Knife for kids

I agree with the Mora. Specifically, the version of the 510 with the front guard (I think it's the 521 maybe?) would be an excellent choice. The grip is small enough for young'n to get a good grip on it. The guard is plenty of protection from any slips. Heck, they could even learn some leatherwork by making their own sheaths for them!

The SAK isn't a terrible idea, but I agree that there is more danger in the folder than the fixed blade. To me, this is similar to a pistol being potentially more dangerous for a young one just learning than a rifle.
 
I guess another issue here is the level of fine motor skills these kids have. Some 10 or 11 year olds are very well coordinated, whereas others can be very clumsy.

Usually kids grow out of clumsiness, but some don't. For example, I wouldn't trust my brother with a knife, and he's 23 years old.
 
As a kid I had several knives that I probably shouldn't have had - cheap Pakistani and Chinese boot knives and "survival" knives - as well as a few SAKs. I did some stupid stuff with some of them and I did have a few accidents, but I still have all of my fingers and I never did any serious harm. I guess that my point is that if I managed to avoid major injury, then I think they'll be fine with just about anything if you're giving them some good instruction (such as I never had) on how to use and maintain a knife properly. Moras would be good, SAKs would be good. Another idea I had was to get them kit knives and you could instruct them on building their own first knives.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
they are out of stock at cheaper than dirt, but im not a fan of cs anyway. though many are, i dont care for them.

id spend the extra 20.00 or so and get the ag russell.
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I second the "Not a fan of Cold Steel" but that would make for a good first knife IMO.
 
DaleW said:
I would go for the SAK. Teach them how to use the thing properly! I used non-locking folders until I was well into adulthood and I still have all my fingers. I never broke a knife either.

Something like a Case XX two-bladed folder just seems like the ultimate American gift/starter knife.

Victorinox Trekkers have locking blades and are well under $25.

You could get them Vic Farmers and have their names engraved on them.

Buck 112 is a classic, but I don't know if it is appropriate for a kid.

Opiniels?

Boker Trance?

Multi-tools? The Gerber 400 Compact has locking blades and they are $35-ish.

I wouldn't give a kid a fixed blade, buuuuuut, if I did, a mora would be a good place to start. They have some "scouts" models too. An AG Russell Woodswalker would be a lifetime gift and ot too spendy. Certainly kid-sized. A mora or SAK and a Vaughan Sub Zero hatchet would be a sweet woodcraft combo. Heck, now I want one too!
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There is a lot of good advice IMHO in this post.

I don't get people who claim SAK's or any other Stainless blade is not tough enough. You won't be teaching your children how to batton a folding knife... or I hope your not.

I think a father could do a lot worse than a Case from the Boy Scouts Editions. There are many Dual blades and Barlow styles to choose from.

I have heard the arguments on both sides of the locking blade argument (locking blade - they cut themselves trying to close it - non locker - they cut themselves trying to use it.) If they are stong enough to close a locker - get it for them - if not - teach them how to use a non locker properly.

I don't think a straight blade makes sense. I would bring them to the knife store and see what fits theirs hands well - and go with that.

TF
 
I had a Mora 521 when I was a kid, it was back when the sheath was one for a Mora 510 with a cutout. There are 521s lying around everywhere at my parents house and at their summer house in different shapes from half decent to pry bars :). Its one of the most common Average Joe knives in Sweden, they almost sell by the bucket load for about 2 USD each. When you are visiting the hardware store or the carpenter center or farm shop to buy this and that you usually throw in one or two or three Moras from the styrofoam stand at the checkout, just because you might need one or two :)
The Mora 700 series is quite common as well, for those not using Mora 2K. Anyway, a 511/521 a good starter knife. There is what they call a "scout knife" and looks like something like the Mora 40. I am allergic to that knife, its so ugly.
A SAK is useful but it can fold on your fingers, and that can happen to other people than kids :) It might be a good 15-16 year gift but I would not recommend a folder for kids anyway.

There are knives made for electricians with a sheep foot blade that can cut but not be jammed into any bodypart that easily and it is a "real" knife, not a kids knife.

It doesnt really matter what knife you use, its how much the user uses it. A really crappy cheap knife can do the same job as F1 or Strider when it comes to whittling, cutting hot dog sticks and such. Its like driving to work, you dont need a Hummer to do a Yugo job. A F1 is more fun though :)
 
Prybar-itis seems to be the rule of the day.

A SAK has many advantages. Inexpensive. Easy to carry. Lots of utility. It's a slipjoint, and advantage, not a liability. A folding knife is always a folding knife, locking or not. Teaching a kid otherwise could lead to greater injury than if it was a slipjoint and treated accordingly.

For a fixed blade, a Mora is perfect. However, a SAK will almost always out-utility a Mora, and will certainly be easier to carry.

That being said, both my kids got used Leatherman Micras. It seems kids like using scissors quite a bit.
 
Well everyone, thanks for the help here is what I decided on. Its made by onterio, I hope its good quality, I own a few RAT's and am very happy with them. Anyhow, what do you think? Couldnt pass them up at $18 each.

72881620Spec20Drop20Pt20Hunter.jpg
 
Well, it is more like a real knife than a piece of red plastic with a piece of kitchen sink on it and for 18 bucks you can afford to lose it, and if dad or mom decides for a Micarta F1 the kids wont be too jealous :)
To make it even fancier, get someone to engrave the kids name on the knife as well.
Good luck and let us now the outcome.
If they cut themselves, just tell them about that stupid swedish guy who wanted to tie paracord on his Fallkniven S1 and ended up holding the knife in left hand and manage to chop a big cut in the right ring finger and having to wait for three hours at the "pseudo" hospital in Bäckefors (small village) to get some stitches :( and if they are still crying, just tell them that the guy was 35 at the time :) Accidents happen, crazy stunts just needs a little more help.
 
:confused: Buck Pathfinder was my first but I'd say a Mora is a good cheap, quality blade for a first.

wait, can cheap and quality be used in the same sentence???:confused:
 
Simple. Rugged. Big enough to do some work but small enough to not get them "in too deep". Sheeple friendly. Pocket friendly. Boy friendly. A great example costs not much. If it is lost (eventually it will be), no great loss but an excellent lesson in responsibility. And if they manage to hang onto it... it becomes an heirloom.

No way would I hand a fixed blade knife to a youngster as a first knife. They will want to try it out on every tree and stick in sight. Or throw it. Or show it off at inappropriate times which could equal brandishing. Save the fixed blades for a "graduation present".

These are just the opinions of an old Codger with five children and five grandchildren, former Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Scout Leader (way back last century).

Codger
 
My kids get a Classic SAK at 6 years old, then a bigger SAK or similar folder at 10 and a fixed blade at 12. My 8 year-old does amazing things with his, but keeps asking me to change the rules for him "Dad what if I make a knife?" "Go ahead and make it and we will decide then." That's held him off for a year or so...My 12 year old daughter got a SAK Huntsman at 10 which she still keeps around, it just got back from 6th grade camp (along with a ferro rod, teachers didn't know about either of those..) and asked for a Ka-Bar skinner for her 12th similar to the 1st fixed blade my dad got me when I was a kid.
My son wants a BK-7 for his 12th...tough luck kid, you are not getting mine...

Mike
 
When I was 12 in 1983 or so, I saved up and bought myself a SAK Huntsman. It was my edc from then until just a couple of years ago. It's pretty beat up, but still completely functional. When my daughter is old enough, I plan to give it to her.
 
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