They go hand in hand... Not in England. Not anymore. The link below is to an article appearing on the Telegraph's website. It reminds me of the crazy talk from the North (Canada) of a knife registry.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new...n-camping-trips.html

Scouting has always been about teaching responsibility and one's responsibilities. I think someone must have forgotten this.

We will emasculate each and every one of them

God Bless the USA.

quote:

Originally posted by usp_fan:
Scouting has always been about teaching responsibility and one's responsibilities. I think someone must have forgotten this.

English law has always been based on knee jerk reactions. Sad state of affairs.

Quite a sad state of affairs.

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums...30601935/m/776107921

I read in a knife magazine years ago that the scouts over here could not have a knife with a blade 3 inches or longer. I think it was in Blade magazine.
Bill

Back in the day, late '50s early '60s, we as scouts all carried a large pocket knife or a small to medium sheath knife. Our scoutmaster carried a shortened G.I. bayonet on his backpack. Times have changed.

LTC47

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Ferguson:
English law has always been based on knee jerk reactions. Sad state of affairs.

Please explain to me how that's different from our laws? If you'd like, use the current congress as an example of how its done.

I made Eagle in '68 and was assistant scout master in my sons troop. about 15 years ago. I got into a serious discussion with the other "adults" over letting my son use and sharpen knives and axes. I sent him to cut firewood and all hec broke loose. The other adults would not let him do this, afraid he might hurt himself, even with me present. That was my last activity with scouts, it has changed way too much to the nany state of live. It is not anything like in the 50's to 80's, when I took a break, waiting for son to join.
mike

quote:

Originally posted by Mikehp:
I made Eagle in '68 and was assistant scout master in my sons troop. about 15 years ago. I got into a serious discussion with the other "adults" over letting my son use and sharpen knives and axes. I sent him to cut firewood and all hec broke loose. The other adults would not let him do this, afraid he might hurt himself, even with me present. That was my last activity with scouts, it has changed way too much to the nany state of live. It is not anything like in the 50's to 80's, when I took a break, waiting for son to join.
mike

My grandson's cub scout pack is going to have a two day firearms school nd shooting class in October. A NRA certified scout leader will be teaching the class. Sounds like you had your son in the weong troop. All of the leaders in our pack and troop are hunters.

I need to show that article to a couple of the guys I know that are still active in Scouts. I can just imagine their comments.

Preventing Scouts from carrying one of the tools they need is obsurd.

Sounds like the UK Scouts need to start teaching knitting. Wait, can't do that, point things involved. They might hurt themselves.

All our scouts love to shoot and most of them have more than one knife. Lets not even begin to discuss how some moms feel about fire. We teach responsibility and self reliance. Even the 'nanny state' parents that join us are amazed how quick their sons become fully functioning young men.

It shocked me to realize that it was over 20 years ago when I tangled with my (then) stepson's "scoutmaster" over the equipment list they sent home for a camping trip.
It included a request for "all plastic" eating equipment" and no request for any of what I would call "self sufficient" camping equipment.

A question session with this Scion of leadership revealed that the theory was only the scoutmaster would have any means of actually cooking and all the scouts needed was plastic utensils and canteens.

I blew a gasket.

"How the hell is this teaching them to "BE PREPARED?"" I asked.

"They work as a team." I was told.

"Yes, that is a fine thing, and I am all for team work, as long as you carry a team around in your pack, and have a scoutmaster with you. Pray tell what does this do to instill self-confidence and SELF reliance?"

" That isn't important anymore."

" I will allow my son to play along with this charade because he enjoys the experience as a whole. Personally I feel you are a buffoon."

I used to daily carry my Scout knife to school.

quote:

Originally posted by CurlyShuffle:
I used to daily carry my Scout knife to school.

I know, even in the late 1950s. Then one day I got caught with it! Wow, I'd have been better off with a switchblade or handgun. They wanted to know why I needed a knife, and what I was planning on doing with it. I had no answers, only that I carried it everywhere I went, always.

And that, folks, is how I lost my Boy Scout knife.

About the time a young man figures out how to hold his pecker to pee, is when he is old enough to have his first pocketknife. The pussification of mankind lately is truly disgusting.

I guess it just goes to show that troops are only as good as the parents involved.

I'm sorry about your bad experiences countrygun and mikehd, but not all troops have the idiots in charge. I became an Eagle Scout in 2002, and we had no problems using knives or axes as long as we didn't prove ourselves to be totally irresponsible with them.

I kind of hate to see articles like this, because I credit scouting with being one of the positive forces in my life that shaped me into the adult I am today. If you have children interested in scouting, search around to find a good troop and be involved with it yourself. That's the only way to ensure continues to be a positive experience for your son.

quote:

Originally posted by Perception:
I guess it just goes to show that troops are only as good as the parents involved.

I'm sorry about your bad experiences countrygun and mikehd, but not all troops have the idiots in charge. I became an Eagle Scout in 2002, and we had no problems using knives or axes as long as we didn't prove ourselves to be totally irresponsible with them.

I kind of hate to see articles like this, because I credit scouting with being one of the positive forces in my life that shaped me into the adult I am today. If you have children interested in scouting, search around to find a good troop and be involved with it yourself. That's the only way to ensure continues to be a positive experience for your son.

I too credit the Boy Scouts and the Scoutmasters of my troop for helping to shape me into who I am today.

As for caring a pocket knife, I did all through junior high and high school and never thought anything of it until I pulled it out my senior year during swim practice so that my swim coach could use it (and yes I carried it in my Speedo while swimming... be prepared!). After he used it he closed the blade, handed it back to me (I said "Thank you") and then he mentioned that even though I was an Eagle Scout, I should be selective as to when and where I use it especially at school.

Flash forward a decade plus, and while at work (as an adult) I had my pocket knife out and was cutting the plastic band from cases of paper when my boss approached me and asked me to put the knife away and meet her in her office. Surprised, I did as I was asked and when I got into the office, I was told that company policy prohibited me from carrying a pocket knife while at work. Now completely shocked, and pissed, I demanded to see where it was in the HR manual. She then told me it was an "unspoken" rule and wouldn't be found in the manual. I told her that if it was creating a hostile work environment then I would not display it while at work. However, I required her to write it down in a memo and hand out to all employees in addition to having HR approve it. She didn't do it. I kept the knife and used it to do my job, and she never said another word about it. Eventually she turned her attention to the type of shoe that I was wearing and commented on it not being professional. But that is another story for another time.