Knife for a 10 year old?

I would vote for a SAK over a Buck lockback. I know that some people have difficulty closing lockbacks with strong springs like Buck puts on theirs.

For example, my sister can close her Spyderco Native with no problem, but has difficulty with my 110 and my 560.
 
Get hm the classic Scout Knife and teach him knife care and use in the same manner that the Scouts teach "Tote-N-Chip". That teaching includes the responsibility in how to use a knife correctly and how not to use a knife. As to it not having a lock for the blade, I suggest that that is all for the better as he will learn caution with a knife blade.
 
I would go for a fixed blade, I think they are better for kids than folders. A proper knife with a finger guard perhaps, a knife to learn with. I got my first knife on my 4th birthday, it was a Mora "scout" knife.
 
I like the idea of a SAK. Whichever one you buy, get a second. Keep it in its package, and write the date and his name on it with a permanent marker. Ten years after he loses the first one, give him the second one. I bet he'll hang on to it.
 
stevekt said:
The neat thing about giving a Soldier as a birthday gift is that the year (2 digit) of manufacture is stamped on the tang. You could give your son an "06" for his 10th year or a "96" for the year of his birth. Most places will not sell specific years but I think Felinevet's Shop at sosakonline.com will.
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I contacted the Felinevet's shop, they don't have a '96, but im going to get him the Soldier with the '06. Thanks for the tip Stevekt.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
 
Get him a Case or Camillus Boy Scout Camp Knife...That should be any boy's first folder, IMO.:).
 
This kind of sounds like my Dad telling me what first car I "needed". instead of asking what I wanted.

If he doesn't like what he needs. He will surely loose it, and quickly.

No, I didn' t loose my first car, but I could not have cared less about it and it went to hell in a hurry..

Take him to a gun/knife show. Let him pick out his first knife. Naturally within guidelines. I am sure he probably knows he isn't going to get a Vette for his first knife. You know what I mean.....
 
Ya know Packrat thats not a bad idea. Although there aren't any shows happening locally, I think it may be wise to pick his brain a little to see what he likes. He handles all my knives regularly and reads the knife books/catalogues around the house. Shouldn't be to hard to figure out what he wants.
 
I have two sons and when they were 7 and 9 I bought them the Boy Scout Green handled Wenger Adirondack with the packlock, they whittled and cut up a storm with them.
I do think a lock blade for youngsters is the way to go.
They are now 9 and 11 and they still have their Wengers,each have a Wave, and one has a CRKT Urban Shark and the other a CRKT Contrail.
My youngest loves the Urban Shark with its little lanyard......now he wants to learn how to make them....guess I had better learn myself first LOL
I think their next knives will be a medium stockman with bone handles either a Case or a Queen.
Oh and they both have Wenger Esquires, they were on sale awhile ago and I had them stashed away.

I am raising a couple of knife nuts to be sure esp my youngest, he is really good with all types of knives.

Kap
 
When he goes bragging that his Dad let him pick out his own knife......Priceless

Yeah,,,,I am a grandpa.....:D Will admit I bought one of those tv things of thausands and thousands of kinves or whatever.....

Like I said.... Priceless ... they spend hours looking and playing... and know there is no opening them... Happy with the junkers.... One of these days the safe queens....

Again..... priceless........
 
You have to remember something.... So a knive may be a little tough to handle right now, like closing a Buck 110.

But once the kid learns how, and they will, the kid will grow into the knife.

If a kid starts out with something like a 110 and still has it when he is 60, again....priceless....
 
My son is 10 and I gave him a leatherman juice s2. He has had it for two years and it is the perfect tool/knife for him to cut and , fish & destruct gadgets with.
I would recommend one of these.
garciajr
 
STR said:
Any Swiss Army knife is a fine choice. One with the locking main blade like Wenger offers would probably be a good idea though.

STR
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My first knife was a little vic. swiss army deal my dad gave me. I was six. I promptly sliced the tip of my finger off. Don't worry, they reattached it. :thumbup:
 
ginshun said:
I think my personal feelings on a first knife are that it should not be a locking knife. Seems counter intuitive I know, but I think a kid should learn how to safely use a knife without a lock instead of learning to rely on the lock to keep them safe.
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:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I couldn't agree more!

No offence guys, but whenever you start talking about lock failure or slicing your fingers off due to cheap locks I can't help but wonder what the hell you're doing! :jerkit: :eek:

If you're using the knife safely, the lock doesn't come under any real stress at all! :confused: ;) Do your kids a favor and make them learn how to use a folder safely!
 
Kazeryu said:
No offence guys, but whenever you start talking about lock failure or slicing your fingers off due to cheap locks I can't help but wonder what the hell you're doing! :jerkit: :eek:

If you're using the knife safely, the lock doesn't come under any real stress at all! :confused: ;) Do your kids a favor and make them learn how to use a folder safely!
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I agree. I have had some knives with some pretty crappy locks over the years and I don't ever remember one of them failing on me. Doesn't mean I don't value the security of my frame locks and axis locks, but still. If you are using a knife correctly I don't see the lock coming under much stress. Lock strength is nice to have, but you shouldn't be doig anything with a knife that requires the lock to save your fingers anyway. IMO that is.
 
I'm for the slipjoint. A moderately priced delrin Old Timer. Slipjoints will make him aware that a knife can bite you back if you don't pay attention. The carbon steel would be easy for him to keep sharp to pay attention to keeping the blade clean and oiled.

I gave my son a small Schrade stockman on his 8th b-day. I found it on a fishing pier some 20 years earlier and had carried it every day until I gave it to him. Now it has a nice little history to go along with it.

Perhaps give him one of yours?
 
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