[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First knife for boy (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 7/14/2012 5:47:02 AM EDT
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I got my first knife when I was six, a cub scout pocketknife. It was a good starter knife with a locking blade, awl/punch, and screwdriver can opener. I still have it.
I don't remember what I got my oldest son (he primarily carries a Kershaw Blackout now) but my youngest is now 7 and is desperate for a pocketknife. I looked at some of the smaller knives by Spyderco, Byrd, SOG, Gerber, etc yesterday but I didn't really see one I liked. I really want something that is utilitarian but nice, but not so nice that if he lost it I would melt down but nice enough to last a lifetime. Benchmade? Emerson? Ideas. |
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Case - Sodbuster or one of any of their beauties .
Buck - ? Lots of US-Made options there CRKT M-16 ( one of the smaller ones) How about a Kershaw Blur or the smaller Scallion ? Both US made , and very rugged . I carry the Scallion as a money clip , and the Blur is in rotation with a Junkyard Dog and an old M-16 . |
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If you want it to last a lifetime?
May be too large but he will grow into it. Kershaw Junk Yard Dog I not the II If buck makes a smaller version of the 110 ( that was my first knife) I would get that. The full size they got me wasn't too large but I was a little older than 7 |
My first knife was a Swiss army knockoff pocket knife. It didn't have any lock blades or anything, but I learned how to sharpen on that knife. Later I got a proper Swiss Army for a birthday. Personally, I'd get something kind of cheap because it's gonna get used hard, save the better blades for later 
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http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/sage4-c123wdpbacklock-ffgcpm-s30vblade-arizonaironwoodwtitaniumbolsters.aspx too much?  Spyderco Delicas come in a bunch of different colors and Knifeworks will engrave his name or whatever on the blade. yeah it's an inexpensive knife with plastic scales but one that will last a life The chinese spydercos are excellent values |
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Quoted:
My first knife was a Swiss army knockoff pocket knife. It didn't have any lock blades or anything, but I learned how to sharpen on that knife. Later I got a proper Swiss Army for a birthday. Personally, I'd get something kind of cheap because it's gonna get used hard, save the better blades for later
I'm with the cheap buy. Or buy two, one cheap he can carry and use. The nicer one he could have later. Hes going to use it hard, maybe even lose it. And for gods sake, dont let him take it to school for show and tell. |
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Dont you have a knife you could give him .....ya know , to 'hand down' ?
Or did your older son get a new one for a first ? I can understand the jealousy if the older son got a new knife as a first . My first was am Imperial , two-blade , that came from K-Mart . . . . .I can still remember that day in the Sporting Goods dept with my dad in the mid-seventies , back when K-Mart sold guns . I lost it  
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Case Caliber. It's a small lockback, around 15 dollars. It will be a good knife for him to learn to sharpen.
My very first knife as a young boy was a Schrade that was very similar to the Case Caliber. I still have that Schrade today and it's still in good shape. |
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I'd skip on the "cheepo knives" , rather , let him know that it's his responsibility to take care of it , and NOT to lose it .
If he does break or lose it , then you have him do work around the house / farm / wherever , until he's earned enough to replace it . . . . that usually instils the "value" of it into the kid , and he then goes out of his way not to lose / abuse it . Another good first camping knife , and my first 'fixed-blade' , was a good-ol' Marine Ka Bar . It wasnt something to carry a lot , unless you were camping or hunting . I broke my KaBar by throwing it excessively
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For a 7 year old nothing more the 30 bucks ,hes going to lose it or break it almost for certain.My first knife almost 43 years ago was a Cub scout knife my father bought me when I was around 7.......long gone. OH the memories of cutting myself and throwing the knife into the floor to make it stick in the new kitchen linoleum.
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| Small three blade is my advice. Was given a small case about 40 yrs ago. It's long gone but to the day I have a little buck in its place. Spear, clip point and spay blade will teach about different sharpening requirements and it's good for whittling with or cleaning nails. Just my 2 pennies |
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7 years old? Swiss Army knife should be the logical choice 
Speed I really want it to have a locking blade. I cut the shit out of myself as a kid with one when the blade collapsed. I really like the Arizona Ironwood Spyderco that Aimless linked. Yeah it's kinda high for a 7 yo so it might be a Christmas present and he'll be nearly 8 by then. Maybe a good "second knife". Some of you suggested Case and Dan1802's Case Mini Copperlock seems about ideal. Less than $50, not too big, not too small, and both my dad and grandad (he's still living at 99) carry one similar. I don't think he's ready for the Microtech Ultratech. When he is he can have my Protech Godfather since I never carry it anyway. Good suggestions and this is a placemarker in case anyone else wants to chime in. |
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I'd skip on the "cheepo knives" , rather , let him know that it's his responsibility to take care of it , and NOT to lose it . If he does break or lose it , then you have him do work around the house / farm / wherever , until he's earned enough to replace it . . . . that usually instils the "value" of it into the kid , and he then goes out of his way not to lose / abuse it . Another good first camping knife , and my first 'fixed-blade' , was a good-ol' Marine Ka Bar . It wasnt something to carry a lot , unless you were camping or hunting . I broke my KaBar by throwing it excessively I still have my first pocket knife. Its seen better days as the plastic sides have long fallen off, but I guess I'm looking at it more like a starter anything. My first car wasn't expensive or new either.
Edit: then again I bought my 1 year old son his first pistol and it was a Ruger Single Six, but that's a safe queen until he's older...at least 3, i mean let's be realistic that loading gate is tricky for a 15 month old. |
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Quoted:
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7 years old? Swiss Army knife should be the logical choice
Speed I really want it to have a locking blade. I cut the shit out of myself as a kid with one when the blade collapsed. I really like the Arizona Ironwood Spyderco that Aimless linked. Yeah it's kinda high for a 7 yo so it might be a Christmas present and he'll be nearly 8 by then. Maybe a good "second knife". Some of you suggested Case and Dan1802's Case Mini Copperlock seems about ideal. Less than $50, not too big, not too small, and both my dad and grandad (he's still living at 99) carry one similar. I don't think he's ready for the Microtech Ultratech. When he is he can have my Protech Godfather since I never carry it anyway. Good suggestions and this is a placemarker in case anyone else wants to chime in. Learning how to use a knife properly is part of owning a first knife(we have all done it). I say Swiss Army knife as it is much more useful than just a knife. I always have a SAK on me. He can open rootbeer bottles, open cans of fruit, cut open boxes, open up wine bottles(he could start training as a sommelier), saw through pieces of wood, and etc. If you are really wanting a locking blade, then I would suggest a more traditional knife since they have smaller handles. Maybe a Buck 112 ecolite or a Boker Junior Sodbuster. And you can go upwards from there for other lockback traditionals. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: 7 years old? Swiss Army knife should be the logical choice Speed I really want it to have a locking blade. I cut the shit out of myself as a kid with one when the blade collapsed. That's a rite of passage, kind of like idiot scratches on a 1911 Speed |
| Whether he's a scout or not, how about an official Cub Scout knife (maybe just like yours?) They don't cost much and aregood for learning. He needs to learn proper handling, too. None of my 4 boys got a knife until they earned their whitling chip in the Scouts. |
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Look into the Mauser knife made by Victorinox. The saw blade is sharp. http://www.fotothing.com/photos/33c/33c4299831ba86841e849846ad3d83ca.jpg I kinda like that one , for myself 
ETA : YIKES! Discontinued in the 80's , and the only one I saw was $250+ on E-Bay
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7 years old? Swiss Army knife should be the logical choice
Speed I really want it to have a locking blade. I cut the shit out of myself as a kid with one when the blade collapsed. I really like the Arizona Ironwood Spyderco that Aimless linked. Yeah it's kinda high for a 7 yo so it might be a Christmas present and he'll be nearly 8 by then. Maybe a good "second knife". Some of you suggested Case and Dan1802's Case Mini Copperlock seems about ideal. Less than $50, not too big, not too small, and both my dad and grandad (he's still living at 99) carry one similar. I don't think he's ready for the Microtech Ultratech. When he is he can have my Protech Godfather since I never carry it anyway. Good suggestions and this is a placemarker in case anyone else wants to chime in. Learning how to use a knife properly is part of owning a first knife(we have all done it). I say Swiss Army knife as it is much more useful than just a knife. I always have a SAK on me. He can open rootbeer bottles, open cans of fruit, cut open boxes, open up wine bottles(he could start training as a sommelier), saw through pieces of wood, and etc. If you are really wanting a locking blade, then I would suggest a more traditional knife since they have smaller handles. Maybe a Buck 112 ecolite or a Boker Junior Sodbuster. And you can go upwards from there for other lockback traditionals. So, slicing tendons and thousands of dollars worth of hand surgery are part of learning how to use a knife? I would tend to disagree. As a scout den leader for 5 years and now an ASM in BSA, and one who never had a boy need a bandaid even though we made all kinds of very cool things, there is no way I'd buy a kid a folding knife that wasn't a locking blade. Preferably a sheath knife like this: 
These are very nice and only 34 bucks. They don't have a guard so, proper instruction is mandatory. All my scouts learned on no guard puukkos. 
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Look into the Mauser knife made by Victorinox. The saw blade is sharp. http://www.fotothing.com/photos/33c/33c4299831ba86841e849846ad3d83ca.jpg I kinda like that one , for myself
ETA : YIKES! Discontinued in the 80's , and the only one I saw was $250+ on E-Bay No way they're worth $250, somebody's getting ripped off. |
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7 years old? Swiss Army knife should be the logical choice
Speed I really want it to have a locking blade. I cut the shit out of myself as a kid with one when the blade collapsed. I really like the Arizona Ironwood Spyderco that Aimless linked. Yeah it's kinda high for a 7 yo so it might be a Christmas present and he'll be nearly 8 by then. Maybe a good "second knife". Some of you suggested Case and Dan1802's Case Mini Copperlock seems about ideal. Less than $50, not too big, not too small, and both my dad and grandad (he's still living at 99) carry one similar. I don't think he's ready for the Microtech Ultratech. When he is he can have my Protech Godfather since I never carry it anyway. Good suggestions and this is a placemarker in case anyone else wants to chime in. Learning how to use a knife properly is part of owning a first knife(we have all done it). I say Swiss Army knife as it is much more useful than just a knife. I always have a SAK on me. He can open rootbeer bottles, open cans of fruit, cut open boxes, open up wine bottles(he could start training as a sommelier), saw through pieces of wood, and etc. If you are really wanting a locking blade, then I would suggest a more traditional knife since they have smaller handles. Maybe a Buck 112 ecolite or a Boker Junior Sodbuster. And you can go upwards from there for other lockback traditionals. So, slicing tendons and thousands of dollars worth of hand surgery are part of learning how to use a knife? I would tend to disagree. As a scout den leader for 5 years and now an ASM in BSA, and one who never had a boy need a bandaid even though we made all kinds of very cool things, there is no way I'd buy a kid a folding knife that wasn't a locking blade. Preferably a sheath knife like this: http://ragweedforge.com/511.jpg These are very nice and only 34 bucks. They don't have a guard so, proper instruction is mandatory. All my scouts learned on no guard puukkos. http://ragweedforge.com/wj-p.jpg Now those are real knifes I wouldn't feel "under-knifed" with a puuko.
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Case - Sodbuster or one of any of their beauties . Buck - ? Lots of US-Made options there CRKT M-16 ( one of the smaller ones) How about a Kershaw Blur or the smaller Scallion ? Both US made , and very rugged . I carry the Scallion as a money clip , and the Blur is in rotation with a Junkyard Dog and an old M-16 . I gave my son a Kershaw Scallion and he really appreciated it. I love those knives. My wife adopted my first one and I gave the second to my son. I need another now. |
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Small three blade is my advice. Was given a small case about 40 yrs ago. It's long gone but to the day I have a little buck in its place. Spear, clip point and spay blade will teach about different sharpening requirements and it's good for whittling with or cleaning nails. Just my 2 pennies That. |
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7 years old? Swiss Army knife should be the logical choice
Speed I really want it to have a locking blade. I cut the shit out of myself as a kid with one when the blade collapsed. I really like the Arizona Ironwood Spyderco that Aimless linked. Yeah it's kinda high for a 7 yo so it might be a Christmas present and he'll be nearly 8 by then. Maybe a good "second knife". Some of you suggested Case and Dan1802's Case Mini Copperlock seems about ideal. Less than $50, not too big, not too small, and both my dad and grandad (he's still living at 99) carry one similar. I don't think he's ready for the Microtech Ultratech. When he is he can have my Protech Godfather since I never carry it anyway. Good suggestions and this is a placemarker in case anyone else wants to chime in. Learning how to use a knife properly is part of owning a first knife(we have all done it). I say Swiss Army knife as it is much more useful than just a knife. I always have a SAK on me. He can open rootbeer bottles, open cans of fruit, cut open boxes, open up wine bottles(he could start training as a sommelier), saw through pieces of wood, and etc. If you are really wanting a locking blade, then I would suggest a more traditional knife since they have smaller handles. Maybe a Buck 112 ecolite or a Boker Junior Sodbuster. And you can go upwards from there for other lockback traditionals. So, slicing tendons and thousands of dollars worth of hand surgery are part of learning how to use a knife? I would tend to disagree. As a scout den leader for 5 years and now an ASM in BSA, and one who never had a boy need a bandaid even though we made all kinds of very cool things, there is no way I'd buy a kid a folding knife that wasn't a locking blade. Preferably a sheath knife like this: http://ragweedforge.com/511.jpg These are very nice and only 34 bucks. They don't have a guard so, proper instruction is mandatory. All my scouts learned on no guard puukkos. http://ragweedforge.com/wj-p.jpg  Stop it, you are killing me.
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Look into the Mauser knife made by Victorinox. The saw blade is sharp. http://www.fotothing.com/photos/33c/33c4299831ba86841e849846ad3d83ca.jpg I kinda like that one , for myself
ETA : YIKES! Discontinued in the 80's , and the only one I saw was $250+ on E-Bay No way they're worth $250, somebody's getting ripped off. Hell I have one of those ,I'd sell it for $250.00.
Fifth one down and I think I even have the box somewhere. 
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Quoted: If you want it to last a lifetime? May be too large but he will grow into it. Kershaw Junk Yard Dog I not the II If buck makes a smaller version of the 110 ( that was my first knife) I would get that. The full size they got me wasn't too large but I was a little older than 7 The Buck 112 Folding Ranger is smaller than the 110 Folding Hunter. Very good solid knife with a good lock, and nice wood and brass scales. Buck's blade steel is very hard, so it can take awhile to put a really good edge on it, but when you do, it stays sharp for a good long time. Buck, or perhaps their distributors, usually have a really good sale early in the hunting season. I bought a Buck 112 in the mid 1970's. I still use it for all the jobs I don't want to use one of my 'nicer' knives for. They are great knives. |
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Quoted: My first knife was a Swiss army knockoff pocket knife. It didn't have any lock blades or anything, but I learned how to sharpen on that knife. Later I got a proper Swiss Army for a birthday. Personally, I'd get something kind of cheap because it's gonna get used hard, save the better blades for later Yep. I vote Swiss army knife too. Actually, i vote for getting a Chinese knockoff. That way when he's in college and trying to impress a girl, he can go over to the junk droor, grab the swiss army knife, and have the cork screw break off of it as he tries to open a bottle of whine. Good times. |
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Kershaw 1620ST Made in the USA Perfect knife for a youngster. Spring assisted with a locking mechanism to keep it from opening. |
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I have a Strider/Buck knife that I'll pass along, still has Iraq dirt on it. If I hit 55 without a child, I'll give it to my nephew, along with my Grandfather's shotgun.
If I was buying a new knife for a son, I'd get my Father in law to make one. Google tipi knife works. |
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Quoted: So, slicing tendons and thousands of dollars worth of hand surgery are part of learning how to use a knife? I would tend to disagree. As a scout den leader for 5 years and now an ASM in BSA, and one who never had a boy need a bandaid even though we made all kinds of very cool things, there is no way I'd buy a kid a folding knife that wasn't a locking blade. Preferably a sheath knife like this: http://ragweedforge.com/511.jpg These are very nice and only 34 bucks. They don't have a guard so, proper instruction is mandatory. All my scouts learned on no guard puukkos. http://ragweedforge.com/wj-p.jpg $9.99 on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Mora-Made-in-Sweden-511/dp/B004GAVOUU/ref=pd_cp_hi_2 $15.49 for the OD green military version http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-Carbon-Mora-Sweden/dp/B004TNWD40/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1 These are scary sharp, and for the price they are a tremendous bargain. |
| Ok , I'm getting out the flame suit, BUT giving a lock back doesn't teach the kid proper knife handling skills. Lock back knifes will still fold under enough pressure (ask me about a Buck 110 and nearly cutting off my right pinkie opening a oil can). More important is to properly size the knife to HIM and teach proper handling from the start. That's why a three blade or a scout knife is a good choice, it teaches about using the right tool for the job. I still believe in a small 2.5 to 3 inch overall three blade. My Granddad called these gentlemans knifes. Do spend the money and get quality, because if it doesn't hold an edge he will have to use more force to cut anything making it more difficult to be safe. Teach him how to sharpen it himself. Just be ready to "run a steel over it and smooth the edge up" once he's gone to bed till he gets the hang of it. Like I said just my two cents. |
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7 years old? Swiss Army knife should be the logical choice
Speed I really want it to have a locking blade. I cut the shit out of myself as a kid with one when the blade collapsed. I really like the Arizona Ironwood Spyderco that Aimless linked. Yeah it's kinda high for a 7 yo so it might be a Christmas present and he'll be nearly 8 by then. Maybe a good "second knife". Some of you suggested Case and Dan1802's Case Mini Copperlock seems about ideal. Less than $50, not too big, not too small, and both my dad and grandad (he's still living at 99) carry one similar. I don't think he's ready for the Microtech Ultratech. When he is he can have my Protech Godfather since I never carry it anyway. Good suggestions and this is a placemarker in case anyone else wants to chime in. Learning how to use a knife properly is part of owning a first knife(we have all done it). I say Swiss Army knife as it is much more useful than just a knife. I always have a SAK on me. He can open rootbeer bottles, open cans of fruit, cut open boxes, open up wine bottles(he could start training as a sommelier), saw through pieces of wood, and etc. If you are really wanting a locking blade, then I would suggest a more traditional knife since they have smaller handles. Maybe a Buck 112 ecolite or a Boker Junior Sodbuster. And you can go upwards from there for other lockback traditionals. So, slicing tendons and thousands of dollars worth of hand surgery are part of learning how to use a knife? I would tend to disagree. As a scout den leader for 5 years and now an ASM in BSA, and one who never had a boy need a bandaid even though we made all kinds of very cool things, there is no way I'd buy a kid a folding knife that wasn't a locking blade. Preferably a sheath knife like this: http://ragweedforge.com/511.jpg These are very nice and only 34 bucks. They don't have a guard so, proper instruction is mandatory. All my scouts learned on no guard puukkos. http://ragweedforge.com/wj-p.jpg Stop it, you are killing me.Those statements are not contradictory, if you've had much time teaching kids how to use a knife. Folding knives can unexpectedly fold up, especially when doing things like cutting the socket for a bow drill spindle. The puukko is always the same. There are very few instances where a thrusting motion is used. When it is, you palm the handle and it's very safe. Guards tend to get in the way. The only reason I pictured the first knife is the one with the guard was discontinued, unless you buy a Martini which is more expensive. There's a bid difference between explaining that you don't stab with a knife and explaining that, with a folder, you have to be very careful when using the tip because it can fold, before you know it. But....folks will buy what they want and deal with the consequences. In my experience, what I said held very, painfully true. Not all the dens were bandaid free. I could only suggest. Some kids would show up with cheap folders or thick, bluntly sharpened junk or sheath knives with all the finnesse of a crowbar. I figured out, after the first night that 80 bucks spent on moras would be a good investment. I can't stand using substandard tools and wouldn't expect someone who is just learning to do it, either.
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So, slicing tendons and thousands of dollars worth of hand surgery are part of learning how to use a knife? I would tend to disagree. As a scout den leader for 5 years and now an ASM in BSA, and one who never had a boy need a bandaid even though we made all kinds of very cool things, there is no way I'd buy a kid a folding knife that wasn't a locking blade. Preferably a sheath knife like this: http://ragweedforge.com/511.jpg These are very nice and only 34 bucks. They don't have a guard so, proper instruction is mandatory. All my scouts learned on no guard puukkos. http://ragweedforge.com/wj-p.jpg $9.99 on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Mora-Made-in-Sweden-511/dp/B004GAVOUU/ref=pd_cp_hi_2 $15.49 for the OD green military version http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-Carbon-Mora-Sweden/dp/B004TNWD40/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1 These are scary sharp, and for the price they are a tremendous bargain. They really are the best knife I've ever used and I've got a box full of 'em, up to and including some very expensive knives. Ragweedforge has the upper one for 8 bucks and a flat 5 dollar shipping for no matter how many you order. |
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Ok , I'm getting out the flame suit, BUT giving a lock back doesn't teach the kid proper knife handling skills. Lock back knifes will still fold under enough pressure (ask me about a Buck 110 and nearly cutting off my right pinkie opening a oil can). More important is to properly size the knife to HIM and teach proper handling from the start. That's why a three blade or a scout knife is a good choice, it teaches about using the right tool for the job. I still believe in a small 2.5 to 3 inch overall three blade. My Granddad called these gentlemans knifes. Do spend the money and get quality, because if it doesn't hold an edge he will have to use more force to cut anything making it more difficult to be safe. Teach him how to sharpen it himself. Just be ready to "run a steel over it and smooth the edge up" once he's gone to bed till he gets the hang of it. Like I said just my two cents. I understand that this is the oldschool logic. Should we offer a performance car to a beginning driver because crashing is the way they learn proper driving skills? Or would it be better to get a safe and forgiving vehicle? We start them with a single shot .22 because it's more difficult to have an accident and get hurt. |