Britain's blade culture claims another victim ...Scouts' penknives

Daily Mail ^ | 6 SEP 2009 | David Wilkes

[greatdefender]

Along with a box of matches and a piece of string, they've always been an essential part of a Scout's kit.

But now penknives are going to be restricted on scouting trips as a seemingly innocent tradition succumbs to concerns over the nation's blade culture.

The Scout Association is advising boys and their parents that they should not bring such knives to camp - despite it being legal for anyone to carry a foldable, nonlocking blade in a public place as long as it is shorter than 3ins.

Scouts have been taught to carry knives and have used them to cut firewood, prepare food or carve tools ever since Lord Baden-Powell founded the movement more than a century ago.

But in a recent edition of their official in-house magazine, Scouting, they are advised that neither they nor their parents should bring penknives to camp.

Knife-maker Dave Budd, who runs courses training Scouts about the safe use of blades from his base on Dartmoor, Devon, said the rise in knife crime - up 50 per cent in just one year - demanded ' clarification' of the guidance.

He wrote: 'The series of high-profile fatal stabbings highlighted a growing knife culture in the UK. Now the general public is unsure of the law on knives.

'Scouts often have the need for a good knife, and in the early days every Scout was actively encouraged to put a knife on their belt. Sadly, there is now confusion about when a Scout is allowed to carry a knife.

[Chode]

Right!!! Well then... henceforth, all things sharp will be banned, and all things pointy shall also be banned, and anything that is sharp AND pointy is right out!!!

Also, things that are blunt are banned, and things that are heavy are banned, and things that are blunt AND heavy are RIGHT OUT AS WELL!!!

Well, lets see... that about cover it then???

they were England when they were an Empire, but then they became meek and became england. Now they are apse'rs and have become undone, they are now UNgland...

[R. Scott]

If someone got hit with a hammer would they outlaw hammers?

Of course! You don’t remember “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer”?

[SandRat]

PC-ism and nanny-ism run wild hurts Scouting.

[wolfpat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfIkMXw_YM4

[snowsislander]

At least many of the comments are correctly appalled by this senseless decision:

This is on the same lines as the gun law. All those who owned guns for sport or recreational purposes were denied them, whilst those, who were meant to be deprived of them, were the very criminals that the law was devised for. Now the only people owning guns and knives are these hooligans and criminals who don't give a fig for the law anyway.

- Anthony,
Norfolk,
6/9/2009 3:33

...

One of the aims of scouting as I see it is to learn to live with Nature. i.e. Living in the wild. To do this you need a knife to cut wood, carve tools, cut ropes and string, carve your food and many other chores. Its no good being in the middle of the wilderness and then having to go back to base to see the Scout Skip to ask for the use of a knife. If taught to handle a knife properly, then I see no problem with it. Any hoodlum can get a large carving knfe from his Mum's kitchen drawer and carve up his friends in the street.

- Trevor Harvey Morris,
Thrapston, England,
6/9/2009 3:30

...

Great, punish the innocent yet again. Why oh why do we not punish the people who commit knife crimes instead?

- NeilB,
Watford, Herts,
6/9/2009 3:01

...

So, in the UK "Be Prepared" is no longer the Boy Scout motto; to be replaced by "Let the Government control your actions"?

Learn to tie knots, but you can't cut rope or twine; so odds are this won't help... unless you have conveniently pre-cut rope that is the correct length. Learn to set up a makeshift tent; assuming you can gnaw through the sticks to make your uprights even. Learn to make a snare.. but you'll never actually get to, because you can't cut either the rope or sticks to do so.

So basically learn to do things you'll never get to do. And as you'll never do them, you won't remember how to if you ever need to. So you'll learn nothing, and be prepared for nothing.

Scouting will now help kids feel protected in a bubble, while never letting them do anything... so they'll be unprepared for anything in life. Given that, why bother? Might as well let them play video games.

Congratulations on taking a worthwhile learning experience and stripping it of all value.

- Gekkobear,
Colorado Springs, USA,
6/9/2009 5:11

[2ndClassCitizen]

When our ancestors fled Europe to escape serfdom they did not even know how to hunt.

The English legend I grew up on was Robin Hood. I have two compound bows, one is for lefties and the other is a right handed bow. The ability to shoot the King’s deer is a God given right. I have the same respect for modern illegal laws that Robin Hood had for the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Note: I never violate the laws even if I disrespect them and am not advocating that anyone else do.

[sionnsar]

Eventually, they’ll come for your cricket mallets and anything else that could conceivably used as a weapon.

They won't get my rock until they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

[T-Bird45]

Lord Baden-Powell must be spinning in his grave over what the British Scouting Association has become, not to speak of his England being no longer “Great”. As the parent of an Eagle Scout and a former adult leader myself, I know the value boys place by earning the privilege of carrying a knife by displaying knowledge and maturity. Taking this away does nothing to address the societal sickness of the “yobs” and foreign elements that have overwhelmed the culture.

[NonValueAdded]

Tote ’n Chip revoked?

[sionnsar]

“UK Scouts are prohibited from bring knifes”
In addition to not being fluent in English.

The title is greatdefender's. It's not the one on the story.

[aliquando]

Ass Red Foreman would say “ Dumb A_s”
Idiots

[SiVisPacemParaBellum]

"They may whittle their little fingers off."

Not to worry, the liberals will make sure certain parts of their lower anatomy have been cut off to prevent any such violent behavior.

[aliquando]

Scout Identified.

[xp38]

good thing this fad happened decades ago and not now

[rarestia]

Please, end women’s suffrage.

I don't take your point, FRiend. Did something I said offend you?

[Hodar]

Lets see, you outlaw pistols and weapons, and thieves use them on the population. When firearms become less available, the thieves resort to using knives - so let’s outlaw knives ... then people will use clubs with a nail sticking out of it.

Meanwhile, the innocent, law-abiding citizen doesn’t have a chance to defend themselves.

[elcid1970]

The day I was issued my “Totin’ Chip” was a proud one. I was also informed that I was granted “totin’ rights” only for as long I showed maturity and responsibility in the safe handling of knives, hatchets, and axes.

It prepared one for the responsible use of firearms later on.

Anyway, it’s madness in the U.K. Plan a vacation there, and then stay home instead.

[fini]

I guess a game of mumbly-peg is out of the question?

[Hodar]

An effete British superhero, to be precise. I am pilfering your tableware because I hurl it. I hurl it with a deadly accuracy. The Blue Raja is my name. And yes, I know I don't wear much blue and I speak in a British accent, but if you know your history it really does make perfect sense.

[calex59]

Many people forget, or never knew, that one of the first things Hitler did was ban scouting in Germany. Scouting taught children how to be self reliant and that is the last thing a dictatorial government wants children to learn, that includes the modern government in the UK and the US. It is no accident that scouting has been under attack here in the US for quite some time now.