Coming of age present

T

timbit

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Jul 21, 2011
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A boy at my church is turning 13. His dad is inviting men who have had an impact on him to a coming of age party. Somewhat similar to the Jewish tradition of Bar Mitzvah. We are meant to get the young lad a small token that is symbolic of man-hood. I would like to get him a small folder.

What would you lot recommend for something like this? I don't want to spend much more than $30. His dad is stoked about the idea.
 
Depends on the type of person and the type of knife that best describes your teachings.

What types of knives do you carry?
 
Buck 110 would be a classic choice(and costs about $30), though as the other dude said, there may be other questions that would give a better idea. Is the knife just a symbol, something to get then keep in or display on your dresser, or is it something he will actually carry regularly? If it's something he will carry, you might want something lighter than the 110, something that could clip in a pocket, or be more comfortably carried loose(like an SAK).
 
A coming of age is a very traditional and almost anachronistic ritual, so maybe consider a knife which reflects this. I think any sort of plastic could cheapen it - with the notable exception of a Swiss Army Knife or similar, because they've been around forever and have their own strong tradition. If it was me buying I would probably go for something with a carbon steel blade and wooden handle/scales, made by a brand which has been around for a long time (or reflects a tradition of timelessness). Since carbon steel will require maintenance it will (hopefully) help him realise the value of things which last; and lets face it, when we maintain our knives we start to love them right? Ideally I reckon go for something that he will have in his pocket when he's backpacking around the world in 8 years time :)

So...I would say consider either the SAK, or maybe a solid but fairly plain stockman's style knife.

Let us know what you go with, and what he thinks of it :)
 
Oh nice suggestions! I was leaning towards a case of some sort. I really like the suggestion of carbon steal, and the idea of 'looking after business' in terms of maintaining it. I think I am going to go for the case mini trapper. Does anyone know, off hand, what the name of the Case is with a normal drop point and a wharncliffe blade is? They open at opposite sides of the handle.

If you lot were to go and purchase a Case pocket knife online, where would you go?
 
Get him a knife that he can use and abuse with no worry and minimal maintenance... and a locking blade. I would go with a CS american Lawman, a Recon-1 Spear-point, or one of the various Voyager models... but NO tantos. These can all be found very cheap, easy to sharpen, solid and proven Tri-Ad Lock, ambi pocket clips if he's a southpaw, and easy to care for due to Aus-8A steel blades. Go for the 3-4 inch models and that boy will have a pocketknife to last him many years.
 
timbit said:
Oh nice suggestions! I was leaning towards a case of some sort. I really like the suggestion of carbon steal, and the idea of 'looking after business' in terms of maintaining it. I think I am going to go for the case mini trapper. Does anyone know, off hand, what the name of the Case is with a normal drop point and a wharncliffe blade is? They open at opposite sides of the handle.

If you lot were to go and purchase a Case pocket knife online, where would you go?
Click to expand...

I was just getting ready to suggest a Case Mini Trapper! This was one of my very first knives as a young man (and Boy Scout). It just oozes tradition.

I might recommend a jigged bone version - to me, this is the quintessential Case handle material. I reminds me of my Grandaddy's knife. Plus, it is a lot less expensive than some of the more exotic scale material such as stag. The yellow delrin handle is also very traditional, and has an even lower price point.

TedP
 
El Bandit0 said:
Get him a knife that he can use and abuse with no worry and minimal maintenance... and a locking blade. I would go with a CS american Lawman, a Recon-1 Spear-point, or one of the various Voyager models... but NO tantos. These can all be found very cheap, easy to sharpen, solid and proven Tri-Ad Lock, ambi pocket clips if he's a southpaw, and easy to care for due to Aus-8A steel blades. Go for the 3-4 inch models and that boy will have a pocketknife to last him many years.
Click to expand...

El Bandit0 said:
Get him a knife that he can use and abuse with no worry and minimal maintenance... and a locking blade. I would go with a CS american Lawman, a Recon-1 Spear-point, or one of the various Voyager models... but NO tantos. These can all be found very cheap, easy to sharpen, solid and proven Tri-Ad Lock, ambi pocket clips if he's a southpaw, and easy to care for due to Aus-8A steel blades. Go for the 3-4 inch models and that boy will have a pocketknife to last him many years.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the suggestion of the CS. I think the Case mini-trapper is more the direction I am going to go. Not that that CS don't make good knives, I just don't care for them. I personally prefer something less 'tactical' looking and threatening. I am trying to get him into carrying a small non-threatening knife that is great for all round use. I want him to be able to carry something he could pull out in a grocery store or church and not raise eye brows. Part of the appeal of the Case is that it IS delicate looking. It will hopefully make the young man think about his actions before using the knife. As part of my contribution to his 'coming of age', I am going to show him how to free hand sharpen a knife as well as how to properly use a slip joint knife. If you learn on a knife without a lock then you will never ever get into the habit of trusting a lock to not close on your fingers. I have an old 1000 grit stone with plenty of life left in it I was going to gift him as well at a later date.
 
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