Girls first knife?

Fallbrook Forge

Fallbrook Forge

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Granted this has probably been covered, but the only posts I found were for a boys first. I have girls, 4,6,&7 years old. The 7 year old is definitely ready to start learning how to use and care for a knife. The other 2 have a bit to go.

I'm looking for suggestion AND your reasoning behind that suggestion for a girls first knife.

I'm thinking a SAK classic in one of the girlie patterns they have. The only hesitation there is no lock. A classic was my first, and I cut myself badly with It a couple times. So my other idea is a small single or double blade lock back

I'd really like to hear from some ladies who can chime in about their first knife.
Thanks all
 
I'm no lady, but..
I'd base the choice partially on her disposition. Will she keep up with it, take care of it, be safe with it, and not destroy it?
Or, like when I was a child, be rough on it, loose it, trade it for something else, etc..

Pink ESEE Izula, they have a shorter handle, and you can add a micarta handle, paracord wrapped handle.
Locking folder, Ka-Bar has some new ones, some are even pink!
Not to say she needs pink, but if it helps her like it, and keep up with it, then even better.
SAK, Leatherman juice(pick your color), and many others would work well for a 7 year old.
 
not a lady, but I have been looking for my daughter to put away to give her when she gets a little older my list for her is now a pink izula, Buck and Kershaws in pink Chive,Scallion,leek. I have also seen knives in purple. Buck has the impluse in pink, you can get the 110 in pink pearl too. to name a few. She will definately get a 110 and at least one kershaw. plus the izula
 
My last girlfriend would probably have stabbed me if I had gotten her a pink or purple knife.

Aesthetics, and colors, are completely subjective: I've yet to hear a convincing argument that aesthetics can be "gendered". Did you know that in European and Anglo-American societies and cultures that pink used to be considered a "boy's" color, and blue a "girl's" color?

Why don't you show her a bunch of pictures of knives and see which one she picks out for herself? Of course, filter the knives for something appropriate for a young person of her age. I probably wouldn't feel comfortable buying a 7 year old something like a Cold Steel XL Espada :)
 
It doesn't matter that she's a girl; what matters is what she'd use it for. The same knives that get recommended for a boy's first knife would probably be best for hers, too. Unless by "girl's knife" you mean it has to come in pink...

SAK's are nice; I had a Spartan someone gave me when I was little. I got my first cut of many while whittling, but it wasn't due to a lack of a lock. What price range were you looking at?
 
When my son was 7, we bought him a "My First Opinel." It's an Opinel with a rounded tip. This is a great first knife for any child: Low cost, easy to sharpen, simple lock. Also, you can decorate the handle in any way you choose: Paint, wood-burning, etc. It was a great first choice, and his collection (and skills) grew from there.

The Opinel was a great way for him to start. He's now a teenager, and can safely use pretty much anything in the house.
 
Boker SoCom's and Izulas for 4 year old girls...



well, I guess if you're going to start them early....
 
I think the Opinel suggestion above is a good one. I would suggest buying a Locking blade as opposed to a Non-locking like the SAK. There is nothing like a blade closing on little fingers to instill the fear of knives into a child. I remember slashing my thumb with a non-locking Cub Scout knife, when it accidentally closed ( I still bear the scar).
I bought my daughter (as a young teen), a Byrd Robin.
A finch might be a good choice for a little one.
 
DoctaD said:
I think the Opinel suggestion above is a good one. I would suggest buying a Locking blade as opposed to a Non-locking like the SAK. There is nothing like a blade closing on little fingers to instill the fear of knives into a child. I remember slashing my thumb with a non-locking Cub Scout knife, when it accidentally closed ( I still bear the scar).
I bought my daughter (as a young teen), a Byrd Robin.
A finch might be a good choice for a little one.
Click to expand...

I had the opposite experience when I was about 11 and had my first lockblade (Buck 110 copy)...I couldn't manipulate the lock well and snipped a nice groove out of the tip of my pinky...still have the scar).
 
I am a lady and my first knife was a folder & I cut myself many times. I would get her something like the Bark River PSK it is a fixed blade and a nice little knife.
 
I'm not a lady but as a kid, the Swisschamp was my favorite knife because of how many tools it had. I'd suggest a SAK or multitool for that reason--more tools = more to play with. If you're worried about the lack of lock, there are models with locks on the blade, but that limits your choices. My first knife was a slipjoint, though, and that is what I'll get my kids for their first knife. I don't remember cutting myself with one, but I do remember, like ThePharce, cutting myself while struggling to unlock a back lock.

If you change your mind about slipjoints, a small leatherman like the S4 might be a good choice, also. You might be able to find it in pink (otherwise light blue), it has a bunch of tools, and it's pretty small. The scissors on the Swisschamp was one of the things I used most, so the large pair on the S4 will come in handy.

On that note, IMO, a knife like the Mini Grip is way bigger in size and more expensive in price than a 7 year old needs. It'd probably take up her whole pocket.

Another option is to pick up one of the old cub scout or girl scout knives, as those have a liner lock on the blade, plus other tools. If you search ebay for "cub scout knife" or "girl scout knife" lots come up, though it might take some time to find a brand new one.
 
I got my Gran-daughters a BM Pink Mini Grip and they are 8 and 10 and so far there have been no problems. My Son takes them hunting and fishing with him and they are both very well mannered and very careful. Have one left if you want it for $55 NIB if you decide on a Pink knife. Great price and a very good knife that would last her into her later years.
 
How about a Spyderco Ladybug? it comes in colors, is reasonable priced, and sized for smaller hands.

Otherwise the Leatherman Juice/Squirt series' are also nice.
 
Wow! Lots of input in a short time! Thanks all.

I'm not ruling out slip joints. The more I think about it the more they make sense for a first.

I really like the Opinel "first knife" but the downside is there's no way to attach a slip ring. I want her to be able to add it to her "hiking jewelry" necklace that has a whistle and mirror.

I'm thinking the SAK executive would be really good. A bib larger than the classic so it's easier to hold and the tools are more user friendly.

We're all going hiking this weekend so the handling test will be then.

Keep the ideas coming! Thanks all!
 
My suggestion - Opinel #6 or one of the other smaller models. They come in carbon and stainless and can be found for less than $10. Very simple design. You turn a ring to lock the blade open and it can also be locked closed, very important. Pushing in a lock back might be difficult for a child. I might also suggest grinding down the tip, just to be extra safe. There is also no "snap" when the knife is closed like a SAK. I've been using knives my whole life and every now and then a SAK will still bite me.

Opinels are like the Moras of folders.
 
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I think you're spot on with your original SAK Classic idea in a cool pattern for a 7 year old. Or spend another $10 and get her a SAK Swiss Lite... same size but replaces the plastic toothpick with a more useful LED light. :thumbup:
 
I think the idea of a suitable Opinal is quite interesting. Why not combine that inexpensive knife with another. Start her collection. I understand why many of you want the blade to lock. Very prudent.

When introducing knives to my young nephews and nieces I went with traditional slip joints. With careful instruction and practice they seem to have mastered them without mishaps. But every child is different.
 
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