Pocketknives and multi-tools buying guide
By Mark AndersFrom the November 2004 issue of Boys' Life magazine
A quality knife or multi-tool is one of the handiest things you can carry in your pack. It’ll help you spread peanut butter, carve a tent stake, fillet a rainbow trout, maybe even save your life. But you have to pick the right tool for the job.
Outdoor survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt will show you how.
THE LOWDOWN
There are several types of knives. Kummerfeldt’s favorite, fixed blades, are no-nonsense knives with a beefy handle and stationary blade.
“You need a knife to accomplish the everyday tasks you come across in the outdoors, from whittling on things and cutting materials to spreading peanut butter on your sandwiches,” he says. “And a short, no more than four-inch-long, fixed-blade knife will accomplish all of that.” Avoid large sheath knives; they are heavy and awkward to carry.
Then there are all-purpose folding pocketknives. Most come with tools such as a can opener, screwdriver, tweezers and, of course, knife blades — all in one compact package. Though they can be extremely handy, Kummerfeldt says a downside is the knife blade doesn’t lock into place, so it may fold up on your hand while you’re using it.
Lockbacks are simple folding knives with a single blade that can be locked. So you get the benefits of a sturdy fixed blade-style knife but in a convenient pocket-size package that can be folded open with just one hand.
You’ll also find specialty knives such as river rescue knives with serrated blades for slicing rope, whittling knives designed for carving wood, and multi-tools, which are compact, handheld tool boxes. Most are built around a pair of folding pliers.
BLADES
Most blades are made from strong and durable stainless steel. Blades are available in straight edge, serrated (jagged like a saw) or both. Bigger is not always better. A small, sharp four-inch-or-smaller blade can cut just as well as bigger knives but is much safer to handle and easier to maneuver in tight spots.
PRICE & QUALITY
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality tool.
“My $15 knife does everything I want it to do,” Kummerfeldt says.
As prices go up, you’ll see small improvements in the quality and size of the blade.
CARE & MAINTENANCE
“The only good knife is a sharp knife,” Kummerfeldt says. “A blunt knife requires you to put so much force on it that it could slip, and you could drive the blade into your leg.”
As needed, run the edge of your blade across a sharpening stone a few times. Wipe the tool clean after every use and lubricate any hinges with a light oil like WD-40.
CARRY IT
Kummerfeldt says the smartest, safest place to stash your knife is in an easy-access spot in your backpack. You’re asking for trouble by wearing a fixed-blade knife on your belt. If you fall, the knife could rotate inward and you could land right on the blade.
Comments about “Pocketknives and multi-tools buying guide”
Write a comment about “Pocketknives and multi-tools buying guide”
Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment?
Just send in your questions and check back here for the answers.
>> Click here to visit the Gear Guy
Or check out his most recent answers:
i use a victorinox huntsman it is a great pocketknife for me because it has everything i need in it as well as other tools that will come in handy sometime soon.
Where I lived previously, in *censored*, the blade length limit was 4 inches. I moved to *censored* and bought a knife that was 3.5in. but it turns out the limit here was 3 inches. Just a warning- check with your troop before buying a knife. By the way this is the knife I use (not in scouting, exceeds limit) Ozark Trail lockback knife. I bought it at Wal-Mart for $15
I use a 1957 black wenger scout that is the best knife i’ve ever used (except fixed blade, but those aren’t allowed in scouting.)
I use a Buck 750 Red-Point, it is one of the toughest knives I’ve ever used. I would usually use a fixed-blade knife instead (I hunt& fish a lot), but you know, scouting doesn’t allow fixed-blades. But anyway, the 750 Red-Point, one of the best scouting knives ever. I’ve had it for a good 2 years, and have never had to sharpen it. And its lock is very safe for scouting stuff.
I own an assisted opening knife (no they are not illegal) just the totally assisted blades are… Gerber is a good brand and Smith and Wesson sell cheap/good ones at Big 5 soooo…
assisted opening knives are also illegal in some states unless you are a first responder or police officer.
I have a small swiss army knife and i’d like better one for around 15$. What brand should I choose.
Try this:
Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker Lockblade Pocket Knife (Black)
It can be found at Amzaon for $31.00
BE Warned the scout knives re flimsy steer clear.
Also fixed blade knives are illelgal at almost all scouting events.
Also 2: A assisted opening knife is cool but Unless you have a knife pocket in your pants or a pouch it could pop open on you.