A boy's first knife?

I am well aware that the idea of a SAK was shot down already but I also think a boys first knife should be a SAK or a Scout knife. If it was my boy I would buy him a Vic Tinker.
 
digitalurbancamo said:
I am well aware that the idea of a SAK was shot down already but I also think a boys first knife should be a SAK or a Scout knife. If it was my boy I would buy him a Vic Tinker.
Click to expand...

I have a Boy Scout knife. It was unimpressive and remains so to this day.
 
Does the child show any interest in carrying a knife? Does the child help out in the kitchen cutting vegetables and such?. There's a lot more things to consider.
 
Depending on what he's going to use it for, a cold steel mini tuff or regular tuff could be a great choice. If I look back to my earlier years, I would have loved to have both an Opinel 7 as well as a cold steel mini tuff lite. Perfect combo for carving, whittling, building etc.

Other than that, and blatantly disregarding your requirements; every boy should have a victorinox at some point...
 
I don't have kids but 1 of my many knives as a kid was a case sodbuster it had a liner lock don't think case makes them anymore but a lot of companies make the sodbuster pattern it was my favorite. Also a opinel think I spelled that wrong might work?
 
How about this Schrade liner lock. Good steel, locks up tight with thumb studs.
Good grip on the G10. Have one and use it a lot. Good knife at a good price.

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/SC...ing-29-9cr14mov-plain-blade-black-g10-handles

I know many folks put down modern Schrade knives, but this one is a
well made, good user. Maybe also look at some Kershaws, but I think they
are all more $$ than you said. The Kershaw Crown is in
your range, but the blade is 3.2". It's a sort of barlow style.
There are other models of Schrade liner locks
similar that might fit the bill. I'd stay away from black coated blades and
weird/strangly shaped handles. They give the wrong impression. Knives are a tool.

Found a nice Remington that I think meets your criteria:

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/RE...nia-Burl-Wood-Large-Mid-Folding-Hunting-Knife

This one really looks nice. Has belt pouch but is small enough for pocket carry.

I'd suggest for a youngster that he be taught to close a liner lock with two hands to start.
Very easy to cut your thumb using one hand closing. One hand closing can come later.


Rich
 
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DocT...that's a good idea! And I admit I'm curious about that SAK card94 posted it looks neat.
 
I have some SAKs and was going to recommend one, but you said one blade. I was going to say a Spyderco Pingo but they have really gone up in price since I got mine. Still the Robin is a great knife and a SAK is useful.
 
For cheaper knives that are still decent, crkt pazoda or a gerber contrast. I really like both for under $15 knives. Ive only had the contrast's lock fail on me like 4 times and 3 of them was i was batoning it wit a brick and the other because i thew it at a wall. :) i only did it because its a gerber, but its a work horse and took everything i threw at it( or threw it at :)..) and still keeps going. If you want just to get used to a knife you can get one of those $8 smith and wessons or a flea market knife, as a trainer.

Edit to add: the pazoda is a frame lock that is easy to disenage. While the gerber contrastnis hard to disengage. Just threw these "sub-standard" folders for recommendation instead of throwing in already stated knives.
 
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How about two knives?

The Byrd, Rat, and Zancudo are all great suggestions. Persoally, I like the idea of the Zancudo.

Now for the second knife. I have to agree that a SAK is a great knife for someone, young or old. Pick up a Pioneer or a Farmer and have your son's name put on it. With his name on it, the knife becomes special. It is his. It is personal. Give it to him when you give him the Zancudo (for example) and explain that the SAK is also his knife but he can use it when he has learned how to handle and care for a knife. In the mean time, the (your favorite choice of knife goes here) becomes his EDC.

A pre-08 Vic Soldier or Wenger Standard Issue might be something to also consider. Their prices are begining to climb.
 
My first knife was a utility knife. I got that when I was around 8-9, I think. That will probably be what I'll start my daughter out on, although she has a custom Buck 505 made the year she was born that she'll get when she's ready.
I'd suggest a Buck Nobleman. 2 5/8" blade, 3 3/4" handle, thumb stud, pocket clip. Great knife, good size, and $20 or less. Won't be a huge loss when he loses it. Or if you wanted to go smaller and forget the pocket clip, the Colleague is the exact same design as the Nobleman, at 1 7/8" blade, 2 3/4" handle, also has a thumb stud.
 
A boys first knife should be one that dad grabs out of his collection of old used , abused , unwanted , cheap and nasty present from someone pile of knives that we all have stashed away and try to forget we still own .
If we acknowledged their existence then our wives would have a legitimate reason to inquire why we need to buy yet another must have knife we have just seen on the interweb .
A kids first knife will be lucky to last 2 months before it is lost or destroyed through misadventure .
Let them learn with your unwanted collection .
After a while let them pick and choose and be included in the new knife purchase decision now that they have a bit of experience under their belt .

Ken
 
If it was between a zancudo or rat 2 i would day the rat 2 due to it having a slightly deeper finger choil and a more slimmer handle profile, that i believe would fit a young childs hand better. Just my opinion after googling "esee zancudo vs rat 2" the looking at the images.
 
Depends on age and size for me.

No SAK, so my recommendation is a Cold Steel Tuff Lite or Kabar Dozier folding hunter. I have both and they aren't bad knives.
 
glocker199 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Opinel.

Kids don't need one hand opening features (their hands are too clumsy) and don't need pocket clips.

Kids have weak clumsy hands. A friction folder like an Opinel will teach good knife handling skills without the complication of an active spring.

While the Opinel will lock open, it is imperative that you teach your child to not rely on the lock. An Opinel lock is like slip joint - no more. It will keep a friction tensioned blade in place under normal use, but it is not designed to withstand hard closing forces. If this concerns you, then a small fixed blade might more sense. Something like a necker or a bird and trout.

The Opinel 7 and 8 are exactly in the size range you're asking about and are available in a large range of bright colors.
 
Kids do not have weak clumsy fingers, their dexterity makes them excellent pick pockets and sneak thieves ;)
 
Get him a good SAK or even think about a Rough Rider as they are really only $8 and up knives and if he loses it you have not lost $30 or more.!

Go to sleep 1234..past your bedtime.!****
 
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