Knives for sons: Recommendations? Advice?

bleh

bleh

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I'm a father of two boys, one 2 and a half and the other 1 month old. I've got a few knives that I carry regularly, but it seems to be a revolving door. I'd like to get a pair of knives that will be the boy's knives, that I'll give to them when they reach an appropriate age. I'd like to carry these knives in the meantime so they see them getting used, specifically, they see me and their mother use them. My 2 year old is at the point where he's asking "what are you doing" all the time, and when I'm watching him outside and whittling, I think it'd be a good time for him to start seeing me using the knife and build those memories.

So on to the questions, I'm thinking of a stockman or whittler pattern, probably from GEC or Case. somewhere between 3 and 4 inches closed. What patterns are out there that I may not have seen? Should I go with the Case for their stainless steel since these knives will probably spend a fair amount of time just sitting?

I'm also trying to decide whether to get a pair of the same knife (different covers, of course), or to get two unique knives. Any thoughts on that from the peanut gallery?

Anyone care to make specific recommendations for me? Prices between $50 and $100 per knife.
 
I think that's a splendid plan you have for your sons, Sean! :thumbup::thumbup:
I don't really have any advice other than to get something YOU like, because you'll have to use the knives regularly for your plan to succeed.

- GT
 
I'll echo what 5K said. I have the same plan for my children. I have 3 kids and plan to carry 3 knives daily so that they can grow up knowing those knives. That way they'll be all the more special to them when they're handed down. This being the case, I'd suggest that you get a couple of knives that you really like. Otherwise the knives are probably going to sit around while you reach for your favorites and the kids won't get that exposure you're looking for. I think that the kids will covet whatever knives you choose. It's the memories and familiarity that is what makes heirlooms special, not which brand or which model the item happens to be. My dad has his pocket knife that he bought a couple years before I was born. It doesn't matter that it's just a run of the mill Old Timer, that knife is the ultimate in my eyes. Your sons will feel the same way.
 
You might let them pocket some of your knives to see what is manageable and what they are willing to carry. Then they could choose their own when they have some pocket time and experience using a few different patterns.

With my four kids, I started them out with a Peanut--easy to carry, scaled to their smaller hands, and boxy and thus easy for small hands to get a good purchase on. They all liked theirs and used them camping and around home. My son made the most use of his by learning to carve wood chains and ball-in-cage whittle designs. The Peanut's slim blades were made for whittling wood and doing simple tasks like cutting down cardboard to recycle. My youngest daughter also like the SAK Night Manager--I think it's the same size as the Classic, but with a red LED "flashlight" and a pen with ink--those were important to her. lol
 
I started out with SAK's, Boy Scout knives and old Uncle Henry's. Would suggest a couple of vintage Schrade Old Timers perhaps and teach those boys about knife care with the carbon steel. Everything after that will be easy.
 
Congratulations on your two boys, I wish I could do it all over again. My vote is scout knives, kids love gadgetry although you may not like carrying them.
 
Well, you have plenty of time so why not pick up some nice SFOs as they come out? I have started a collection of traditional knives, and love the fact that unlike other electronics or gadgets they can (and hopefully will) be passed down for generations. As long as you keep them oiled you shouldn't have worry about rust, and getting a knife from Dad with a nice patina will just reinforce the heirloom nature of the gift.
 
Being as I like knives, and have for many years, my son (and daughter) had knives that were age appropriate (BSA & GSUSA) then SAK's in their teens (one a VIC and the other a SwissBuck). When my son was in his 20's I bought a Case blue bone handled "Father-Son" set in a tin, it had two Trappers, a 54 pattern and a 07 pattern. I gave him the set of both knives - I know he carries the smaller of the two. My daughter keeps the Swiss Buck in her purse. OH
 
thanks for the feedback guys, sounds like we're all on the same page. Now I just have to decide what to get.

Robb- I think they're a little young to be pocketing knives at this point. Maybe the 2.5 year old if I get one with a stiff enough backspring that he definitely can't open it. I don't think the one month old has pockets yet ;)

mink- That's a good idea. I started with a Schrade Uncle Henry Stockman that was a gift from my Grandmother. I still have it. Are the schrades and old timers still USA made?

SAKs are a good idea, but I doubt I'd carry them much. I've tried them before and they ended up getting left behind. I'm eyeing Stockman patterned knives right now. That's what I started with, and when they get old enough to take their knives, I can grab the one I had when I was a kid and join them.
 
Sean - I have a similar plan but different. Wait does that make sense? I have a couple of knives that I carry quite often. I have a 7 year old and a 4 year old. They will not carry a knife until they earn their totem chip badge in Boy Scouts, but they will have watched me with my COPPER HEAD TK Cuban and 2014 BF Knife for years before they achieve the badge. I have two extra of both, purposefully bought to present them when they proved they can safely handle and care for a knife. They will be able to put their own patina on them and all of us will have the same knives. Mine, well if I ever have one, it'll go to a grandson.
 
Rockon75 said:
Sean - I have a similar plan but different. Wait does that make sense? I have a couple of knives that I carry quite often. I have a 7 year old and a 4 year old. They will not carry a knife until they earn their totem chip badge in Boy Scouts, but they will have watched me with my COPPER HEAD TK Cuban and 2014 BF Knife for years before they achieve the badge. I have two extra of both, purposefully bought to present them when they proved they can safely handle and care for a knife. They will be able to put their own patina on them and all of us will have the same knives. Mine, well if I ever have one, it'll go to a grandson.
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That's a great idea too. of course it requires me to purchase one or two extra knives, which brings the price per knife down (knife budget is fixed). But it does eliminate the worry of me mucking up one of the knives using it over the years.

I have a similar plan for when they'll get the knives. That's when I got my first knife.
 
So for my two, One now 8 and the other 11, I bought a couple of Case swayback. Well those seldom get used, they are too busy stealing my GEC EO boys knives. My son now has a Cub scout knife that he likes , but my 11 ye old daughter still loves that EO (now if I could only get her to oil it once in a while:)) Steven
 
I started my son at 16 with a 3" blade folder. It was one of those S&W cheapies. He liked it...he liked the fact that I had enough trust in him to give him a knife. He will be 18 next April. I got him a Kershaw Cryo 2 for Christmas. He should like it.
I have also gotten him into guns. I have taken him to the gun range many times. His favorite that I own is my Sig Sauer 1911 TacOps Carry. Once he turns 18, I will be handing down to him one of my .22 rifles.
My son (as well as my daughters) makes me very proud.

Ron
 
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SauerSig said:
I started my son at 16 with a 3" blade folder. It was one of those S&W cheapies. He liked it...he liked the fact that I had enough trust in him to give him a knife. He will be 18 next April. I got him a Kershaw Cryo 2 for Christmas. He should like it.
I have also gotten him into guns. I have taken him to the gun range many times. His favorite that I own is my Sig Sauer 1911 TacOps Carry. Once he turns 18, I will be handing down to him one of my .22 rifles.
My son (as well as my daughters) makes me very proud.

Ron
Click to expand...
My daughter is my shooting partner, she and I love time at the range. I bought her a CZ452 22 and a 1885 Highwall (40-65 blackpowder), you might say she is spoiled!
 
I got my son a Vic Pioneer Black Alox. I will keep it new and unused until he is old enough.

I didn´t buy any other new knives as there will be many used knives I will give him for special occasions. My beloved GEC #66 Serpentine Jack will have a new owner, hopefully I won´t loose it during the coming decades...
 
I like the idea of using specific knives around your kids, so they'll have specific memories. Right now, I'm a Knife-of-the-Month kind of guy, and my boys see me carry something different every day, or week, depending on how new the knife is. New ones get a couple weeks by themselves. :D

I may have to be more deliberate in my use. As it is, all of my 4 boys are interested, and the 3 older ones have at least 2 knives each. One traditional, and one modern. The Boy Scout troop they are a part of requires locking blades, and I only have a couple traditionals that lock.

I do make a point of introducing each new knife I get, and discussing my old favorites, as I bring them out for a day or 2 of use at a time.

Anyway, to get back on topic, I'd suggest finding out what type, pattern, or materials each kid likes, and find something that fits each child.
 
I am doing the same for my boys. 4 and 8 months. I'm going with a GEC 33 for my 4 year old. With red handle material. ( still searching for that one). He is obsessed with trains so the conductor seems an appropriate fit. I'm still waiting to learn a little more about my 8 month old. He is a giant of a baby. So he may be big an need a bigger knife. Who knows.

I echo many with get something you like and will use but keep the boys in mind too. I like the idea of carrying something that has their personality too.

Gabe
 
Sean, I just recently picked up a Case humpback whittler, and it would make a great first traditional. Tru-Sharp SS, 3.6" closed length, three blades (spear, pen, spey) on three springs, so no krinked blades. With moderate pulls and sunk joints the ergonomics are terrific. Comes in a variety of cover materials, and they also make a humpback stockman pattern which is very similar. Worth looking into.
 
I think I've narrowed it down. Now I'm thinking I'll get each of them a stockman patterned knife made in the year they were born. This way, when they come of age and start using their knives, I can switch to using the Stockman I got when I was a kid.

I've found a 2012 Buckaroo Stockman available
GEML681312PS__28839.1408034659.1280.1280.JPG


a 2012 Gepetto (technically a whittler, I guess, but close enough)
GEML571312MH__90132.1408034596.1280.1280.JPG


and a 2012 Calf Roper
GEML661312CO__66273.1408035033.1280.1280.JPG


What's the best 2014 stockman pattern? I like the look of the #82 dixie stock knife, but at 4.125" closed, it seems a bit big. I'm hoping to keep it around 3.5"
 
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