First knife for son

[Peruna1998]

Okay all, my son is has turned seven. He will start Cub Scouts soon. I think it is time to get him his first knife. In today's world, he won't carry it to school. I probably won't let him keep it in his room (yet). I will let him have in on the weekends. It is just one of the things, like getting a wallet that says you are moving from being a boy to being a man.

So, some advice, what would make a good first knife for seven year old boy. It needs to be something he can learn on, find if lost, teach him to appreciate sharp things, and fit his hands. I have given it some thought. I am leaning towards a Case Yellow CV Peanut, but I thought I would toss this one out there. My first knife was a BSA Scout model. It was way too big for my small hands and had way too much going on in my now adult mind.

What are your thoughts?

 

[VCM3]

Wayne,I'd go with the mini Dozier folder.It's a locking blade,a good way to get broken in & a safety,for "folding blade" issues,and,the spring tension is light & even,since it's a LB.
This would be my reccomendartion,if,you were gonna turn him loose with a real working & sharpened edge.
You can get it in orange handle,too. I think its about 3.5" closed,should be a full size handle for his hand,remove the pocket clip,if you prefer
-Vince

 

[pipedreams308]

I think a Scout knife or SAK is a great choice for a first knife. If you think the standard size is too large (I don't, personally), the look at the Case Junior Scout or 84mm Victorinox SAK (like the Small Tinker or Recruit).

 

[sappyg]

I think a Scout knife or SAK is a great choice for a first knife. If you think the standard size is too large (I don't, personally), the look at the Case Junior Scout or 84mm Victorinox SAK (like the Small Tinker or Recruit).

+1... a nice 84mm SAK is just the thing though i like the CV peanut idea as well. either way he's gonna be a happy camper.

 

[Peruna1998]

Wayne,I'd go with the mini Dozier folder.It's a locking blade,a good way to get broken in & a safety,for "folding blade" issues,and,the spring tension is light & even,since it's a LB.
This would be my reccomendartion,if,you were gonna turn him loose with a real working & sharpened edge.
You can get it in orange handle,too. I think its about 3.5" closed,should be a full size handle for his hand,remove the pocket clip,if you prefer
-Vince

I had not thought about a locking blade. That bears some thought. I had thought to start him out without one and see how he does without the "crutch".

 

[mendezj]

My first thought was a SAK or a small Case. However, I believe for a 7 years old SAKs are way too sharp. Re a locking knife, I think it is easy to teach a child to avoid having the blade on a slip joint turn inwards.

In summary, I think a small Case would be the way to go. Congratulations for having such great kid. :thumbup:

 

[black mamba]

I thought about a lockback as well (safer) and would vote for the smaller Case Copperlock at 3-5/8" closed. If American made is not important, or if you would rather not spend so much, then one of the many Rough Rider Mustang lockbacks would also be an excellent choice.

 

[somniloquist]

Wenger actually makes a whole line of SAKs tailored for young folks. The main blades are rounded and lock open for extra safety. They also have some nice assortments of tools for inquisitive young minds. I quite like the one pictured and I have a young cousin of 9 years who I believe would agree. Victorinox also makes a "My First Vic" but the tool choice is more limited. Both are 84mm frames better suited to smaller hands. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[mnblade]

I have given it some thought. I am leaning towards a Case Yellow CV Peanut ...

I think that's an excellent choice. It'll let him learn proper knife-handling safety and enable you to teach him how to care for carbon steel.

If you decide to go the SAK route, I'd suggest an Executive or the 84mm version of the Tinker.

Let us know how it works out, if you would.

-- Mark

 

[VCM3]

I had not thought about a locking blade. That bears some thought. I had thought to start him out without one and see how he does without the "crutch".

Wayne,
The single larger,fatter blade,will no doubt be easier for him to open,without the tension on it,that a slipjoint or SAK will have. A tiny nail nick,on a tiny blade,will also be hard for him to negotiate.Then later,on to the sliopjionts & the like,after the break in,with this type.
-Vince

 

[Peruna1998]

Wayne,
The single larger,fatter blade,will no doubt be easier for him to open,without the tension on it,that a slipjoint or SAK will have. A tiny nail nick,on a tiny blade,will also be hard for him to negotiate.Then later,on to the sliopjionts & the like,after the break in,with this type.
-Vince

Vince,

That is why I ask questions. I had not thought about that, and you have an extremely valid point. My son does have issues with grip. Opening a slippy might be more of a task for him than I would have considered.

Hmmm....food for thought.

 

[VCM3]

Vince,

That is why I ask questions. I had not thought about that, and you have an extremely valid point. My son does have issues with grip. Opening a slippy might be more of a task for him than I would have considered.

Hmmm....food for thought.

Wayne,
My wife is the Scoutmaster for the BS troop here in our town.This observation comes from first hand trial & error.
-Vince

PS This suggestion does apply moreso,with a sharp,working, knife
For younger kids,the "my first Sak" knife,prob. is a good idea
And,I am referring to the "mini" model(Kabar Dozier LB) here.It is 3-3/8" or so,closed

 

[mendezj]

Wenger actually makes a whole line of SAKs tailored for young folks. The main blades are rounded and lock open for extra safety. They also have some nice assortments of tools for inquisitive young minds. I quite like the one pictured and I have a young cousin of 9 years who I believe would agree. Victorinox also makes a "My First Vic" but the tool choice is more limited. Both are 84mm frames better suited to smaller hands. Good luck with whatever you choose!

That's it. The perfect solution. :thumbup:

 

[Peruna1998]

Wayne,
My wife is the Scoutmaster for the BS troop here in our town.This observation comes from first hand trial & error.
-Vince

PS This suggestion does apply moreso,with a sharp,working, knife
For younger kids,the "my first Sak" knife,prob. is a good idea
And,I am referring to the "mini" model(Kabar Dozier LB) here.It is 3-3/8" or so,closed

Yeah, I have looked both over now. I need to think it over. I might give him a knife one night on close supervision to see how he does with manipulating it.

 

[Will Power]

Perhaps a Schrade 3 OT lockback then? At around 3" closed but with a broadish grippy handle and plenty of blade to pinch, should be a safe option. Not heavy either. An older USA model will cost a lot more but the new Chinese variant is an OK start-up.

 

[thawk]

Having two boys, I found they would more easily cut themselves with smaller multibladed knives. One blade worked a lot better. Don't over think it and impose to much fatherly advise, or they won't enjoy it.

 

[zippin44]

My first knife was a blue Boy/Cub Scout knife which I really didn't use a whole lot. I sure wish I had it now though! A year or two later I got a clone of a small Buck lock back, I think it was by a company called Precise or Precision, that I used quite a lot. I still have that one. The lock back was much easier than the slip joint for me to use when I was 9. I plan on getting my son a lock back in a couple of years.

 

[VCM3]

My first knife was a blue Boy/Cub Scout knife which I really didn't use a whole lot. I sure wish I had it now though! A year or two later I got a clone of a small Buck lock back, I think it was by a company called Precise or Precision, that I used quite a lot. I still have that one. The lock back was much easier than the slip joint for me to use when I was 9. I plan on getting my son a lock back in a couple of years.

Wayne,Case makes two models,as well,LB's,I believe.They are like FRN lightweight linerless frames.One model,was like a saddlehorn frame & this was really nice in hand.
Just some others to consider
-Vince

 

[Coyote3855]

This question came up in another forum, and a suggestion I liked was a Opinal 6 or 7 size. Easy open, blade locks. My first knife was a small slip joint. In about 1952.

 

[Halfneck]

When my oldest got his Whittling Chip in Cub Scouts I told him I would get him a Swiss Army Knife. I ended up getting him the Hiker model since he wanted a saw. I thought about getting him a locking knife but decided to go with a slipjoint. My rationale was that learning on a slipjoint would teach him how to use a folding knife better than a locking blade. Within the week he learned to keep his fingers out from under the blade as the blade slipped out of his finger while closing. Small cut, but a big lesson learned. Also SAKs are just so damn handy. I carried a Huntsman while in the Army & I cut medical tape/bandages with the scissors, removed ticks & splinters with the tweezers, & even used it as a knife. Most times he grabs his SAK when he needs a knife.

As he's saved his allowance I've permitted him to get a Martini M571 Puukko for his fixed blade & a Kershaw Nerve (linerlock) for a pocketclip knife.