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How to Buy a Good Pocketknife or Multitool

Opinel's No.07 My First Opinel Folding Knife

Opinel’s No.07 My First Opinel Folding Knife ($17, opinel-usa.com) is sharp but without a point. The 3.5-inch blade is made from Sandvik stainless steel, and it holds an edge. The outdoors version ($26, scoutshop.org) also has a built-in whistle to call for help in an emergency.

With proper training, many Scouts can use a knife — a valuable tool for camping or working on a whittling project. A multitool provides multiple blades and other tools. Examples are saws, drivers and even forks and spoons.

A knife is not a toy. If you’re a Bear, Webelos or Arrow of Light Cub Scout, earn your Whittling Chip. If you’re in Scouts BSA, earn your Totin’ Chip. Then you will know how to safely carry and use one of these tools.

CRKT Minimalist Drop Point knife

The CRKT Minimalist Drop Point ($36, crkt.com) has a 2-inch fixed blade with a tough handle that’s comfortable to hold. The carbon-steel blade sharpens quickly, and the half-ounce durable thermoplastic sheath has multiple mounting options.

KNIFE BASICS

There are several types of knives.

All-purpose folding pocketknives are common in Scouting. 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, 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.

Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman knife

Scouts have been using Victorinox Swiss Army knives for a long time. The Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman ($50, victorinox.com), a multitool with first-aid functions, has a suite of transitional tools, including a can opener, scissors and tweezers — plus large and small blades, saw, awl, leather punch and more. It pretty much has everything you need.

Fixed blades, are no-nonsense knives with a beefy handle and stationary blade. If 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, 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.

You’ll also find specialty knives such as river rescue knives with serrated blades for slicing rope, whittling knives designed for carving wood, and multitools, which are compact, handheld tool boxes. Most are built around a pair of folding pliers.

Leatherman Sidekick

The Leatherman Sidekick ($70, leatherman.com) is a stainless-steel toolbox on your belt. The 7-ounce Sidekick has spring-action needle-nose and standard pliers, wire cutters and stripper, knife and serrated knife, saw, ruler, can and bottle openers, wood and metal file and three screwdrivers.

FOLDING OR FIXED KNIFE? KNOW THE POLICY

Knife policies vary among packs, troops, councils and camps when it comes to what blade types and lengths are allowed. Learn your unit’s policy before buying a blade of any kind. When it comes to types of knives, the Guide to Safe Scouting recommends “choosing the right equipment for the job at hand.”

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.

Stansport's Folding Knife, Fork, Spoon Multitool

Stansport’s Folding Knife, Fork, Spoon Multitool ($15, stansport.com) has more than eating utensils. The tool, which separates into wo so you can use fork and spoon together, also has a can opener, corkscrew and chisel all in a belt-ready nylon carrying pouch.

PRICE AND QUALITY

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality tool. Often, an inexpensive knife will do everything you want it to do. As prices go up, you’ll see small improvements in the quality and size of the blade.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Knives and multitools can last your whole life if you care for them. Wipe your pocketknife with a damp cloth to clean it, and add a drop of food-safe oil at pivot points to keep it at its best. Use a sharpener to keep your blade sharp.

“A sharp knife will work for you, while a dull one works against you,” says Kyle Owens of Work Sharp, a company that makes sharpeners.

Work Sharp's Pocket Knife Sharpener

A great knife deserves an equally great sharpener. Work Sharp’s Pocket Knife Sharpener ($15, worksharptools.com) is small enough to stash in your pack, with a diamond sharpening plate and ceramic honing rod that have built-in angle guides so you can get a perfect edge on your pocketknife.

CARRY IT SAFELY

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.

Gerber's Armbar Trade

At only 3.1 ounces, Gerber’s Armbar Trade ($50, gerbergear.com) has eight essential tools, including a knife, saw, awl, driver, pry bar, hammer and bottle opener, packed into a surprisingly small and effective pocket clip tool.

TREAT YOUR KNIFE WITH RESPECT

Treating pocket knives with respect not only ensures your safety, but also keeps others safe. Here are a few major no-no’s:

  • Throwing a knife
  • Using a dull or dirty blade
  • Handing a knife to someone blade first
  • Cutting while others are within your “safety circle” (arm’s length)
  • Carving into something that doesn’t belong to you
  • Cutting toward your body

Using a knife requires responsibility. Bear Scouts can start carrying a pocketknife after completing the Whittling Chip requirements. Members of Scouts BSA must earn their Totin’ Chip, which also gives them the right to carry and use axes and saws.

78 Comments on How to Buy a Good Pocketknife or Multitool

  1. i have a bigger knife // June 20, 2011 at 5:32 pm // Reply

    I have alot of knives but my gerber is the best,u should buy one

  2. buck is the best, the grip and blade are incredible.

  3. I think gerber knives are the best my grandpa has had his for several years and it is still great!!!!!!!!

  4. i use my dads cub scout knife, i think it is vintage and they dont make the color or the decoration on it anymore

  5. i love multi tool kives

  6. Schrade knives are the Bomb

  7. Victorinox has THE BEST pocket knives EVER. I’ve had mine for 4 years and it’s still great.

  8. get a browning 3.5 inch folding lockback i have had one for 4 years and still works like new.

  9. knifelover // May 14, 2011 at 11:53 am // Reply

    wincheser is the BEST u should get 1

  10. i own ka bar knives that i use for canping with the scouts is that to big to use

  11. campin dude // May 4, 2011 at 3:46 pm // Reply

    Gerber has great knives. check out the gerber paraframe 2 partially serrated

  12. swiss is the best

  13. i’ve got an old lockback llbean knife

  14. Sccouter32 // April 10, 2011 at 8:32 am // Reply

    I just got a Gerber single blade locking knife and it is the best!!!

  15. coolman555 // April 8, 2011 at 6:52 pm // Reply

    I am saving up for a 45 dollar gerber tool.

  16. Get a SOG or don’t get anything, I have a trident a field pup and their multitool, the field pup even saved my life.

  17. i have a jagwire multi tool and it great

  18. GERBER AND LEATHERMAN ARE GOOD KNIFES

  19. I THINK THE KNIVES AT REMMINGTON ARE PRETTY GOOD

  20. zachtroop503 // March 25, 2011 at 5:55 pm // Reply

    i find the bst knives by going to bass pro. my fav. is Gerber multi knife. becaus has alot of multi tools.

  21. I have three knives.a gerber lockblade, a generic leatherman and a multi-tool.when i’m whittling i use the gerber and for other stuff the leatherman and multi-tool.

  22. Mr sharp blade // March 24, 2011 at 9:40 pm // Reply

    I just bought an m16 knife from crkt for $25 and it is the bomb! Well maybe not the bomb because those are dangerous, but buy any m16 knife model. They’ve got a double lock and is almost impossible to have to fold onto ones hand. It’s the shizzle!

  23. get an aegis from SOG. IT IS AWSOME

  24. I prefer single blade lockblades the only multi tool I’d get would be
    a military grade leatherman

    • get the leatheman wave black oxide with bit kit it is so worth it it is an amazing knife with an amazing warrenty

  25. I prefer single blade lockblades

  26. i collect knives. i got swiss army knives, pocket knives and multi tools. i have 12 knives and there still comin!

  27. I have used the Buck 110 exclusively for the past 10 years. It is heavy, but I hardly notice it in my nylon belt sheath.

  28. The “Wave” from Leatherman is great in that it has “one thumb” opening and closing lock blades. Carry it on your belt and you’ll find many uses for the pliers around camp.

  29. I find the best knives are the swiss made Victorinox. they are the original makers of knifes for the Swiss army. I like them so much I bought a 31 tool one while visiting switzerland!

  30. At Mejer they are expensive but very good!

  31. I have a good Appalachian Trail lock blade knife I got at Lowes home emprovement it is easy to sharpen -and stays sharp! So if you want a low matananance knife you’d want to get one.

  32. i have a swiss multi function all purpose tool. it’s great you have all of the standards that are in this article .

  33. all of you need to get a case double x they are great

  34. i carry a gerber clutch and a good locking blade will be getting a spyderco tenacious when i carry a sheath knife its the mora clipper

  35. i collect knives and my favorite knife for scouts is a Winchester from my grampa i want to get a case hobo knife

  36. I Got 2 PocketKnifes

  37. hippiescout151 // February 2, 2011 at 10:11 am // Reply

    Yo guys i just got a virtually indestructible ARMY RANGER knife @ the gun show in marlboro its so cool! EPIC AWESOMENESS STRIKES AGAIN!

  38. OAKLEYANDREW // February 1, 2011 at 4:47 pm // Reply

    get the buck safespin its an mazing knife! cuts through anything on a campout i cut through a small tree with it and you can beat the life out of it and its perfect cost:30$

  39. I love the website!!!!!!!!!!

  40. most state have laws that do not permit switch blades BSA does not allow them do to safety concerns I recamend small buck knives also dacor does a very good job

  41. If you own a Leatherman, you need look no further.

  42. guy with a big knife // January 14, 2011 at 2:52 pm // Reply

    switchblades are perfectly leagal in any stete, if there is a law about them it is unconstatutinal…..we have the right to bear arms

    • Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // November 23, 2011 at 12:49 pm // Reply

      Actually switchblades are illegal.(take it form an expert!)it is STATE LAW that you are not allowed to posses a switchblade. however autos and assisted opening knifes are allowed.

  43. if your looking for a good knife get a gerber knife i have one and i’m not getting a new knife unless it’s a gerber

  44. bobthecactus // December 23, 2010 at 7:44 pm // Reply

    i have a CRKT M16-01KZ and it works great. I just need to find a good sharpener for it.

  45. i love switchblades on pocket knives it so awsome and cool,i feel like to buy all of the switch blades……

  46. For the trail:
    1. A belt clip or big hole for carabiner
    2. Less than 4″ blade
    3. Lockback stainless
    4. Part serration
    5. Sharpen daily
    6. Cheap to replace

  47. Swiss army all the way

    • i also have a original pocket knife a well abot inch long and has a blade a file thing and pliers in the side as well as a scredriver in the side and a curved knife u wear around neck on chain never pops open and i would say its perfect

    • I Love Camping Hammocks // December 8, 2010 at 3:37 pm // Reply

      amen to that

  48. Awesome

  49. future-eagle-52 // November 18, 2010 at 8:30 pm // Reply

    I have a few knives belive it or not i have about 45 my dad gave me every single one he has and my mom bought me acouple.some are full of gadgets but there really heavy i have 2 that are one bladed but im looking to $buy$ a nice boy sout kinve but there all exspenzive except for the little ones but i need one that could be used for any subject and i could carry on my whole life wich one would you subjest?

  50. i have a Gerber suspension Tool it is awesome

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