Please recommend small fixed blade for 10yr old Scout

Maven

Maven

Joined
Nov 27, 2015
Messages
248
My son turns 10 in a month, he has been using a liner locking S&W CK110B(6.75"OAL) folder for over a year, has shown great respect and care for it in that time. Ive decided its high time he had a proper fixed blade for his scouting uses.

The knife will be used for scout type camping/basic bushcraft chores. Kitchen prep, tinder processing, cutting cordage and bandages, whittling/shaving sticks, creating notches and spear points(making stakes). Ability for a small person (10yr old 4'11" boy) to belt/scout or pocket carry

Looking for something in the 6-7.5" overall range, 2.5-3.5" blade length with a traditional 'bushacraft" type shape, a hunter with a shallow belly, a spear point or a kephart pattern are all acceptable. No false edge or swedged blades, gimping is perfectly fine but extensive filing or decoration is not

No flat handle scales, handle material isnt critical, I'm open to micarta, G10, natural, whathaveyou.

Id prefer a stain "resistant" metal like D2 or similar, but edge holding and durability/resilience is far more important than corrosion resistance.

Budget is about $75, but can stretch to $120 or so for something exceptional, so please dont suggest a FiddlebackEsquire or a Bark River Mini FoxRiver, they just arent in the budget sadly.

Thanks so much for your time.
 
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I think the Condor Bushlore would fill the bill for him. It is a useful knife at a very affordable price point. But it may not be large enough relative to your 6-7" interest area.

Considered suggesting the Kabar Becker BK-10 or BK-7, but the handle may just be a tad thick for him at this time.

In the SOG line, the Seal Pup Elite and Northwest Ranger might be considerations. Both of these are fairly usable knives.

Your basic Kabar military utility knife may work real well. It is obviously a classic.
 
22-rimfire said:
I think the Condor Bushlore would fill the bill for him. It is a useful knife at a very affordable price point. But it may not be large enough relative to your 6-7" interest area.

Considered suggesting the Kabar Becker BK-10 or BK-7, but the handle may just be a tad thick for him at this time.

In the SOG line, the Seal Pup Elite and Northwest Ranger might be considerations. Both of these are fairly usable knives.

Your basic Kabar military utility knife may work real well. It is obviously a classic.
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My apologies, I wasnt clear enough, and have edited the tread title and post text....Im looking for a ~7" overall length knife. Not a 7" blade.

Something that could still be relatively easily belt/scout or pocket carried by someone under 5ft tall.

The Condor Mini Bushlore is actually right in the size/type knife Im looking for and I was already aware of it. Thanks for seconding one of my thoughts. :)
 
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The Becker BK-14 (1095) and BK-24 (D-2) are right at 7" overall length. I would highly suggest handles be added. Sheath is the weak point for me, but there are good aftermarket options. The BK-16 may be just about perfect but a tad longer than your overall length concept. I am a big fan of the discontinued BK-15.
 
That was what I was going to ask. A 7" blade could be quite large for a 10 year old and is larger than you would need for most camp tasks.

I like all the suggestions so far. I've had a BK 15. Great knife at a great price. BK 16 would do quite nicely. I have a couple SOG Seal pups. I EDC a plain edge Elite a couple times a week.

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I'll through out a suggestion for an Esee 3 with Canvas Micarta handles (so the tan one). This is a fantastic little knife from a fantastic company. Esee has a no questions asked, transferable, and forever warranty. If he some how manages to break it (accidents happen) they will send you a new one. I have one and so does my daughter who is 9 (her's has blue handles that I dyed).

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And for something a little different and budget friendly you could look at the Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter or Mini Pendleton.
 
EnTrek Lynk in 440c stainless can be found at the high end of your budget, but would make an exceptional quality1st fixed blade, for what sounds like an exceptional kid.

TOPS Knives Bird and Trout also comes in 440c; both have some nice style to 'em...

For something more "no frills", just simple, effective, minimalist design, the ESEE Izula comes in stainless 440c as well; I'd strongly suggest also buying a set of handle scales for it as well, be more user friendly to his small hands.

All made in USA

For something a bit smaller but still classy, check out the Böker Plus Cowboy (440c) with stag handle... Unlike the other 3, it is made in china, but size wise I think it would be a perfect ratio and handle for a 10 year old. Might want to look into a new sheath though, unless you're OK with leather crossdraw, belt loop only.

440c is probably the best stainless you'll find in your price range...
 
Mora Companion HD (4") $20 or Bushcraft (4.25") $30
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Marttiini Hunter (4"), $20
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But, my fav, the Kabar BK24 (3.25", D2) $50 plus the Zytel scales $12
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I like the ESEE 3 suggestion. One of the complaints about the ESEE knives is the handle thickness being too thin. That would make the knife easier for a 10-year old to handle safely. The handle on the Condor Bushlore (regular model vs mini) might be a tad thick as it is comfortable for my hand, but would carry easy on the belt. The Condor Kephart might also be a consideration. It is a nice nimble little blade.
 
So he's nine? What Cub Scout pack allows the carrying of fixed blades (the answer should be none)? You may want to be sure he can carry it on functions before you get him a knife he won't be able to use. May want to ensure that whatever Troop he's joining allows fixed blades, as many don't.

Signed,
Eagle Scout and current Cub Scout Pack Assistant Den Master

P.S. Sincerely not trying to be a jerk here. A good friend of mine is currently in this exact situation, where he bought his son a nice little fixed blade (a Buck), only to discover that his son's Troop has a no-fixed-blade policy so he doesn't ever really get to carry it, because they camp primarily with their Troop.
 
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The Condor Kephart would meet all of your requirements at a great price point. I've been using one for several years and it has performed above expectations, and stood up to every task. One of my favorite knives for woods tramping!
 
The Condor Kephart is a nice little knife. For me, it feels like a steak knife which means it might be perfect for a young man tramping in the woods whether he is allowed to carry a fixed blade during scout activities or out hiking with Dad on the trail.
 
TravisH said:
You don't need a 6"~7" for those tasks.
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Youre 100% correct, Im looking for a roughly 7" overall knife, so something in the 2.5-3.5" blade category.

I dont wanna go much past 3.25" because his current knife is 2.75" and he's comfortable and competent with it, not to mention its not needed for his use. Also when we start getting into 4-5" blades and 8"+ OAL's eyebrows will get raised, no need for undue attention from wackjob parents who have no idea whats going on. Just having a fixed blade will have him being the envy of his patrol mates as it is :)

Thanks for the time posting pictures. EDIT: that KB24 is a second recommendation for it, looks solid.



@ Strategy9, thanks for introducing me to Entrek, none of their line suits his needs/my restrictions right now but Ill be sure to shop them when hes older/I kneed a new blade.
 
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Quiet said:
So he's nine? What Cub Scout pack allows the carrying of fixed blades (the answer should be none)? You may want to be sure he can carry it on functions before you get him a knife he won't be able to use. May want to ensure that whatever Troop he's joining allows fixed blades, as many don't.

Signed,
Eagle Scout and current Cub Scout Pack Assistant Den Master

P.S. Sincerely not trying to be a jerk here. A good friend of mine is currently in this exact situation, where he bought his son a nice little fixed blade (a Buck), only to discover that his son's Troop has a no-fixed-blade policy so he doesn't ever really get to carry it, because they camp primarily with their Troop.
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Quiet,
Thanks for the response, as a scout myself(Life, timed out on Eagle) an OA Brother, trainded Webelos den leader, and Pack Committee Outdoor Chairperson, I assure you a fixed blade is allowed in our unit.

The answer to what Cub Scout packs allows a fixed blade knife is an entirely different discussion as Im sure you know, and the answer SHOULD be all of them. The BSA does NOT restrict the use of fixed bade/sheath knives by Cub Scouts or any other rank. If youve earned your Whittling Chip youre allowed to use a knife appropriate for the task. A fixed blade of the appropriate size and type is obviously the safest and best choice for all scouting uses. I wanted him to learn with the less convenient, harder to use, harder to maintain folder so that a knife would seem like it wasnt as much fun as 8yr olds think they are, it also avoided the ire of any parents or fellow leaders who relied on conjecture, myth and legend to determine scouting rules and not resources such as the Scout handbook, and Guide to Safe Scouting. He's earned a proper woods knife, and Im more than happy to stand up for his privilege to use one.
 
Mora 2/0

Its not corrosion resistant, but with some care it develops a patina and holds its own as long as you don't put it away wet or with blood/fat/food stuff on the blade. Its a really sharp slicer.
 
Maven said:
Quiet,
Thanks for the response, as a scout myself(Life, timed out on Eagle) an OA Brother, trainded Webelos den leader, and Pack Committee Outdoor Chairperson, I assure you a fixed blade is allowed in our unit.

The answer to what Cub Scout packs allows a fixed blade knife is an entirely different discussion as Im sure you know, and the answer SHOULD be all of them. The BSA does NOT restrict the use of fixed bade/sheath knives by Cub Scouts or any other rank. If youve earned your Whittling Chip youre allowed to use a knife appropriate for the task. A fixed blade of the appropriate size and type is obviously the safest and best choice for all scouting uses. I wanted him to learn with the less convenient, harder to use, harder to maintain folder so that a knife would seem like it wasnt as much fun as 8yr olds think they are, it also avoided the ire of any parents or fellow leaders who relied on conjecture, myth and legend to determine scouting rules and not resources such as the Scout handbook, and Guide to Safe Scouting. He's earned a proper woods knife, and Im more than happy to stand up for his privilege to use one.
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Interestingly, I'm also an OA member, trained Bear Den leader, and an assistant to our Pack Outdoor Chairperson.

As long as your rules allow it, then fair enough. I asked, because I've never heard of any Cub Den or Pack allowing fixed blades for carry, and ours certainly doesn't. On the Boy Scout side, I know plenty of Troops do, and have also known (and been amember) of Troops that don't. While the BSA doesn't set the rule because they chose to remain as generic as possible, that rule is generally set by Pack/Troop leadership. I would argue a fixed blade being "obviously the safest and best choice for all scouting uses." That's your opinion and you're welcome to it, but I (and countless other folks) in BSA leadership positions feel differently. There's literally nothing a Scout can't accomplish in the woods with nothing more than a good folding knife and a hatchet or boy's axe. Is what it is. [deleted additional comment, doesn't bring anything to the discussion]

I'm glad your son will be able to enjoy his knife. Good day.
 
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I say go for the Condor Mini Bushlore. Made of decent steel, comes with a nice leather sheath, looks traditional and less threatening, fits your minimum OAL, is under your budget and you said you were already aware of it.
 
Case M3FINN SS has a stacked leather handle and comes with a nice leather sheath.
It has a 3 1/8" clip blade, 6 1/2" overall.
 
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