-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
10 year old's first knife
- Thread starter Gafishing
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 29,050
SAK. I'm not that age advanced and that is how I learned. That is how I am teaching my kid (9 now). She also has a lock back folder and uses lots of different knives in the kitchen. Almost doesn't matter what it is as long as it is guided under your supervision. That is the most important part.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
Explorer, good choice. My personal feeling is that most fixed blades will feel really large for a 10 year old unless they have some experience under their belt. "Feeling really large" is a lead in for accidents due to reduced dexterity of young fingers and hands.
I do like the concept of letting the young ones learn for themselves for the most part short of cutting their fingers off. We all have accidents and it will happen regardless eventually. Not having a lock in a traditional SAK is a good way to learn about pocket knives and using them. I don't recall my Dad or anyone else really teaching me much of anything with regard to using knives.
I do like the concept of letting the young ones learn for themselves for the most part short of cutting their fingers off. We all have accidents and it will happen regardless eventually. Not having a lock in a traditional SAK is a good way to learn about pocket knives and using them. I don't recall my Dad or anyone else really teaching me much of anything with regard to using knives.
Henry Beige
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2015
- Messages
- 3,772
My grandson got his first knife when he was almost six: a carbon Opinel No.7. He wasn't really getting maintenance of a carbon blade, so I swapped him an Inox No. 6. Then a Marttiini Little Classic for his birthday, and this year a Victorinox Recruit. The springs on the SAK are a little fierce for him. By the time he's ten, he should be able to handle it.
The Opinel gets the most use.
The Opinel gets the most use.
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2014
- Messages
- 210
A leatherman was my first blade. The old original 1990's model. I would recommend a wave these days, I'm sure several people will disagree, but mine was invaluable while being introduced to outdoor activities. The pliers were great for pulling hot tins out of the campfire and removing hooks from catfish mouths. If I could go back in time though, I would have preferred that my dad help me pick out a knife, rather than just pick one for me like he did. I grew up in Texas and always felt jealous that my buddies had buck fixed blades and bigger locking folders while I had this "pair of pliers with a blade", but looking back it worked out well for me. I can say that when my son is old enough though, I'll have him handle a few blades first and help him make the decision, rather than just picking one for him.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2015
- Messages
- 4,238
Buck Bantam + Mora Companion + Rough Rider + and a smith's 3in1 sharpener to learn basic sharpening. Covers everything a 10 year old can conjure up for knifing for around $50.
All expendable, but all reasonably durable and effective at the price range. Nice starter set of a locking folder, fixed blade, and slippie w/ sharpener.
All expendable, but all reasonably durable and effective at the price range. Nice starter set of a locking folder, fixed blade, and slippie w/ sharpener.
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2006
- Messages
- 9,684
My first official knife was a Camillus Scout knife back in 1978-79, when I was in Cub Scouts. I think something similar would be very suitable for a boy that age. Wish I still had mine, but it was lost somewhere over the years. Stolen pic from the interwebs:
Paul_Atreides
BANNED
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2016
- Messages
- 155
You say your son is 10 years old and very responsible and that this knife will only be used for hiking / camping / bushcrafting. I'm not sure what's largely stopping others here from suggesting fixed blades but I know when I was 10, I had at least one large fixed blade knife (probably several, el-cheapo RAMBO style survival knives and the lot but still large knives) also several medium to small folders.
My suggestion is, if you say he's responsible then show him you realize it. If he has any respect for you at all I'm sure he'll go the extra mile to prove himself worthy of your trust.
Kids are inexperienced in many ways this is true but, they're largely not stupid. I'm sure he realizes that knives handled carelessly can cause serious injury. I know I did at that age.
I would recommend a medium sized fixed blade knife 4-6 inches long.
Some of my personal favorites are the Ontario SP-2 USAF Survival, the USMC KA-BAR short, the KA-BAR US Navy Mark I, the Buck Brahma short, any of the Mora Bushcraft Black series or the Ontario 499 USAF Survival Pilot knife (just make sure to purchase a decent multi-grit water stone w/ this one as it may require some work to get it hair popping sharp and it will also help your son learn how to sharpen his blades
)
Most of these knives can be picked up for less than 50 bucks if you shop around at authorized dealer discount websites online. (the only ones on the list that might run you a little more are probably the Mora Bushcraft Blacks or maybe the KA-BARs but, if you want to buy him a knife that will last you imo cannot go wrong w/ any of these).
And since it seems everyone is comfortable recommending folders, imo you can't go wrong w/ the old tried & true reliable Buck 110. Swiss Army blades are cool and multi-functional w/ all their toys yes but, if you want a knife that will hold up to some serious bushcrafting and wood work I'd recommend something w/ a bit of a thicker blade like the Buck. It's been my experience that with smaller, thinner blades like what are customarily found on smaller folders like SA knives, when used for serious wood working or bushcrafting you're going to be sharpening them more often than something that has a thicker blade.
Getting your son any one or combination of these choices I'm sure would literally make his day.
Anyways, hope I helped wish you all the best.
My suggestion is, if you say he's responsible then show him you realize it. If he has any respect for you at all I'm sure he'll go the extra mile to prove himself worthy of your trust.
Kids are inexperienced in many ways this is true but, they're largely not stupid. I'm sure he realizes that knives handled carelessly can cause serious injury. I know I did at that age.
I would recommend a medium sized fixed blade knife 4-6 inches long.
Some of my personal favorites are the Ontario SP-2 USAF Survival, the USMC KA-BAR short, the KA-BAR US Navy Mark I, the Buck Brahma short, any of the Mora Bushcraft Black series or the Ontario 499 USAF Survival Pilot knife (just make sure to purchase a decent multi-grit water stone w/ this one as it may require some work to get it hair popping sharp and it will also help your son learn how to sharpen his blades
) Most of these knives can be picked up for less than 50 bucks if you shop around at authorized dealer discount websites online. (the only ones on the list that might run you a little more are probably the Mora Bushcraft Blacks or maybe the KA-BARs but, if you want to buy him a knife that will last you imo cannot go wrong w/ any of these).
And since it seems everyone is comfortable recommending folders, imo you can't go wrong w/ the old tried & true reliable Buck 110. Swiss Army blades are cool and multi-functional w/ all their toys yes but, if you want a knife that will hold up to some serious bushcrafting and wood work I'd recommend something w/ a bit of a thicker blade like the Buck. It's been my experience that with smaller, thinner blades like what are customarily found on smaller folders like SA knives, when used for serious wood working or bushcrafting you're going to be sharpening them more often than something that has a thicker blade.
Getting your son any one or combination of these choices I'm sure would literally make his day.
Anyways, hope I helped wish you all the best.
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 13, 2015
- Messages
- 841
Hi! I started myself playing with SAKs around 4/5 yrs. old when hiking with my parents. A SAK has been the knife I always had in my pocket during all my childhood, when going to school to cut food and stuff, when playing outdoor with friends, etc.
Late 70ies, early 80ies. The first real knife it was an Opinel which my Grandpa gifted me with when I was 8 yrs. old. We still have as one of our round the house knives! In the Scouts I had a old Linder, one of those scout knives with stag handle and a leather sheath. Was beautiful in my eyes 
. Great memories!
Today my kids regularly carry their SAKs when out on the trails and, for our types of hikes/outdoor activities, they are just fine. With these, they also learn how to work with other basic tools, which is not a bad thing (e.g. screwdrivers, bottle opener, etc.). The older one (13 yrs. old) now of course wants to play with something more knifey and I let him have some (controlled) fun with a couple of old fixed blades of mine.
I second the SAK as a great choice :thumbup:, an Opinel inox would have been my personal second pick.
Take care and all the best!
Late 70ies, early 80ies. The first real knife it was an Opinel which my Grandpa gifted me with when I was 8 yrs. old. We still have as one of our round the house knives! In the Scouts I had a old Linder, one of those scout knives with stag handle and a leather sheath. Was beautiful in my eyes . Great memories! Today my kids regularly carry their SAKs when out on the trails and, for our types of hikes/outdoor activities, they are just fine. With these, they also learn how to work with other basic tools, which is not a bad thing (e.g. screwdrivers, bottle opener, etc.). The older one (13 yrs. old) now of course wants to play with something more knifey
and I let him have some (controlled) fun with a couple of old fixed blades of mine. I second the SAK as a great choice :thumbup:, an Opinel inox would have been my personal second pick
.Take care and all the best!
Seriously, based on your requirements I would get him the following:
1. A Mora
and
either
2. A Buck Stockman (my preference) or a Victorinox Recruit.
If he looses any of these it will not be costly to replace them. He can whittle, do camp chores, skin rabbits, and do just about anything with these.
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2013
- Messages
- 5,648
Absolutely excellent choice!
A SAK was going to be my recommendation, and out of all of them the Explorer was the one I was going to say!
The non-locking blades will teach him to safely use and handle sharp stuff, the scissors are excellent (the quintaessential SAK scissors) for small hands, and cut perfectly, the can/bottle openers are the all time classic ones, and complimented by an invcredibly nice phillips.
Not too big, but not one of the smallisk keychain ones!
The magnifying glass is the one tool that stands out the most in this model for kids/curious people
It will be used a lot, I can tell you, to try and make a fire (can be done!)...
bug and animal study and observation
wound and injury treatment and analysis, splinter removal, medical care....
Perfect choice you did there! It's my favorite "discover and explore the world and nature" SAK
Won't diappoint!
A SAK was going to be my recommendation, and out of all of them the Explorer was the one I was going to say!
The non-locking blades will teach him to safely use and handle sharp stuff, the scissors are excellent (the quintaessential SAK scissors) for small hands, and cut perfectly, the can/bottle openers are the all time classic ones, and complimented by an invcredibly nice phillips.
Not too big, but not one of the smallisk keychain ones!
The magnifying glass is the one tool that stands out the most in this model for kids/curious people
It will be used a lot, I can tell you, to try and make a fire (can be done!)...
bug and animal study and observation
wound and injury treatment and analysis, splinter removal, medical care....
Perfect choice you did there! It's my favorite "discover and explore the world and nature" SAK
Won't diappoint!
Monofletch
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2010
- Messages
- 10,355
I have twin girls. They got their first knives at 7-8. Both enjoyed all the "gadgets" on their SAKs, but they use their fixed blades more. One has a RAT 3 and the other a custom tanto from one of our Canadian members. They do carry their Knives Ship Free Buck with their name on it a lot. - I was a cool Dad when those arrived!
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2016
- Messages
- 837
ThanksAbsolutely excellent choice!
A SAK was going to be my recommendation, and out of all of them the Explorer was the one I was going to say!
The non-locking blades will teach him to safely use and handle sharp stuff, the scissors are excellent (the quintaessential SAK scissors) for small hands, and cut perfectly, the can/bottle openers are the all time classic ones, and complimented by an invcredibly nice phillips.
Not too big, but not one of the smallisk keychain ones!
The magnifying glass is the one tool that stands out the most in this model for kids/curious people
It will be used a lot, I can tell you, to try and make a fire (can be done!)...
bug and animal study and observation
wound and injury treatment and analysis, splinter removal, medical care....
Perfect choice you did there! It's my favorite "discover and explore the world and nature" SAK
Won't diappoint!
Nice pics btw
laying pipe all day, literally
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2016
- Messages
- 12
The first knife I ever had was a CRKT Lake 111 at age 12. That knife was fantastic, I wish I never got rid of it. It's the perfect non-SAK type pocket knife for a 10 year old boy in my opinion.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
I started my son with a mora with finger guards, he now uses a tops msk and loves it. He also carries around an old browning folder that I gave him. I started him very young with rubber knives, then wood knives, then an unsharpened steel knife (which I told him was sharp) to make sure he had good edge awareness and respect for the blade before moving him to a sharp knife.
Henry Beige
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2015
- Messages
- 3,772
Nobody has brought this up yet, but somebody has to say it: with the magnifying glass on that Explorer he can incinerate bugs as well as study them.
My first knife was an Imperial Boy Scout knife, received when I joined (age 11). I never had any problems opening and closing and using it safely. I thought the various tools on it were perfect for me. I still do. If I had been exposed to SAKs, I could well have jumped on them, given their gadget-factor.
As for safety, it was stressed strongly at Scout camp, and I absorbed it well, I guess, as I never had any accidents. But at camp, you could always tell when a new Woodcarving merit badge class had started in the mess hall, bandages began to sprout on kids' fingers....
As for safety, it was stressed strongly at Scout camp, and I absorbed it well, I guess, as I never had any accidents. But at camp, you could always tell when a new Woodcarving merit badge class had started in the mess hall, bandages began to sprout on kids' fingers....
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2013
- Messages
- 5,648
Champion is also really nice for a first SAK, has everything but pliers really
lots of tools and cool gadgets to try on and experiment
albeit a bit heavy and thick if trying to pocket carry it!
But a true champion amongst the SAKs, I agree.
Older models were a bit different, mine is the newer one I believe
Saw, file and glass are the updated pattern
:thumbup: