Boy's Knife, child's first knife

[BradleySmall]

I seem to remember something called a "Boy's Knife" which as I recall was basically a single blade or possibly a 2 blade non-locking jack with the main blade being a sheep's foot. As I started looking I am also seeing something like Opinel's "My First Knife", which looks something like a sharpened butter knife.

Anyway, my grandson is 7 and I am thinking somewhere between now and age 10 (as long as his parents agree, of course) would be a good time to introduce him to responsible knife safety use and ownership. I am even considering making his first knife (as long as it isn't a SAK ... life is too short for that many blades ).
I am not a fan of toy weaponry or tools. I question because of that the wooden ones, although they do seem like they might be fun projects.

I even have a camilus cub scout camp knife that I plan on refurbishing. Sadly it has lost its shield, even though the plastic material of the handles is still in great shape. I have considered that would be a great first knife. Anywhere I can get the replacement or similar shield? Pretty sure it is a perfect square, but wouldn't mind the proper one it was made with. Anyway, I am getting off topic.

What is your opinion on what age a boy not in scouting should get his first knife. And what kind of knife should it be? This is an opinion question, so there really is no wrong answer. I am just interested in hearing what others think, even if it is to tell me that I am a horrible monster for even thinking a child should have a knife.

 

[Jack Black]

I think 7 is a good age for a boy to get a knife, if he doesn't have one before

 

[mrknife]

Knives are tools first and foremost, and a nice sak is definitely a good starting knife! Id say start with a single blade first.

 

[guy g]

Small tinker or sportsman for the smaller hands maybe?

 

[Just Tom.]

even if it is to tell me that I am a horrible monster for even thinking a child should have a knife.

Haha, you aren’t going to hear that from THIS bunch…

I got my first knife at age 5, but honestly I think 7 would have probably been more appropriate. A first knife is very likely to get lost if carried at all, so keep that in mind when choosing. Any inexpensive slipjoint with a light pull would be fine. If you make him one, just be mentally prepared for the fact that it may not survive to become an heirloom.

At that age I was constantly tinkering with things and making stuff out of odd junk I found, so my knife got used fairly regularly. I also went camping a lot and did some fishing. If your grandson doesn’t do any of those things maybe you can introduce him to some activities which involve knife use.

 

[BradleySmall]

I think 7 is a good age for a boy to get a knife, if he doesn't have one before

Okay, I have to ask... what is the deal with the lambsfoot, and why does it have or need guardians?

 

[BradleySmall]

Small tinker or sportsman for the smaller hands maybe?

are those SAK models?

 

[JPD1998]

My 3 y/o grandson is already showing an interest in pocket knives, he sees me using one all the time.
He pretends to be taking something in and out of his pocket.

I think 7 is a good age, I got my first knife at 5 or 6, but it was a dull small fixed blade my father bought me. And I remember at 9 or 10 having a few Ideal jack knives.
If my grandson is that interested at the appropriate age and wants one , he can pick out one ( or 2 or 3) of mine.

 

[Jody744]

Simple SAK options, my 9 year old has both, the plastic one @4 yes old, the blue one @7 or 8???



Only one extra tool blade, and the chain is cool that comes with it

 

[Bull71]

I think age 5 with proper instruction is about right. Something not too sharp and with lighter springs. A small Jack knife or pen knife is what many of us started with. In my opinion, a first knife is likely to get lost. I’d keep that in mind, and after a couple of years perhaps give him something a little nicer.

 

[BradleySmall]

My 3 y/o grandson is already showing an interest in pocket knives, he sees me using one all the time.
He pretends to be taking something in and out of his pocket.

I think 7 is a good age, I got my first knife at 5 or 6, but it was a dull small fixed blade my father bought me. And I remember at 9 or 10 having a few Ideal jack knives.
If my grandson is that interested at the appropriate age and wants one , he can pick out one ( or 2 or 3) of mine.

I have thought about passing on a personal one, but I really don't have a personal one that would be appropriate to pass on. I am really leaning on either making or buying a new one for him. I also think that at this age "some old thing" would not have the sentimental meaning that it would say if it were a graduation present. But something new and shiny? well that's a whole other story. And since we don't live near, and he doesn't see me use something, I don't think he would "get it" in the way I would hope. If that makes any sense.

 

[BradleySmall]

Simple SAK options, my 9 year old has both, the plastic one @4 yes old, the blue one @7 or 8???
View attachment 1917670
View attachment 1917671
View attachment 1917672
Only one extra tool blade, and the chain is cool that comes with it

Funny, I've never seen any of those. I carried my Wenger Backpacker for years on the idiot cord until I damn near wore the little guy off the handle. And then I just stopped. In favor of just the single blade Buck 112 on my belt next to my utiity pack with bandage scissors and pocket mask. After I got out of the army, I stopped carrying anything much at all. Then I got my hands on a Leek that I loved, but everytime it would get hooked up on something and hit the ground I would wince, so I put it away. And started carrying a Milwawkee gravity release until the clip got to where it would fall out of my pocket way too often. So now, I carry the Lowes XL Utility knife (the replaceable blade one that uses the Outdoor Edge blades). Not sure what any of this means... Just seems odd all the different flavors of EDC I have personally gone through just to end up carrying a big utility knife

 

[JPD1998]

I have thought about passing on a personal one, but I really don't have a personal one that would be appropriate to pass on. I am really leaning on either making or buying a new one for him. I also think that at this age "some old thing" would not have the sentimental meaning that it would say if it were a graduation present. But something new and shiny? well that's a whole other story. And since we don't live near, and he doesn't see me use something, I don't think he would "get it" in the way I would hope. If that makes any sense.

I assumed too much and apologize.... I see my grandson a few days a week.

My first "real" folding knife that was gifted to me was a Case.

Maybe you can get him something like this? A Case peanut with black synthetic scales, they're usually under $40.

 

[Arathol]

I seem to remember something called a "Boy's Knife" which as I recall was basically a single blade or possibly a 2 blade non-locking jack with the main blade being a sheep's foot. As I started looking I am also seeing something like Opinel's "My First Knife", which looks something like a sharpened butter knife.

The modern equivalent of the "Boys Knife" of years ago is the GEC 15.
This is an old school Imperial Boys Knife, with suspender button chain -

Any scout-type knife would make for a good first knife, just as it has for millions of kids in the past...
Or , maybe look around for a small Barlow knife. They can be had cheap enough on Ebay..

 

[JohnDF]

what is the deal with the lambsfoot

and why does it have or need guardians?

Your first question answered your second question.

 

[Jack Black]

Okay, I have to ask... what is the deal with the lambsfoot, and why does it have or need guardians?

It's the best pocket knife pattern in existence, and the Guardians are committed to letting the world know that! With considerable success over the past few years I reckon

 

[JohnDF]

I think a Victorinox Solo (SA1) would make a pretty perfect child's first knife.

 

[Mr. Chips]

I have been teaching whittling to kids in a variety of venues for a long time (25+ years). I absolutely insist that participants in my classes be at least 9 years old.

Parents lie about their kids' age and sneak them in. I can always spot them. 7 and 8 year olds just do not have their brains attached to their hands yet!

I know, I know, YOUR grandson is VERY mature for his age. Baloney. I have dealt with literally hundreds of kids with very sharp knives.

Younger ones can whittle with one on one supervision, and I myself had a knife of my own before age 9, but I would not let a child have a knife unsupervised before the age of 9.

 

[afishhunter]

"The "Boy's Knife" of old came with a spear point or clip point as well as a sheepfoot. Many had a bail and chain lanyard to help prevent loss.
The 2 blade Imperial and Colonial Barlows with shell construction, for example were popular "boy's knives"

The first knife I gave my nephew (at age 6, with his parent's o.k.) was a standard Opinel N°7 with carbon steel blade. A year later I gave him a 4 blade Scout/ Camp knife, and a Buck 389 canoe.
I think he was 9 when I gave him his first Barlow and stockman. At 11 I gave him his first lockback, a SK Blades Lil' Jack Buck 112.
I also gave him an Arkansas Stone, bottle of sharpening oil, and a strop, and taught him how to use them. (and to strop first to restore the working edge before hitting the stone. "8 out of 10" stropping is all that's needed.

 

[btb01]

It's the best pocket knife pattern in existence, and the Guardians are committed to letting the world know that! With considerable success over the past few years I reckon

That said, with regards to the topic of this thread, there’s a reason I don’t worry about leaving any of my Lambsfoot knives lying around even with a 2 year old running around. She couldn’t open any of them even if she wanted to. (Neither could the 6 year old, for that matter.)