Pocket/Folding knife under $75

When you say multi-blade traditional in that price range I immediately think of one of the many Case stockman patterns. One of the models with a pen blade (instead of a spey) is a good choice, I think. (I particularly like the 6344, which is smaller than the other mediums, has square bolsters, a pen blade, and is easily pocketable due to its size.)
 
I think a case Stockman would do great for your kid, it's a relatively small knife that is well under $75
And maybe you could learn him about the multiple pattern that this knife offers.

Here's mine
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Hickory n steel said:
Victorinox recruit
For $17 you can't beat it.
It's got 2 knife blades, and some very handy tools including tweezers to remove splinters as kids are always getting.

Throw in a Classic and you've got a pocket combo that can't be beat


Something like a case peanut would be a great option as well if you want to get him used to taking care of carbon steel.
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I have to agree with Hickory! A SAK for a young boy not only gives him a knife and the responsibility to go with it, but with the couple of basic drivers that handle flat and Phillips screws, he can start to learn to tinker when something doesn't work right. A lot of things can be fixed with a little screw driver and a little finagling. Plus the SAK has a public acceptance and appeal like no other dedicated knife. This pair that Hickory n steel posts is maybe the best carry combo a person can get.

SAK all the way.
 
All GREAT suggestions here.. Cant go wrong with any of them!! :thumbsup: John
 
Wow, I always enjoy this gift question. Everyone has a opinion and all are good. Multi blade under $75 you can't go wrong with a SAK. You didn't say what interests this young man has, but a SAK will cause less stir if someone see's it in public or it get's carried into a school or thru a metal detector. Just so I don't get horse whipped a Buck 303 would be good also.....Its too late in season now, but Buck will etch someone's name in most blades when ordered thru the mail ( email or phone). You can still use some of your $75 to do this commercially, jeweler or knife shop should be able to help.

Next year everyone who knows a scout or scoutmaster can buy a few knives for the scoutmaster to have as award knives. I get blaze orange scaled knives and have the troop number engraved on the blade and try to keep my friend, the Scoutmaster, stocked up thru the year, hey it's better than going along on a uphill hike..... 300Bucks
 
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+1 Get him a used Old Timer 34OT Also the 8OT.

Search for Schrade USA Old Timer on the bay. If you want a stainless blade, there needs to be a plus sign (+) after the word SCHRADE. Those without the sign will be carbon. I think both models were made in both steels. A lot of these older knives can be in very good shape, and well within your budget. Just look at the pictures for any cracks in the handles and ask about the snap of the blades, if the seller does not comment.
 
You want to get him a knife, get him a knife. An SAK is not so much a knife as a tool kit. I carry an Alox Electrician and rarely use the main blade. The sheepsfoot and the punch get the most use. I use other knives for cutting stuff.

For a multi-bladed knife, the first that comes to mind is a Stockman. I like the 6318PU, with a stainless punch in place of the spey, and a clip and sheepsfoot in CV.

There is no wrong answer. The one he will use the most depends on his needs.
 
What will he likely be doing with it? Will he use the tools on a SAK? I’m going to say probably. I carry a tiny SAK on my keys but is not my first choice for a knife. For a 15 yr old might be a good choice as it won’t be seen as much as a weapon as another might be. They can be quite inexpensive so if he breaks or loses it it’s not a big loss. Once your confident he can be responsible with a knife, you can look into something nicer perhaps for next Xmas!
 
I'd go with a stockman as well. A Buck 301 or 303 is a good option as others have mentioned. I think Case might be a good way to go since the steel is pretty easy to sharpen. That way you can teach him that too easily...
 
jackknife said:
I have to agree with Hickory! A SAK for a young boy not only gives him a knife and the responsibility to go with it, but with the couple of basic drivers that handle flat and Phillips screws, he can start to learn to tinker when something doesn't work right. A lot of things can be fixed with a little screw driver and a little finagling. Plus the SAK has a public acceptance and appeal like no other dedicated knife. This pair that Hickory n steel posts is maybe the best carry combo a person can get.

SAK all the way.
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And it's 100% a knife ( twice actually with 2 blades ), it may have tools but it's a knife first.

It's called a Swiss army knife not Swiss army tool, just like a scout or camp knife not scout or camp tool.

Another plus is that in today's world he may see someone prying something with their " ultra tough " modern folder in a pinch not realizing his thin bladed traditional isn't really up to the task, however if he's got a driver to pry with he'll be fine if the need arises.
It's may be a stretch, but my brother pried something with his knife one time as he had the impression it was an ok thing to do and he broke the tip right off.
 
That would be an interesting poll of the regulars here in traditionals: who has, at some time in their life, broken the tip off a pocket knife. I certainly did, quite a while ago though.
 
Hard to go wrong with the Victorinox options but I do like the suggestion of a Case knife in CV as a means to help teach him to appreciate and care for his tools.
 
I would be careful with the Medium Stockman at CASE. The sheepfoot blade is rather proud and sits mighty high on the frame. I don´t think if this is the correct way of a stockman knife. I also think and old Schrade is a good way to go. For more pocketability I would also think a SAK like the Recruit, Sportsman or whatsoever in this sizerange would be great.

My recommendation is a Peanut or a jackknife in the 3.5 inch range.
 
If you were asking a week ago, I’d have suggested a vintage (USA) Schrade 34ot medium stockman, 33ot middleman jack, or, if he hunts, a 293 trapper off the auction site.

With it being this close to Christmas, look for one of these patterns in a USA made Case or Buck in a retail shop.

I suggest these patterns for their different blade sizes - I’m thinking of whittling, carving girl’s names on picnik tables ;), carving walking sticks, etc.

Swiss Army Knives are great, but you could likely buy 3 or 4 for your budgeted $75.

One of those is easily within a 15yr old’s
budget. A nice, $75 knife, maybe not.
 
OK, so pretty funny. I didn't get a multi-blade. I found a Case Mid-Folding Hunter 9771. It was the last one in stock and got it for $75. Nice looking knife
 
If you want to expand the parameters of your inquiry, a lot of us would be champing at the bit to tell you what single blade you should have bought.
 
This cracks me up. Someone comes along and asks an open ended question like this with very little in the way of supporting information to go along with it and everyone jumps in with both feet and there's a feeding frenzy of recommendations, all being the poster's favorite. Fast forward an unspecified amount of time and the OP comes back stating he (or she) picked up something out in left field, barely resembling any of the recommendations. Thanks for the entertainment.

Not a criticism. Just an observation. Merry Christmas all.
 
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