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BOY SCOUT TROOP 702 – Columbia ,
Missouri
Scout Skills Series
Knives
A knife is perhaps one of the most useful tools you could have at camp.
Given enough time, patience and ingenuity most problems can be solved with the
safe use of a knife and its application.
Basic Knife Etiquette
·
A Toting Chip is required before Scouts can use a
knife on outings. The Chip MUST be on
your person at all times. Failure to
adhere to safety rules can cost the holder one or more corners off the Chip,
and if a severe enough infraction occurs, you can lose the entire card.
·
Remember you are only as sharp as your knife.
·
Keep your knife sharp ready for use – a dull blunt
knife is a dangerous instrument and an inefficient tool.
·
Always cut away from you.
·
Adhere to the circle of safety when using a knife.
·
Don't misuse your knife.
·
Never throw it into at another person, animals, trees
or the ground.
·
Keep it clean, and if you don't intend to use it
for a while, oiled and in its sheath.
Choosing A Knife
Let’s start with what Scouts CANNOT bring – and there are knives
that are not allowed. No automatic
spring loaded (switchblade), sheath knife
nor any knife with a blade longer than 4 inches are permitted at any Scout
activity – if you have these kinds, leave them at home.
Springloaded or sheath knives - definite
“no” for Scouting
Having gotten past the negatives, the multi-bladed type tools
or knifes ('Swiss army' or ‘Leatherman’ styles) are quite useful but keep in
mind, they can also be expensive.
If you only have a single knife, you will need something stronger with a general-purpose
blade. You can buy some knives that
have a compass built into the handle, or have the handle hollowed out so that
you can carry equipment inside it. However, I would consider this a waste of
money. The compass will eventually lose its accuracy after the knife has been
used (especially if you use it on hardwoods), and the hollowed handle will break
with any regular use.
The
only general-purpose knife I would recommend is a simple folding knife with a
strong handle. As far as the blade
goes, for scouting purposes I would steer clear of the ones on the market that
boast several different edges over the length of the blade (serrated, skinning,
saw etc. The 'survival' type knifes).
Multipurpose tool, multipurpose
knife, simple folding knife - definite “yes” for Scouting
A Sheath
You can carry a knife in your pocket or in your backpack,
but consider getting a belt sheath. Always
replace the knife in its sheath when not in use, even if only for a minute or
so of inactivity. A sheath should be made from either ballistic cloth or strong,
stitched leather – either style should have a tunnel belt loop. Ensure that it
has a positive fastening to secure the knife. Some sheaths may have additional
small pockets for a penknife or a sharpening stone. These could be useful to
have.
Sharpening
If you don't have a
sharpening stone for your knife, consider getting one. Small ones at big retailers like WalMart are
inexpensive. A double- faced stone with
a rough and a smooth surface will be ideal and should be carried in the sheath
pocket.
Use
the rough surface first to remove burrs, then the smooth one to get a fine
edge. The object is not to get the sharpest edge possible, but to get an edge
that will last and not chip.
To
sharpen the blade, hold the handle in the right hand. Use a clockwise circular
motion and apply a steady pressure on the blade with the fingertips of the left
hand as you push away. Keep the angle constant. Keep the stone wet. Rock
particles on the blade will show the angle you are obtaining. Do not drag the
blade towards you under pressure, as this will produce burrs. Reduce the
pressure for a finer edge. Work counterclockwise on the other side.
Revised –
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