Please Recommend First Fixed Blade Knife for 11 yr old

I am with Ditch...more or less. On Ragweedforge there are a bunch of Scandinavian style scout knives, built to varying degrees of tradional. I think the Helle scout knife would be a great one for a boy. Very good steel, traditional construction, great price (lots of adults like these knives). Puukkos are nice too but lack a guard...I'd want a guard I think.
 
This was my first knife around that age. I think i was a little older. Excellent knife. Learned knife safety, felt cool carrying it EVERYWHERE and learned to sharpen on it. Great knife.
 
I love my Buck 119, however the handle is too big for my hands. So unless this is a big 11 year old I would think he might have some control issues. I suggest a 4" hunter and an axe.
 
My 11 yr old son carries a Mora 2000. He saw it in my collection & bam it was his. It is a good quality knife at a cheap price for the kid to beat up and learn with. They are always on the exchange here or Smokey Mountain Knife works has them.
 
Ruana makes some good looking traditional fixed blades in a variety of shapes and sizes. I'm a little biased though, as it was my first fixed blade : )
 
if he is going to do some light chopping, maybe a fiskars hatchet to go along with the knife.

chopping with a 119 is probably just going to end in frustration.
 
if youre dead set on something that size/price i would go with a kabar becker bk2, bk7 or a buck 119...

but in my humble opinion those are all way too big for a first fix blade for a young one... hell i prefer a smaller knife when im out and use my tak1, condor bushlore and assorted moras more often than any of my 7"+ blades.

i started my nephew off with a mora 511 and moved up to a "stainless" clipper...
so far he hasnt needed anymore knife while out. the next knife he'll get i will probably let him choose :)
 
My first hunting knife was a Buck 119 which I still have and use. I like that Buck Woodsman with Cocobolo handle a lot as well and the four inch blade is probably better all around for him. Lots of great suggestions, including the Moras, and other Buck offerings.
 
Just my opinion, but wanting a 6-7 inch knife and needing one are two different things. I would get a 3-4 inch blade from Buck or maybe a Mora to start. If he decides later he really needs a longer blade then you can always get him his second knife.
 
Faced with the same decision for my 10 yo (11 now) I went with the SOG Seal Pup on the BAY for ~$50. It works great for overnight camping trips - its stainless and the handle is just right for his hands. Looks pretty cool too for a young dude.
 
hard to go wrong with a mora, and for the price you can get him a couple.
 
My first fixed blade was a POS boot knife by Fury. Get him an Izula and a hatchet. Those 2 tools can get anything done in the bush.
 
i would suggest starting small like an izula so he can learn to properly handle a knife and still have something to grow with

my izula is often the only knife i take when paired with a hatchet or hawk
 
First knife, no skills yet?

My .02, something without a razor point on it, wharncliffe, sheep's foot etc.

A bit less likely to wind up in the palm of the opposite hand and a bit less frightening if he trips while holding it.

Something with a finger guard and/or choil on it as well.
 
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