Lock Blade Knives

A Lock-Blade Knife allows you to lock the blade in the open position. This function allows a folding knife to be temporarily turned into a Fixed-Blade knife. This prevents the blade from folding during use, which is a huge safety feature. Lock-Blade knives also tend to be meatier than traditional folding knives, allowing for rougher use in the outdoors.

Brief History

Lock-Blade Knifes have been around since the 15th Century and there are many designs. They really became popular in the US when Buck Knives released their Lockback Knife now known as the Model 110 Folding Hunter in 1963. Commonly referred to as "Buck Knives", there are now many different Lock-Blade options available from many different manufactures.

Locking Knife

A locking-blade is much safer for whittling and carving wood and therefor preferred for these tasks over a traditional folding knife. There are also MANY quality options to choose from as popularity of locking-blade knives has surpassed other knives.

Do note that these may be considered illegal in some Cities as well as some Countries where it is considered a weapon.

Note: Ones that auto-open should not be brought on scouting events. These are illegal in Washington State.

Serrated vs non-Serrated Blade

Some blades come with a serrated edge.

• Serrated will stay sharper for longer

• A non-serrated blade is easier to sharpen and is easier to carve with

• In scouting, a non-serrated blade is preferred

Knife Choice

There are thousands of knife options out there. So how does one go about choosing a knife? Consider:

• Reputable Brand

  • Brand name matters

  • US or European Made is generally preferred

  • Chinese made knives are hit and miss

    • Some are SO low quality, they are dangerous to use

• Style

  • Traditional lock-blade

  • Non-serrated edge

  • Round belly

  • Avoid unconventional blade shapes

• Price

  • You can find a quality knife for under $25

  • Expensive knifes will get lost or damaged just as easily as a $20 one

A Scout doesn't need a $100 knife. But since the knife is the more important survival tool in a scouts possession, our scouts deserve a knife that isn't junk.

Reputable Knife Manufactures

Some of these companies source parts and knives from abroad (China), but are know to be generally reliable.

• Buck Knives $ to $$$

• Gerber $ to $$$

• Kershaw Knives $ to $$

• Columbia River Knife and Tool Company $ to $$$

• Cold Steel Knife and Tool $ to $$$

• Boker Manufactory $ to $$$$

• Victorinox $$ to $$$

• Spyderco $$ to $$$

• Benchmade Knife $$$ to $$$$

• Emerson Knives $$$ to $$$$

• DPx Gear $$$ to $$$$

Multitools

• Most quality multi-tools incorporate a locking blade

• They also come with a wide range of other useful tools

• Good quality multitools can get very expensive

• If you love Swiss Army Knives, they have lock-blade options too