Best first SAK for 8 year old?

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Pocket Tool is available from dealers in the UK. It is 91mm but worth looking at for the tool set.

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The first time I saw that logo, I thought it was Duke of Earl. This is from THE DUKE:

Why place a Pocket Tool on the DofE expedition kit list?

We have a responsibility to ensure that young people remain safe at all times and are equipped to deal confidently with all circumstances. The need for this tool is most apparent in the Expedition section, and it is because of this that the DofE has been recommending a penknife or similar as an essential part of expedition kit for decades.

What will young people need it for?

The main use of the pocket tool is to enable young people to undertake basic running repairs to their equipment and clothing in the field. The blade, scissors and tweezers may also be used in first aid or when dealing with an emergency.
Examples:

  • If boot laces become knotted it may be necessary to cut them in order to get boots off
  • To cut away vegetation that has become entangled in hair or clothing
  • Cut lengths of heavy duty tape to repair a damaged tent or rucksack or to make a new hole for a guy line
  • The multi-purpose hook can help to remove small stones stuck in the bottom of boots, pull things like twine and makes an excellent tent-peg extractor
  • To remove a splinter, thorn or sheep tick
  • Cut a dressing or to cut away clothing to enable a dressing to be applied
Click to expand...

Hard knots in boot laces can usually be untied with a corkscrew. I wish someone told me that when I was a lad.
 
I went with a Victorinox Evogrip S18.

My kids wanted a saw and the toolset is the same as my EDC a huntsman plus.

The S18 is a little smaller so that works well. It is 85mm vs 91mm

Also it has a lock. Not going to get into the debate about a lock vs slip joint but the lock does give me a little extra piece of mind.

I would buy this model again for my kids.

My only complaint about this knife is the scissors can be kind of hard to get to because of the lever for the lock.
 
Everything depends on the kid — maturity, coordination, finger strength. I'd go for a Classic in one of the designs (let her pick). But if the Classic is too uncool, then My First Victorinox would be a good step up.
 
I got my first knife/tool in the same age. I got a Vic Huntsman by my dad. It had everything a 8-year-old lad would need. And it had a SAW!! I was the king at the breaks at school, everyone wanted to see that knife. I carried it during my time at school and later on education in Munich. Then I found the regular pocketknives and my nowadays obession, traditional knives.

The Vic Huntsman was used for everything, at my childhood the saw was the most useful tool. We used to play in the bavarian woods and streams at that time. No teacher was stressed or in panic when a Vic was taken to school. But time went by and things changed (unfortunatelly).

... and I was a boy!

For a girl I would recommend a Climber or something in that kind. I, personally, can´t see why a knife shouldn´t have a tip. The most danger of injury is from the edge and not the tip - but that´s just me. And scissors could be cool, for boys and girls.
 
I cant believe no one said a Cadet model yet. Smaller size, good tool selection, for a little girl even has a nail file. My wife carries one daily, and likes the smaller size than my pioneer.
 
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