Pocket Knife for a "kid"

[Trailer_Ape]

One of my "kids" is 19. He is currently working is "logistics" for the local Fire Department and starting EMT academy in January with the intention of, eventually, completing the Fire Academy as well and making the switch from EMT to FD.

He isn't really a knife guy (yet) and picked out a Chinese folder for $12.95. Obviously, I (gently) squashed that. I asked him about the Kershaw Filter I had already bought him. Apparently, he was trying not to tear it up. I explained that it was a cheap knife and I bought it for him to use without great concern about losing or breaking it (starter knife, kind of a "test the water" deal).

He would still like a new folder, he likes to leave that one at the house for his gf to use.

While I am leaving a lot of the decision to him, I have a couple in mind. I am a firm believer that the Cold Steel Recon 1 is one of the best capability/price ratios out there.

Problem - While the knife would be totally legal for him to carry in FL, I know there are a lot of shitty cops in the world (I've been a cop for many years). I know there are cops who seem to get a little tougher when they're dealing with a "kid" and I worry the Recon 1 looks tactical enough to get those types into their bully role. Now this could be a non issue because, being that he is IN public service, he will probably start developing rapport with most local cops. However, part of me wants to get him something more benign looking. Input on whether that is pointless or a smart move would also be appreciated.

As for usable knives with less of a "I came to stab people" look.....

Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, Cold Steel Code 4, and........ ?????

I know I will need his input but what I am seeing is - the U.H. will be more ergonomic but not carry as easy while the C4 will carry easier but be flat in the hand.

While I am not trying to buy him a "beater", I do want something that is nice but can also survive someone who might not fully understand WHAT a knife is used for and, as a result, make life a little harder on the knife than it should be. Make sense?

I've consider a Rat 1 and a Tenacious but think now would be a good time to get Cold Steels.

I am open to suggestions BUT am absolutely avoiding any fixed blades. I am also trying to stay around the $100 mark.

Thanks

 

[Bigfattyt]

The Recon 1 is very tough to beat in that price range.

I have 2 of the triad lock and one of the old ultra lock.

The ultimate hunter would be an excellent choice if you can find one for that price.

Also the Bush Ranger looks fantastic. There is one right now, on the Big River site for $103...

The lock strength just can't be beat on a Triad Lock. The design is ambidextrous. The Bush Ranger can be opened while drawing from the pocket. So rapid opening if it is needed (ie rescue, emergency, dominant hand disabled it is ambidextrous with the thumb plate and lock style).

Probably one of their more ergonomic handles. It has swells and ramps and thumb/finger scalops...

 

[BJE]

I wouldn’t worry about any knife looking too tactical in Fl, provided your son is responsible with its use, sounds like he would be. Also, he might be young, but is no longer a kid at 19, and with working with the fire dept, he has a good reason to always have a knife.

Get him the Recon 1, it’s what you want to get him and it’s a very appropriate knife for his line of work.

 

[RIP Dequincy Jynxie]

maybe look into a different brand. Spyderco has a lot of sheeple friendly options

good luck with the hunt OP!

 

[Trailer_Ape]

I wouldn’t worry about any knife looking too tactical in Fl, provided your son is responsible with its use, sounds like he would be. Also, he might be young, but is no longer a kid at 19, and with working with the fire dept, he has a good reason to always have a knife.

Get him the Recon 1, it’s what you want to get him and it’s a very appropriate knife for his line of work.

Ok, so now......

Clip point, spear point, or tanto?

 

[RIP Dequincy Jynxie]

Can't beat the classic clip or spear point designs

Tanto blades seem like you either love 'em or hate 'em. I like them, but I'm super picky about the profile

 

[Velitrius]

Well, Cold Steel has the Pro Lite Sport on sale at KnifeCenter for $21, it's something he could beat on and not feel guilty about.

Couple of bucks more he could have the Working Man, you can get it with blaze orange handles.

Myself, I'd get him the Air Lite Tanto. It has AUS-10 steel and G10 handles and would be nigh indestructible. $85 isn't bad.

You should print out a pic of each knife recommended in this thread, and let him eyeball them. He'll see one he likes, guaranteed.

 

[Owen K.]

.

 

[Icky Thump]

Multi tool and good quality shears

 

[craytab]

Ok, so now......

Clip point, spear point, or tanto?

I like the idea of the Code 4. That said, if it has to be the Recon 1, I think the spear point looks the least stabby, and best! Just picked another Recon 1 up. It is a great large EDC that should handle just about anything.

 

[Bastler]

Buck 112 Slim, maybe with a red handle.

 

[sabre cat]

Multi tool and good quality shears

This!

 

[DangerZone98]

One of my "kids" is 19. He is currently working is "logistics" for the local Fire Department and starting EMT academy in January with the intention of, eventually, completing the Fire Academy as well and making the switch from EMT to FD.

He isn't really a knife guy (yet) and picked out a Chinese folder for $12.95. Obviously, I (gently) squashed that. I asked him about the Kershaw Filter I had already bought him. Apparently, he was trying not to tear it up. I explained that it was a cheap knife and I bought it for him to use without great concern about losing or breaking it (starter knife, kind of a "test the water" deal).

He would still like a new folder, he likes to leave that one at the house for his gf to use.

While I am leaving a lot of the decision to him, I have a couple in mind. I am a firm believer that the Cold Steel Recon 1 is one of the best capability/price ratios out there.

Problem - While the knife would be totally legal for him to carry in FL, I know there are a lot of shitty cops in the world (I've been a cop for many years). I know there are cops who seem to get a little tougher when they're dealing with a "kid" and I worry the Recon 1 looks tactical enough to get those types into their bully role. Now this could be a non issue because, being that he is IN public service, he will probably start developing rapport with most local cops. However, part of me wants to get him something more benign looking. Input on whether that is pointless or a smart move would also be appreciated.

As for usable knives with less of a "I came to stab people" look.....

Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, Cold Steel Code 4, and........ ?????

I know I will need his input but what I am seeing is - the U.H. will be more ergonomic but not carry as easy while the C4 will carry easier but be flat in the hand.

While I am not trying to buy him a "beater", I do want something that is nice but can also survive someone who might not fully understand WHAT a knife is used for and, as a result, make life a little harder on the knife than it should be. Make sense?

I've consider a Rat 1 and a Tenacious but think now would be a good time to get Cold Steels.

I am open to suggestions BUT am absolutely avoiding any fixed blades. I am also trying to stay around the $100 mark.

Thanks

I highly recommend the Recon 1 as well, but if you need something less “tactical looking” but just as tough, go with the Voyager Large. That’s an excellent bang for your buck workhorse of a knife.

 

[DangerZone98]

I like the idea of the Code 4. That said, if it has to be the Recon 1, I think the spear point looks the least stabby, and best! Just picked another Recon 1 up. It is a great large EDC that should handle just about anything.

I thought you were gonna recommend the axe, lol.

 

[brownshoe]

Spyderco Delica. A great knife for anyone and can handle abuse. Get one with a serrated edge if he's fire and rescue.

 

[Yo Mama]

I'm a FF\EMT and the benchmade triage is my top suggestion for a edc knife that can also be used on the job. The triage is out of your price range though. Maybe a Leatherman raptor? It's not a pocket knife but its the best shears I've used, hands down. I think its around $70. If you are only looking for a edc knife, maybe a spyderco delica or one of the salt series. The colored ones are less scary looking, if that's what you want. At the end of the day cops don't care what you carry as a FF. It only matters if you do something really stupid in the first place. Good luck with your descision.

This is exactly what I was going to go with as well!

With your profession, can you claim it as a work expense?

 

[lieferung]

If he's an EMT there's a fold up scissors type multi-tool that I see in a lot of EDC posts for EMTs. If he works for or with the FD I doubt he'd be clashing with cops (aren't they usually working together?) or at the very least they won't be actively bothering him about his tools when he's in the job. So if you're set on the Cold Steel just go for it, and make sure you let him know how much you want him to actually use it (but not abuse it!).

 

[dirc]

if you want a low cost (something to abuse without concern) but still strong, useful & good quality - the low end spydy byrd cara cara rescue is like $33 right now

I'd rather spend double the $ and get the spydy 'clipitool' rescue with hook cutter

 

[Centermass]

Fifteen years a LEO in FL. Never “bullied” anyone for just carrying a knife, much less my FD bretheren... though I have come into contact with many many folks engaged in shady or criminal activity and questioned them as to why they are carrying a knife while engaged in said shady or criminal activity. But, since you’ve been a cop for many years, you understand this concept, and this should not be news to you. I assume you have, too.

I’ve carried a knife since was a kid, as did everyone when I was growing up. So they’re not as alarming to me, though I do look for them. Generationally, there may be some disconnect with younger cops and regular folks who carry knives, as it’s just not “normal” for good people to want or need a knife for anything other than mayhem. Hell, sometimes I have to get on the cases of our young troops NOT having a knife.

All in all, knives are pretty commonplace here. In my experience and in my jurisdiction, a person just carrying a folding knife clipped to their pocket isn’t going to be reason enough alone to shake them down, regardless of how the knife “looks” if they’re not doing anything else to raise further suspicion. That said, if other suspicious circumstances exist and actual investigative contact is made, the nature of our contact will dictate if having the knife is, or could potentially be, a problem. I can only speak for myself and my experiences, but if your son is not the type to be involved in shady activity off duty, it’s probably not going to be an issue if he’s abiding by the applicable laws of the state. Additionally, as a cop, you’re probably already familiar with the options of recourse if an overzealous cop were to violate his rights. Your son should be aware of these options, too.

Personally, I would not be any more or less “suspicious” of a Recon 1 than any other folding knife with a pocket clip. There are a ton of great choices, but as previously mentioned by others, an EMT might better benefit from something like a Benchmade Triage or Outlast which have added functionality.

Just my two cents.

 

[K.O.D.]

A family friend has carried a Recon 1 tanto for years. He said many of his co-workers carry it as well.

Go for it.