First knife for my son

There are a ton of great choices out there. My boy is 7 and he's not mature enough to own his own knife yet. I'm thinking he'll get one at 10. However, he DOES use my knife a good bit, and he's developing great habits. I'll even let him take a knife out into the woods when he's playing and I trust he won't hurt himself 'too' bad. ;-) He's nipped himself a few times -- all part of the learning. Regarding those blunt tipped Opinel or SAK models, those do exactly what they're designed to do: Separate nervous Nelly moms from their money. If a kid's not ready to handle a normal SAK, he's not really to handle a knife, period. The key to safety and good habits is lots and lots of hands-on practice with Dad. YMMV.
 
knifehunt said:
I have a Buck 112 that would be a very nice first knife for your boy. It's not new but in excellent shape, and in perfect mechanical condition. If you think it's something he will use let me know, and I'll send it for your boy.




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That may just be the one. Please send a PM or email and let me know what you want for it. His birthday is next month.

Doug K.
 
I bought 3 sak sets for my girls for when they get/got older. One set is still in my collection waiting. Two daughters already lost both knives each. :rolleyes:

I have a newborn so I need to buy another set. This time they won't get them until they are 12. Can't remember which model, but the smaller is the tinker.
 
Definitely not this!! lol

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My first, as a 6 yr old cub scout (36 years ago!?!), was actually a Girl Scout knife. Took it everywhere with me until I replaced it with a SAK (explorer) in high school, and yes, I have a scar on my finger from it still - but not from the blade folding up on me. I remember wishing it had a saw.

My daughters are 7 and 8, and use scissors more than blades - through the older one likes to borrow my Sage1 or Paramilitary2 to cut her threads and tags now.

Unfortunately, the only SAKs with saws and scissors are kinda large (Fieldmaster is nice; I have a Huntsman. I dig it, but not for my kids.)

For SAK with saw - I'd look at the Farmer. I love the Alox scales.
For SAK with scissors, perhaps an executive. It's a nice intermediate size.

I'd shy away from liner and frame locks for a beginner - they require putting your finger in front of the blade to close. In my (humble) opinion, that's more likely to cause bloodloss than a well-designed slippie closing up on you. Which leaves Axis (tends to be pricey), Compression (no entry-level knives there) and back-locks.
All my cheap back locks are too darn hard for my girls to operate, but I don't have a Buck - so I might start there, if that's what you're leaning toward. Would've loved one back in the day.
 
dougkn said:
That may just be the one. Please send a PM or email and let me know what you want for it. His birthday is next month.

Doug K.
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Replied to your email.... All I want for it is a mailing address, and for your boy to enjoy it:)
 
Kershaw skyline, I believe kershawguy on here has blems even cheaper than the already low map. My favorite knife under 100 dollars. Also easy for him to learn to sharpen in scouts.
 
do NOT get him a cold steel mini-lawman. Got one for my 8 yrold grandson, and the backlock is so darned stiff, most of the men couldn't close it. bummer.
 
When I was a weblos scout leader, I bought my all my scouts a victoinox farmer. Blade, saw, can opener, bottle opener/screwdriver, awl. Awesome little knives that they all still carry in there packs even after the were done with doing scouts.
 
Sounds like you have a solution, but I wanted to throw in another vote for an Opinel 6.

This was what my son earned on his 7th birthday. He had used my knives prior to that, and had a small camp ax at 5, and a customized kitchen knife at 4, all used under close supervision.

I customize the Opinels with a drop-point blade for sturdiness and a hole in the end of the handle for a bright yellow paracord lanyard (for finding it when he misplaces it, so far he has only lost 2…).

I feel this is the perfect first folder for him as it has a simple lock, is a simple knife, a perfect size for him, and with the reasonable price I could order several to have on hand, when he eventually lost one or two... It also is more traditional looking.

I prefer basic for first tools, like his gun, an original fully restored Chipmunk .22. Basic, traditional bolt action. This way he focuses on the care of the tool and mechanics of how the tool works before anything else.

He has other knives in his collection, but the Opinel is his carry on our homestead and when we go camping.

He will probably earn a custom fixed blade (by me) when he turns 9 or 10.

I also gave him a handout from AKTI and the book How to Make Wooden Folding Knives by the Kleckers. I thought this book was a good one to read with him as it has care and use pointers as well as history. My son is not so interested in making wooden folders (yet, he is mostly a fixed blade maker), but that info is there if he wants it later.

Good luck and enjoy; the first knife is a big deal; it was for my son. And hopefully the second and third and … can be also.

Brome
 
Well today is finally my son's birthday and I gave him the Buck 112 that KNIFEHUNT was nice enough to send me. He loved it. As we had to get ready for the school bus I did not get a photo of him with it yet. I'll post one tonight.

Mike...once again, thank you!
 
Your son definitely needs a Cold Steel XL Espada! It serves a few purposes- machete blade for wood splitting, giant blade for digging, spear (if held at the end of the handle) for fighting off wildlife, and if tied to a leg it can make an excellent splint (it could also be done for an arm)! Talk about always being prepared!

For a real suggestion, a SAK anything (aside from classic, bit too small) would work great if he will use the other tools. If he just needs a blade, something like a Spyderco Squeak (I believe the Pingo is about the same size, two hand opening) would be excellent. The steel takes a great edge, holds it well, and sharpens up quite easily. If you want a larger blade, the UK Penknife is also a great candidate. The UKPK is absolutely superb!
 
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