fixed blades in boy scouts?????

S

spyder8

Joined
Dec 10, 2004
Messages
193
i am part of a troop and they do not allow the boys to carry fb
Never bring the following:...Sheath knife (not allowed by Boy Scout regulations, and not needed).
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i wanted to see what you guys think about this
personally i that fbs should b allowed
 
It's been that way since I was in Scouts, over twenty years ago.

Personally, I think a small pocketknife is best for a boy to carry. Think of the things a boy is likely to need a knife for at a Scouting event - cutting string, whittling, small stuff like that. A folding pocketknife is more suitable for those tasks.

The troop cook kit probably has all the straight knives you need for chopping vegetables and food prep.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
It is a silly rule, and I can go on about how I hate the way Scouts can sometimes portray knives as weapons rather than tools. At my Scout camp, we are not allowed to bring any knives into the Chapel. They must be left in a log by the gate as "no weapons" are allowed in church/chapel.

Back when I was a scout out east (Montreal) we would go to the Tri-Distric Camporee every May with scouts form Quebec, Ontario and NY. Fixed blades were not allwed at these camps for "safety" reasons. It really bothered me because fixed blasdes are such a fundamental camp tool and something scouts should learn to use. What better place to learn to use and handle knives safely than at scout camp.

Where are? It is that time of year, just wondering if you are heading to the Tri-District and that is where this rule came from?

At least in Canada, I am not aware of any rule not allowing a fixed blade within scouting. Our field book covers fixed blades, generally, not disallowing or discouraging them really, but saying that they are not really useful (folders are better) and more for those who prefer to be traditional.

Will
 
Bob W said:
It's been that way since I was in Scouts, over twenty years ago.

Personally, I think a small pocketknife is best for a boy to carry. Think of the things a boy is likely to need a knife for at a Scouting event - cutting string, whittling, small stuff like that. A folding pocketknife is more suitable for those tasks.

The troop cook kit probably has all the straight knives you need for chopping vegetables and food prep.

Best Wishes,
Bob
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I agree, and personally find a folder far more useful when camping or outdoors for typical cutting tasks. I suppose that a scout camp anything you might use a large camp knife for might be better accomplished with a better tool, such as a hatchet or axe, but is that really a reason to not allow a fixed blade? A hatched can easily be more dangerous than a knife.

Will
 
Heh...I remember spending some time with a Troop when I was a kid that allowed most of us to carry Ka-bars, and such. As I recall the scout leaders just "never quite noticed them"

Personally, yeah...I think it's a silly rule. It's not up to anyone else but my family to decide what knife is or isn't "necessary" when it comes to my childs use of a camp knife and keeping all digits attached.

Overall though, I'd still consider it a nitpick. Scouting is still one of the last great American traditions that hasn't been completely overwhelmed by political correctness....yet.
 
If I had a boy and they said no fixed blades... Okay, that's cool. Here son... What is it dad? That, my boy, is the Cuda Maxx 7.0 :D ;)
 
I carried fixed blades in scouts, but my Troop was also very relaxed. I was also Senior Patrol Leader for a good while.
 
It all depends on where you are, I remember carrying around a Kabar and fully sharpened folding shovel when I was in the Scouts. My friend's dad used to go on scouting trips where every kid would bring a carbine or .22 and plink.

Most troops in california are so PC and the kids and parents so left wing it is ridiculous.
 
The BSA itself doesn't ban fixed blades. It's up to the state organizations and local councils--also subject to state laws of course.

Phil
 
I think that any outdoors oriented organization that doesn't allow fixed blades is rather stupid. I don't mean to offend any Scouts on the forums, but I just find this rule to be quite ridiculous.

Not carrying a fixed blade on a camping trip is almost reckless, we are talking about a very important piece of equipment. I thought Boy Scouts regulations were more sensible. Does the field book actually say that fixed blades are almost useless things that only traditionalists use?
 
Sad. Marble's and Western fixed blades were both officially marketed by the Scouts in earlier times.
I really don't think there's much difference between a small fixed blade and your standard Scout folder.

Silly rule.
 
Hey Bob...

Bob W said:
It's been that way since I was in Scouts, over twenty years ago.

Personally, I think a small pocketknife is best for a boy to carry. Think of the things a boy is likely to need a knife for at a Scouting event - cutting string, whittling, small stuff like that. A folding pocketknife is more suitable for those tasks.

The troop cook kit probably has all the straight knives you need for chopping vegetables and food prep.

Best Wishes,
Bob
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The Troop cook kit is missing the entire point of the matter. As Will said a camp knife be it fixed or folder is a fundamental tool of Scouts,, and it should be to anyone in the outdoors.

A folding knife is not any safer than a fixed blade, and I would venture to say that a fixed blade is much safer than a folder and day of the week.
If a youth is mis-using a folder or a fixed blades, someone can get hurt..

Not only that, a folder is much easier to get loat...

What it boils down to is being PC, and sheeple friendly.. It's the "Pussification" of our youth, where guns, knives, and killing things is becoming abnormal in our society.

On our last camp outing i shot a Tree Rat for my Scouts to eat.. I haven't heard anything yet about it,, but i'm sure I will.. some people thathave heard about it were simply horrified.

Give me a Break..
BP would be spinning in his grave if he knew what was going on with his organization,, On SO many levels...

As long as the kids don't bring Ninja Stars, and the like (There are a time and place for these) they can carry anything they want on my watch, as long as it is safe, legal, they have their permits on them, and they respect the blade. Anyone that doesn't like it can bring it up with me.

ttyle

Eric...
 
KnifeAddictAK said:
If I had a boy and they said no fixed blades... Okay, that's cool. Here son... What is it dad? That, my boy, is the Cuda Maxx 7.0 :D ;)
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Exactly. Then, show them your Bitteroot. :D

It is simply PC stupidity. This is one of my pet peeves. I'm an Eagle scout...and my son's in scouts now...but I take every opportunity to discuss the stupidity with those in my Council's leadership. Sheesh....
 
Franciscomv said:
... Does the field book actually say that fixed blades are almost useless things that only traditionalists use?
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The (Canadian) fieldbook (1990 ed.) says that although the shealth knife is not as practicle (as a folder) some people like the more "woodsy" look of it.

Will
 
I was never in the scouts, but I was in Civil Air Patrol (Civilian Branch of the Air Force) as a youth, and I always carried a rugged fixed Blade on my web gear, in addition to a SAK and a Buck Knife. The C.A.P was alot less "pussified" than the scouts, and that made a big difference to me when I was younger. They had Military uniforms (and ranks), PT, Drilling, Winter Survival Encampments, Search and Rescue, and We got to fly light aircraft as well. That is the short list, but Having grown up reading stacks of Boys Life (the Scouting magazine) I felt I had a good grasp of what scouting was all about. It struck me as summer camp for city kids, and I wanted a more intense experience. But for all I know, CAP is all pussified as well now.

edit: I would always carry a Marbles fixed blade even to a Summer Camp where we had cabins, and no one ever thought it out of the ordinary.

I personally believe that the P C-ification of todays youth is part of the reason we have all these school shootings and crazy kids. How many eagle scouts have gone and shot up their High school? Kids need to experience life outside of the internet and TV.

So get out and whittle some sticks, eat a grasshopper, make a lean-to, cook some beans, and build a fire without matches. :)
 
A hatched can easily be more dangerous than a knife.
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Absolutely agree. That's why hatchets are only used in a designated wood-chopping area.

Not carrying a fixed blade on a camping trip is almost reckless, we are talking about a very important piece of equipment.
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I've worked outdoors for many years, and backpack/hike/wilderness travel frequently. I've never needed anything more than a mid-size Opinel, and only rarely used it. Needless to say, if I were hunting I would prefer a fixed blade. In fact, I've recently switched from an Opinel to an AG Russell Hunter's Scalpel (to save weight).

I sort-of agree that the 'rule' is silly, and there are many small fixed-blade knives that would be suitable for a boy to carry outdoors. A Buck Pathfinder, AG Russell Woodswalker, or Ghrohmann Belt Knife are good examples. But there are many more bad ideas, like giant 'bowie' knives, fantasy knives, M9 bayonets... It was probably easier to say "no sheath knives" than to develop and maintain lists of 'approved' fixed blades.

It's been many, many years since the BSA licensed a hunting-style fixed blade knife. Way before my time. They do have some kitchen knives with their logo I believe.

Personally, when I was in Scouts I carried an OldTimer 34OT. In fact, part of our uniform inspection was showing our pocket knife. "Be Prepared."

In the ten years that I worked at Philmont Scout Ranch (7 of those in the backcountry, five as a Backcountry Camp Director) an Opinel or Bucklite were the only knives I carried.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Think they should issue all of them a Ka-Bar. Much more useful than any boyscout knife. Also, who in the world would favor a little pocket knife for wilderness survival over a good fixed blade? A complete moron.
 
I live in the Detroit area and I have been assosiated with Scouts for the past 8 years. While of course Scout stores don't sell fixed blades, they are used by many Scouts in my area regularly. There are only a few idiots who feel that fixed blades should not be permitted. If I personally was still a Boy Scout, and some jerk leader decided fixed blades were no longer permitted, I would find another Troop.
 
I was a Scout in the late 60s to early 70s. A fixed blade was, and continues to be, an integral part of my outdoors gear. I regularly carried a Ka-Bar (1207?) on campouts. Still have it. The only cut I ever got in BS was from a very sharp axe. Have a purty li'l half-moon scar on the back of my right index. We also did some first aid that day. ;)
 
1. As noted above, the policy of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America is that "large" fixed-blade knives are "discouraged." There is no ban.

2. No Scout may carry any knife by national policy without earning the "Tot'N'Chip. This requirement may not be waived by any Council or Troop, although it is often, foolishly, ignored. (There are no state BSA organizations.) Failure to follow the policy, amongst other things, may void BSA insurance coverage of adults in Scouting. (Required to follow "safety rules.")

3. The Tot'N'Chip may not be earned without demonstrating how to carry, pass and use a fixed-blade kinife.

4. Any absolute ban on fixed-blade knives is contrary to national policy.

Apart from rules, it is impractical and foolish to refuse to train Scouts and have them become familiar with a tool they WILL use -- trained or not -- experienced or not.

Axes and cars are FAR more dangerous to Scouts -- boys under 18 -- than any fixed-blade knife.

Most obnoxious rules are made out of ignorance, as in this case. Scout Council Executive Committees and "professional" (paid) Scouters are not by any stretch of the imagination "outdoor" folks.
 
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