Quality knife for a 14 year old Boy Scout?

I have been a scout leader for years, and, based on what I have seen with my scouts, something simple and practical would be best.

It's hard to beat a Victorinox Soldier or Farmer. If he really wants a locking one-hand opener and you are willing to pay $50-60, get a Benchmade mini-griptilian or Spyderco delica. He really doesn't need a larger knife for his first one, and he needs to learn how to properly use this as a tool. And he needs to learn how to maintain it - sharpening, cleaning, oiling, etc.
 
Im 14 and I have had a knife since I was 4 and have only lost one. I would say let him choose but dont show him any super tactical knives, he will automatically want those because they just look so much cooler but they turn him into a mall-ninja and also attract unessery attention. I suggest something with stainless steel because I often forget to clean folders and carbon steel rusts very easily. A couple good ones are leathermans (or is it leathermen?) SAK's like the OHT or OH GAK (the standard 91 mm ones arent cool for 14 y/os), the traditional buck's like the 110 (maybe a custom one), the griptillian is great as well. The rukus is too tactical unless you put the rose wood scales on it. Sheeple will panic and start a huge scene that is better avoided. The most tactical knife I own is a kershaw storm. Let him choose, but don't let him see knives you don't want him to get. The only thing to rmember is tactical=bad.

Good Luck and welcome to Bladeforums.
 
If his troop will let him carry a fixed blade, may I suggest Marbles. They have some nice traditional stacked-leather handled knives that may appeal to him. On the other hand, they are carbon steel, so if your son doesn't feel like oiling his knife from time to time, they may not be for him.

http://www.marblesoutdoors.com/cutlery/index.html

If a locking folder is what you're after, I'd suggest a Buck 110, Spyderco Endura, or Spyderco Delica.

Case has a near infinite selection of traditional slipjoint folders, some of which even have the Boy Scout logo on the handle.

Being a teenager myself, I say let him have a look at these and other knives, and then have him pick the one he likes. Can't go wrong that way.:cool:
 
Get the boy a Benchmade 551. It's a great working knife, with the Axis mechanism and hard to kill.

Be realistic. Get something he'll actually enjoy using.

I'd take one of these over a Buck 110 any day. No comparison in quality and you can't beat the current prices for one.
 
3wolves said:
...let him choose but dont show him any super tactical knives...
Click to expand...
I've got to say there is a lot of wisdom in 3wolve's post. The problem with taking him to a knife store to go shopping is that he will see and probably be attracted to a lot of choices that would be out of the question for various reasons, maybe cost or because they are too large or tactical or a switchblade whatever. He may end up being disappointed with whatever he is "forced" to choose and it may take the steam out of your gift. You need a better way to control the process. Either just pick one thing for him or maybe buy 3 or 4 possibilities and let him choose from among them and then return the others? You could also show him several options cut from a catalog or printed out from your computer. But I think it is smart to limit the total number of choices somehow. If you set him free in a knife store, you might have to just give him a budget and be ready to accept whatever he comes out with to avoid resentment.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3wolves
...let him choose but dont show him any super tactical knives...
I've got to say there is a lot of wisdom in 3wolve's post. The problem with taking him to a knife store to go shopping is that he will see and probably be attracted to a lot of choices that would be out of the question for various reasons, maybe cost or because they are too large or tactical or a switchblade whatever. He may end up being disappointed with whatever he is "forced" to choose and it may take the steam out of your gift. You need a better way to control the process. Either just pick one thing for him or maybe buy 3 or 4 possibilities and let him choose from among them and then return the others? You could also show him several options cut from a catalog or printed out from your computer. But I think it is smart to limit the total number of choices somehow. If you set him free in a knife store, you might have to just give him a budget and be ready to accept whatever he comes out with to avoid resentment.
Click to expand...

One of my favorite knives I ever received or owned as a scout was a small knife my dad bought me after completing my first week of summer camp and my first round of merit badges. It was not tactical not even close, it was small sharp and had the boy scout emblem on it... I am kind of the sentimental type so it meant a lot especially coming from my father a former eagle scout and someone I look up to. I never used the knife much but carried it often, even if I had an EDC on me, for the sheer fact that it meant so much to me... just food for thought. I bought most of my own knives while in scouts for a few reasons...

First: I wanted a lot of them and my parents didn't see a need for me to have so many.

Second: I lost a lot of them and my parents wanted me to learn to take care of my things and didn't want to constantly replace what my youthful carelessness had discarded

Third: I wanted to.

Still though the ones I cherish the most are the one from my father and another from a mentor that I received after attaining my Eagle. My point I guess is that if your son makes and allowance he can save up and buy a decent, cheap knife for everyday camping use, the one you get him will probably mean something so think about making it one he will appreciate years down the road.

-K
 
well for scounting and outdoor I would say a fixed blade like a ...MORA?
for EDC AND scounting maybe a vic HERCULES? has wood saw,knife,awl,openers etc great to use outdoors and in life
a RAT folder would be great too, opinels anyway

don't know but a griptilian or endura (casual names) are good edc knives and tools, using them outdoor, strange suggestion IMO, would never take my delica and edc knives camping, for that I have other knives, quality is not the point, the point is for me the design and purpose these were designed and created, probably not camping but as life companions, city life companions

hope i explained my idea clearly
my point, anyone agree?

stay sharp!
Maxx
 
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