Scout knives

I

indyhammer

Joined
Apr 7, 2015
Messages
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Hello! I am a brand new subscriber and I am excited to finally participate. I am an assistant scoutmaster and I am looking for a good solid starter knife for my boys. When I was a kid I was given an old stockman from my grandpa. I wish I was more responsible when I was a kid because over the years of camping it was lost. I am starting to make the transition back from the tacticool crowd into the traditional folder crowd. I think a traditional folder would be a great first knife for the boys. I am working on a tight budget here...I am OK with buying something Chinese made if it is still a decent knife. It doesn't have to be super expensive. I have done some shopping of my own but I want outside opinions. Any and all thoughts and advice are appreciated! Thanks everyone :D
 
I often find that my Alox Pioneer SAK is the most useful tool I own. Elegant, very well made, darn near indestrucable, easy as all get out to sharpen, slim, light and ever useful; I can hardly think of something better for a boy. At about $25-30 a pop they are one of the best deals in the knife world.
 
First of all, welcome to the traditional forum, it really is a great place to spend some time, I'm sure you'll find all the information and hospitality youre looking for here on "The Porch". Are you specifically looking at scout knives only, or are any traditional style knives an option?
 
Dr-Mabuse said:
I often find that my Alox Pioneer SAK is the most useful tool I own. Elegant, very well made, darn near indestrucable, easy as all get out to sharpen, slim, light and ever useful; I can hardly think of something better for a boy. At about $25-30 a pop they are one of the best deals in the knife world.
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I couldn´t agree more. Before I read this post I was thinking the same to give the OPs answer.

AND: Per se a hommage to the Scout Knives made formaly by Ulster, Camillus, Imperial etc etc etc...

Or if they are too big, expensive or what the like - a Victorinox Recruit could also be a good knife for young boys. Weaker springs etc etc etc.
 
Welcome. It's hard to beat the Rough Rider series for a good, inexpensive knife. They make a copy of the original Boy Scout knife for cheap, and it's what I would recommend. I have several of the Rough Riders, and I haven't been disappointed yet.
 
For fixed blade you can't go wrong with a Mora for $10-$15. For a folder Opinels are in the same price range as Moras; go with a No.8.

If you want a Swiss Army Knife then only go with the Victorinox brand, but here you will be spending $20-$30 per knife for the basic model with saw. I like the Fieldmaster with saw and scissors but they cost close to $50 around these parts.

PS. Try to find a store that has a tax free day, that way you can spend what you saved on bandaids :thumbup:
 
Rough Rider Scout pattern
Victorinox Pioneer or Spartan
Opinel No 8
Mora Classic

These will all do you well for not a lot of money.
 
All of the above suggestions are very good indeed. One can also lay in a supply of official boy scout, "scout," and utility 4 and 5 blade chunky used knives with shackles from ebay VERY reasonably, but it takes a little shopping, which can also be fun. AND any suitable knife with a shackle leads of course to lessons in knots, braiding, etc., all good stuff for young men.
 
Rough Rider is great for the $$, and if you go SAK, then I like the Electrician over the Pioneer. The sheepfoot blade is just sooooo useful.
 
On a budget, I'd definitely go for a Victorinox Pioneer or Farmer. Not just good knives. Outstanding knives. Quality that you can hand down to your grandkid. Cheap too.

You could also hit up ePray for old Camillus, Craftsman and Ulster scout pattern knives for cheap. Good quality carbon steel knives.
 
Victorinox Alox Pioneer, Electrician, Farmer, Harvester, or the smaller Cadet. All are between $25 and $35 shipped.

If you want a blade-only knife, anything made by Buck. 301/302/303/309 if you want US made, 37x/38x if you want their imported products.
 
Don't the Rough Rider scouts have archaic can openers of the non-safety type? That would be my only problem with them.
There's a knife kit company that sells kits in bulk for troop-type projects.
If you're actually buying these for the kids, I'd go Opinel: safe and useful and cheap.
If the kids' parents are buying, I agree with the Victorinox boosters above. Or the unbeatable Buck if the scouty blades aren't important. Or the RR if you're not going scout/utility pattern.
 
For a bunch of scouts, my vote would be some Victorinox Recruit models. GREAT quality on a budget price.

-- Mark
 
Rough Rider scouts have mighty stout springs. IMO a SAK is a better choice for kids.
 
mnblade said:
For a bunch of scouts, my vote would be some Victorinox Recruit models. GREAT quality on a budget price.

-- Mark
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This would also be my choice. A basic quality pocket knife at a good price.
Jim
 
I would choose a Victorinox over Rough Rider because the materials are better, the quality is better and they have a lifetime warranty.
 
Your Kids? Or are you talking about your kids as in the scout troop? Kids lose stuff and break stuff at that age, so I would go with a Vic Recruit (Driver? in Canada)
 
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