Quality knife for a 14 year old Boy Scout?

E

egpaterson

Joined
Dec 30, 2007
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I was thinking of getting my son a quality folding knife (such as a benchmade mini rukus or a griptilian), and was looking for advice. He will be 14 this month, and is an active Boy Scout who camps a minimum of one outing per month (including winter in central PA). He is on track to make it to Life Scout later this summer, and I thought I'd give him a new knife as a reward once he makes the last rank before Eagle. He currently has a Gerber folder (I don't remember the model, but it is one of the "skeletized" knives).

Even though he has shown a lot of growth and responsibility, I am worried that he will lose it. Also, I wonder if I should go with a slipjoint (Boker, Buck, etc) instead.

Am I crazy to spend $100+ on a knife for a teenager? Any input would be appreciated.
 
If you get him something he would be proud, of (ie: not a piece of junk), he'd probably be less likely to lose it. $100.00 is too much to spend, however. Get him an Endura, Griptilian, or CRKT M16. I would like to recommend a Cold Steel Voyager (the first knife I purchased as a boy that wasn't a piece of junk), but there are so many better choices around nowadays.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

He'll be ready for a more expensive knife when he knows something about them himself, and can tell you what kind matters to him. Until then, you can keep the cost down, but still get him a really good knife.

Buck, Kershaw, and Spyderco all make excellent inexpensive small working knives. Slipjoints are always appropriate, especially for a Scout.
 
Get him a good sak if he doesn't own one yet.

egpaterson said:
Am I crazy to spend $100+ on a knife for a teenager? Any input would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Short answer: no.

Benchmade has a good reputation. Kershaw and Spyderco are also well respected. CRKT is one of my favorite knife companies, but not all of their knives are of equal quality.
 
My honest recommendation = Get him a good 3" blade folder from a reputable manufacturer (Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, Buck, etc.). He will be able to legally carry it anywhere and should last a good long time.


He might be "too old" for a plain SAK.

I like SAKs...but I also know 14 yr olds....(I'm a varsity coach over a dozen or so 14-15 y.o. scouts, a couple of which are Eagle, most are Star/Life). ;)

Also can't go wrong with a quality multi-tool of the pliers persuasion. (leatherman charge, wave....swiss multi-tool, etc)



On a related note:

Did you see this?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=508904
(Buck will engrave a Model 500 Duke with Eagle Scout info for free - you order the knife direct from Buck, about $40 shipped)
 
Dad bought my my first handgun when I was 14, a Ruger BH in 45Colt/45acp so no, I don't think it is too much if you think he is mature enough to own it. AG Russell sells a very nice scout knife...
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_type/folding/slipjoint/a_g_russell_india_stag_scout_knife.html

The Boker is very nice as well but a bit higher priced...
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_type/folding/slipjoint/bker_scout_or_camp_knife.html

for camping he might also like a hobo knife...
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_type/folding/slipjoint/case_hobo_with_spoon.html
 
You don't want to overdo the expense of a knife,not only may he lose it could be like imposing your tastes on him.

A Mini Grip is an excellent working knife and is quality,plus it has a clip so losing it is harder.Great lock too!

Spyderco have a lot to offer and something in foliage green scales might well appeal to a young scout.

Böker Magnum gives a large range and inexpensive.

How about an old school lockback of some type or even a decent medium sized fixed blade?
 
Look at getting him a Kershaw Blur--$54 and you won't break the bank, it's assisted, and everything is good about it. For a scout, I'd get the 1670BLKST--the recurve serrated version.
 
I suggest for a fixed blade a Mora. Their easy to sharpen, good quality, inexpensive, and work well for camping and whittling.

If you want to go with a folderI thinck Case still makes the Boy Scout line.

If it were my kid I would go with something with a more classic look to it.
 
My four choices: CRK&T, Mo'Skeeter @$20.
Spyderco, Delica.
Boker, Sodbuster Jr.
Boker, Trance.
 
You're crazy to spend $100+ on a knife for anyone who doesn't know how to take care of it. Given that he's a scout, that shouldn't be a problem. Consider what he's using now - there should definitely be a knife somewhere in his camping gear if he made it to Star. Get something that augments the current knife or is a nice step up in functionality.

There's plenty of good stuff out there for well under $100. Spyderco Delica got me through many outings. Also consider the Spyderco Native (made in the USA and stocked inexpensively by some Walmarts) and Ocelot - closeouts available for $110. Griptillian is pretty good, and like Axis locks. Both Benchmade and Spyderco have some very economical knives made in China. Personally, I would avoid the Chinese blades - quality is OK but you can get better stuff in your price range. Multi tools are OK and useful, but my first choice would be a lockback.

If loss might be a problem, I'd tie on a brightly colored lanyard or pull tab. A small lanyard that could be clipped to the belt would be good. A good sheath would also be an option - keeps the knife from falling out of pockets.

There are many lanyard examples on this page, but I think the October 29, 2007 entry is the best. One end is attached to the knife. The other end can be clipped on a belt loop for retention, or clipped to the lanyard to make a wrist loop.
http://stormdrane.blogspot.com/
 
Get him a working man's folder, like a 4" or 5" CS Voyager PE. He will thank you later when that knife shows its stuff and puts all his friends' knives to shame. You can always throw in a Case Trapper for an attractive knife later.

Try to avoid Benchmade unless you want to shell out the big bucks for a 940 Osbourne. Their lower end stuff is jut glorified plastic and feel completely off.
 
Why not the good ol' Buck 110? It's a good basic knife with a solid reputation. It's also a good platform for embellishment (scale upgrades, filework, etc.) if you want something fancier.
 
Of course you could just make him a gift certificate then spend time with him looking and letting him pick out what he wants with your guidance of course. I think this might be the best approach, he can find what he likes and you can help guide him as far as what is appropriate.
 
Mora knife fixed blade the best inexpensive knives but you wanna folder ....Buck 110 will make the job done
 
How about a Bundeswehr OHT? Has all the tools of a great SAK plus a one handed blade and olive green scales.
The fact that its carried by German soldiers gives it a high coolness factor in a 14 yr olds eyes.

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i think your choice of a griptilian is a good choice. or if you want to feel really old school...but still cool...the buck 110 is a perfect choice for a new knife. it hasnt been around for 40+ years for no reason. and then you can get it from cabellas or BPS or even the custom shoppe. all for under 100...except the custom shoppe. or get him a good slipjoint from case in cv. just my .02. good luck.
 
egpaterson said:
I was thinking of getting my son a quality folding knife (such as a benchmade mini rukus or a griptilian), and was looking for advice. He will be 14 this month, and is an active Boy Scout who camps a minimum of one outing per month (including winter in central PA). He is on track to make it to Life Scout later this summer, and I thought I'd give him a new knife as a reward once he makes the last rank before Eagle. He currently has a Gerber folder (I don't remember the model, but it is one of the "skeletized" knives).

Even though he has shown a lot of growth and responsibility, I am worried that he will lose it. Also, I wonder if I should go with a slipjoint (Boker, Buck, etc) instead.

Am I crazy to spend $100+ on a knife for a teenager? Any input would be appreciated.
Click to expand...


I started both my son and daughter with slipjoints.
IMO:
it enforces proper cutting techniques.
It is easier to view as a tool only. I taught both son and daughter that a knife is a tool not a weapon.
It is easier for authorities to view as a tool not a weapon.


My recommendations for slipjoints would be
Buck 301 or 303. Well made users made in the USA.
Any SAK. Still well made, even if they are made abroad.

Fella, even I don't carry a $100 knife as an EDC. Stuff happens to knives.
 
Wow, thanks for all of the input! I really appreciate it!

One thing to remember, teenage boys and EDC are mutually exclusive (rules at school can't differentiate between a tool and a weapon). As such, this will primarily be a tool for camping/backpacking/hiking/canoeing/etc.

I like the gift certificate idea. Maybe we'll take a drive to the Cabelas in Hamburg, PA.
 
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