Are Sheath Knifes okay to use?

[floodphobia777]

I've heard different things about sheath knifes in scouting. Some people i've talked to say that they are not allowed, while others just say that they are not recommended.

Which one is the truth? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[FieldSports]

From the Guide to Safe Scouting:

A sharp pocketknife with a can opener on it is an invaluable backcountry tool. Keep it clean, sharp, and handy. Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish.

I read it to say "encourage the right tool for the right job". It does not say "no" or "not", just avoid. Encourage the scout to think about "be prepared". Those large sheath knifes are generally not functionally useful.

[deweylure]

The sheath knife is unecessary. AS the previous reply said keep it clean and sharp. Our troop does ban sheath knives and I have been to 1 camp that did ban them.

I know some bring them for high adventure trips but personal opinion is a good pocketknife is all thats needed. I also know on some trips specialty knives with rope cutters for sailing etc. are brought.

The correct tool for the job is the answer

dewey

[kwildman]

Most BSA documentation makes reference to "inappropriate knifes". I have no problems w/ sheathed knives if they are used appropriately.

Hinged knives (and most sheath knives) are not rugged enough for most real work such as pioneering projects, splitting wood, preparing kindling, making fire boards, etc.. A $15 Mora is way more practical than any other knife on the market.

[milominderbinder2]

Here is the link to the Guide to Safe Scouting:

http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/GSS.aspx

Also note that many camps prohibit sheath knives.

Why do you want to use a sheath knife? What does it do that a good pocket knife or axe cannot do better?

- Craig

[FrankJ]

I have a sheath knife that I keep in my cook box. It has great sentimental value. There are times that a large blade is useful. A small pocket knife is all that most people & scouts need for a carry knife.

[kwildman]

GSS - "Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish." This does not mention or discourage the use of small sheath knives.

Do a google on Mora knives. They are very light weight. Weigh the same or less than my leatherman and are much more functional than a camp axe if you are concerned with weight. A sheath knife with a good solid tang (such as a Mora) allows you to use a technique called batoning where you place the knife blade where you want to make your cut and then use a limb (or club) to drive the blade through the log you are splitting. The benefit is that you can be very precise where you want your cuts made. This technique is taught by many wilderness survival schools. The midwest navtive skills institute in Ohio has an excellent program on primitive fire making. You have to build your own bow and drill set with a Mora. When I saw them thumping away smashing a knife blade through a log I was dismayed. However, this is a very old and accepted use of a knife (lots of info on the web). With practice you can quickly cut out 1.25" uniform plank for a fireboard. It is also one of the quickest and safest ways to prepare wood for a fire.

[deweylure]

GSS - "Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish." This does not mention or discourage the use of small sheath knives.

A sheath knife with a good solid tang (such as a Mora) allows you to use a technique called batoning where you place the knife blade where you want to make your cut and then use a limb (or club) to drive the blade through the log you are splitting. The benefit is that you can be very precise where you want your cuts made. . When I saw them thumping away smashing a knife blade through a log I was dismayed. However, this is a very old and accepted use of a knife (lots of info on the web). With practice you can quickly cut out 1.25" uniform plank for a fireboard. It is also one of the quickest and safest ways to prepare wood for a fire.

I believe i twould be better to use an axe for spliitting wood. It seems rather dangerous to be striking a knife with a log etc to force the blade through the wood. Blades can break without warning possibly causing injury,as can the handle.

Deweylure

[Quailman]

A fixed blade knife would be prefereble to a cheap folding knife with an inadequate hinge and lock. I've seen knives bought at trading posts that would fold backwards (open beyond 180 degrees) when used at too steep angle while whittling.

[wagionvigil]

Our camp trading post only sells BSA knives and the Bigger lock blades mom or da must come in and buy them.

[kwildman]

I believe i twould be better to use an axe for spliitting wood. It seems rather dangerous to be striking a knife with a log etc to force the blade through the wood. Blades can break without warning possibly causing injury,as can the handle.

Deweylure

Do the research or take a wilderness survival training class. It is less likely to result in injury then swinging an ax. If you ever watch pioneering expositions you will regularly see them using the baton method with knives to do the detail work when fitting logs together or to create shims, etc. Batoning is also used with axes to make precise cuts for when you need to notch the ends of your logs for a cabin. Woodcarvers routinely use a mallet to strike their cutting tools. No difference.

[pipestone1991]

My question is, why is a shealth knife needed at Boy scouts?!

[Quailman]

It's not necessarily needed, but:

GSS - "Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish."

One of the Fishing MB requirements is clean and cook a fish. I have a swiss army knife that I got in 1979. I carry it every day. I last used it yesterday to open a can in the lunchroom at my office. I would never use it to clean a fish. I always take a sheath knife with me when I fish just for that purpose.

[deweylure]

Kwildman replied to my post about taking a wilderness survival course and the fact that axes are batoned and woodworker tools etc.

I think your reply is sarcastic and un called for. This forum is about helping other scouts and scouters with solutions .




Deweylure

[kwildman]

Kwildman replied to my post about taking a wilderness survival course and the fact that axes are batoned and woodworker tools etc.

I think your reply is sarcastic and un called for. This forum is about helping other scouts and scouters with solutions .




Deweylure

No sarcasm intended... i was trying to help. I only replied to you because you questioned what I wrote and I thought some further clarification might help. If you took the time to investigate what I wrote you might have a different perspective on the safety. This is something I learned through Scouts (University of Scouting) and I was sharing the information so that others could possibly learn something new or different. I did not mean to hijack this thread.

The point i was making in my previous posts is that 1. sheath knives are ok to use and not prohibited and 2. that there are many legitimate uses for them in scouting other than cleaning fish.

I am sorry that this upset you.. again it was not my intention.

[evmori]

Sheath knives can be dangerous & aren't really needed for most camping activities. Get a good lock-blade knife!

[deweylure]

kwildman ,everything is ok.
The point of this is the proper tool should be used at all times. When fishiing I always have a fillet knife and another knife in my tackle bag. I do some woodworking and when using chisels the wood is cut carefully with a sharp tool and the tools is specifically designed to be hit by a mallet, The tool is not forced thru rather small sections are removed at a time.
Thru out my scouting carreer I have seen tools misused by adult and youth alike. I know all of us on this forum are dedicated to scouting principles and safety.

I have had adults show up to camp with a military knife which was 12 inches plus about a .25 thick blade and dull as could be.I did not want the scouts picking up on bad habits.

I hope this clears up my view and no hard feelings


Deweylure

[mhjacobson]

According to the current CSS -- Sheath knives have no place in scouting. A transition from the time that the Scout Stores sold a BSA sheath knife.

[evmori]

According to the current CSS -- Sheath knives have no place in scouting. A transition from the time that the Scout Stores sold a BSA sheath knife.

What is "the current CSS?" There is nothing in the G2SS that prohibits sheath knives.

[milominderbinder2]

kwildman ,everything is ok.
The point of this is the proper tool should be used at all times. When fishiing I always have a fillet knife and another knife in my tackle bag. I do some woodworking and when using chisels the wood is cut carefully with a sharp tool and the tools is specifically designed to be hit by a mallet, The tool is not forced thru rather small sections are removed at a time.
Thru out my scouting carreer I have seen tools misused by adult and youth alike. I know all of us on this forum are dedicated to scouting principles and safety...

I too have carving tools and cooking and fillet knives that I use that are fixed blade knives. But to me these tools are not the same as the Sheath Knives some take to camp.

Yes, it is fun to watch Bear Gryllis (Man vs. Wild) eat a raw trout or pound on his sheath knife with a log to fell trees. It was just as fun to watch Johnny Rambo swing his sheath knife. Both are greaat entertainment.

But I still ask the question, why does a Boy Scout need a Sheath Knife at summer camp?

- Craig