First knife for kids options

[maxjeg]

Here are my daughter's knives. She has been using them since she was seven years old.

She is doing well.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

My first was a leatherman. Needs to be locking. I probably wouldn't give a kid a slipjoint. Mora makes a good first fixed blade.

I was also thinking Leathman, like the Skeletool which I do have. But it is a liner lock and I do not like those at all. Thanks for the input.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

Hultafors heavy duty.

Super simple fixed blade with a proportionally large handle, long not wide. So they should have a very hard time slipping off it.

Carbon steel so it will rust of they neglect it.

Otherwise unkillable. Weighs bugger all.

Cost about 10bucks.

By the way with the sheath. If you do want to have it slip on the belt. You just cut that little plastic thing off.

If you want basically the same knife but upmarket they do the ok4.

Thanks for the input. I checked them out after your referral.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

Mora Basic in stainless, stainless because it's their first knife, you don't necessarily want to tack on carbon steel care to it all, nail down the basics in safe handling and use first, helle also makes knives specific for youngsters with rounded tips

Thanks for the input. Didn't think I would get all of these responses. But I love everyone's great opinions on this.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

Might look at the RangerGrip SAK models . The main blade locks . Unlock by pushing the Red Cross emblem button .

The saw is great and several other useful tools for camping etc .

I think some smaller models also have similar locking method .

Awesome. I looked into these options. I have a couple Swiss Army Knives very similar to this. Wonder if they were discontinued or re-branded, but was looking at them last night when I wrote this. Thanks for the input.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

victorinox SAK Spartan or similar is a great choice as a first knife for kids

For a single blade knife, the opinel is cheap and really do the job

For something more modern I would pick a backlock. A Dragonfly or a delica , even a buck 112 or equivalent are good options

Thanks for the input. I was thinking a Buck 112. But because it's a full length back lock and heavier, that might be a little harder for smaller hands to operate. That's why I remembered the 722 Spitfire with the mid-length backlock with thinner profile, lighter and metal handles. Forgot about the Dragonfly and Delica. Those would be excellent as well. I guess the main factors are quality budget and USA made. All of these come in color options like the orange Spitfire and Delica color options. So if they were to lose it, they are affordable to replace.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

I did it the same way it was done for me and my brothers.

10 years old and Buck 303.

Excellent. Thanks for the input.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

Case Peanut is pretty cool, inexpensive and small.

I'll check that one out. Thanks for the input.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

Here are my daughter's knives. She has been using them since she was seven years old.

She is doing well.

Thanks for the input. Nice blades.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

I went the other way and got my daughter a David Mary in magnacut. (Bottom knife). It's never to early to teach them about quality knives and steer them clear of boys carrying crap in their pockets. She's 9 and has already claimed my knives when I die. I gave her a choice of 10 very fine options but she is stuck on this one.

Beautiful knives and she's got good taste! Yes, I have a very extensive collection that will definitely be gifted to my kids. Don't know why I collected all of these over the years because I've gone back to old school mainly carrying a 3 dot 1980-81 440C Buck 110 and a Benchmade 551 Griptilian 154CM and 5160 or 1095 fixed blades.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

Relatively simple Swiss army knife. 3 layers max.

Mora companion. Cheap rugged easy to keep clean. They come in bright colors, have a great sheath they can clip onto shorts or sweatpants. No need for a belt.

Thanks for the input.

 

[thebrain]

The Kabar Dozier with the thumb stud removed would be a great option. They are inexpensive and actually a very nice knife and not very "weapon" looking either, also available in color options. The reason for the thumb stud removal is one should learn to open a knife with two hands then move on from there in my opinion. My first knife was a brass and walnut single drop point blade slip joint, a Christmas gift from my grandmother. I used that knife for years and learned about how it can fold on you if you aren't careful. I moved on to a Spyderco Endura a number of years later. I still treat every knife like it might fold on me and that has saved me more than a few times.

 

[baxtrom]

These are the two knives I’ve bought to my son. He was around 8 when he got them. I know opinel is making a “my first knife” too. They all have rounded points, if that is of interest.

 

[Grasshopperglock]

Another vote for Opinal.

#8 in their outdoor series.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

The Kabar Dozier with the thumb stud removed would be a great option. They are inexpensive and actually a very nice knife and not very "weapon" looking either, also available in color options. The reason for the thumb stud removal is one should learn to open a knife with two hands then move on from there in my opinion. My first knife was a brass and walnut single drop point blade slip joint, a Christmas gift from my grandmother. I used that knife for years and learned about how it can fold on you if you aren't careful. I moved on to a Spyderco Endura a number of years later. I still treat every knife like it might fold on me and that has saved me more than a few times.

That's funny, I was just looking at the Kabar Dozier folders. Another great option but they are unfortunately made in Taiwan with Aus8. I think I'm still leaning towards the 722 because it's Made here in Idaho where we live. Another option I was thinking was the 112 light with orange handle and pocket clip. But, they also have a plastic handle like the Delica, Dragonfly and Dozier. Still, all of these are good options. Maybe I'll just have them pick out of this list.

 

[Therom]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking a Buck 112. But because it's a full length back lock and heavier, that might be a little harder for smaller hands to operate. That's why I remembered the 722 Spitfire with the mid-length backlock with thinner profile, lighter and metal handles. Forgot about the Dragonfly and Delica. Those would be excellent as well. I guess the main factors are quality budget and USA made. All of these come in color options like the orange Spitfire and Delica color options. So if they were to lose it, they are affordable to replace.

A reason I like SAK and opinel for kids is that they don’t really need any sharpening

 

[whereismyknife]

Definitely fallkniven wm1. The blade of the knife is short, but the handy. Handle is longer and is made for use with small hands and is also non-slip.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

Definitely a nice little blade. But at $149, not budget friendly. If I am getting two, I need them to be around the $30-$40 range, Made In USA and decent steel. In this absolute hell of an inflation economy, what little money we have is going to bills, gas and horrible food prices. So far, the 722 Spitfire, 110 and 112 slim are in that category.

Definitely fallkniven wm1. The blade of the knife is short, but the handy. Handle is longer and is made for use with small hands and is also non-slip.

 

[Drop bear]

The cheap spydercos, the byrd knives could be a decent option.

Or the victorinox soldier. Which has all the camping tools and is a thumb flipper. Which is a very easy 2 handed opener. (Liner lock though.)

(There are picnickers with the button lock. Apparently called slide locks. Also good knife.)

 

[Lesknife]

I got my 9-10 yo grandkids a Buck Nano Bantam lock back for their first knife and the teenage grandkids a 112 slim select. They love them and so far haven’t had any accidents or problems. I told them their first is a freebie but their next knife they have to work, earn and pay for it themselves.