Please recommend small fixed blade for 10yr old Scout

Maven said:
@ Strategy9, thanks for introducing me to Entrek, none of their line suits his needs/my restrictions right now...
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You're certainly welcome, was it the clip point "swedge"?

Maven said:
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...
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How about a Canal Street Cutlery drop point Hunter in D2?

A tad bigger then your spec. 3.25" blade, 7.75" oal.
(He can grow into it :) )
-beautiful crafted knife though, can be found for right around $100.
 
Quiet said:
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. Is what it is.
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I also know of Packs/Troops that disallowed the use of fixed blades knives. When pressed for reasons why, there has never been properly expressed or logical reason. Just a stereotypical "they arent safe" or they "arent needed". I dont know how a knife that is (typically) more comfortable, easier to control, stronger and less likely to snag/catch on clothing or work is less safe.
It should be noted that our Scouts are not permitted to "carry" their knives in pocket or in sheath, just to carry them. Theres no wandering around camp with your knife in your pocket. Knives are used for dedicated purposes (tinder processing, kitchen, whittling,instruction etc) if a knife isnt being used for an accepted reason, its in their pack or tent. No one is playing manhunt with their knife on their person


It's also odd that you would disrespect the views of your unit's parents, and other leaders by dismissing their views so casually. They, who have very real, and valid objections to fixed blades are relying on a lot more than "conjecture, myth, and legend".
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Im not dismissing/disrepsecting the views of anyone in our pack. If someone expresses a legitimate concern with fixed blade knife safety in our pack, it will be addressed just as any other concern would be. However, if any adults in the pack hold a negative opinion towards the usage of fixed blades I'm under no obligation, BSA, moral, or otherwise to bend to what they opine. Our Council, pack and associated troops all allow for use of fixed blade knives. As I mentioned before though...our pack does not allow any youth member to carry a knife on their person without acceptable reason.
The "conjecture, myth, legend" comment refers to the relatively widespread belief that the BSA has a restriction on the selection of a knife a youth may use if they have achieved their WC.

In the future, you may wish to respect the wishes of the parents of your Scouts a bit more. They're just as relevant as your own. Good day.
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Ive had trouble responding to this comment. The "wishes" of the parents...... If a parent wishes their boy not to be exposed to knife usage and safety, thats fine. Theres no requirement to earn the Whittling Chip unless the AOL rank is a goal (new program) However since cooking is an integral and required part of the Webelos rank, knife safety, including fixed blade usage should not be dismissed. Every house I have ever been in has a fixed blade knife or several in it. Feeling confident and safe using one is an important part of becoming self reliant. :)
 
I gave our 10 year-old son a Buck 102 Woodsman. Perfect sized blade and handle for a boy. Buck can even personalize it with his name. Link

0102BKS-B.jpg
 
strategy9 said:
You're certainly welcome, was it the clip point "swedge"?
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Yup.



How about a Canal Street Cutlery drop point Hunter in D2?

A tad bigger then your spec. 3.25" blade, 7.75" oal.
(He can grow into it :) )
-beautiful crafted knife though, can be found for right around $100.
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Does appear to be very nice. ticks the boxes, does seem just a tad large....perhaps I can find one in a retail store for closer examination. slightly long handle is definitely easier to deal with than too short.
 
How do the ESEE's work for basic camp tasks and food prep? I would think the coating makes them "grabby". Never used a knife with similar coating.

ESEE JG3 looks promising...anyone have/used one of those?
 
OP i'm not sure if you want stainless, or not, but you can get stainless esee, as well as high-carbon, versions of several of their knives. certainly the stainless izula would come close to your requirements, of course as previously mentioned you can get a wealth of esee in 1095. white river makes a knife called the "backpacker" , with paracord wrapped handles in s30v for $99. the bk-24 in d2 is great as well. blackjack makes a neck knife i 154cm that's very budget friendly and finally(sorry for being long winded, or is it long typed?:) ) enzo offers a variety of good knife kits as well as finished knives,reasonably priced with different grinds and three or four types of steel. thanks, Neal
 
Maven said:
How do the ESEE's work for basic camp tasks and food prep? I would think the coating makes them "grabby". Never used a knife with similar coating.

ESEE JG3 looks promising...anyone have/used one of those?
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I don't find the coating a hindrance in use. It does fine in the Kitchen. They do make some uncoated knives. The stainless versions do not carry the same warranty. If you go uncoated you will likely want to put a patina on it. I did this to the 5 in my picture above. No problems with rust. And yes, the JG3 might be just right. More woodsy looking.
 
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I would get a Mora Companion in bright orange. Good quality and price (around $15). Got one for my daughter when she was 8 yrs old. She's now 11 and has never cut herself with it. If you spend $75 or more just make sure your ok if it gets lost or "borrowed".
 
Don't forget to check out the Kabar 1226 Little Finn and the 1232 Finger Grip Hunter. They are longer (3-5/8" and 4" blades) than what you are currently looking for, but they were at one time (along with other models) Official Boy Scout knives.

They fit into the bird & trout niche that the Western L28, L48A and L48B filled (3" to 4" blades). Western L66 and L46-5 filled the "larger" camp knife niche. All were Official BSA knives. Unfortunately, the Westerns are only available via fleabay/etc. The BSA marked ones can get pricey but the non-BSA models are available.
 
I'd say a Fallkniven wm or F1. Second would be Dpx gear Hest or Hest II.
 
How about a Mora 511/510/546?

Cheap, easy to sharpen, great at whittling/carving, and non threatening. They're great knives, and are available in stainless, with or without guards. The blade is a touch longer than you've specified (3.6in), but they are very lightweight (~4oz), and are easily handled.

They all cost ~$11-14.

Not my image, but just so you know what they look like.
1756.jpg
 
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22-rimfire said:
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.
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The best knife for a 10 year old. The blade should be thin, makes it easier to cut items. It will also teach your them to care for a knife with keeping it oiled and most important its easier to sharpen. Kids tend to get bored when chores take to long.
 
Esse 3 in my opinion. The blade and handle in my opinion is bit grown up and adding his name to it, well, best to keep it when he is older. Kids want a tough cool knife, and the Esse is priced right and its tough, what every kid wants, and most adults too.
 
I second collim1. Mora is hard to beat and won't break your heart if it gets lost on the trail. Along with the 2/0 I think the #1 would be a great fit or the 611 if you need a finger guard. The swedish grind on Mora's blades make for easy sharpening in the field, especially if your scout is new to sharpening.
 
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Great suggestions guys,keep em coming! I feel the ESEE-3 might be too big and heavy right now, as its over 8-1/4" long and over 5 ounces in weight. Easy enough to check though as they are available locally.
 
Have you considered an Enzo Elver? It has a blade length of 3.35" with an overall length of 7.5". It can be had in either a full flat or scandi grind and with either birch or canvas micarta scales. They are an excellent well built quality knife that should last several lifetimes.
 
LT Wright Patriot.


Small enough for a child...large enough for an adult.



1/8" D2, 2.5" cutting edge, just under 5.75" overall (a little smaller than you were looking for, perhaps; but the one in the top photo is one of my most commonly carried fixed blades...the ironwood version was one that I sold a while back - I took the comparison shots for the buyer)
 
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