I was a scout for many years and we never had a problem with any folding knives which blade was no longer than the width of one's hand. No sheath knives were allowed for any reasons, other than cooking knives and maybe the occasional filet knives.

If you are looking for a very good, and relatively cheap knife, I'd go with the CRKT Kit Carson M16 with the Zytel Handle. And it is available with a straight edged blade.
http://www.1sks.com/store/crkt-kit-carson-m16-zytel.html
Its $34.00 plus S&H.

I recently bought the M16 EDC with the aluminum handle, it was worth the money. It is so light weight I cannot even feel it clipped in my pocket, but the Zytel handle will make it alittle bit heavier.

With my experiences with this knife is that if you aren't abusing your knives this one should hold up just fine with normal activities (I was a scout so I know what normal is......). it should take a fair amount of punishment.
The only thing I didn't like about it was how the piece you have to push with your thumb to unlock the blade was sticking on mine. So I just took apart the knife and filed it down. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I think you will be very please with this knife.
Hope this help.

Frank