It should be assumed that every girl camping or preparing meals is mature enough to use a knife and carry a jackknife. However, Girl Scout Daisies should not use either type of knife. Girls must be at least a Brownie. The should also demonstrate they can be calm and collected in a serious situation, and that they can follow directions.
Before carrying a jackknife is allowed, girls should complete “jackknife safety training.” Never assume girls will know good safety practices just because they use a knife at home. Establish safety rules to be followed under all conditions and enforce them! Do not do the work for girls simply because you fear they will cut themselves or others. The only way they will learn how to use a knife safely is through discussion, practice, and adherence to safety rules.
Using a Knife Safely
Along with the privilege of having a knife comes the responsibility of using it properly to ensure the safety of users, other campers, and the environment.
A jackknife is a knife with a folding blade that will be used often for a wide variety of tasks: cutting a rope, scraping a carrot, trimming a branch, or whittling wood to make tinder.
Jackknives sometimes have more than one blade or tool. For safety, only one tool or blade should be opened at a time.
Some tips for using the jackknife are:
Hold the handle securely with the whole hand.
Always cut away from the body.
Move at least an arm’s length away from anyone else before using a knife, using the ring of safety.
Keep the knife closed when not in use.
Do not walk around with an open knife.
Keep the knife away from extreme cold or heat.
Opening the Jackknife
Hold the jackknife firmly with the fingers of one hand. Hold the top edge (slot) of the blade with your thumb and forefinger. Keep your fingers away from the sharp cutting edge of the blade. Pull the blade all the way out until it clicks into its open position.
Whittling Wood Tinder
Hold the handle of the jackknife firmly. Do not put your thumb on the blade.
Cut away from the body.
Cut slowly so the knife won’t slip.
Cut the stick at an angle shaving off little pieces of wood.
Closing the Jackknife
Hold the handle of the jackknife in one hand with the sharp cutting side of the blade upward.
Hold the dull non-cutting side of the blade in the other hand. Push the blade up and around toward the slot in the handle.
Safety Rules
Know how to open and close a knife properly.
Always use both hands to open and close.
Keep fingers on the sides of the knife.
Keep the knife closed when not in use or when carried.
Close the knife before passing it to someone.
Know proper knife care.
Always clean the knife after using.
Periodically oil knife hinge with machine oil.
Clean knife with a clean cloth.
Sharpen knife with a sharpening stone.
Keep knife dry and off the ground.
Keep knife away from dirt and sand.
Never put knife in the fire or use it as a hammer or pry bar.
Use knife only for cutting wood, food, etc. Do not use on metal
Know the safe use of a knife.
Always use the “ring of safety.”
Hold and use knife only by its handle. Thumbs off the blade!
Push the blade away from the body when cutting.
Do not use knife when alone (not applicable to older Junior Girl Scouts). If a knife that won’t close must be passed, hold dull edge of the blade and pass handle to receiving person. Let go when person says “Thank you.”
Know good knife manners.
Do not cut or disfigure any living plant or animal or private property such as carving initials in trees or on picnic tables.
Know correct first aid for cuts.
Have girls make a paper knife to use while learning jackknife.