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By the way, is SAK = swiss army knife?
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Quality knife for a 14 year old Boy Scout?
- Thread starter egpaterson
- Start date
mmmotorcycle
Captain Slow
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Being 16 myself I would reccomend you get a knife he would appreciate. Whether that would be expensive or not is up to you. Kershaw offers many knives, made in America, for a very reasonable sum. Plus with assisted-opening many have a cool factor! 
Good luck, welcome, and please let us know what you choose for him!
Mike
Good luck, welcome, and please let us know what you choose for him!
Mike
mmmotorcycle
Captain Slow
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Yes, and a good one will work very well for him!
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Ehm.....
Why Not A Leatherman???
Why Not A Leatherman???
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I think yes... if I had a nickel for every knife I lost or have seen guys lose on boy scout camp outs... I'd have a lot of nickels...
-K
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Yes, considering the excellent choices available for much less than that (mini Grip, Spyderco Native, Delica, SAKs, Moras, etc.). I think it would be unnecessary to spend that much. Any of those would be a big step up for him and greatly appreciated. When he loses or breaks it, it will hurt less if it was affordable. Plus, you want him to have something to step up to for the next big occasion or when he starts collecting on his own.
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This sounds like a rational argument. Thanks.
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+1 on the Boker Trance.
It sells for about $25 and it makes a great EDC and it's a very study knife with a solid frame-lock. It came from the factory with a shaving-sharp edge and is easy to maintain and resharpen.
For a 1st knife for a 14yr old, I think the Trance would be a great pick because of its good size, sturdiness and its cheap incase it gets broken or lost. You could also mod it with some new scales from Potterma to give it a beautiful look.
It sells for about $25 and it makes a great EDC and it's a very study knife with a solid frame-lock. It came from the factory with a shaving-sharp edge and is easy to maintain and resharpen.
For a 1st knife for a 14yr old, I think the Trance would be a great pick because of its good size, sturdiness and its cheap incase it gets broken or lost. You could also mod it with some new scales from Potterma to give it a beautiful look.
Absintheur
Banned
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I know I love it when Dad and I can spend a day together shopping guns and such and I am 49...lol. I think an outing to Cabela's and lunch at a good BBQ joint...just the guys...would be a great celebration.
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How about getting a few catalogs (AG Russells, etc) or a few websites: benchmade.com, spyderco.com, kershawknives.com, buckknives.com, etc.
And then the 2 of you sitting down one evening and going over it...writing down his "top five" and then picking one?
Ends up being quite a bit of fun (have done this with my oldest).
Great idea to go to a cabela's, etc, too...can try it out in person....but you're limited to what they have in stock.
My personal feelings on this are that if my scouts bring knives, they need a secure sheath/pouch that is easily accessible, or a good solid clip (still not as good as a pouch).
0.02
And then the 2 of you sitting down one evening and going over it...writing down his "top five" and then picking one?
Ends up being quite a bit of fun (have done this with my oldest).
Great idea to go to a cabela's, etc, too...can try it out in person....but you're limited to what they have in stock.
My personal feelings on this are that if my scouts bring knives, they need a secure sheath/pouch that is easily accessible, or a good solid clip (still not as good as a pouch).
0.02
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I like the idea of letting him choose...and you being there with him.
I am mainly a traditional knife guy, but I must say that I love my Benchmade Mini Grip 556. Seems like it will hold up to all the "things" that teenage boys like to do with their knives. And it's pretty cool, BTW.
A couple notes, though:
1. Many scout troops do not allow fixed blade carry anymore. While the Mora is good choice, it may not be allowed.
2. Don't get anything in green or camo. Boys like to roughhouse, and I can't imagine trying to find a green or camo-handled knife on the ground in the forest.
3. Assisted-opening knives may be illegal in certain areas, so be mindful of that, perhaps.
4. You might want to lean toward the more "stainless" steels. Those camping trips (at least the ones I was on) always seem to get rained on, and a higher carbon steel has to be maintained well to keep rust from forming in the dampness.
As far as how much dough to spend, you should be a good judge on how responsible your son is to not lose a knife. Spend as much as you feel like spending. Don't let it be about the money, as much as rewarding your son for what he has done to get that far.
Good luck, and tell us how it works out...
Glenn
I am mainly a traditional knife guy, but I must say that I love my Benchmade Mini Grip 556. Seems like it will hold up to all the "things" that teenage boys like to do with their knives. And it's pretty cool, BTW.
A couple notes, though:
1. Many scout troops do not allow fixed blade carry anymore. While the Mora is good choice, it may not be allowed.
2. Don't get anything in green or camo. Boys like to roughhouse, and I can't imagine trying to find a green or camo-handled knife on the ground in the forest.
3. Assisted-opening knives may be illegal in certain areas, so be mindful of that, perhaps.
4. You might want to lean toward the more "stainless" steels. Those camping trips (at least the ones I was on) always seem to get rained on, and a higher carbon steel has to be maintained well to keep rust from forming in the dampness.
As far as how much dough to spend, you should be a good judge on how responsible your son is to not lose a knife. Spend as much as you feel like spending. Don't let it be about the money, as much as rewarding your son for what he has done to get that far.
Good luck, and tell us how it works out...
Glenn
14 years old in other countries is a grown man. 100 dollars is nothing when it comes to your children. I still have my first knife (I made it) how about buying him a folder kit of his choice? My son has no interest in knives (he is a scout) except as a tool along the lines of a hammer. Pound nails with one, cut things with other. I would get him anything he desired, if he wanted to build, I would get him anything he desired. In his head, at the age of 14, he's already the man.
Normally I'd opt for the Sebbie but in this case I'd suggest
or maybe this
The reason is that if some nut case should ever call the police about your son having a knife, the BS logo gives him some protection. He's not a teenager with a weapon, he's a Boy Scout with a Boy Scout knife.
or maybe this
The reason is that if some nut case should ever call the police about your son having a knife, the BS logo gives him some protection. He's not a teenager with a weapon, he's a Boy Scout with a Boy Scout knife.
Every Scout should carry a basic SAK - or a multitool. The can opener, awl, and other tools are priceless when needed - Be Prepared!! My son carries a SAK Climber in his daypack and a Kabar Dozier Folding Spear (#4066) on his pocket. The Folding Spear is a fantastic lockblade knife for $20!! That's cheap enough to not panic too much if it gets lost.
His SAK got supplimented with a Leatherman Wave as a gift when he earned his First Class rank and went a full year without loosing his knife.
My son actually did loose his Folding Spear during his first week at Summer Camp - it must have slid off his pocket while walking on a trail. Luckily I'd noticed a Scout using a knife just like his at Scoutcraft (I'm an asst. Scoutmaster) and asked to see his "nice knife". Luckily I'd engraved my son's name on the handle slab and I was able to retrieve it. So much for that particular Scout being trustworthy.
Since then I've attached a "leg-long" piece of paracord to his knife's lanyard hole with a loop on the other end that he can loop around a belt-loop. He just stuffs the lanyard in his pocket when not in use, and its plenty long enough to use without problems. He likes having the lanyard and not having to worry about loosing the knife.
His SAK got supplimented with a Leatherman Wave as a gift when he earned his First Class rank and went a full year without loosing his knife.
My son actually did loose his Folding Spear during his first week at Summer Camp - it must have slid off his pocket while walking on a trail. Luckily I'd noticed a Scout using a knife just like his at Scoutcraft (I'm an asst. Scoutmaster) and asked to see his "nice knife". Luckily I'd engraved my son's name on the handle slab and I was able to retrieve it. So much for that particular Scout being trustworthy.
Since then I've attached a "leg-long" piece of paracord to his knife's lanyard hole with a loop on the other end that he can loop around a belt-loop. He just stuffs the lanyard in his pocket when not in use, and its plenty long enough to use without problems. He likes having the lanyard and not having to worry about loosing the knife.
I don't think it's crazy to buy him a good knife. But I would not get him a Rukus. I would go for the Grip. That way when he wants to step it up on his own he can look at that, or you could get the Rukus in a year or two for his next achievement. I think a grip would be a great choice. BM has a lifetime warranty, so if he keeps it forever it’s always covered.
My point is if you want to show him that you are proud, get him something nicer then a $25 or $30 dollar knife.
My point is if you want to show him that you are proud, get him something nicer then a $25 or $30 dollar knife.
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As a teenager and scout my self my view might be a little biased. I suggest that you let him choose but throw in some suggestions. The mini grip is a great idea; it is sharp, durable, and not too expensive. The delica works too, but i have not yet fallen for spyderco, and for teenages such as my self the hole makes for an aesthetically ugly but functionally beautiful knife, However for winter camp it might prove usefull seeing as it is easier to open with gloves. Also, even though i personally EDC a mini-rukus and bring it camping with me i would not recomend it because the scouts in my troop tend to abuse knives pretty bad and the s30v isnt exactly the toughest steel out there so your son might encounter some serious edge damage, especially if he lends it out. I hope this helped.
I wood recommend a Wenger Standard issue and a dummy cord if your afraid of him loosing it. A Victorinox Farmer and the same if he needs a saw. Both are very much modern, Swiss, renditions of the ttraditional scout knife concept, and should be very practical for what he would need a knife for. Plus, their sheeple friendly.