My kid needs his first pocket knife

[GatorFlash1]

I vote small Swiss Army with a few tools. He will have fun playing with it.

 

[Lee D]

Looking thru the thread, I didn’t explain my two choices for a young knife owner…the 55 and a SAK.
Nowadays both locking folders and SAKs are something a kid should learn about because they’re both readily available.

 

[LG&M]

Something from Buck.
1, many good options for not much $$ first blade will be lost ,abused.
2, good company & the first knife my start a brand preference.
3, Buck 420 holds an edge well but is still easy to sharpen.

 

[Bigfattyt]

8 year old is old enoug for a sharp knife with a point.

Opinel was both of my boys first knives. Because there is no spring to overcome. No need for strong nails. No snapping closed with spring tension. Very easy to sharpen (I'd recommend their stainless over the carbon steel. Just as easy to sharpen, but holds an edge longer, and is basically maintenance free).
After the Olinel, both boys got a Buck 110 and matching 120 (the 120's are overkill, but I always wanted a 120 as a kid, and they came in a matching set).

Also bought each a small Cold Steel neck knife, and the younger uses that knife more than all the others combined.


Now they each have slipjoints, now that they can open them (older about to turn 16, younger is 11).


My first real knife was a Old Timer medium stockman.

Then a multi tool folder made in Japan (with knife, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, small saw, cork screw) in a belt sheath for camping.


Then a Buck Light lock back for something light and locking.

I bought my first custom knife at 12 years old!! Lawn Mowing money well spent!! Still have that knife!!




First question, is what is your budget??
That will determine my real answer.

Locking vs non locking and stitches and learning the hard way are all relevant.

I learned that trimming nails (like Grandpa does) with his knife, when he is not looking was a bad idea (the amount of time it takes for a nail bed to grow out past the cut tbrough the nail bed with said knife is educational).

The severity of a cut that you can get while trying to force a locking folder closed without understanding the locking mechanism is educational.

Being cut while stabbing something with a non locking knife that shuts on you is educational.

Having a knife lock mechanism fail and being cut, is educational.

Having a fixed blade slip through your hand and sever a nerve because the lanyard caught on something is educational.

Trying to close an equal end slipjoint and pushing your finger against the sharp side, rather than the spine, because you are not looking (after having opened and closed that slipjoint a thousand times safely) is educational.


I've had a lot of stitches

I've learned a lot of lessons.

Getting a knife that your kid can't hurt them selves on is not really possible.

If it is a knife, they can find a way to hurt them selves.

I'm an adult, with 30 plus years experience with using, collecting and even making knives. I can still hurt my self...

Just buy the kid something useful, give him instructions, and tell him he learned a lesson when he cuts him self.....

 

[Trailer_Ape]

OP -

Here is what worked for us:

I got my daughter a fixed blade (Izula) FIRST. I wanted her to demonstrate good safety practices, before adding an extra action (opening and closing).

After she showed she could use and care for the fixed blade, she got a Spyderco Para 3. We also bought some custom pink scales for it BUT only changed one side. So now she has a "Black Pink" knife (you know, like the Korean pop band).

There is no way I would get a kid a slip joint. It is a dangerous error trap, in my opinion. Also, I went with compression lock for 2 reasons: (1) no part of her hand has to cross the path of the blade like with a lock back or liner lock (2) fidget factor means she will play with the knife more and become more familiar with it faster.

Everyone has different needs, my daughter's knife is not just a utility tool but also a last ditch SD tool. So quick presentation and secure grip are important. While this might or might not apply to you and yours, the other factors are pretty similar.

 

[Guitarly]

I lost most of the knives I had as a kid. The others I broke. The only ones I still have were gifts and while nothing special they’re valuable to me and wouldn’t be more so if they were Randalls made the year I was born.

My plan is to have my son’s first folding knife be a single bladed victorinox and I’ll buy a few so when they’re inevitably misplaced I can be the hero. if he’s still interested in knives when he’s older I’ll be happy to indulge him for birthdays, Christmas, etc… until then I want something inexpensive and easy to operate for him.

 

[ddavis]

My 7 year old daughter just picked out an SAK tinker at the hardware store with me. I let her choose which model/tools and color she wanted so she could get excited about the buying process and using the gadgets. I let her use it whenever she wants with my supervision and keep it stored with my knives. I trust her completely with it so far. Works well in our situation.

From my experience, letting kids choose things (within reason) correlates with how interested they will remain on a subject, be it knives or sports or music or whatever.

 

[mark greenman]

Spyderco Dargonfly Orange would be a good choice.

-Safe design
-Small but useful
-Orange is easy to see, if other parents see it it doesn't look like a weapon.

Alternatively:

SAK pioneer (looks cool, classic non weapon design, useful, will last a lifetime)

Leatherman Squirt PS4 (cool, super useful, high gadget factor, non weapon)

 

[sabre cat]

Thanks everyone.

Just ordered a Victorinox Fieldmaster for thirty five bucks. It's got the saw, scissors, and screwdrivers. I think he'll love the gadget idea at this 8-year-old stage.

If he stays excited, we'll work him into a nicer locking blade next.

Good choice.

I am a firm believer that everyone should experience owning a SAK at some point.

 

[Drop bear]

Some good suggestions, but take my advice as one who was also given his first knife by Dad when I was 7 or 8 ......

Do NOT give him a knife without a locking mechanism - no slipjoints, SAKs, etc. Why? Because 8 year olds will do dumb things with knives, no matter how careful you teach them to be. They will use the knife in ways they are not intended to be used. My first knife was a slipjoint and I ended up with 9 stitches in my fingers when the blade closed back on my hand while I was carving some initials into a tree. I still bare the scars 50 years later...

You could still do the trekker or soldier.

Which I think is a very solid tool set anyway.

 

[Mister_Punchy]

Gifted my 8 y.o son with a Spyderco Roadie. Small, non locking, not too stabby, handle is vividly colored.

Did a lot of supervision at first, but much of it was about how to take care of it.

If you and your son are more bushcrafty, then My first Opinel would be a nice choice too. Watch out though, there is a whistle on it !

 

[josiahg52]

I got an Imperial Barlow-pattern when I was seven. I had no problems with it. Did learn about carbon steel and what's required to take care of it. Did everything I needed. Never closed on me.