Knife for a young Boy Scout

Kershaw cryo, can be had for $20 on ebay. Then grab him a leatherman too, such as a wingman on Ps style.
 
either a leatherman wingman, SAK cadet, or wegner standard issue are the most versatile (even though they dont have a secured lock). if you would like to get him just a knife go for a RAT 1 or 2, or spyderco tenacious.

these are just my personal opinions from the years of being an eagle and boy scout



if you go the way of the SAK. you can check ebay and could get him a camillus US navy standard issue SAK, just for something different. love mine
 
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Of course the BSA doesn't require the knife to be locking, but the Patrol Leader Council and Scoutmasters (and parents) can make recommendations.

My advice:

Assume it will get lost or stolen. I'm just saying.
Get something low cost and no too flashy - to avoid frustration due to loss and to avoid coveting.
I'm torn between dull handle slabs and super bright ones - bright ones are easier to find on the ground, but kind of flashy.
Avoid liner locks since they require a finger to be "in the way" when unlocking.
Get a stainless steel blade - I know lots of you like carbon steel, but boys will be boys.
Get a knife that can be attached to a cord or lanyard - to further reduce chance of loss.
Etch his name in the handle - maybe also his troop number (T123)

When my son first joined Boy Scouts at age 10 (from Cub Scouts) I bought him a Kabar Dozier Spearpoint folder (doesn't seem to be for sale anymore, but there is a similar "Hunter") for $20. He lost it one day at summer camp. He couldn't remember where/how. The next day, while I (ASM) was helping another boy at Handicraft I noticed an older relatively obnoxious Scout showing off his knife, which happened to be exactly the same kind as my son's. I asked if I could look at it ... and there was my son's name etched into the handle. I said in a very nice way "huh, that's funny, it has a name and troop number (my son's) etched on the handle". At that point he said he'd found it on a camp trail. I said "oh, thanks! I'll return it to the owner."

Since then my son attached the knife to a thin cord with a loop that was attached to his belt. He sized it just long enough that the knife wouldn't hit the ground if dropped. When not in use he clipped the knife to his pocket and stuffed the cord into the pocket. He's an 18 year old Eagle Scout in college now ... and still has the knife.

BTW, when he earned First Class I rewarded him with a Leatherman Wave as a gift. He always carried the LM in his pack and the Kabar on pocket. Oh, and the LM had a similar cord on it too. When he earned his Eagle the local Marine Corps unit gave him a Kabar fixed blade knife, which he prizes.
 
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