A boy's first knife?

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glocker199

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I'm looking for a good first knife for my son. I've got a bright blue Mini Griptilian I bought for him the day he was born but it won't be his first. I'd like something less expensive for his first knife since he'll probably lose it.

It needs to be decent quality and hopefully cost no more than $30 and have the following features:

Single blade
2-3" blade
Locking
Pocket clip
Thumb stud/disk/hole
No assisted opening
Sized for small hands

Bright colored handle scales would be a plus.
 
Never mind...

My suggestion was above your price point. Sorry
 
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RAT-2 or Zancudo. I believe both can be had for under $30.
Some of the Kershaw Emersons are also under 3", but I think they run closer to $35. I really like my CQC-5K.
Kershaw Injection 3.0 might also fit the bill. 3" blade, but also just a bit over $30.
 
How about a first knife for a girl? ;)

I got my daughter a pink native off the exchange. Had fun teaching her to use it this summer!

On topic, the rat 2 or zancudo sound perfect. Both come in ample colors. Blade hq has a bright red zancudo I believe.
 
nathanskit.jpg


Call me paranoid, but I wouldn't let a kid have something with an edge until he's a teenager. Mistakes happen, as do coordination slips. To me it's not worth the minuscule risk of putting your child or another child in danger.
 
How about a green or orange cold steel mini tuff? They´re great little knives.

My earliest memory from using a knife was cutting my thumb to the bone with some mora knife. I think I was 3 or 4. I never cut myself that badly again. its important for kids to try things that can be potentially dangerous even if they´re in danger of getting hurt. You will never be in a better state to learn from your mistakes than when you´re a kid. i certainly learned not to cut myself back then and I still love knives.
 
I'll throw in a (serious) vote for one of the Cold Steel Tuff Lites. The TL comes only in black on the fullsize, however the Mini TL comes in various bright colors, and hits every other single requirement you listed.

asdf12345 said:
nathanskit.jpg


Call me paranoid, but I wouldn't let a kid have something with an edge until he's a teenager. Mistakes happen, as do coordination slips. To me it's not worth the minuscule risk of putting your child or another child in danger.
Click to expand...

Really? Come on, guy. The guy is asking for advice on a knife, not a lecture.
 
OK asdf12345, I'll call you paranoid ;). I got my first knife at age 8. Granted, I was a Cub Scout and would be trained to use it, but any parent (who knows what they are doing) can do the same. I got my first firearm (.22 rifle) at age 10. Yes, I'm an old fart and times were different then, but times were different somewhat because parents were different. If the OP is willing to teach the youth proper respect and use (I will assume that) then it will be a positive experience in many ways, even if an accident should occur (they ARE a part of life). Perhaps a bit of first aid training can accompany the knife training; all a great bonding experience. Another vote for the RAT 2. Enjoy (with care). :thumbup:
 
The ESEE Zancudo is a nice little knife for under $30 and less than 3". There are a few bright colors and has a liner lock and clip. It's lots of guys normal edc.
The Cold Steel mini-recon is a nice little knife too, but the Triad lock can be hard to depress, not sure how strong your son's hands/fingers are to accomplish the task.
Ontario Rat makes a nice little folder too in a few colors.

BRKR1R.jpg
 
asdf12345 said:
nathanskit.jpg


Call me paranoid, but I wouldn't let a kid have something with an edge until he's a teenager. Mistakes happen, as do coordination slips. To me it's not worth the minuscule risk of putting your child or another child in danger.
Click to expand...

We learn from mistakes. Coordination gets better with practice. I think under proper supervision a kid can start to learn how to use a knife at quite a young age.
 
asdf12345 said:
nathanskit.jpg


Call me paranoid, but I wouldn't let a kid have something with an edge until he's a teenager. Mistakes happen, as do coordination slips. To me it's not worth the minuscule risk of putting your child or another child in danger.
Click to expand...

Do you let your kids play baseball? Surely not, with all those dangerous kids swinging metal bats around. That's much more likely to cause serious injury than a pocket knife.

I started carrying a knife daily when I was seven or eight and it wasnt nearly as safe of a design as what I plan to get for my son.

Try not to have a heart attack, but he also started shooting a .22 rifle at four.
 
Kershaw OD-2 ?

It's a fun little knife and for $15.00 it's not the end of the world if he looses it.


"Kershaw’s OverDrive-2 was created to give you the “OverDrive” style you want at a value price. Designed by Lee Williams, this larger OD-2 has a blade of 8CR13MOV stainless steel to take and hold its edge well. The glass-filled nylon handle provides stability, rigidity, and a non-slip grip. Of course, the OD-2 is one of our Flipper knives. Just pull back on the blade protrusion and flick your wrist forward slightly and knife will open smoothly and lock in place. But the OD offers a twist on the basic Flipper. Once the blade is open, the blade protrusion folds into a recess in the liner to give the OD-2 a sleek, smooth line all the way down."

Specifications

Steel: 8CR13MOV stainless steel
Handle: Glass-filled nylon
Blade Length: 2-1/4 in. (5.7 cm)
Closed Length: 3-1/8 in. (7/9 cm)
Overall Length: 5-1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Weight: 1.4 oz.
Locking Mechanism: Locking Liner
Pocket Clip
Flipper
Made in China
 
I would suggest this one. I gave one to a young boy as a gift. It is orange-gripped, likely in your price range, and should be able to be found somewhere before your boy's birthday. Of course, it can be found in other colors.

Ontario Rat Model II, 3 in. Satin Blade, Orange Nylon Handles, (Knifeworks Exclusive)
Suggested Retail: $46.95
Our Price: TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK
Item Number: ON8860OR-R-113
Manufacturer: Ontario Knives
Manufacturer Part No: ON8860OR

http://www.knifeworks.com/ontariora...nhandleskinfeworksexclusive.aspx#.VAeCjPmwLIs

The ESEE Zancudo would be tied for first choice, in my book. Has been posted already.

I have owned both knives. Both are excellent quality, IMO.
 
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SAK.

You might as well teach him how to use a knife correctly to begin with instead of relying on a lock.
 
cncpro11 said:
Every boy's first knife should be an SAK.
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Wrong answer. glocker says so. :D

Its a great knife for a kid. I bet there have been youth groups who spend time outdoors who use something similar.

Learn to use a knife without a lock and you will be way less likely to hurt yourself and worry about silly things like spine whack tests.
 
cncpro11 said:
Every boy's first knife should be an SAK.
Click to expand...

I was going to say any scout pattern knife, but yeah. The lower the cool factor for a first knife the better. I taught a good number of kids how to use pocket knives in scouts (8 year ago, man I'm feeling old now), modern folders were around and all the kids breaking their knives were using locking knives, boys will be boys and throwing a knife at a stump or the ground WILL happen. If you start with something that can bite you, you pay a lot more attention to whats being taught.

If you're as stubborn as me though that sense won't matter, so go with the ESEE folder since its exactly what you asked for and made by a great company.
 
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