Problem with delayed gratification

[Big Mike]

The biggest problem with delayed gratification,




:yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:





...is the delayed gratification.




Big Mike

 

[Mannlicher]

Well, at my age, delayed gratification can easily mean you will be dead before the package arrives!!

 

[Cpl Punishment]

My problem with delayed gratification -- that I've had happen a few times -- is that I often find something "close enough" while going through the interminable wait, and then, when I get my custom, I find the other (usually cheaper) thing I picked up in the mean time works better and now I've got a custom I don't really want and neither does anyone else!!

 

[efahl]

The troop might have a troop policy about the knives, but BSA doesn't have a policy against fixed blades. They simply suggest that they not invest in "large unwieldily sheath knives" like fantasy knives.

IMO a fixed blade is perfect for a Boy Scout. I don't know why the troop would have a policy against them. I suggest you have your son bring this up with the SPL because it is supposed to be "youth run". Barring that, talk to the committee yourself.

+1 on everything you said...

 

[hung-solo]

hell my RAT 1 Ontario folder works purty dang good. i have split many a wood with it along wiith other chores that you should use a knife for (aka beat the hell out of it).. to me, its worth every penny and then some.

 

[mdauben]

I've been searching for the perfect bushcraft folder since learning of my son's Scout Troop's no-fixed blade policy.

If it was me, I would try to lobby to have the policy changed as it really makes no sense at all. After all, it just the local policy enacted by some misguided parent. Don't argue or bluster, but presenting a well thought out reason to lift the bad could be successful. I could understand perhaps a maximum lenght limit, but after all fixed blade knives are actually safer for the user than folding knives (and if the troop is worried about members pulling knives on each other, they have other things they should be worried about than the type of tools being used).

Problem is the wait for a custom kife. Although it's well worth it, I've got problems with waiting,

I can see if you need this as a user that the wait would be a problem, but generally I don't have a problem with waiting, as long as the maker provides reasonably accurate and truthful delivery estimated. Tell me it will take six months, and I have no problem waiting six months. Tell me it will take one month, and I start getting angry when it stretches to two months without a damn good excuse.

 

[Toucan Oasis]

Can he carry a 44 mag instead ? LOL
FreeDumb

 

[Daniel Koster]

I know it's already been said....but maybe I can reinforce it.


Here's my take.

As a Knifemaker (of fixed blade knives)
As a Father of a Cub Scout
As a Scoutmaster over a dozen or Boy Scouts



There is no BSA policy against fixed-blade knives. Only a recommendation against it. I've come to terms with this....it's the boys that need to learn safety, not me. They also need to learn respect for rules and leadership.

Scout camps and Troops are allowed to make whatever rules they want.

So, yes, they can have a policy prohibiting them...even though BSA does not officially ban fixed blades (I've done the research and a search on bfc will turn it up).


I just attended a weekend of "fun".......in the scouting tradition and did not even carry my own knives because the leadership asked us not to. I respect the rules and I expect my scouts to do the same.

But I personally do not prohibit them at my meetings and campouts.

Good luck with your search - and I do understand your delayed gratification (have been on both sides of that fence many times).

Waiting makes it all the more worth it if you ask me. Typically a maker gets better the more he/she makes knives....so, the longer you wait, the better the end result.

Ok - I know that doesn't help much...

Dan

 

[william O]

Thanks Dan! I agree with your entire post. I have to say, so far I LOVE my new Enzo Folder, scandi grind, D-2. Terrific carver, great feather sticks, great edge retention. Not the most comfy handle (kinda created a hot spot in the palm of my hand after an hour or so of carving), but it is a nice slim profile for EDC. I'm thinking of removing the clip, since I don't usually use it anyway.

HOWEVER, I've REALLY enjoyed the custom process. I've been in touch with the maker of my Bushcraft Folder, Bernie Garland, a couple of times a week for the past few weeks. He's allowed me to choose the wood for the scales, and tweak the spine to keep it a crisp 90 degrees for firesteel striking (though he usually polishes the spine a bit). He's sent me photos of the progress along the way, including the raw materials, rough scales, pre-grind steel, after grind, after heat treat, etc.. I've really enjoyed pretending to be looking over his shoulder in the shop. Like you suggested Dan, the wait, and the great communication do make the blade that much more valuable to me. I can enjoy fast food from time to time, but sometimes I like to set aside some time for a good meal, and I don't mind waiting for my porterhouse to be cooked just the way I like it. I can't wait!!! William
PS: Now I need to consider a custom sheath (w firesteel loop?) for my Bernie Garland Bushcraft Folder!!!

 

[theedge13]

what about a svord peasant knife? Inexpensive takes a great edge and is pretty bomb proof design IMO

Can be had at ragnars or bensbackwoods....

 

[william O]

I did get a svord peasant knife recently. Very interesting concept-I feel pretty confident batoning it since my hand keeps the bit of tang in place, making it less likely (though not impossible I suppose) to close on my fingers. I haven't really spent much time trying to sharpen it though. Do you think a sharpmaker would work well? Thanks for the suggestion! William

 

[ROCK6]

The jury is still undecided for me on Scandi-folders, but some of those (especially that Garland) are quite nice looking:thumbup:

As to the Scout's thing...I agree with Dan; the local policies drive it. When my son was in the Scouts we had a great troop for a couple years and then when I went to Iraq, all they did was in-house crafts and games...he hasn't been back since:grumpy:

His first group was actually quite open to have me give a class or two on knife safety and handling and after one class the parents agreed a fixed blade was much safer than a folder...especially non-locking blade folders. Additionally, I gave a quick spiel about the policy and that the Troop needed to reconsider as even a folder-only policy doesn't work if the kids bring unsafe (cheap) folders or some smart-butt (probably something I would have done as a youth) whipped out a Cold Steel Vaquero or REKAT Sifu...which I did and received some big eyes from the parents and "ooh's" from the kids The Troop never did rescind their policy, but I did get a couple of parents ask me what type of fixed blade they could get for their sons. In fact, they almost wanted to ban even folders once they saw some could be more unsafe than a fixed blade if not used within their limitations. Fortunately, the SAK locking folders became quite popular and the parents and several of the Troop leaders were a little more comfortable with seeing knives in the hands of Scouts instead of making the topic so taboo.

Too bad the lawyers got involved or more likely some irresponsible parent was the culprit. Kids taught how to safely handle any bladed object (or gun for that matter) in organizations such as the BSA are much better off than being restricted but learning the "how-to's" from some R-Rated Hollywood movie. I don't blame the Boy Scouts...it's a great organization that sticks to its principles...it's just unfortunate some parents (and lawyers) have "sissified" some troops' stances on knives.

I grew up in a religious scouting group (Royal Rangers) when I was a youth. It was very similar to BSA and to this day I still remember my safety class with fixed blades, jack knives (SAK's), axes and saws.

ROCK6

 

[Yorkshire Boy]

Rant on....

Do you all remember the "news" last year that British Scouts weren't allowed to use knives. It was utter lies spread by The Daily Mail, yet it spread across all of the American forums, with the usual negative comments about Britain and the British people.

It's ironic that with America's liberal weapon laws and huge tracks of wilderness areas, that American scout troops would have such a negative policy to knife use.

I wonder how a thread would be received if a non-American member of the site was to put 2 and 2 together and make 5. Claiming that America and it's people had gone "soft", that they had a "Big Brother" style of government or conversely every time that there was a shooting massacre claim that American gun legislation doesn't work.

Rant off....sorry about that but I had to get it off my chest!

I've been looking at those folders on the Brisa site, with the choice of handle materials they look very nice indeed (I particularly like the carbon fibre handle). Hopefully this summer I'll be able to afford an Enzo Trapper fixed blade in AUS-8.

 

[theedge13]

I did get a svord peasant knife recently. Very interesting concept-I feel pretty confident batoning it since my hand keeps the bit of tang in place, making it less likely (though not impossible I suppose) to close on my fingers. I haven't really spent much time trying to sharpen it though. Do you think a sharpmaker would work well? Thanks for the suggestion! William

I got mine from bens and it had a bulge (only way i know to describe it) on the edge by the tip. Made it disappear w/ the stones from a lansky (didnt use the guide). Then used a 4 way buffing block (found by the fingernail files at most stores) and a piece of a belt loaded w/ green polishing compound. Mirror edge and very sharp. The steel is good and easy to sharpen. Since i got that bulge out i just use the belt on it to keep sharp....believe it is a convex edge...so i just use that method. :thumbup:

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I wonder how a thread would be received if a non-American member of the site was to put 2 and 2 together and make 5.

You'd be doing your math wrong and get jibes about the English school system.

However, putting two and two together to make four. . .

Claiming that America and it's people had gone "soft", that they had a "Big Brother" style of government or conversely every time that there was a shooting massacre claim that American gun legislation doesn't work.

You'd be right, America, as a whole, has followed their bretheren across the pond and gone soft. And since the shooting massacres happen where the gun legislation is at it's most draconian -- again, like across the pond -- it in fact, doesn't work.

Back to our regularly scheduled program. . .

 

[Yorkshire Boy]

You'd be doing your math wrong and get jibes about the English school system.

However, putting two and two together to make four. . .

You'd be right, America, as a whole, has followed their bretheren across the pond and gone soft. And since the shooting massacres happen where the gun legislation is at it's most draconian -- again, like across the pond -- it in fact, doesn't work.

Back to our regularly scheduled program. . .

Ha ha yes! But in turn you'd be told that it's called "maths" not math.

Well that's the strange thing isn't it? You have to go back nearly 20yrs for Britain's last shooting massacre, in America you seem to have a few a year!

Anyway, scandi folders....

william O, have you had any problems with D2 chipping in a scandi grind. I read a couple of people having minor problems with their Enzo's in D2. Once they put a secondary bevel onto it the problems ceased.

 

[adaman04]

I got my Eagle in 2001 and at summer camps and stuff there was a no fixed blade policy. As mentioned, it was set by the camp to keep parents who don’t know better from letting their kid get a $5 “survival knife” in a pleather sheath with a compass that doesn’t work in the cap or bringing a 14” cheap Rambo knife that isn’t any good for developing skills. Our troop wasn’t against fixed blades. I generally carried a Gerber Gator and had really good luck with it. Before that, it was always a SAK.

Very nice looking folder you have on order there. Hope you like it!