First knife for son

Johndy said:
Where can I get one
Click to expand...
Which one? The Green River knives?

Edit: Assuming you're asking about the Green River knives, I tend to order complete knives from the following BF member and supporting dealer: https://byxco.com/collections/dexter-russell

If you want to find just blanks and/or kits then google "green river knife blanks" or "green river knife kits" and you should get plenty of results from reputable dealers.
 
Last edited:
This brought back a feeling rather than a clear memory. The feeling was carving wooden knives out of pieces of cedar. It's over 60 years ago. I don't remember the knife but I remember the look/smell of the cedar and the good feeling of carving.
 
He is 8…what is his knife experience level so far?
I started my son with his first knife at 5, A Victorinox Hiker. We spent a few weekends going through the knife one blade/tool at a time together and letting him practice with each. I kept possession of it in between. Once I was confident in his abilities and knowledge, he was allowed to keep it full time.

Getting cut is part of learning how to use a knife. And quite frankly, dull knives and improper use are the main reason people cut themselves. He carried and used that knife for two to three years without any cuts.

At that point, he recieved his first fixed blade, a basic plastic handled Mora. Shortly after, we were at a gunshow and he fell in love with several Martiniis! I bought him one and before long he had a whole set of three of varying sizes.

I made sure all of his knives were always ‘scarey sharp’ and he never cut himself as long as he was under my roof. Hes now 25 and has been on his own for many years, so I cant say how its been since he left.

So I actually recommend that you reconsider the folding knife and go with a Victorinox SAK. Let him pick out one with the features he wants since he is already 8. If he joins Boy Scouts, they wont allow a fixed blade right away anyhow.
blog.scoutingmagazine.org

Make your point: What's your unit's knife policy? - Aaron On Scouting

In Scouting, knives are a double-edged sword. Used safely, they’re part of a rite of passage for boys and a chance for leaders to impart important lessons to help Scouts become “Prepared. For Life.” But
blog.scoutingmagazine.org blog.scoutingmagazine.org

Good luck!
 
I think the gerber prodigy meets all of your criteria and is super rugged good non slip ergos good 420 steel made in the USA with a very nice sheath! For that matter the OKC US AIR FORCE survival knife is pretty darn good and it’s not so big and intimidating both have great resumes
 
My son’s first knife is a Buck 112 from the magnacut sprint run. If it wasn’t, and I was going by your criteria, it would be LT Wright, probably a Patriot or Frontier Valley in A2 or AEBL with a leather sheath.
 
If the criteria wasn't American made I would have said a hultafors heavy duty.

Which cost nothing, are strong and will rust if you don't look after them.

Otherwise i would still suggest a folding knife (And more specifically a liner lock or a button lock or something) because you can put it away when you have finished your cut. Rather than leave it on a seat and then sti on it.
 
Agree with some of the others. If he is mature enough to learn and handle a fixed blade, he will be able to do the same with a folder…and something like a SAK or a traditional pattern stockman will give him a lot more variety of use,and carry options. Get my first folder at 5yrs old, and carried a knife after. Back in those days none of them had a locking blade.
 
Ruger 44 Redhawk said:
So, I've been revisiting an old question I think I posted years ago about thoughts on a first knife. With camp trips and mountain trail hiking and exploring, I think it's time to get my eight year old son his first knife to carry as a tool for general outdoor tasks. Also, every boy wants one. As a Boy Scout in Missouri, I had an old well used leather stacked fixed blade from the 40's or 50's, a large Swiss Army Knife and a Buck 110. I had seen some nasty cut injuries to fellow scouts from folders. So I am ruling out folders and slip joints. My criteria, therefore, for his first fixed blade is a 4" or 5" blade, tough carbon steel, USA made, a good guard for safety, full length and width handle tang, a handle that will fit his small hands and something that won't be expensive. ESEE, Ontario, Buck, Kabar and many others I have been considering. But I think I'm going vintage with the older Schrade 165OT. It checks all the boxes I'm thinking of and it will last him his entire life. The 1095 steel will be easy to maintain an edge, has a significant guard and the handle is skinny enough that will fit his hands. On top of that, It will fit in an Ontario 499 leather sheath that has the metal back for protection. Only thing the 165OT lacks is a lanyard hole. Now, just have to find an old one in fair condition and of course, put an edge on it.
Click to expand...

Think back . . .how old were you when you had and used the knives you remember? If you were a Boy Scout, it is likely that you were a few years older than your son is now. Age eight is/was Cub Scouts or second grade . . .pretty young for a cutting tool in my mind. Now think of yourself at age eight . . .

Whatevrr you decide age-wise, a standard Scout's pocket kn ife is a good choice. On the official website, there is a Delux model (has Philip's head tool) for $30 . . .a good deal IMHO. SAK makes good camping pocket knives too of course.

In my experience as a Scout Master, adult supervision is a must. Considere the concept of a "toten-Chip". We gave each Scout a card with knife safety stuff on it after they demonstrated proper care and usage of their knife. If one of them was seen to violate the safty standards, any troop adult could demand their card and clip a corner. The safety points were reviewed and the card returned. If three corners had been clipped, the Scout lost the privilege of carrying their knife for that camp out.

When spending money on a knife for your boy, remember that it is wuite likely that he will lose it at some point, many do at that age and well into near adulthood.
 
Last edited:
I recently gifted a couple of knives to a young man, 10 yo, that visits once a year. He's in the Scouts and his family camps a lot. I had a buck folder, new, that I had bought in the '90s, can't remember the model, it had a nylon pouch with it. For a fixed blade I bought him Grohman Trout and Bird, I always loved this design and had one for years.
 
Made in Sweden, but I have given my two older sons (younger than 8) the Morakniv Pro Safe. It is ~$12, sharp, safe (love the handle), and not stabby. It has fit the bill perfectly. Highly recommend.
 
Ruger 44 Redhawk said:
So, I've been revisiting an old question I think I posted years ago about thoughts on a first knife. With camp trips and mountain trail hiking and exploring, I think it's time to get my eight year old son his first knife to carry as a tool for general outdoor tasks. Also, every boy wants one. As a Boy Scout in Missouri, I had an old well used leather stacked fixed blade from the 40's or 50's, a large Swiss Army Knife and a Buck 110. I had seen some nasty cut injuries to fellow scouts from folders. So I am ruling out folders and slip joints. My criteria, therefore, for his first fixed blade is a 4" or 5" blade, tough carbon steel, USA made, a good guard for safety, full length and width handle tang, a handle that will fit his small hands and something that won't be expensive. ESEE, Ontario, Buck, Kabar and many others I have been considering. But I think I'm going vintage with the older Schrade 165OT. It checks all the boxes I'm thinking of and it will last him his entire life. The 1095 steel will be easy to maintain an edge, has a significant guard and the handle is skinny enough that will fit his hands. On top of that, It will fit in an Ontario 499 leather sheath that has the metal back for protection. Only thing the 165OT lacks is a lanyard hole. Now, just have to find an old one in fair condition and of course, put an edge on it.
Click to expand...
My scout knife was a Western BSA Bird and Trout. You can find them online. Case still makes a B&T and small fixed bladecalled a Finn.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top