Good First Knife....?

[3mptin3ss]

a 10 year old may not even want a knife at his age. i remember another fellow posting a while back about how he bought his nephew a pocket knife, but all the kid wanted to do was play video games instead.

if he is the type who would appreciate a knife at such a young age, i vote for swiss army knife

 

[GIRLYmann]

Go either SAK or Case for pocket knife!
but i suspect a true outdoors type personality might appreciate a mini plier or scissor head multitool instead.

 

[Foilist]

A Vic SAK is a great place to start!:thumbup:

I got my first knife at about that age. It was a Vic SAK Huntsman. It was my only "everything" knife for years. I still have it and use it too. SAKs are generally not heirloom items, but I'd love to give my childhood SAK to my own daughter, when she's old enough.

 

[Coldwood]

I got my first knife at the age of 6 or 7 back in the 1940's. At the dinner table. My mother served up yet another load of boiled cauliflower (which I detest) and I was whining about it. My father decided it was time. He reached into his pocket and plunked down some two-blade folder and said "If you clean up your plate, I'll give you this knife." My eyes about leaped out of my head and I would have eaten a pot of cauliflower at that point. I used, abused, and lost that knife but then I got another and another and another until I learned to appreciate and keep them.

SAKs were not around for us back then. If he had given me a SAK Tinker, like I EDC today, I think I would have been in heaven but I would have had to fight every kid in the neighborhood who wanted to take it from me.

Lots of great suggestions here

Edit: Something about giving the first knife, it's a coming-of-age event, a showing of trust from an adult. A knife is a tool and a potential weapon; it's not a toy video game. My father was a little loose in the PC department back then, and his presentation was informal, but I think you are right on with a proper presentation of the knife to this young man, followed up with good instruction about it's use.

 

[Bufford]

I got my first fixed blade at about 10. Get the boy a knife that is both usable and loose able. The knife should not be too small to avoid loss, also a larger knife is safer in small hands. There is more handle to grip on, so the chances of injury can be reduced. One of my worst cuts at that age was inflicted by a swiss army knife, but I don't remember cutting myself with the fixed blade.

So my suggestion would be a good buck knife. If he wants a folder, then the buck 110 would fit the bill.

 

[Dagon]

definitely a SAK.
Kids adore the variety of tools in a SAK.

 

[sharpguytoo]

A SAK cant lose.
Another thought, if it seems appropriate, go with a "scout" knife (there are some good ones) and let BSA teach safety amoung other things. Everybody wins. Be Prepared.

 

[scotchleaf]

I'd go with the rough rider scout knife. Really exceptional quality for a $10 knife

 

[Peter Parker]

If not a SAK(excellant suggestion) a three blade stockman or scout knife, I always prefer Queen due to fit and finish/walk and talk.

 

[norcalblacktail]

SAK Farmer

 

[SPXTrader]

If you want to get him a Buck, I might think the 110 is a little big for a 10 year old. Take a look at the Buck 503. Same classic Buck design, but in a 2.5" drop point that's less than 3.5 inches closed.

 

[Kaizen1]

I like the idea of a SAK. When I was that age, I would've loved one with a bunch of tools on it.

 

[Coldwood]

Boys being boys, sooner or later he will want to take it to school to show off to his friends. Head him off at the pass before that happens

 

[he who say]

spyderco, delica-native-centofaunte III, kershaw, skyline-groove-storm, all really good knives without being overpriced.

 

[HikingMano]

If you want to get him a Buck, I might think the 110 is a little big for a 10 year old. Take a look at the Buck 503. Same classic Buck design, but in a 2.5" drop point that's less than 3.5 inches closed.

That's a good idea:thumbup: I threw the buck 110 out there because to me it's such a classic first knife for a kid It's a tool a good kid can really grow with, not out of, especially if he's been raised by or around adults that use knives responsibly. As far as losing it goes, in my head, a child that is deemed responsible enough to receive a knife in the first place is probably unlikely to lose it through carelessness. Even if he did manage to lose it though no fault of his own, that's only $30-40 lost.

 

[wilson091406]

Thanks for all the great input. Right now I'm kinda leaning towards a Buck 112 Ranger. It seems like it's not to big, but its not something that he will grow out of either.
Any thoughts?

 

[Dantor]

another vote for a Swiss Army Knife. many parents "used" to do that as a tradition, giving the first SAK with a demonstration of how to
use it safely and all it's functions. and get one for yourself!

 

[HikingMano]

Thanks for all the great input. Right now I'm kinda leaning towards a Buck 112 Ranger. It seems like it's not to big, but its not something that he will grow out of either.
Any thoughts?

Never handled a 112, but I think it's a good compromise; the 110 in a slightly smaller package might be just the ticket for a growing boy:thumbup: Then get him a SAK farmer for christmas!