My son asked me for a knife...I'm clueless

A

Astrodokk

Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
14
I'm a gun dude, although I've carried knives ever since I was in high school. It didn't matter what brand it was in those days as long as it could stick in something. Anyway, my 15 y/o son asked for a knife when he turns 16. He said many of his friends have pocket folders that are good utility tools too. I'm thinking that utility is good, but at least a little comabat potential thrown in there might be prudent. I've been reading about knives in gun forums of all places, but I decided to join this group to learn more. Many shooters like to photograph their firearms with their trusty blade staright or opened right next to the gun. I've only seen Marble and Kabar discussed at length there, but I know there are more, as shown in a California Knife Law article I read. Yes, we live in Kalifornia. So, my new friends, what's a common folder out there for a modest to economic price? I may get one for myself too. Thanks.
 
Welcome to the forum. There are many, many good brands out there, so if you could give us some general parameters it would help. Are you looking for something traditional, like Dad's old two-blade jack, or something more modern, with a clip to hold it to your pocket and features to make it easy to open with one hand?
 
you can go with Kershaw, but if i were you, i wouldn't get any of the one's with AO. if i remember correctly, those are looked down upon in cali?
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

Utility is good. A little combat potential comes with alerness, training, self-confidence. Knives are a distant last as defensive weapons.

If it makes sense for him to have a knife for that, check our Practical Tactical forum for suggestions. For utility, I'd suggest either a traditional folder like a stockman or a trapper or peanut, or better yet, a small Swiss Army Knife or a multitool. We also have a forum for Multi-tools and Multi-purpose Knives.

The big difference between SAKs and multitools are the pliers you generally find on multitools, which can make them very handy toolkits.

We tend to take handling knives for granted around here, but we also all started out a little clumsy, and got our share of nicks and cuts. A smaller knife to start with might be a good idea. But make sure it's sharp. Dull knives tend to slip instead of slicing cleanly, so they are more dangerous. We have a Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment forum for sharpening discussions.
 
A Boker Trance or Byrd Meadowlark immediately come to mind. Both are around $30 shipped if I remember. Both have been received as good knives. There are also a few Kershaws around that might fit the bill. Kabar Dozier is supposed to be decent.

Might want to check out the exchange as well.
 
Thanks for the welcome. In CA we can only carry a 3" or less, non AO. I've seen the one's for about $40. that fold and open with some kind of peg and lock safely. They also have finger formed grips that prevent slipping in case of stabbing. (I'm thinking more about me at this point). I will find the article I read and give the brands later.
 
The CKRT Ryan Seven type. I see that the article was written in 2002! Undoubtedly there have been more designs out since then. I will look into the ones mentioned above. Thanks.
 
Mr. Sogetsu said:
A Boker Trance or Byrd Meadowlark immediately come to mind. Both are around $30 shipped if I remember. Both have been received as good knives. There are also a few Kershaws around that might fit the bill. Kabar Dozier is supposed to be decent.

Might want to check out the exchange as well.
Click to expand...


A Boker Trance would be a great choice. I have one and have gifted a few, great bang for the buck. :thumbup:
 
take a look at the buck ranger 112 it will last your sons lifetime and do just abought anything a pocketknife is called on to do. never had a problem with mine in highschool in california but then that was long ago in a different california.
 
Koji Hara designed "Ichi" is one I always think of for Californy folks.

ICHI.jpg
 
I gave my daughter a Victorinox small Tinker when she turned 15. (The smaller version has a max blade length of 2 1/2". My understanding of the law is that there is a total ban on blades longer than that on any school campus. )

Whether you get him a Tinker or not, my recommendation is that, no matter what you give him as a first knife, it should not have a locking blade. Teach him cut safely without a lock and he will be safer when he does use a locking folder..
 
Astrodokk said:
He said many of his friends have pocket folders that are good utility tools too.
Click to expand...

There are no better knives "that are good utility tools too" than a Swiss Army Knife. If this is what you decide to get him, the next question will be: "which one?"

A SAK is pretty low on the defensive scale, though.

I wonder what kind of knives his friends carry?
 
The state of California does not have a length limit on folders except for autos and balisongs being limited to 2". However, there may be local city and county regulations that specify a blade length limit. Also, assisted opening is perfectly legal in California. There tends to be a lot of misinformation spread on this forum regarding California knife laws so check your sources before you carry.

As for your son, I would recommend something from Spyderco or Benchmade.
 
stevekt said:
The state of California does not have a length limit on folders except for autos and balisongs being limited to 2". However, there may be local city and county regulations that specify a blade length limit. Also, assisted opening is perfectly legal in California. There tends to be a lot of misinformation spread on this forum regarding California knife laws so check your sources before you carry.

As for your son, I would recommend something from Spyderco or Benchmade.
Click to expand...

There is a separate law that is only for k-12 school campuses.

626.10. (a) Any person, except a duly appointed peace officer as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2, a full-time paid peace officer of another state or the federal government who is carrying out official duties while in this state, a person summoned by any officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while the person is actually engaged in assisting any officer, or a member of the military forces of this state or the United States who is engaged in the performance of his or her duties, who brings or possesses any dirk, dagger, ice pick, knife having a blade longer than 21/2 inches, folding knife with a blade that locks into place, a razor with an unguarded blade, a taser, or a stun gun, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 244.5, any instrument that expels a metallic projectile such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, CO2 pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun, upon the grounds of, or within, any public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, is guilty of a public offense, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment in the state prison. [Ed. Note: This is the paragraph dealing with legal carry on K-12 school grounds.
 
Definitely check out the Byrd Cara Cara and Meadowlark. I just got a Cara Cara with g-10 handles and it is a heckuva knife for 28 bones.
 
knarfeng said:
There is a separate law that is only for k-12 school campuses.

626.10. (a) Any person, except a duly appointed peace officer as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2, a full-time paid peace officer of another state or the federal government who is carrying out official duties while in this state, a person summoned by any officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while the person is actually engaged in assisting any officer, or a member of the military forces of this state or the United States who is engaged in the performance of his or her duties, who brings or possesses any dirk, dagger, ice pick, knife having a blade longer than 21/2 inches, folding knife with a blade that locks into place, a razor with an unguarded blade, a taser, or a stun gun, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 244.5, any instrument that expels a metallic projectile such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, CO2 pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun, upon the grounds of, or within, any public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, is guilty of a public offense, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment in the state prison. [Ed. Note: This is the paragraph dealing with legal carry on K-12 school grounds.
Click to expand...

Excellent point. There are also separate regs for college campuses.
 
Byrd Meadowlark G-10 around $20+. Benchmade Mini-Grip around $57. Both have blades just under 3".
 
Astrodokk said:
Thanks for the welcome. In CA we can only carry a 3" or less, non AO.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure where you got that information but it is completely false. Suprisingly, in this far-left, liberal, politically-sensitive state of California we have no blade length limit at all except for full-automatic knives (the limit there is 2"). Assisted openings of any size are tolerated.

Weird how you can carry a monster of a folding knife of any size with you concealed but yet you are a criminal if your gun is packing more than ten rounds. Wacky state.
 
I vote a Gerber Paraframe I w/Titanium Nitride Coating , it's about $20.00 made from high carbon stainless, and is a litteral joy to handle and carry. has a definate "Cool" Factor to it in looks and specs, since it's coated in titanum nitride. available in serrated and plain I personally carry the plain and have only had to sharpen it once.
 
Astrodokk said:
.... So, my new friends, what's a common folder out there for a modest to economic price? I may get one for myself too. Thanks.
Click to expand...

As soon as I read that, two knives popped into my head:

Spyderco Delica and Endura. (The shorter Delica would be a good choice as a first knife).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top