Hi, Pedro, What are the BSA regulations on sheath knives? I am going to the Boundary Waters this year and I’m thinking about buying one for the trip.
– Matt A., Bellevue, Neb.
If you’re going to the Northern Tier High Adventure Base, Matt, only a small pocket knife is allowed, and a fillet knife if you’re going fishing.
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I forgot to summarize my thoughts… You should have BOTH. Carry a good sheath knife and a swiss army knife.
I was in Scouts in the ’50′s. When we went hiking or camping many of us carried sheath knives in addition to the standard Scout knife. Strong, rugged and reliable, a sheath knife makes quick and easy work of firemaking as well as other tasks. Our scoutmaster was big on safety and made sure that if we carried a fixed blade, we knew how to handle it properly and God help the boy who was irresponsible with his blade.
When we go to camp sites where we hike in,or a primative site,I always carry my Ontario RTAK. Clearing a camp site,or splitting fire wood is a chore a folding knife CAN NOT do. I keep it packed away until I need it. I also carry an Ontario RAT 5 on my hip,a Gerber Diesel multi tool,and a Kershaw Blur in my pocket. Each knife can do a specific job,but there is no ONE knife that can do them all.
Where in the Scout Handbook does it say large sheath knives are not allowed? I just read the whole section on knives and did not find a prohibition.
Scout leaders need to avail themselves of the opportunity to teach Scouts proper use of, and respect for, knives. Safe and correct use of knives is a vital skill for any young man. We must teach Scouts that knives are not used to settle personal disagreements. Every Scout should carry a sharp functional knife! If we don’t teach this respect for knives in Scouts, where will these boys learn??
Sheath knives are freakin awesome. Great tools. Il leave it at that
hey I don’t get why sheath knifes aren’ allowed I have seven over 5 inches
theres been much controversie over this topic, i come from a scouting family, i myself never reached eagle unfortunatly, but ever other man in my family is one, im now an assistant scout master and ever other of my co-leaders have agreed that the motto “be prepared” must include fixed blades for atleast us adults, the kids can suffice with lock-backs since they should be near us anyways. i mean if scouters can carry a 9mil pistol than why not a fixed blade?
Get a nice kabar m4 rifle bayonet if you want to get a fixed blade. However, ifyou absolutely can’t, look into the crkt m16 models. I’ve had one for so long and the only time it fails me is when I’m not carrying it. Such great foldin knives
The boy scout motto is always be prepared I thing we should be able to bring the tools we need to be prepared AKA sheath knives.
a sheath knife is fround apon but a axe or hatchet is not?
why is that sheath knives are lighter than hatchets and are a better tool for many jods
In my experience, a large sheath knife is not necessary. But I still carry one where ever I can. I have an Ontario Pilot survival knife, 5″ blade, it’s perfect. Also probably a small Ka Bar would be great too. The question is wether or not you think you’ll need the extra capabilities a fixed blade knife provides.
in the scout rules they recommend that you have nothing over 6 inches. that is it. they allow sheath knives and folding knives, however your troop or district may have different regulations on knives.
A 5″ KA-BAR USMC knife is fine, as ling as it is used responsibly by an older scout, not a tenderfoot. Around 5″ should be the correct length of a knife. Sheath knives aren’t overkill if they are used properly. They come in handy for camping and backpacking and pretty much anything else you can throw at it. Again, the scout needs to be responsible with it.
Sheath knife are more reliable and not as cheaply made as pocket knive. If u apply enoughf pressure to a pocket knife it folds and collapse(experience) unlike a sheath.
i think that we should be allowed to carry fixed blades because they are more reliable than folding knifes.
Yup, when I was a Boy Scout in the 50′s we all carried regulation scout sheath knives. I wish I still had mine; they were good knives. Anyone who tells you a little knife is just as good for hard work has never tried it. It’s just political correctness.
they’re equaly great.
sheath knives are better if your “surviving” in wet climates or in an area yu cannot afford to mend wounds. they’re very nice to have(i have one and perfer it) and yes they are as practical as folding knives but those will close on you at some point. it all depends on your prefrance and scoutmaster rules.
The sheath knives are not for protection, they are for versatility and having a tool. To put you guys at ease I own a divers sheath knife and it has no point on the blade!!! It is serrated on one side and it is just a regular knife on the other but it has no point on the end it is square
I am for sheath knives. They are simple more practical and more durable. Maybe they should have some official rules already. There is so much controversy. Sheath knives can do little folder jobs and more.
sheath knives are just unneccessary. A folding knife is so much more versatile than a sheath knife. Almost anything you can do with a fixed blade knife, you can do with a folding one. large fixed blade knives are made for killing, and since the boy scouts have a leave no trace policy, there is no reason for a fixed blade knife. The only reason any scout will bring a fixed blade knife is if they are afraid of nature or have low self confidence.
Yes,
but have you ever thought about all the problems with folding blades? The mechanism can rust, the lock may not be up to par so it may close on your hand, wich happend to me. A sheath knife is much more simple, yet much better all around.
Sheath knives are safer (will not close on the fingers) because locks fail ,stronger, and have finger guards (hilts). If blade lengths are a worry , a 3 inch will work just fine. Most pocket knives worth their salt has a blade at least 3 inches long.
You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. A pocket knife will collapse under stress (experience). A sheath knife can cut at almost any strength.
I would agree fixed blades shouldn’t be frowned upon they are tools designed better for certain task than a folder. Batoning wood for a fire for example, yes I know it can be done with a folder however it’s going to stress and break that folder at some point. I spend much time in the woods here in NW FL and I couldn’t imagine leaving the house without a sheath knife on my side. For those of you who think fixed blades are only for protection and people how are afraid, I don’t really say I can agree with you on that, the only thing I’d say I would be afraid of is not having the tool I need for the job at hand! Lighter and more versatale of a tool than a hatchet in the woods, they should be taught how to use them. “Be prepared”
Seriously there are many problems with folding knives such as the lock mechanism breaking or the blade coming out of the knife. Also if you are looking to kill someone with a knife a folding one is as good as any. Furthermore a sheath knife would sometimes be serraded on one edge so you could use it for cutting wood and not just whittling or cutting small rope. So there are several reasons that a sheath knife is not just for killing.
There is no BSA rule against fixed blade knives.
HOWEVER, scout camps often have their own rules. Scout leaders often tell their scouts not to use them. The BSA generally discourages fixed blade knives. However, it’s not against the rules. Knives over 10″ are illegal in some states.
Fixed blade knives are much more heavy-duty than folders, but they are less precise. Most of the time a small folder will suffice. the only times that a fixed blade would be an advantage is if you are in extreme conditions. In very wet or dirty conditions, a folder can rust and jam. Divers use fixed blade knives. And they use fixed blades in armed forces.
I have only ever used a sheath knife once on a hiking trip and that was to cut apple pie at the end. They are not practical. Find yourself a good folding knife from a well-known company. Many of them have extra safety features to ensure it does not close. What you guys should be paying attention to is what kind of metal your knife blade is made out of and how it connects to your handle. Some steels are strong but dull and others keep their edge but break easily. Figure it out and buy knives based on that, not if it is a sheath or folder.
well i have a KA-BAR SURVIVAL knife. its 9 in. long, the blade 5 and the hilt is 4. the point of it is that it has lots of uses, and that if i get lost i can SURVIVE. it idiotic if u cant bring them. they say you should learn about knife safety and it should be all knifes not just wimpy little folding knifes
A good Scout should never get lost and If they do I would expect a maximum of 24 hours before they are rescued by the authorities. A fixed balde (sheath) knife for survival is absolute bunkum!
If scouts should never get lost, then how come there is a wilderness survival merit badge?
I have a WWII and a WWI sheath nife 8 inc long for WWI and the WWII is 9 incs
The official scout handbook says that large sheath knives are not allowed because they are bulky and do not carry out simple chores. The rule on what knife is ‘too large’ is the width of one’s palm. Therefore, a sheath knife with a blade no longer than your palm is what you should be allowed to use.
the scout handbook says large sheath knives are not encouraged but i believe a smaller one that fits in your palm is good because they are not illegal and they are good and more reliable because they are built stronger mine is a survival knife with mant survival features in the handel i would reccomend them
Cracker,
Did you know that Boy Scouts used to have boot knives too. Btw ducky I don’t know what you need to defend yourself from in a campsite.
I’m in scouts and I carry a Ak 47 bayonet and i use it a lot. Folding knives are too weak for some uses because, the blade and handle are two pieces.
I have a knife about four inches long would it be safe to bring this knife on a camping trip with me
Protection from what?
Most trips, even those into the back country, are with a group of scouts that are typically so noisy they’ll scare off anything that may hurt you. I do know that the Philmont Rangers who are often alone on the trail after training their crews carry wrist rockets and some carry larger sheath knifes.
In new mexico, there are mountain lions.
In Florida there’s Alligators, Panthers, Black Bears, Eastern Diamondbacks, Cottonmouths, and now Coyotes…. Fend off one of these with a pocketknife after trying to cut yourself a good size stick… cause you darn sure can’t outrun one of these if their mad or hungry!
I don’t see why sheath knives are frowned upon so much. They’re safer than folding knives because you don’t have to worry about them closing on your fingers.
@Andrew, some pocket knives are lock back and will not close on your fingers.
they may have lock block but those do fail. i have plenty of lock block knives that the lock doesn’t work like it should, and yes, i’ve tightened them. sheathed knives are just all around better.
The BSA does not say that you may not use and carry a sheath knife. But some camps do not allow them.
My Grandaddy tells me the Boy Scouts used to have lots of official sheath knives back in the 1950′s
i think u shuld be able to carry a large knife for protection
And you protect yourself against what, wild animals? I think we should be allowed to carry sheath knives, but not for the purpose of protecting yourself. You won’t need to protect yourself in a campsite. I agree with Scout1216.
I agree.