Fixed blade choice for kids

philwar

philwar

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Mar 27, 2009
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I am looking for a 4" fixed blade for my boys, and was thinking the Ontario TAK-1 was a good knife. However, in that same price range, Cold Steel sells their Master Hunter in San Mai III, a steel which I have good experience with. I also have an Ontario SP10 Bowie, which is a good knife also.
The knives will be used for general utility, mostly light chores like cutting, whittling and slicing.

Anybody want to chime in on this dilemma?
 
if you would be willing to up your budget to around $70, you could get an Rat cutlery RC-3 that would have better fit and finish, and a better warrenty then the ontario knives. I have one, and it makes a great knife for hunting, camping, and it is a good slicer.
 
philwar said:
I am looking for a 4" fixed blade for my boys, and was thinking the Ontario TAK-1 was a good knife. However, in that same price range, Cold Steel sells their Master Hunter in San Mai III, a steel which I have good experience with. I also have an Ontario SP10 Bowie, which is a good knife also.
The knives will be used for general utility, mostly light chores like cutting, whittling and slicing.

Anybody want to chime in on this dilemma?
Click to expand...

Consider the Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter. Its extremely sharp and has great handle shape and control.
 
nc527 said:
if you would be willing to up your budget to around $70, you could get an Rat cutlery RC-3 that would have better fit and finish, and a better warrenty then the ontario knives. I have one, and it makes a great knife for hunting, camping, and it is a good slicer.
Click to expand...
Actually, the knives I mentioned cost around $85, so the budget is no problem. But I don't see any RC's below $100 and more.
 
What about a KABAR Becker Campanion 5.25.

Under $70 with a 5 1/4" blade, 1095 steel.
 
I would probably go with a Mora. There's always the cheaper CS Fixed blades though, like the Roach Belly, Finn Bear, Finn Wolf, etc.
 
The RC-3 can be had for right around $100, maybe a bit over, so that puts it out of your price range.

I think a Mora would be an excellent choice. Cheap, light, easy to resharpen and use.
 
has anyone mentioned the sog seal pup? great little beater knives. i know a lot of ppl who get them for younger persons.
 
Buck? i dont have either listed below... yet:D someday
maybe the woodsman (Like a smaller 119)
or the vanguard?
i gave my son an old carbon steel Sportsman style sheath knife and you'd have thought i handed him a bowie! Actually a nice knife especially for the 16 bucks it cost me, they can be had on ebay in all manner of handles and varieties sometimes paired up with a scout pattern slipjoint or a hatchet, kinda cool, marketed as an affordable Boys first knife deal
best of luck
ivan
 
A GEC fixed blade would be an awful nice knife for a kid.
GEC-10HC.JPG

The smaller versions (3.5" blade) IIRC look perfectly proportioned for a kid's hand.
A Bark River would be a good choice too. If you're going to give a kid his first knife, make sure it's a good one! He'll remember it for his entire life.
 
If you are just looking into getting a couple cheaper knives for your boys to abuse and possibly lose I would for sure go the Mora route. I'm not saying Moras are not good knives as I have and use one that works great, but losing a $10 blade is easier on your nerves than losing a $100 one.

I think that if you are buying these for your sons to have for years to come then I would look at the custom jobs the makers put up for sale in the fixed blade sub forum. There are quite a few excellent makers that produce knives in your range. I think a custom made knife will be a better keepsake down the road when they grow up. Plus you're supporting good people that take pride in what they do.
 
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Personally I would look for something more traditional, just to grant them appreciation for the style, maybe a tactical knife is cooler, but they'll learn to appreciate older styles.

Just a thought, the RC-3 is a sweet knife. Bark river has some nice offerings.
 
If general utility is the idea, I would have to vote MORA as well.

Nothing beats them at carving through wood IMO.

Plus you could buy 3-5 of them and not go over 100 bucks (total)
 
First off, thanks to all of you for the helpful suggestions, I had not thought of companies like Bark and Buck (my bad)
These knives won't be throw-aways or 'losers'. My boys own one folder each, and they've been very careful with it. I'd like them to have something a bit more sturdy, and I'm pretty sure they will treasure whatever I decide to give them.

I also agree a more traditional style is preferred, Buck is a good example of this, I've also checked some Kershaws that are downright cheap for what is offered. I have very good experience with Kershaw, and the Bear Hunter II looks like a really nice knife. Any experience with that?

I will let you know when I decide. Again, thx so much for all your input guys.
 
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