General Equipment

This article covers a few pieces of equipment Scouts may find useful.

Torch

There are a vast array of torches available today. For Scouts look for something which includes these features:

  • Head torch - life is easier when your not holding your torch in your mouth.
  • Replaceable batteries - so that spares can be taken for when it gets left on as you fall asleep.
  • Red light option - not essential but very useful for not detroying night vision.
  • Bright but not excessive - lumens quoted by manufacturers are most often misleading, but most torches on the market today are bright enough.
  • Lightweight - having a heavy torch on you head is hard work.

Flint and Steel

We do a lot of fire lighting and a flint (or ferro rod) and steel is one of the most reliable means of creating a spark, completely waterproof and long lasting. The better ones have longer thicker rods.

Knife

Knives are brought to Scouts strictly when requested by leaders and should not be carried as a matter of routine. We will provide knives when they are needed so there is no requirement for a Scout to own one. However if Scouts wish to have their own then please see the information below.

When buying a knife there are 2 options, a fixed blade bushcraft knife, or a folding penknife.

Bushcraft Knife

  • Fixed blade with no risk of closing on fingers
  • Illegal to carry without good reason, should always be stowed in bag when traveling to and from Scout events
  • Good solid grip
  • Options with a rounded tip are safer
  • Look for one with a guard bump at the front of the handle to stop the hand sliping forwards
  • Keep blade length short (<90mm)

 

Penknife

  • Most blades are within UK legal carry limit
  • Illegal for carry if blade locks in place
  • Possible injuries caused by knife folding in use if used incorrectly.
  • Avoid ones with too many gadgets, they are cumbersome to use and the gadgets typically never get used.
  • A saw can be a useful addition

A few of my favorites:

  • Mora Pro Safe Carbon Steel
  • Hultafors - Safety knife SK
  • Mora Pro S Stainless
  • My First Victorinox H
  • Victorinox Camper / Hiker