Having returned to the Boy Scouts when my son came of age, I find myself looking for a folder that is as sturdy and as big as a fixed blade. My current favorite knife is a 2000 Marine Kabar, for which the blade is about 8 inches long. Unfortunately the Boy Scouts do not allow fixed blade knives on their outings. Has anyone come across a larger tactical folder with sturdy engineering?
thanks
I checked them out online on both their own sites and distributers but couldnt find anything with a blade bigger than 4 inches.
I would really like to find a folder with a 6 - 8 inch blade for a total length of 12 inches or so. I have run accross a few but they were all flimsy construction.
I doubt you're going to find a serious folder that large. Few makers go much more than about 4 inches.
If I may - Scouts never intentionally put themselves into survival situations. And most often they use established campgrounds. Marked Trails... and almost all of the leadership have been to the same places several times. Certainly that's the case here in the Northeast. So it's not like you're going to need a large chopper to baton firewood or construct an emergency shelter. It may be different elsewhere, but given the current litigious world we live in I tend to doubt it.
Yeah... Sh*t happens, but remember: They're wandering around in the woods with other people's children, and are ultimately accountable for everyone's safe return. The area will be known. Events will be planned. etc etc etc...
My advice: Bring a medium camp or hunting axe
(if allowed), a heavy 3.5~4" folder, and a Leatherman~like tool.
{I happen to like the Victorinox Swiss tools a little better than the Leatherman brand} Your Scoutmaster will be able to get you the specifics on what that troop has for it's own gear, and what you Should and May bring to supplement their loadout. The troop I used to run with had their own axes and saws, for example. And they closely regulated who was allowed to use what tools. Basically if you weren't an adult or had earned the requisite rank & merit badge, then the heavy tools were off limits.