First knives for the kids

O

odd

Joined
Mar 31, 2012
Messages
213
So a while ago I was poking around in our back storage and came across my very first knife. A SAK (explorer iirc) that my father gave me when I was eight or ten or so.
It got me thinking about those times and also what I would give to my little demons a few years down the road.

I thought about a SAK but the "classic" had the only style variation that I have seen. Then it later occured to me that I could get something that was dated (by this I was thinking etched/engraved) so I signed up here to blade forums, which I had been on but never really explored, just read whatever had come up in pertaining whatever I was looking searching at the time. I joined with the intention of gathering ideas as to what to get dated or perhaps something that came so.

Now about the same time as I poked around on this section of the forum and just before I fired off my questions to you all I found the case calender series. This seemed perfect and I was blown away by the whole case (and other traditional...but mostly case) collectible thing. I had no idea. I live in Canada just outside Ottawa and had only seen the odd case/traditional in the hands of an old timer or in store displays but nothing like the variety that is available. It was like finding out that there is more then just brown (jigged bone) smarties after eating just them your whole life.....the styles!! the colors!! the materials!! freaking mammoth bone :eek:

so after doing a little more research I one upped the calender series buy discovering the tang stamp date code.

thus a pink salmon trapper for my little girl and a blue lagoon bone one for my son made the same year they were and they just came in:)



 
This is really great! Your kids have a lot to look forward to in their time with you, well beyond some well-chosen pocket knives. But those, too. :)

~ P.
 
Welcome to the Forums! Don't even get started on Queen, Great Eastern Cutlery and Canal Street Cutlery. There are so many great knives out there, you'll soon find your wallet begging for mercy.

I never received a knife from my Dad. I was thinking of giving my sons a chance to pick their first knife from my collection. Of course, I'd probably have to limit it to an appropriate knife. I've been lending my oldest son a knife for each Boy Scout camping trip, and he picks a different one each time. It will be fun to see what he chooses to own.
 
Nice looking knives you got them. Now the fun part will be the time you spend with them.

jwh
 
Nice choices! When my son was about 10, I got him a Victorinox Huntsman which he still has and uses. My brother-in-law who I have been trying to get into traditionals for a couple of years (he has the oddest looking tactical knives) I think has seen the light and recently bought his 6 year old son his first knife...a Case Butterbean!
 
Looks like a great start to me, the trapper in the right hands is a very capable pattern and a great entry to the knife world.
 
Congrats on finding a first for your children. Not her first knife, but for my daughters next birthday (6th), I'm giving her the favorite knife I own. She picks out knives for me to carry, and as such I know the zebra one will be well received. I've thought about the SAK, but want one easier to open for her, so a longer blade and handle, more pinchable is a good choice IMO.

Great tradition giving kids knives!
 
My daughter, though only two-years-old, is going to get a few knives from me. A SAK, a puukko, a modern folder, a khukuri, and eventually the 2010 (her birth year) forum knife. I'll start her out with the SAK, and give her the other knives as she matures and proves herself ready for them.

- Christian
 
I ordered this knife (custom) for my daughters 5th birthday...She recieved it when she was 8!!...it was supposed to be a garter dagger but kinda grew into a full size knife...oh well..

bounty006.jpg
 
kamagong said:
My daughter, though only two-years-old, is going to get a few knives from me. A SAK, a puukko, a modern folder, a khukuri, and eventually the 2010 (her birth year) forum knife. I'll start her out with the SAK, and give her the other knives as she matures and proves herself ready for them.

- Christian
Click to expand...

My daughter chose her first Khukuri this February!
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Receiving a knife is always a big deal in our family, I'm just really glad it's continuing with the latest generation!!
 
My son will get my knife that I carried during high school that is the same type of knife my dad has carried for years. It's a Schrade firebird(?) SP3.

My daughter will get this knife when she gets married. It was made Feb 3, 2012, the day she was born. A non-BF dealer sourced it for me. It is the same color as her baby blanket. I've carried it every day since it came in a month ago.

IMAGE_1000000986.JPG


The doctor called her "a little peanut" a few seconds after she pulled her out, so it's a Yeller Case Peanut. It honestly is about the perfect knife. I'd love another one, maybe a mother of pearl or chestnut, but I just can't justify it. :( and :)
 
That is a great idea!

I bought my boys Scout handled SAK's when they received their "Whittlin' Chip" in Cub Scouts. Since then I've given them BSA Case knives.

I wish I thought of the date code...and I had Zippos engraved with their names and birthdates when they were born.
 
I just order a white 2004 case from a fellow forum member. It's for my youngest who's favoriate color is white and was born in 2004.
Now if only I could find some smooth red bone from 2001, I'd be set.

It's funny, I've spent time each week poking around for these case knives for my sons, but keep buying USA Schrades for myself :)
 
I bought a couple of Scharade trappers at the end of last year. Indending on giving a #73 black bone or red bone one to my 6 year old. The other will be for the 2 year old when he is old enough.

One problem. My 6 year old cannot open the knife at all! The spring is too strong for his nails. He can't even budge them. His nails just fold in half.

I am going to have to try and find an easier to open pattern for him. Possibly one that is pinchable like a small sodbuster etc.
 
Bigfattyt said:
I bought a couple of Scharade trappers at the end of last year. Indending on giving a #73 black bone or red bone one to my 6 year old. The other will be for the 2 year old when he is old enough.

One problem. My 6 year old cannot open the knife at all! The spring is too strong for his nails. He can't even budge them. His nails just fold in half.

I am going to have to try and find an easier to open pattern for him. Possibly one that is pinchable like a small sodbuster etc.
Click to expand...

Another idea for a first user is to go with an Opinel, either No.6 or No.7 (I believe No.6 is the smallest locking version). Easy to open, no snap to contend with, locking, and a sharp(enable) blade. No, Opinels don't have the same cache (for lack of a better word) as slipjoints and the like, but they're fine in their own right-- and something little hands can operate sooner than later, while waiting for the nail and hand strength of spring-jointed knives.

~ P.
 
pertinux said:
Another idea for a first user is to go with an Opinel, either No.6 or No.7 (I believe No.6 is the smallest locking version). Easy to open, no snap to contend with, locking, and a sharp(enable) blade. No, Opinels don't have the same cache (for lack of a better word) as slipjoints and the like, but they're fine in their own right-- and something little hands can operate sooner than later, while waiting for the nail and hand strength of spring-jointed knives.

~ P.
Click to expand...

Great Idea. I had though of ordering some for me, but had not yet though of doing so for the boys.

The 6 year old has no trouble opening thumb stud knives (he has his own, that I ground the edge and point off of). It is an old liner lock Buck Cross lock that I had not carried in decades. I gave it to him when he was about 2 years old, so he could "cut" like daddy, especially when I was doing leatherwork! He liked to sit and saw at pieces of string and leather with his "knife"
 
Bigfattyt said:
Great Idea. I had though of ordering some for me, but had not yet though of doing so for the boys.

The 6 year old has no trouble opening thumb stud knives (he has his own, that I ground the edge and point off of). It is an old liner lock Buck Cross lock that I had not carried in decades. I gave it to him when he was about 2 years old, so he could "cut" like daddy, especially when I was doing leatherwork! He liked to sit and saw at pieces of string and leather with his "knife"
Click to expand...

What a great picture. :thumbup:

And now, you can maybe get some Opinels for yourself kid(s) as well. :-)

~ P.
 
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