Help with a solid, inexpensive knife...

Kabar Dozier <$20. Even has a few color choices.

+1 for the Buck Bantam stuff.
 
GregS said:
With folders they are more likely to cut themselves when closing the blade or the blade closing on them during use. Someone suggested a Mora, which was a wise suggestion. I would want my child to have a small fixed blade for their first knife.

But since you asked for suggestions on folders I'd say Opinel's are a good choice. IMO Buck 110's are great knives, but are a bit heavy/large for little guys... if your Scouts are older, 10+, the 110 is a good choice.
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I absolutely agree with you about fixed vs. folders. My first cuts were from folding knives colsing on my fingers. Long story short, there's a real debate in Scouting right now about fixed vs. folding. Some camps, like Philmont, prohibit fixed blades, while at the same time Scouting's own publications, like Boy's Life, recommend fixed blade knives for general camping use. We're going with folders just because the boys will not have to worry about whether the knife is allowed or not at any camp they may attend.

Personally, I'll have my Cold Steel Outdoorsman on my boot, as always. :D
 
Yes you can cut yourself closing a pocket knife, It is called learning. We already have enough laws that try to protect us from ourselves, Knives are tools which can hurt you a minor cut is a cheap lesson and one every knife person learns the hard way sooner or later. I started all of my kids and grand kids out with a Vic SAK, no regrets.
 
One Hand Trekker (plain edge)
Something from the Byrd line
Buck Bantam
Spyderco Persistance
Boker Trance
 
Back in my day, not too long ago, Fixed blade was the 119, locking folder was the 110, or any number of slippies from the Imperial Schrade Boy Scout knives, to Swiss Army Knives, to any number of Case or other multi blade knives. I would say if it needs a lock, Buck 110. Otherwise you can find a bunch of Vics for cheap.
 
Spyderco persistence. Awesome knife and IMO by far the best knife in it's price range! There's also the tenacious which is the larger model.
 
Buck 110 or Gerber Profile just off the top of my head. I'd take the 110 any day but they can run up to forty dollars a piece. Gerber Profile should be about 25 bucks. You can't beat the crap out of it like a buck, but it does handle a bit of abuse. And trust me, they will be abused by Boy Scouts, didn't make Eagle but I was quite a ways there before I had to quit and I have seen some knife abuse that would make you guys cringe.
 
Pick up a bunch of Opinel No.6's with stainless blades. I'd recommend No.8's with the good ol' carbon steel, but the size might be an issue, as well as keeping the blades dry and oiled up.
 
The thing I like about the Vic Camper for camping is that it has a good usable saw, that can be be really handy and save a lot of time and work, Plus a good can opener. I carry one everywhere. For just a knife, I would second the 110 but they are not cheap for your application. A good value for sure but more than you want to spend for a group.
 
Id go with the Case sod buster jr. I got mine for $17 at Lowels hardware. Its a great little knife. The buck 110 is also a great choice, I bet they would think the belt sheath is pretty neat.
 
Vic. Camper ~ $15
Buck 110/112 ~$32
Case Sodbuster ~$20
Buck Folding Bucklite MAX, large ~$18
Opinel No. 8 ~$12
Douk Douk ~$20
Mercator K55K ~$20

---OR---

Mora 740/510/840 ~$12 if a fixed blade is kosher.
 
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With all due respect, there is a pattern that was designed specifically for Boys Scouts.It's called a Boy Scout Knife. A lot of companies make them. Some have locking blades. when i was 8 i bought, what may have been the cheapest ever made. The Imperial Kamp King. It was my ticket to adventure,fishing and hunting for over 10 years. Because of that, i feel naked without my Victorinox "Tinker".

It may well be, that the Boy Scout pattern knife is too "old school" for the kids of today.If that is the case, i bow to more "hip" individuals. The Boy Scout knife was built to handle the activities that scouts do. My boyhood was too much of an adventure, to have settle for a knife that would only do one thing.

This is not meant to dis-respect anyone else's opinion. I have a high degree of respect for all the knives suggested.
 
In my opinion a SAK should be the standard Boy Scout knife. There are locking blade versions if needed (Wenger makes a few). I would not choose a one hand opening knife for a Boy Scout's first knife.
 
Oh, heck. My inner child just spoke. If i were 8 y.o.a. today, i would move heaven and earth for a Leatherman. One permanently resides on my motorcycle. One permanently resides in my patrol vehicle.
 
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