Knife for 12 year old

SAK one of the models with the locking blade.

However, if the boy likes to tinker and take things apart, a multi-tool can be a friend for life.
 
I like the Benchmade Pika or mini-pika. It is a bit above your budget however. It has the popular hole-in-the blade opening. It is good 440C steel. And it is very solid. it is not a ninja knife in appearance. See the link.

I don't think he needs an especially small knife at his age especially if he is going to take up hunting and camping. However, a Leatherman with it's multi-tools is also a consideration although it might exceed the budget.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10400

Can I make a suggestion?

If you know how to properly sharpen a knife you might spend some time with him showing him how to do it. I'm sure you will both enjoy the experience. I think he will remember that you took the time to show him this skill long after the knife is gone and forgotten. If you don't know how to sharpen, it might be fun for both of you to learn together.

Remember, if it is your dog you have to walk it!
 
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I'm going to look at the SAKs, for sure, as well as a couple others.

I think he'd really like one of the regular sized multitools, but he only ever wears shorts and sweats, and I think a belt sheath is a necessity for those.

A couple other questions. Since kids, including us, lose everything, whats the best way 'not' to lose a knife?

I don't think any of the SAKs have lanyard holes or clips?
 
Shann said:
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I'm going to look at the SAKs, for sure, as well as a couple others.

I think he'd really like one of the regular sized multitools, but he only ever wears shorts and sweats, and I think a belt sheath is a necessity for those.

A couple other questions. Since kids, including us, lose everything, whats the best way 'not' to lose a knife?

I don't think any of the SAKs have lanyard holes or clips?
Click to expand...

That's an impossible question? Kids will always lose things unless it is something that is only used with an adult present and then they still may lose it. Just be sure they start learning the difference between various words beginning with the letter "T". A tool is not a toy. A knife is a tool.

They have to learn the hard way that if they don't take care of their tools they have to suffer the consequences. You want to raise them to be independent and self-sufficient don't you?
 
DGG said:
That's an impossible question? Kids will always lose things unless it is something that is only used with an adult present and then they still may lose it. Just be sure they start learning the difference between various words beginning with the letter "T". A tool is not a toy. A knife is a tool.

They have to learn if they don't take care of their tools they have to suffer the consequences. You want to raise them to be independent and self-sufficient don't you?
Click to expand...


Oh sure, its an impossible question. I still lose stuff all the time! I'm just thinking that with his normal dress (shorts and sweats) that there might be a way to lessen the chance of him losing the knife. He is always jumping his bike, rolling down a hill, etc.

Have you ever noticed though, that you usually don't lose expensive pens even though you might not think of it? I lose 5 bic pens a day, but if I have one of my nice ones, I don't lose it :rolleyes:
 
I've never lost a knife, through many moons of carrying one. From Jamboree in Virginia to running the hills in WVa, they've stayed put. :)
 
Many of the SAK's do have a place for a lanyard, so hook him up with a cool one. :) That's one of the nice things about of a SAK, not going to break the bank. Maybe tell him the first ones on you, but if he loses it, the next one is on him.
 
Get him a non-locking knife. He will learn how to properly handle a knife after a few "bites". :)
 
I think everyone has echoed what I was thinking so far. SAK or cub/boy scout issue pocket knife would be the way to go. The camillus whittlers they are selling at council stores come in carbon, and we know how some boys take care of their stuff.

Being a scout leader, I see the boys using all manner and type of knives. Some use the cheap import multitool knockoffs, but most will buy theirs from the council store. It's all decent quality stuff, obviously the SAK's are great, and most boys prefer them. They are also pretty low maintenance, IMHO.

Also, the thing with the lanyard. Most scouts are learning knots and such, and a lot of them work with gimp. (At least thats what they call it around here) I see them make all kinds of lanyard type things with that stuff.

Sounds like you got plenty of ideas to choose from.

Good luck.

Glenn
 
If you stretch your budget a bit you can get an Leatherman Juice S2 - with blade, pliers, and screwdrivers - my boys started with S2's at 9 years old.
 
I think a SAK would be the best bet based on your budget. It's hard to go wrong with a SAK.
 
A SAK should be everyones first knife! Besides, sooner or later everyone gets one anyway, so as mentioned, you can't go wrong with one - traditional and practical.

Will
 
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