knife for a younin'

K

Kendall Campbell

Joined
Mar 30, 2001
Messages
47
I was thinking about buying a knife of a 11 y.o. to take camping with us. A folder seems a good choice. I don't want to pay too much, guess it will likely be lost, but I would like to give a sharp knife to give some respect for a knife. What is a good cheap widdle knife?
 
The best "first knife" IMHO is an Swiss Army Knife made by Victorinox. They are inexpensive, useful, durable, and does not look like a weapon to our chicken- hearted(and chicken brained) brothers.

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
I'd send the little rascal with the smallest CRKT/Carson flipper spearpoint model. I'm probably way off base,
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maybe a SAK or small slipjoint would be better. I like locks for safety, though. Actually, that Carson may be a bit pricey for a throw away. Maybe a nice medium SAK. Have fun.
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-IPR
 
When I gave my son his first folder I gave him a camillus GI utility folder. Thay are tough and cheap. The blade and other tools are very useful. I know most all knives theses days lock, but I wanted to teach him that he should never rely on any lock. Always treat a folding knife as if it is not locked. JMO, ymmv, etc.

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Brian
The first knife was probably used to cut stuff.
 
Smart. This is my answer. Thanks

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by bteel:
When I gave my son his first folder I gave him a camillus GI utility folder. Thay are tough and cheap. The blade and other tools are very useful. I know most all knives theses days lock, but I wanted to teach him that he should never rely on any lock. Always treat a folding knife as if it is not locked. JMO, ymmv, etc.

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Those are all fine choices...Every boy needs a SAK or basic folder.

But...I'm a bit skitish with kids and knives at the moment...I'm working on "uncle guilt" (I haven't shared this yet with the forums, maybe out of shame). I very recently got my nephew a knife (one of ours) as a graduation gift of sorts for passing a cub scout type knife safety course. Two days later he was in the emergency room getting 14 stitches in his thumb. He's about ten or 11. Kendall...can you handle the guilt? I think I'll get over it...but his stitches aren't even out yet.

Oh well, how about a Balisong for that campout?
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Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com
Email: ron@sogknives.com
 
I appreciate the logic behind a slip lock folder, and teaching care. Then again, a lock can prevent some problems for an inexperienced person, plus it has a "gee whiz!" factor.

I'd recommend a small Uncle Henry slip folder, or a Gerber LST. I cannot stain my LST's blade, no matter how hard I try. And, the Zytel handle has held up marvelously.

Of course, you could look at one of Gil Hibben's fantasy knives by United.
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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
My sons first knife was a Gerber LST. My daughters was similar. I wanted them each to have a small knife with enough quality to hold an edge and do the job without worrying if they lost it. Lockbacks are a must! I was always asked if I thought they would cut themselves........of course they will, I still do. These kids have access to knives everyday just doing dishes.
The only problem (actually enjoy it) is when I buy a new one for me ........they want one too, and their taste is getting better.

Life is good.............
Greg

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Always do right....this will gratify some and astonish the rest.
Mark Twain
 
I am a cub scout leader and rouinely recommend the victorinox pal. It is a small knife for young users who have just earned their "whittler's chip" card. The Gerber LST is a good choice as well for an inexspensive lock-back. My Seven year old (Yes, he has earned his "whittler's chip") has a small Camillus lockback, a victorinox pal, and a victorinox pioneer any of which he can ONLY use when I am with him!!

That said, it still scares the MESS out of me everytime he opens it!
 
Forget the lock factor altogether and get a fixed blade. Running Dog knives offers a good size selection of little knives for really good prices. Hold on a sec, I'll grab the link...... ahhh here it is:

http://www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com/

The steel is good and easily sharpened as well. Heck, they even got a model called the "Little Camper". Coincidence? I think not.

Don't sweat the guilt thing. Yer kid crashes his bike and ya feel guilty about buying the bike. There's no escape where kids are concerned. Good parental guidance while he has it is imperative, and goes a long ways.

 
<img src=http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/ssdpknvs-s.JPG>

Top knife in the pic. $85.00, 3" 440C blade. Available from www.newt.livesay.com

An inexpensive but great knife is the Schrade Sharpfinger.

I've bought my kids (and nephews) small fixed blades at first. Now ther are getting folders, neck knives, and larger fixed blades. The oldest of all the above is 10.
 
Ron, there's no need to feel guilty. Kids have to learn somehow, and it's better to learn young. I cut myself pretty good a couple of times before I was 11, it was no big deal. Now I've got plenty of cool scars.
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Take a look at the Camillus #99ss Camp Knife. Not too cheap, but a great starter knife with real heirloom potential. Also available with Scouts logo.

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AKTI Member #A000934
"Always just one knife short of perfection!"
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Roadrunner:
Ron, there's no need to feel guilty. Kids have to learn somehow, and it's better to learn young. I cut myself pretty good a couple of times before I was 11, it was no big deal. Now I've got plenty of cool scars.
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I've had knives since 1st grade and I've never cut myself
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(ok fine, maybe once)


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A genius learns more and more about less and less until he/she learns absolutly everything about nothing

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~Daniel a.k.a. DeLightsabor~
 
I agree. My uncle gave me my first knife when I was 8. A used Case XX. 5 min after I got it, I had it buried in my thumb. I can remember that day as if it just happened. My uncle laughed, and my mom "put it up". I ever seen it again. I think it ended up at the bottom of the outhouse. The only place I didn't check.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Roadrunner:
Ron, there's no need to feel guilty. Kids have to learn somehow, and it's better to learn young. I cut myself pretty good a couple of times before I was 11, it was no big deal. Now I've got plenty of cool scars.
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[This message has been edited by Kendall Campbell (edited 04-02-2001).]
 
If you be givin' an SAK to yer young'un, be sure it's the locking variety. That's all the advice I can give. I can't begin to tell you how much better the locking variety is to the non-locking stuff. Now if'n they would only be using a harder steel like AUS8 or even CPM154...

Wonder if we have a strong enough voice to push them to bring out a model with a Stellite or Talonite blade. (Just the blade... rest of knife made of original material)
 
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