First knife for kids options

Thanks for starting a new generation of Knife Knuts!

You have fond memories of a Buck as your first knife, so I’d suggest that you continue the tradition!

The 110 is a classic, but is heavy and the carry profile doesn’t always work with a kid in this day and age.

I’d suggest a mini Spitfire. The hole opener will be friendlier for young hands than a thumbstud or flipper tab. The back lock is safer than a liner lock or frame lock. A pocket clip will make the knife easier to carry. The price is right because kids lose things.

Anyway, just my two cents. Keep the legacy going!
 
Expect your boy to lose it. I would go SAK tinker, a scout knife, or maybe a 2.5" lockback. Maybe a dragonfly 2. A pink one for your daughter. I prefer a narrower blade, but the dragonfly will last a lifetime.
 
I'm in favor of Aus8, holds up reasonably well and is easy for a kid to learn to resharpen. Aus8 has come to be a throwaway steel to many people but I have abused many a knife in that steel with great success.
 
gentleman_edc said:
Expect your boy to lose it. I would go SAK tinker, a scout knife, or maybe a 2.5" lockback. Maybe a dragonfly 2. A pink one for your daughter. I prefer a narrower blade, but the dragonfly will last a lifetime.
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I was going to say, one that you won’t be upset over the child losing
 
Ruger 44 Redhawk said:
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.
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You are absolutely right. But would you consider going up to $65? esee izula orange and purple bladehq is also on sale. You can buy the purple for your daughter and the orange for your son. Or crkt minimalist would be a knife that is both very cheap and easy to control due to its handle shape. Children may like the Cthulhu and gears models as they are patterned and colorful. Minimalist gears also glow in the dark 😁
 
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Back in the late 1950s, I got my first kn ife around age 9 or so as a Cub Scout. It was a navy blue folder with the Cub Scout logo on it. . . .maybe from Camillus. Had a blade, screwdriver-cap lifter, can opener and awl. Cut myself several times with it.

Fast forward to the 21st Century: Our grand sone got a buck 110 when he was about the same age. His 95 year old great grandmother was horrified. That knife lived in the gun safe, and he got to have it out with close supervision when they went family camping. He is 14 now. There are other knives and the restrictions are somewhat looser.
 
What does mom say ?

Always wanted a fixed blade as a kid. Best my dad could do after negotiating with her was a SAK, that I started carrying at 6. Loved the different tools on it.
 
My 12 yo boys progression:
SAK evo, Baby Banter, Dragonfly, Lander, and current carry is a Boker Magnum Rockstub.

All are small and super functional. If to do agaim would start with Dragonfly.
 
I’m as big a Buck fan as anyone, and would say Buck 112 Slim Select or Pro, Bantam, or Nano Bantam. But a Spyderco Dragonfly and/or Delica are easier to open than the 112 Slim, and the mid kickback makes it easier to close, also.

My four kids ages 16-11 each have several knives and the Delica and Dragonfly are what they carry most. The Delica is a bit large for the small/shallow pockets on little girls’ jeans and works its way out as they walk/sit, etc. the Dragonfly is better for that.
 
My boy(8) and I like to camp. We started him out with a swisstool from his grandpa, and I got him a Boker survival knife to beat on while camping. They all stay locked up, when not in use.
 
VorpelSword said:
Back in the late 1950s, I got my first kn ife around age 9 or so as a Cub Scout. It was a navy blue folder with the Cub Scout logo on it. . . .maybe from Camillus. Had a blade, screwdriver-cap lifter, can opener and awl. Cut myself several times with it.

Fast forward to the 21st Century: Our grand sone got a buck 110 when he was about the same age. His 95 year old great grandmother was horrified. That knife lived in the gun safe, and he got to have it out with close supervision when they went family camping. He is 14 now. There are other knives and the restrictions are somewhat looser.
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To amend and extend my remarks on tis: Another aspect of what the Boy Scout troop our son was in regarding knives and boys was supervision with accountability. The young Scouts were 11 or so. the older Scouts were as old ss 18. Whatever the age, a Scout could not carry or even use a kn ife unless he had had training in safe use and care.. Having been trained, he was issued a card that said he was allowed to carry and use cutting tools while on a Scout activity. If there was an adult observed infraction or a display of carelessness, one corner of the card was clipped and the Scout given some corrections on the spot.

Three clipped corners revoked the privilege pending more extensive retraining. So, three strikes and another chance to get it right . . .after all, they are still kids.
 
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