first knife suggestions

[James Green Dragon]

Tell you what, I lost twice as many knives as I broke as a kid LOL. You can still find the old mercator 'cat' knife for ~$20 and it isn't a bad choice. I had one with a red plastic handle as a kid but it was one of many folders I lost. Along with a nice Barlo among various others... The 'cat' was a great little knife. Can't go wrong with an SAK though. I'd get it as a first knife over allot of others.

 

[Dog of War]

Personally, I would wait a little longer. 6 or 7 seems a little young. -Just my .02.

Pretty much agree .... kids that age can't be expected to always exercise good judgement. Particularly a folder IMO kind of invites use without adult supervision.

If you really want to start your boys learning about knives, I think a couple of the Swedish Mora fixed blades with guards that are intended for young hands might be the best way to go. Keeping them locked away except when you're there could make for special times together. Plus they're starting out with a decent piece of steel that's less likely to frustrate them when you start teaching them how to sharpen.

 

[jtb49er2000]

I agree with the 110 being a tad large. I've always loved SAK's, so I throw my vote in the hat for that route as well. Something that I didn't see mentioned (maybe I just missed it), try something a bit more traditional. A nice little or medium sized stockman, barlow, trapper, jack knife, etc.. Not only do the boys get to learn about knife use in general, they get early exposure to different blades and the use/need of the various blades. Anymore it seems that the word "knife" brings to mind the image of a black handled, clipped, one-handed quick opening critter. Nothing wrong with that, but I think to really learn about knives and their history and use and such, you really need to handle more than just single bladed knives and carry some proven hard working designs.