Folder for 10 year old

Personally, I would be all over the RAT2 for a couple of reasons. First, it is a great value knife because it is well made, locks up great, and is a very sturdy knife. I have been using its big brother the RAT1 for some time now (3 - 4 years?) on the job site and all kinds of utility work. It holds an edge well, is easy to clean, and I can orient the clip as I like to carry.

I will probably be buying my nephew a RAT2 soon (he is 12) to go along with his SAK. Not only for the reasons listed above.

I bought him a knife last year and bought his Dad some sharpening equipment. I have free hand sharpened on anything and everything for 50 years, so I take it for granted that one needs to learn that skill. I think the steel of the RAT2 is soft enough that he can learn to sharpen and keep it sharp with some practice. I am on him time and time again about keeping his knife sharp! His skill set doesn't quite include repeatable blade angles on the diamond sharpening DMTs I got him, but he is working on it. And even though the bevels aren't the same, he can get a fairly usable edge on his knife. I reset the bevels and try to help him with he technique when I see him.

I think the shape of the handle of the RAT2 will make it easier for him to hold and see what he is doing while sharpening over some of the other suggestions. He can learn to sharpen different shapes later, and appreciate different handle designs and their grip while sharpening later, too. Right now, I want him to learn how to sharpen well and not get discouraged by overly hard steels and cool but difficult to control (for his 12 year old hands) handle shapes.

Robert
 
midnight flyer said:
Personally, I would be all over the RAT2 for a couple of reasons. First, it is a great value knife because it is well made, locks up great, and is a very sturdy knife. I have been using its big brother the RAT1 for some time now (3 - 4 years?) on the job site and all kinds of utility work. It holds an edge well, is easy to clean, and I can orient the clip as I like to carry.

I will probably be buying my nephew a RAT2 soon (he is 12) to go along with his SAK. Not only for the reasons listed above.

I bought him a knife last year and bought his Dad some sharpening equipment. I have free hand sharpened on anything and everything for 50 years, so I take it for granted that one needs to learn that skill. I think the steel of the RAT2 is soft enough that he can learn to sharpen and keep it sharp with some practice. I am on him time and time again about keeping his knife sharp! His skill set doesn't quite include repeatable blade angles on the diamond sharpening DMTs I got him, but he is working on it. And even though the bevels aren't the same, he can get a fairly usable edge on his knife. I reset the bevels and try to help him with he technique when I see him.

I think the shape of the handle of the RAT2 will make it easier for him to hold and see what he is doing while sharpening over some of the other suggestions. He can learn to sharpen different shapes later, and appreciate different handle designs and their grip while sharpening later, too. Right now, I want him to learn how to sharpen well and not get discouraged by overly hard steels and cool but difficult to control (for his 12 year old hands) handle shapes.

Robert
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Agreed, totally forgot about the RATs
 
Evidently my son is much worse at keeping up with stuff than other people's children. Finding his shoes every morning is like an Easter egg hunt. Once he proves he can and will keep up with the Opinel, I'll probably be getting him a SAK or little Spyderco.
 
What about a Spyderco Squeak or UKPK? Non-locking but has the half stop so he doesn't remove a finger or three. Squeak is small enough to not scare people but still has a good grip. Mini Grip would be great, although the Axis flick might freak people if a 10 y.o. did it. I can also recommend the Cold Steel Tuff Lite, although the Tri-Ad might be slightly too stiff for him to depress without practice.
 
young folks here started with Uncle Henry. Although, I wonder if that would work with this generation. I often think of "first" as great stuff to hand down.
 
I'm a firm believer in teaching these life skills at a young age. Teach them proper knife handling skills and it won't be a problem with a non-locking knife.

I have 2 sons, 6 and 9 years old. Their first knives were SAK's - the hiker model I believe - when they turned 4. Their next knives were Kershaw Skylines - decent steel, cheap & fits their hands nicely. I've let them pick others to purchase on special occasions, like a small Buck hunter for the younger one, and a larger lock blade SAK for the older, and a few random whittling knives for fun.

As they prove to me they can responsibly take care of their knives, I've gifted others - traditionals & slip joints mainly - that I've had for many years. So far, so good. No major injuries & they know how to handle knives responsibly around the family and other people - I have complete trust in the older son, and the younger is almost there too.
 
Derk_razor_sharp on Instagram started his 2 or 3 year old daughter with a Keckler knife. It's a plastic knife that you can build with your kid, and operates just like a real blade (it's a lockback) but is much less dangerous. For those of you with younger kids that aren't ready for a real blade but you'd like them to start learning, this might be an option. Not totally on topic but thought I'd through in the suggestion.
 
If you can find a Kershaw JYD 1720 (the small one) I'd recommend getting that. It's sleek, small, and it's a great overall knife.


 
Something with a lock that is easy to operate and fits his grip, i dont think kids need to start out on saks and opinels exclusively for safety or whatever reason . unless he likes them that is.
 
My 11 yr old got bit by the bug too, she has chosen all of the blades that she has gotten I just set a few rules like nothing over 3 inches and a lock that she would be able to disengage by herself and a few others. Next thing was she had to review them study up on it and she would have to give me a report about it. So far she has a pink mini grip, kershaw skyline, a 707 sequel and a Spyderco sage 3
 
My 9 yr old bought a Byrd Robin 2 with his Christmas money. Its a nice little knife but I fine its a little small & the handles are a too square. I would recommend a Spyderco Delica, Byrd Meadowlark or Cara Cara with G-10 handles, small Cold Steel Voyager or the Ka-bar Bob Dozier all good knives that will last. IMHO
 
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