First traditional knife birthday gift help please

on_the_edge

on_the_edge

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So one of my sons will be celebrating his 10th birthday in a few weeks and I am trying to figure out a nice pocket knife to get him for his birthday. He is fairly big for his age, though not huge, and is wanting something in the 3.5" -4" range closed with a blue bone handle and a clip blade. That narrows down my choices pretty dang quickly, but I actually do have a few options and would like to get opinions regarding quality and likelihood that the blade will last. For the purpose of this thread, please lets not worry about it getting lost. ;)

Three choices I have found are a Case Mini Copperlock, a Hen & Rooster Whittler, and a Henkels Copperhead. All are new and reasonably priced. What do you folks think?
 
Not really blue bone or a true clip blade but how about a Case medium stockman? The American Workman scales are not too expensive although the "as ground" finish to the blades may not be as desireable for a first knife. (Unless you want to teach him how to dehorn a knife.)
 
If you search ebay for "case blue knife" (and then purchase the knife from a BFC supporting dealer;)), it'll bring up a bunch of options. Are you looking for a single-blade knife, or are multi blades an option? If single blade is what you're looking for, there's a Slimline Trapper, a Russlock, toothpicks, and copperlocks. Multi-blade options are trappers, stockmans (6318 and 63032), saddlehorn, hunter, and plenty of others. Queen has made some knives for Robeson that came in blue, but finding one is more a waiting game than simply ordering one.
 
A price range will help, also if you want a single blade or multi blades. Does carbon or stainless matter? Knowing the answers to these questions can help narrow down the search. Now, without knowing those answers, you may consider Case's wharncliffe trappers in Sky Blue bone and Caribbean Blue bone handles. Both the mini and regular sizes too. I don't have a regular production WT from case but I've been meaning to pick one up. I do have a GEC Toothpick with 1095 blades you may want to consider. Its 4" closed with a 3" muskrat clip blade and River Blue Bone scales. There are other GECs out there like the Moose, Big Horn, Congress, even a #72 Lockback with bright blue bone scales but the toothpick (unserialized) is the least expensive I believe.
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Planterz said:
If you search ebay for "case blue knife" (and then purchase the knife from a BFC supporting dealer;)), it'll bring up a bunch of options.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am already ahead of you on that one. :thumbup:

What I am really wanting to know is if the modern Hen & Rooster or the Henkels can compare to the Case in quality and longevity. I think stainless is probably that way to go just so he does not have to worry about rust issues. And as far as that number of blades go, two would be ideal, but one or three is not a big deal. I think I'd like to avoid more than three though for a first knife. Also, I'd like to keep the price to about $50 or under, maybe slightly over. I think that rules out the GECs, but maybe there is a Toothpick out there to be had for about that.

What do you folks think?
 
Case American Workman Blue Synthetic Slimline Trapper is a great economical knife, and tho more expensive the Mini CopperLock is an other great choice. IMO single bladed knives are a must for beginners, no temptation of having more than 1 blade open at a time.

Chuck
 
Hey Chris,

I think the Copperlocks are great knives. They are very thin, and carry well in pocket. I have both in CV and love them, though its hard to get my pinky finger on the handle of the Mini. I still carry the Mini more often, as it packs plenty of blade in a very small package.
I do wear an XL gloove, and dought he would have that problem.

The Case Mini Trapper is another of my favorites, and think it would be a great choice also.
 
I've been eye-balling the Case mini Copperlock myself. I think it's about the perfect smallish knife, very thin, it locks(safety), looks good, and can be had for around $50 or less.
 
Yes, I fear GEC are ruled out because they will be more expensive and they don't offer stainless that much. They do have some good blue knives though e.g. their 72 Lockback in jigged blue bone.

Henckels are I think Bökers and I've always found those to be excellent value, they offer stainless too. Hen & Rooster are OK but the old sweats with the knowledge will tell you that they are a far cry from their former glory of 40 years back. But not rubbish either.
CASE seems the safest bet here. A Medium Stockman in stainless would be a nice first knife or ANY time knife for that matter, not too big for a boy nor something he might view as too small either. Massive range of choice there in handles, possibly comes in their American Workman series too in blue delrin. Other CASE suspects could be the Slimline Trapper, a bit long and thin though but a fine knife. The Mini Copperlock is really good and again, you can find a wealth of handle choices (some good some er, not so!) Maybe a Canoe of some type? Let us know what you decide, and I'm sure your boy will be really pleased AND it's something he will never forget either!
 
Well, after a lot of thought, I decide to go with a Case Mini Copperlock single blade with navy blue bone handles. I'm hoping he is going to love it! Thanks to everyone for your generous help!
 
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