...for an alternate opinion:<br><br>Chris,<br><br>Thanks for the info. I went to Ragweed Forge and found the knife set, looked at the pics and his description. Very cool idea - wish it had been around when our kids were younger. I like the green and red color coding idea as well. The "sharp" text description was a little mis-leading to me - it looks like a useful knife.<br><br>As for Scouts - I will take this info in with me to the next Troop Committee meeting for discussion - a few Troop-owned sets of these would be very useful for teaching and demonstrating almost all of the things the lads are supposed to master before earning the "right to carry" a knife (Toten' Chip) - actually, there is more to the Toten' Chip than knives, but it's where the path usually starts (axe and saw are part of it also). I think we should add a compliment of folders as well, but they would be for "advanced" instruction...<br><br>I believe that I have written previously about the incorrect presumption that scouts may not carry a fixed blade knife. That is (properly) a local decision. The only words that BSA has to say on the subject are found on page 78 of the current edition of the the handbook (11th Edition):<br><br>"NOTE: The Boy Scouts of America does not encourage the use of large sheath knives. They are heavy, awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores."<br><br>I have read and re-read this several times and find myself in complete agreement with it exactly as-written. I suspect it was very carefully worded. Keep in mind that we are dealing with boys as young as 10 1/2 years old (Cubs and Tigers are younger and generally not allowed the use of sharps).<br><br>In my experience, most non-elderly scouters make presumptions about fixed blade knives based on their personal (lack of) experiences growing up and our of well-intended concern for both the boys and the image of scouting. Hollywood, pop TV culture, and self-serving politics have certainly influenced us as well.<br><br>Another observation is that the great majority of scouters that I know are strictly "weekend woodsmen" - virtually the entire outdoors experience is confined to scouting in some form. While that is not a bad thing at all, when combined with my first observation, it seems to me that we are prone to being a bit rigid in some of our thinking. The absolutely finest scouters I know - measured by the values and behaviors of the boys they influence - are themselves consummate outdoorsmen who do NOT confine themselves to "traditional" scouting for their sole source of experiences. Mind you, I am not speaking of simply measuring the outdoor skills of the lads as an index - I mean over all; the well-rounded boy. Isn't that interesting? Of course, this is merely my observation, and others will have other views of the matter.<br><br>As for myself, I grew up (in the city) with a pocket knife in my pocket. Altho I remember the occasion lucidly, I do not remember when it was given to me - probably around 8 or 9 years old, but I had the use of knives (with supervision) earlier. As you might imagine, my paradigm is a bit different than my younger counterparts in Scouting. My younger brother had to leave his penknife at home by the time he entered Jr. High School, but the "the habit" of having a sharp tool on him stuck, and as soon as he cleared High School, a knife tool went back into his daily wear.<br><br>Our local Council has a policy of no fixed blade knives at long term ("summer") camp. I feel that is a generally appropriate and prudent policy for a number of reasons. But that is the ONLY policy on the subject - actually, a Council or District may NOT make those sorts of decisions for a Troop that is doing a Troop level (VS District or Council level) outing or campout. Food for thought, anyway, Scouters. YMMV.<br><br>My kids all learned about knives and earned theirs in family settings before they were of Boy Scout age. 3 boys and one girl -- we have applied precious few bandaids. Honestly, I have treated more adult scouter knife injuries in Scouting that I have kids (total; not just scouting kids) - not that there have been many, but that's the whole truth of my experiences to date.<br><br>BTW, I like the soap carving thing done by Cubs (John described it, I think). Not all of my boys did that, but the first time I saw it, I thought "Well, that's a cool way to do this - wish I had thought of something similar".<br><br>I am NOT advocating fixed blade knives for regular carry by Boy Scouts - I don't want to see Scouts wandering around campgrounds with a Busse Battlemistress strapped on LoL! But I think these knife sets can be very useful in the context of scouting for the intended purpose - teaching boys proper and safe knife usage without the extra hazards of opening and closing folders. Thanks again, Chris - keep those suggestions coming!<br><br>Regards,<br><br>Scouter Tom