Hi. I am a Star scout in BSA Troop 346 and me and my troop go on a lot of camp outs and I am constantly looking for a good quality knife for under $30 to use on camp outs. Any suggestions? The last knife I bought was for $10 and it only took a matter of weeks for it to break, and it wasn't exactly a name brand either. Thanks, David

There are many good models of Swiss Army Knives that you can get for under $30.00. That would be your best choice for a camp knife.

You can look at several different models here.

http://www.victorinox.ch/newsite/en/produkte/index.htm

Are you limited to size or type by your scoutmaster or parents ( aka adults.) Secondly what tasks will you be performing with this knife? Anything can be broken with enough brute force or ingenuity. Swiss Army Knives are great pocket folders. If you want a sheath knife, www.ragweedforge.com has an excellent selection of inexpensive swedish moras. A somewhat more robust knife is the COLD STEEL mini Bushman. The rolled handle isn't exactly ergonomic and the sheaths junk, but they last forever.

I'd second both the Swiss Army Knife (SAK) and almost any of the Frosts or Erikkson Moras from www.ragweedforge.com .

My personal favorites are the SAK Pioneer or Soldier and the Frosts Swedish Army Knife (SMAK) or Erikkson Mora 2000 (M2K). With some smart shopping, you could pick up a SAK and a SMAK for under your stated budget.

Another good place to look would be http://www.eknifeworks.com/ ...

M

In addition to what has all ready been recommended, take a look at Buck, Gerber and Kershaw, see below:

Buck 110 $36 - it's a classic

Buck Pathfinder $36 -another classic

Gerber Freeman Caping Knife $32

Gerber Freeman Fixed Blade $37

Kershaw Echo $27 - Excellant buy

Kershaw Vapor - $22 another excellant buy

Becker Necker $30 - love this knife just need to improve the handle

I know you are in scouts and they may not be so accepting of fixed blade knives so the Swiss Army Knives as suggested by Sgt. Mike are good choices and preform well but I still won't venture far with out a good fixed balde to handle the tougher chores.

Right now my favorite combo is the Vic Ranger and Becker Necker w/ Parachord wraped handle.

Not sure what type of time-frame you have in mind (if you're like me, ya' gotta have it now, nOW, NOW!) lol)...BUT....

Check out the knife counter in the Wal Mart sporting goods department from time to time. A few months ago, there were some closeouts, and I picked up a FEW various pieces for some great prices. Example: I picked up two Leatherman Juice S2's (the orange handled one) for * * SEVENTEEN * * dollars each! (Would have loved for them to have had more of those, as I'd have bought all that I could afford at that price!)Dunno what the deal is, but I sure didn't argue...and I still see those things selling for around $50 retail in many places. Besides those bargains, there were many Bucks, Gerbers, and SAK's.

I have no idea when those types of deals come along, but it pays to keep your eye out, and I sure do everytime i'm in the Wally World, now.

Good luck, and I'm sure that you will be able to come up with a nice piece in that price range. There are some great suggestions in this thread.

Harley

As per the scouting rules fixed blades are out of the question, now my local council also doesn't allow anything without a lock, so I will also go by that. Finally, I know most scoutmasters get scared of anything over 4" or Assisted opening. So, my suggestions based on that are:

1. Benchmade Monochrome (for an inexpensive, but extremely high quality and good sized single blade one handed folder)

2. Victorinox Locking Swiss Army Knives, also called Victorinox Pocket Tools. (They have a lot of usefull functions and are pretty inexpensive, however not as durable as the Benchmade)

It would be good to know if you have any restrictions (length, lock, fixed blade, ect), that way we can narrow our search down (or expand mine).

Mr. Kavanaugh, my scoutmaster does limit the size of the knife from end to end to be no longer than your hand(mine's 7 in). I'd like to thank y'all so much for all your help, and I'll definitely go to my local sporting goods and outdoor to see if I can find sxome of these knives.

Bear Claw, I looked on Victorinox.com and found several good knives including a kinfe that has 79 different tools! But what I'm really looking for is a single blade knife, cuz I already have an o.k multi-tool.

*** Soapbox warning! ***

I have been trying, literally for years, to have someone show me a BSA document "outlawing" fixed blade knives. I consider this somewhat akin to an "urban legend," except Scouts are supposed to be outing... and not urbaning.... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

The Bible of Scouting, a.k.a. The Guide to Safe Scouting, does not prohibit fixed blade knives. Think about food preparation and the types of knives frequently used therein.

Having said that, knives are tools, and it is important to learn to use the appropriate tool for the task. Most camp chores are well suited to small knives, and folders are inheriently safer when folded and not in use than a fixed blade.

Fixed blades may not be PC, but they're not banned (unless for specific events, e.g., a camporee) and they're sometimes useful.

Please don't take this as a recommendation to go out and get a fixed blade knife. The choice of knife depends on an almost infinite number of factors, including, in many cases, attitudes of others. I just feel it necessary to correct some myths/misunderstandings.

/Neal

Eagle Scout, Scouter and the usual woods tools instructor for most of our Council training.