Best folding knife for an 11 year old (Farm Boy)

Steelhog

Steelhog

Joined
Jul 2, 2009
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1,176
Hi all,

I'm looking for recommendations on a good folding knife to buy my nephew. He just turned 11, so this would serve as a birthday gift. His is quite responsible for his age, but is still a young boy and its only reasonable to believe that it will endure some hard use and possibly be lost a few times (Or taken by his slightly younger brother). I would like to spend under $40.00 (New or used). I would like to avoid a "made in china" knife and stick to under 2.5" blade that is preferable a locking blade. Good or ok blade steel is also a major +.

LOL - this is kinda ridiculous but this how how adults also post for recommendations.

His current EDC is a small generic "victorinox style" Swiss army knife - around a 2" blade. The new knife I buy him will primarily be used for (Farm chores, building forts, carving sticks, skinning various small animals, showing off to friends and lord knows what else).

My first thought was a Spydero Ladybug as it fits most of the needs outlined above (Lockable, made in Japan, VG10 and around $30.00) - but I am interested to hear some other suggestions. Thanks for the help.
 
Any Swiss Army Knife would be the bee's knees, if he is anything like I was at 11 when I got my first SAK.

Next in line would be a Ka-Bar Dozier Hunter

Next, the Buck Vantage Avid (Small) liner lock 1326 Sandvick steel at $35.00.
 
opinel no 6, ss or victorinox ( they have a model for kids, with saw and a blade without tip )
 


he will explode if you got him one of these beauties!

My old man gave me a cheap chinese made sak style knfie when i was a young boy and I loved it! it only had a blade and a few other bits but I would have loved one like that! Funny thing is, I still have the knife and it still has wood crud in the nail knicks from carving spears! :D
 
Thye GEC farm and field knvies are nice..



but I think the extra gadgets of a sak will serve the boy far better!
 
Hard to go wrong with a Victorinox and that was my first real knife growing up. Then I had a Barlow and a Sodbuster followed by a Buck 110. I gave my son various Victorinox, Spyderco's and Kershaw folders when he was young as well as fixed blades.

What I wish I had back then was something like an Izula or BK-14. Any reason why you are not considering a fixed blade?
 
You can find a Queen Country Cousin in D2 for under $40. It's a sodbuster that sounds perfect for your requirements
 
A Sodbuster style knife would be great for a boy living on a farm

The Case Sodbuster Jr. Yellow Delrin is available in stainless steel or traditional carbon steel. Great knife ... I´d recommend this one. Easy to sharpen and easy to replace when it gets lost.
 
Can't go wrong with an alox sak, farmer/pioneer.
Cheaper and a good slicer, and with lock, would be an opinel no8.
A buck 301 stockman, or maybe a 303 cadet, which i think would be my choice here, can also be a great choice, considering the multiple blades for different jobs.
A fixed blade like the izula/candiru is hard to beat, but maybe its too early for a fixed blade..
Good luck!
 
Buck canoe? anyone got experience with this one?

+1 for the opinel too! So cheap and such a good cutter!
 
Let's see, he has a medium sized SAK already. US made preferrably and under $40.

The GEC Farm & Field mentioned above is a very useful design and a very good knife by a US company.

Another one that comes to mind are the KaBar Doziers with run about $18 to maybe $35 depending on which model you choose. They are imported, but people love these knives. I don't own one, but have been tempted to try one out none the less (like I need another one?). I'd check out Tomars as they carry them.

My favorite traditional pattern is the Trapper. Most of the GECs exceed your budget. But you could easily find a Case that would fit your price range.

Another choice is simply to go with a larger SAK. My suggestion would be the Vic plain edge One Handed Trekker. Bigger knife and still has some other tools that I find very useful.
 
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I got my 1 lockback at 12 and other than bein ground down to a toothpick, it's still goin strong. I didn't build any forts with it but I sure did use the heck out of the saw on a SAK for that sort of thing, at least he'll learn the value in carrying multitools as well.

Idk, lockbacks are strong and a good option but something like those Trekkers.. That really takes the cake
 
Start him out right and give him something he will have for many years down the road ~~ a Spyderco Military as it can handle just about anything he might come up against either in the Woods or with kids his age.!
 
My pick. My son is at camp right now with one like this.
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