10 year old's first knife

A small FB is great for hiking & camping. Not just for use, but because of the whole sheathe on a belt thing, most kids love gear & looking the part. They also love whatever dad has, as already mentioned.
 
If bushcraft and whittling is needed from the same knife I use and recommend the SAK camper or Case Sodbuster jr. Both of these provide thin edges for whittling / feather stick making , basic food package opening and general cutting. The SAK offers the most versatility while the Sodbuster jr. covers the basics readily. Thin blade geometry and easy to sharpen steel will give the child an opportunity to build a strong foundation of knife skills. These knives are easy to use and maintain. Case also offers a blue boyscout and Masonic badged models for those wanting their child to follow in our founding fathers foot steps. Its never too early for children to learn about how to contribute to society instead of expecting participation awards even when they don't participate.
 
A sheepsfoot design would be a good option. A small fixed blade would let him learn how to use a knife and you dont have to worry about him closing it on his finger. I would choose two or three options then let him pick the one he likes.
 
I'd get mine a Victorinox Tinker. Great first knife. If he shows an interest, get him a small fixed blade for outdoor use. Something inexpensive..... Condor Bushlore.

I might add that since your BF handle is Gafishing, I figure your son might enjoy the same. Hence find him a Bass Pro Tinker with the bass scales on the knife. Pretty dang cool if I might say so myself.
 
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I just recently got my 7 year old daughter an opinel with a rounded tip. She uses it to cut apples (doing okay, but still makes me nervous sometimes when she goes too fast) and shaving branches for marshmallows.

I would whole heartedly recommend the opinel. My first knife was a SAK. I got a buck 110 when I was around 10 years old. That really opened the door to knife enjoyment.
 
Thank you guys for all the input.
I'm leaning towards the sak.
I'll present him three knives and let him pick.
I'll let you know which three later.

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22-rimfire said:
I'd get mine a Victorinox Tinker. Great first knife. If he shows an interest, get him a small fixed blade for outdoor use. Something inexpensive..... Condor Bushlore.

I might add that since your BF handle is Gafishing, I figure your son might enjoy the same. Hence find him a Bass Pro Tinker with the bass scales on the knife. Pretty dang cool if I might say so myself.
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Haha
You are right , he loves fishing. So not a bad idea
Thanks

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I gave my daughter a CRKT RSK MK5 (Doug Ritter) for her first fixed blade at age 9. Now she is 11 and has graduated to a Bradford blades PSK with Osage Orange scales. My 7 year old son is now using the Ritter knife :cool:
 
For my 6th birthday, my dad got me a Vic SAK. My great uncle gave me a Wenger Nomad, which has seen more use than any other knife I've owned.

Granted, this was circa 1986, and "modern" folders were not something in stores yet.

An SAK will be a good idea in the event he forgets it in his backpack and takes it to school.

I didn't get my first modern folder until I was 18.


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I want to say a fixed blade for sure with belt sheath. But then again, SAK would be a great choice as it's so versatile. Have at least 2 blades, saw, can opener, and magnifier.
 
Gafishing said:
Haha
You are right , he loves fishing. So not a bad idea
Thanks
Click to expand...

I got mine at the new BP in East Ridge TN (just across the state line from GA). Mine was the last one on the rack, but that doesn't mean they don't have more inventory.
 
My first knives were small folders, give to me starting at 6 y.o.

I was given my first fixed blade at age 10, a Western L46-5.

For a camping/utility knife, I would recommend a smaller 4 to 5 inch fixed blade.

Vintage-wise, there are lots of Western L48A (stacked leather), 648A (Delrin handled) style B&Ts,

and also

vintage/current production Kabar B&Ts - the 1226 Little Finn (3-5/8") , the 1232 Finger Grip Hunter (4"). Relatively inexpensive, well made, classic knives.
 
Mine was the classic brass ends with wood grain on the sides lock blade. I had trouble closing it, I always had to press the lock against a corner to close at the age of 10
 
I'd go for the tinker 👍
I don't want to deal spot, but that knife retailer with smokey mountain in their name has a deal on the Victorinox tinker set with a ceramic pull through sharpener for 21$
 
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I'm gonna let him pick from these three and I'll let you guys know which one he chooses
Mora companion
SAK explorer
Case stockman (born to fish edition)

laying pipe all day, literally
 
I started my kids on Opinels. Weak, clumsy fingers and actively sprung blades is a bad mix.

Then I moved them to slip joints to learn how to not rely on a lock.

I finally let them move on to lock backs, but I consider lock backs and liner/frame locks to be tricky. You need to put your finger in harms way to unlock them. Bad combo for clumsy hands.

The Opinel 6 is what I started them on.
 
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