Native or Mini-Grip for 8 year old?

TAH

TAH

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Jul 3, 2001
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Our son has owned a SAK Fieldmaster for about a year and has proven himself to be very responsible. So now I want to buy him his first lock blade. I'm considering a Spyderco Native PE or BM Mini-Grip 556. I'm leaning towards the Native because I know he will really like the spider web handle, but the 556 might fit his hand better at present. Any thoughts on which might be easier and safer for him to use as far as hole vs. stud, Axis lock vs. front lock, etc.?

Thanks,
Tom
 
Hi Tom, I just bought the Native, and I have a BM 720S.

For an 8 year old I would recommend the Native.

The Axis lock is fantastic, but it might prove to be too much of a "toy" for him at this age.. Opening it will be very easy, but closing it might be the issue. The Axis is easy to close (that's good thing), but if he's not careful (get complacent due to the ease of closing), he'll cut himself easily.

At least with the Spyderco, he'll close it carefully. I know I do, because it's so sharp!!

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks bg.

That was kind of my thoughts on the Axis Lock too. It's a much quicker lock where the Spyderco requires a little more thought.

Tom
 
Hey RTTR,

Mostly to carry at school. :D

Seriously, we do a lot of backpacking and he really likes to whittle.

Best,
Tom
 
ANother for the Native- to me it seems that the native's grip will fit his hand better as he grows due to the multiple grips afforded by the design.
 
Good point, CUTS. I do like the Native's choil. Seems like that would be good for whittling.
 
I'd let him decide. Choosing between knives is always really exciting for me. In fact, why not buy both and just give him the one he wants.

They might be too much knife for an 8 year old though....

I recommend seeing the Natives first hand too--they're bigger than you might think. The S30V one is a little smaller overall though than the III, strangely.

Maybe a OH Trekker?
 
Native. My 7 year old has 2 SAKs and a Caly jr. so far. Took to the lock like a duck to water.:D
 
Artful,

I think the OH Trekker would be too close to his Fieldmaster, but thanks for the suggestion.

When he whittles with his SAK, he whittles so long his hand starts hurting. So I thought one of these lock blades would be more comfortable.
 
Garage,

Couldn't agree with you more. That's why his first knife was a Fieldmaster.

Tom :thumbup:
 
The minigrip is probably excellent for his hands right now, but it doesn't accomidate larger hands nearly as well as the native. Also, I don't whittle much, but people who do seem to love finger choils. I love finger choils personally for other reasons. I am afraid, however, that the really defined choils, being meant for mid-to-large size hands, might be strange in his hands. I'd just let him try it and see if it was comfortable, but the choil may be out of place for a small hand--I can't say. Ergonomically, the Native is superior to the minigrip. And with what you're talking about, that sounds like what you're looking for.

Ultimately, I like the minigrip much more personally, but let him make sure the Native's handle fits his hand and if so, I'd get that.

Also consider the Centofante--my personal favorite low end Spyderco, even over the Native. It has a longer handle that will accomidate any hand, almost definitely. Very versatile.
 
Artful,

I've never held or seen a Native in person, so I wasn't sure if the finger grooves would line up with his hand either, but it would also be a knife he could grow into. Like you suggested, maybe I'll purchase them both and let him choose - although the Axis Lock is somewhat of a concern as far as it being too quick for him.

Wish someone would come along who has a Native and an 8 year old son - not a son who is an 8 year old Native. :)
 
One thing to consider is if he will be able to disengage the lockback safely. When my son was 8, I gave him a lock back that he still cannot manage without difficulty a year later so it stays out of his knife roll.
 
No offence but isn't the Native a tad too sharp for a 8 year old? That knife ( I own one too) is very very sharp.

But then again, I would have a really bad feeling giving an 8 year old a "weapon".
As I mentioned earlier, please don't take this post as an offence.

Regards, vC



Edit:
Fingergrooves on the Natives is more for middle and large hands, ergo your son won't really like it.

Edit2:
Actually, a small fixed-blade should be nice.
 
I'd say Native because of the coil and opening hole (I find the hole a little more secure). If his hands don't fit the handle then maybe you could keep the Native and get him the Grip or something :)
 
van Christie said:
No offence but isn't the Native a tad too sharp for a 8 year old? That knife ( I own one too) is very very sharp.

But then again, I would have a really bad feeling giving an 8 year old a "weapon".
As I mentioned earlier, please don't take this post as an offence.

Regards, vC



Edit:
Fingergrooves on the Natives is more for middle and large hands, ergo your son won't really like it.

Edit2:
Actually, a small fixed-blade should be nice.
Click to expand...
Actually, sharper would be safer. It will teach the kids to respect knives, and cut with less effort.

I've cut myself on dull knives because I didn't respect the blades, and I used too much force.

With the Native I am really tender with my cutting.
 
hatchet,

Good point. Not sure how hard it is to disengage the lock on the Native.

van,

I understand your concern, but I don't consider a 3" folding knife a "weapon" when being properly used as a camp tool under my supervision. No offense taken.

Slvgx,

Might be best just to buy both and send one back.
 
Anything can be a weapon, it's just the small minded people that think just because it's a knife it's definatly gonna be used as a weapon. Heck you can kill someone with a 4" high heal
 
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