Britain's blade culture claims another victim ...Scouts' penknives
Not carrying a knife will keep them safe; is that really what the Scouts spokesman said? Fortunately, others in their organization think differently:
I recently bought a pink mini-RSK for my niece. At my SIL's recommendation she'll get it on her next birthday (still in single digits). It's a tool and just happens to be pink

Pink is a good choice. Guys think pink is sissy. Good!

I have a friend who paints the handles of most of her tools bright pink. Not only are they easy to see, but the color apparently keeps them from wandering off and getting put into some guy's tool box.

Both of my teenage daughters have pink Swiss Army Knives, they received them as gifts after completing a significant outdoor accomplishment (Summer Camp adventures) and both have been trained in the safe use.

Whenever one of the girls uses her pink SAK in front of a friend I always hear the same question, "Where did you get the cool knife" and "can you Dad get me one too".

I love being a father.

Mike

I got my GF the pink SAK (breast CA) and it's sitting gatherin dust on her bureau. Some folks just don't get it. I'm practically done trying to convert her. Plus, I'm sick of her "humerous" comments whenever we're with friends.

Maybe taking her stuff out of the home supplies would catch her attention?

Pink is a great color because it immediately identifies it as belonging to her. Knives are a guy thing unless they're pink, even if it is a hot pink

Normally I wouldn't think of giving a knife to a girl/young lady as a birthday present, but she seemed to like my yellow mini-RSK and when I mentioned that it came in pink she was all smiles

Back to the scouts -- it's really too bad that the Brit Scout bureaucracy sees the answer to perceived knife problems in society to be the denial of their Scouts to have and carry tools that have been part of every Scout's kit for decades. Sad.

Apparently the Scouts in the U.K. are taking exception with statements in the article. The truth about Scouts and knives indicates they haven't banned knives and "will circulate a more detailed response". I would imagine from this that some of the statements were taken out of context; can't imagine a reporter taking anything out of context

Edit: Another article from Timeonline can be found at Scouts with knives are dangerous. But isn’t that the point? Read the first comment and while the Brit Scout may not have banned knives, they have restricted carriage. Be prepared, except in public. . .

DW loves her tiny SAK Classic, thankfully not in pink. Once she realized it had a file for her nails and a "Gee honey, you don't carry scissors with you." She converted. 15 years later she still loves it.

Read the original article here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/19472733/Scouting-magazine-articles-on-knives

Some in the U.K. have objected to the characterization of the Scout policy as a "ban" and claim that the newspaper article is misleading. We don’t think the Daily Mail article is that far off the mark. When an organization with a strong tradition of knife use and carry such as the Scouts comes out and clearly states that it considers knives as weapons first and prohibits their use except in specific situations determined ahead of time, we think "ban" is a fair characterization. Scouts are not to carry knives at any time EXCEPT when a specific need is identified, and even then, they are to be allowed to have them only for as long as it takes them to perform that specified chore. Clearly, the Scout leadership has abdicated to the anti-knife hysteria in the U.K. Clearly they are discouraging carry of knives as a useful tool in daily life. In our opinion, by considering them weapons instead of tools, they are setting a poor and dangerous example for their youth, on many levels. Knife Rights was founded in order to keep knives as useful tools in our everyday life. The policy change evidenced by the Scouts in Britain is anathema to anyone who considers knives to be essential tools and one of our essential rights here in America.

Doug Ritter
Chairman
Knife Rights


The following image, based on a famous painting of Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell, was sent to me from one of our members.

Actually, it's a public place without reasonable cause.

Baden Powell said in scouting for boys that any fool can be cold, wet and uncomfortable.

One of my nightmares is a blazing tent. Trapped scouts, guides or cubs and no knife.


Should we add to that: Any fool can burn to death in a blazing tent?

The scout's are adamant this Scout knife policy is not a ban, but when you look at the conditions they put on knife carry, the whole issue of preparedness is rather hollow. They'll be prepared to use a knife. . . if they only had one at the moment they are in need.