Knife for kids

GroovyMr1337 said:
Ooh! What about the AG Russell... the name escapes me. The small, 20$ one? I think that would be perfect.

EDIT: Woodswalker, I think?
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Yeah! I don't have one but a couple guys here do, and they seem to like 'em a lot.

marcinek said:
Ding ding ding! You are correct Groovy, AG Russell Woodswalker...was about to suggest one myself before you beat me to it...I have one, its fantastic. Durable, stainless, backed by our friend AG Russell, inexpensive, etc, etc...
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Not only does Mr. Russell back his knives on paper, he recently came here to respond to and fix a slight customer service issue. I was very impressed with that :thumbup:

That Bladeless Fuse sounds like a great thing for a youngster until they can be trusted alone with a knife. Soon enough that 13-yr-old will learn the joys of having to put back together, the things he took apart :)
 
Well, most of us can un-do, many of us can do, and some of us can fix the results of other people doing/undoing... :D
 
I am stealing one of Ragweeds photo's:
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I was gifted one of these when I was 9 or 10, coincidental with earning my hunter safety certification. At the time, my father had believed that the cross guard would help protect me if I happened to slip up. I believe he was right.
 
GibsonFan said:
Well, most of us can un-do, many of us can do, and some of us can fix the results of other people doing/undoing... :D
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I charge a lot more when that happens!

The secret is learning to re-install the factory smoke. You know how things smoke just before they quit? The obvious problem is that smoke was installed at the factory and the gizmo quit because the smoke leaked out. It's just a process of making sure the smoke seals are okay and putting the smoke back in. Anyone who has worked with Lucas electrics will understand this concept.


Dog-gonnit, we're off topic so bad I'm in a ditch. Give those kids a knife and a box of band-aids and start teachin'!
 
How about a Buck Diamondback Guide. 420HC blade 3 1/8", drop point. Rubber handle + nylon sheath. Great knife to learn how to sharpen on. Its about $16.00.
 
I vote for an SAK farmer or a RAT3 for a fixed blade. The RAT3 is a little more expensive but in 1095 it would be easier to sharpen. When I was young my first knife was a traditional Boy Scout Knife and I never had it close up on me. The farmer is plenty durable and the saw would be indispensible for field use. This is just my $.02....
 
Hi wade I did the same thing for my nephew. For 10 dollars more per knife you could get a RAT-3 in 1095 steel. I have done that and have never look back. Those little knives are great I got mine from actiongear.com I have several my self and carry one daily in my pack that I put in my truck. They are thin, easy to sharpen, and they just a great knife for a starter Fixed blade knife.
I hope this helps ya Wade I can not say enough about the RAT-3,
Bryan
 
First of all, how old are your nephews, Wade? I was 12 when I received/was allowed to have my first knife, and it was an SAK. A Wenger Handyman, to be exact. I had been taught proper knife usage and safety since I was seven or so, though, mostly on Old Timer and Buck three-bladed pocket-knives. I never broke or even seriously misused that knife, thanks to being taught the right way to use a blade; as a tool for cutting things. Have your nephews had any prior teaching regarding knives?

I'd say an SAK would make a great first knife; as long as they are taught how to use it there should be no problem. And, in my humble opinion, if they aren't going to be taught how to use a knife right, and to respect the knife for what it is, (a sharp tool that can cut them if misused or not used with care) then they have no business having it in the first place.

I, personally, didn't get a fixed blade for a couple of years after my SAK, just because I didn't really need one. On the other hand, I didn't know about Moras then either. If you want to get them a fixed blade, it would certainly still fall well under your limit of $50 to get both a Mora Clipper/#1 and a SAK of some kind. If you are concerned about the folding aspect, you could alway get a Victorinox One-Handed Trekker, which if I remember correctly, has a locking main blade. They run about $35 in a brick and mortar store, I believe. Also, for a fixed blade, the newer Finn Bear, from Cold Steel, is an excellent buy at $10-$15, and is similar to a Mora, with a 4" blade. As KGD mentioned, the Buck Diamondback Guide is a great little knife as well, my mother 'borrowed' it to use as a kitchen knife, matter of fact. And she doesn't do knives.
 
Gibson and fonly...you missed the key point with the Fuse...I gave it to my nephew!

My older brother's boy.

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

My nephew was pretty disappointed that there was no blade on it...he has been doing some camp stuff and could probably use a SAK. Of course then, if a gave him something bladed, my brother would probably never talk to me again. Which is odd, because I think he could do a lot more monetary damage with a set of tools in his pocket.
 
GibsonFan said:
...some of us can fix the results of other people doing/undoing... :D
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DaleW said:
I charge a lot more when that happens!
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Trouble-shooting is 90% of any service/repair job. If they knew how to fix it, they wouldn't come to you :D

DaleW said:
The secret is learning to re-install the factory smoke. You know how things smoke just before they quit? The obvious problem is that smoke was installed at the factory and the gizmo quit because the smoke leaked out.
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Good point. Let's not forget the "hair" principle... is it "a hair off from spec", compared to a fine blonde hair, or compared to a coarse thick dark hair?!?

DaleW said:
Give those kids a knife and a box of band-aids and start teachin'!
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I can't argue with that. Just warn 'em not to cut down mama's flower garden!!!

marcinek said:
Of course then, if a gave him something bladed, my brother would probably never talk to me again. Which is odd, because I think he could do a lot more monetary damage with a set of tools in his pocket.
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I agree, my Leatherman Blast could be a dang good burglary tool, if I was so inclined. Which I'm not. But I feel strongly that if a kid learns to use "dull" tools responsibly, he/she can surely learn to use sharp ones responsibly.

Seriously though... I still recommend a Mora, Woodswalker, CS Finn Bear or similar for youngsters, since you specified a fixed-blade, which I think is wise. Simple is good.

Stainless vs. high-carbon is a horse-apiece, in this case.... personally I wouldn't want my kid to think "Oh, it's stainless, I don't have to clean it".

If you specified a folder, I would suggest a 2- or 3-blade Stockman-style folder like Grampa used to carry. Or a Buck 112/110 if it fits their hand well. Depends on the kid; regardless, he/she's going to have to learn to be responsible with/take care of it. Never trust the safety on a gun, never trust the lock on a folding knife. Don't forget to include a sharpening stone and small bottle of light oil.

Heckuva lotta options; you're in a buyer's market when looking for good knives in this range. The most important factor will be you giving your youngsters guidance :)
 
Although I grew up using slipjoint SAKs, I can't imagine myself buying one for any kid in my charge. I think I'd definitely opt for a locking blade SAK.

The good thing about a folder in terms of safety is that once it has been used for the task at hand, the blade is instinctively folded away before getting up to do other things. With fixed blades, however, there is a tendency to carry the thing around unsheathed despite the immediate task being completed. Serious injuries are more likely to happen this way eg. kid trips over and accidentally stabs himself.

If I was you I'd be starting the kids on a small locking folder, and let them discover the capabilities of a small, sharp blade. Leave the fixed blades for later.
 
When I was a kid my first knife was an old pocketknife from either my Grandpa Reynolds or an uncle , the tip was worn round , nothin fancy but it was a knife nonetheless. Then I had a Cub Scout pocket knife , those who speak about supervision are correct , the child needs to be taught NOT to mimic the crap on TV or in school and to act and responsibly use his/her new tool.
 
Hi everyone, Thanks for all the help so far. My nephews are 10 and 11.

How about the Cold Steel Bushman?? Anyone have one of these? Are they any good?
 
wade said:
Hi everyone, Thanks for all the help so far. My nephews are 10 and 11.

How about the Cold Steel Bushman?? Anyone have one of these? Are they any good?
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The Bushman is a nice knife, but for a kid it may be a little "tacti-cool".
Also, with no semblance of a cross guard and a slick handle it would be real easy for them to slip up and cut themselves.
 
I'd personally get them a good high-quality knife, and teach them to respect it, and to never lose it, because some day their lives might depend on it. :)

But, looking at the issue with a more economical perspective, I'd recommend, like others have done, a stainless steel Mora. Certainly a fixed blade - I'd never give a kid a folder (locking-blade multitools are a different thing, of course), some of those are just accidents waiting to happen.
 
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