutmaster and did allow some of the older boys to bring fixed blades on private camp-outs, but never to a Camporee.

The funniest story, though, was when the son of the minister of the Methodist church where we met came in in early September and said, "Look at the knife that my Daddy brought back for me from Mexico!" H then whipped out a switchblade. The poor old Scoutmaster almost lost it then and there. I asked the boy if I could see it, and he handed it to me, "Thank you" & "You're welcome", and I looked at it while the Scoutmaster recovered and explained that possession of such things was illegal in Virginia and that importation and transport across state lines was illegal. I think that the boy was thoroughly intimidated and gave it back to his father who probably destroyed it. It looked pretty cheap and easy to break. But, my God, what trouble those innocents could have gotten into! Given Methodist practice, the family has long since rotated away from the church and I have no idea where they went.

BTW, I would buy the young man a StarMate and have it engraved with his name, the words, "Eagle Scout", and the date upon which it was awarded. I have checked with Sal Glesser and he says that CPM440V can be engraved, he suggested laser engraving, if I remember.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller

[This message has been edited by FullerH (edited 09-14-2000).]

[This message has been edited by FullerH (edited 09-14-2000).]
 
I am the proud father of an Eagle Scout, class of 1998. Yes, fixed blades are fowned upon. Yes, any knife would make a great gift to commemorate this event. My son's troop has a custom of presenting the new Eagle Scout with a knife. It's similar to a swiss army classic with the eagle emblem on the scale. It's made by Camillus.

Check and see if the troop does something similar. If not, the Boy Scout Council in your area probably carries this knife.
 
I think a knife is very appropriate gift.

I'm currently helping a scout work on his Eagle project. A couple years ago his scoutmaster told him he could not bring fixed blades on camp outs. He presisted and proved that he was responsable and the scoutmaster gave permission. Now when he goes to service projects to clear paths or clean streams he includes his EDMF khukri with the other tools and the scoutmaster expects him to bring it. Because of his interest in knives other scouts have become interested in knives. The boys attitudes have changed from fixed blade knives being weapons to knives are tools.

There can never be too many scouts or knife knuts.

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Chuck Bybee
titanium.man@gte.net
http://www.titanium-man.com

[This message has been edited by Chuck Bybee (edited 09-15-2000).]
 
One thing to keep in mind, it seems that once a scout reaches Eagle, his days in the BSA are numbered. Pretty soon he'll be off to college, work, military, whatever. Therefore, I'd like to suggest a small classy Buck blade with an eagle on the handle. Not an Eagle Scout logo, mind you, but an eagle. Go to www.buckknives.com and check out model #525EA. This is a useful little pocketknife that he'll be able to carry where ever he goes for the rest of his life (or until he loses it, whichever comes first). Congratulations to him, by the way.
 
For my son's Eagle, I made him a Japanese Tanto.He just turned 18,and graduated High School.We study Okinawan karate.The knife was approx. 8" overall hollowground out of ats 34.It was cordwrapped with black rayskin underlay.The Menuki (Handle ornaments), were 24 carat gold.They were an Eagle on one side and the year "2000" on the other.The sheath was 6 oz. leather with a black boot clip.I tooled in an Eagle on the front of the sheath.I thought it came out well.It is a knife he can hold onto as a memento of his Eagle and Graduation.I am proud of him and my younger son for their Scouting accomplishments.It has helped them to turn into fine young men.
P.S. I am not a Scout Master , but I attend as many campouts and outings as I can.It is a great time to spend with your sons.I believe that Scoutmasters are due a standing ovation and our gratitude for the fine job they do in instilling morals and values into the lives of our children.
 
Originally posted by Mickey:
Scouting...has helped them to turn into fine young men.
Click to expand...

Amen and thank goodness for Scouting!

Originally posted by Mickey:
I believe that Scoutmasters are due a standing ovation and our gratitude for the fine job they do in instilling morals and values into the lives of our children.
Click to expand...

Why thank you Mickey! I graciously accept the standing ovation.

DRC

 
Hi all,
Thanks for replies. I have been busy and have not had a chance to reply myself.

First of all, I would like to say that I am so glad to hear that a knife would be a appropriate gift for a Eagle Scout. I felt that it was, but I wasn't sure about the current feelings about knives in scouting. It was interesting to hear about the possible ban on fixed knives. I hadn't even considered that the BSA would regulate knife use. This was not the case when I was a scout. But then again, the whole world has changed alot regarding attitudes of knives.

I thank you all for your advice and I will look into all suggestions.
I just found out that I have until February before the young man makes Eagle, so that gives me some time to make the best decision for this special gift.

Thanks again!!!
biggrin.gif


--The Raptor--


 
Of course a knife is an appropriate gift for an Eagle Scout. What's wrong with you? I'll be in Whine & Cheese if you want another opinion.
 
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