recommendations for a first knife for my 9 year old

Microtech UTX-70. :) Get him started early on the Microtech D/A OTF so he'll have a strong thumb for the Makora when he grows up.
 
I would actually suggest not getting a lock-back. I have two main reasons: 1) as others have mentioned relying on that lock might not be a good habit to learn, and 2) I have seen too many people try to force-close a locking knife while it's still locked and then upon remembering how to disengage the lock doing so while still forcing it shut - onto their fingers. an SAK may spring closed and cut a finger, but from what I've seen (and felt) that's nothing like forcing a knife closed onto a digit.

Opinels are good because there's a lock but no spring (not to mention the awesome value), and Svord Peasants are also good because the blade can't really close while you're holding it (and again, great value). Opinels and Svords are also both easy to sharpen and will teach him to look after his stuff; and if the looks after them right he may well be able to pass them on to his kids one day.
 
My daughter turned 7 a couple of months ago. I am taking her and her younger sister camping in a couple of weeks. I bought her a Vic classic, in pink of course. I'll use that to teach her what she needs to know and we will progress from there.
 
BladeChick777 said:
Okay, so you think the back lock is the best?
But don't want to go over $20?
Spyderco Byrd Meadowlark or Meadowlark 2 FRN.

That's what I'd get in that Price Range. It has a decent steel, easy to sharpen, the lock back is a very easy two hand lock with no little fingers in the way, and they are great quality knives, especially at that price. If you wanted to go a little higher, like $25ish, you can get it in G-10. Has a clip for pocket carry, and he would likely adore it.

Good luck.
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Yep, that's actually a really good option if you decide not to go with sak. Man, how come blade chick always comes up with my good ideas before I even think of them?! You should probably pay attention to what she says...whatever knife you are looking at, she's probably bought and sold it...a few times. ;-)
 
Surfingringo said... Man, how come blade chick always comes up with my good ideas before I even think of them?! You should probably pay attention to what she says...whatever knife you are looking at, she's probably bought and sold it...a few times.
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That's funny. I find it really hard to recommend inexpensive knives simply because I haven't used a "cheap" knife in years and don't usually even pay much attention to them any more. But for kids... it's a little different as they loose things or lose interest seemingly more quickly than adults.

All that said, I have been carrying a Vic SAK for 20 years and love them.

One of the things I noticed about the Vic Kids SAK is the size... it is the in-between size. I tend to want a larger handful but for a young person, that is a comfortable handful. You also don't want to choose something that is real heavy as they simply won't carry it.

With SAKs (or any knife for that matter), pay attention to the closed length as it is very easy to buy something that is a lot smaller (say the Classic) or larger (110mm size) than you expect from looking at pictures. My kids SAK is gathering dust in its nice packaging. That's what happens when you don't confer with "mom" when choosing something for kids to use.

As a kid, I had the smaller knives, but by the time I was around 10, I was ready for a more normal sized knife since I pretty much had already gone through the stupid stage.

It is kind of like wrist watches.... love them. But kids today think differently and if they have a cell phone then they have the "watch" already. Some kids to take to using watches however. Like a knife, it is a matter of getting used to them and seeing the utility.
 
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SAK usually lock with liner lock (Trekker, for example). However, there're some model with button at the side and the lock goes into the tang like a piston (Alpineer). That model might be safer.

Or you can choose Wenger that has liner lock release by a button on the handle. Unfortunately usually the model is rather large.
 
Get him a microtech ultratech or a benchmade butterfly knife, those are good options
 
However, there're some model with button at the side and the lock goes into the tang like a piston (Alpineer). That model might be safer.
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You're talking about my favorite SAK, the Adventurer model. Probably a little big for a 9 year old.
 
My 9 year old, Grant is his name, is rather tall for his age. Size may only be an issue if it is too small. So maybe I should up the budget and hope he doesn't lose it.

I appreciate all the replies!
 
Victorninox all the way. Cool factor. Is certainly a tool and not a weapon. You could argue a lockback is safer, but I've yet to cut myself even when I was 10 and got my first.
 
Muphasta, maybe you should ask Grant which he thinks he might like. No doubt SAKs are kind of cool as far as I'm concerned as long as they don't carry them to school. And you get a pretty good and reliable knife for a pretty low price. If they don't loose it, they will likely have it for a long time.

You aren't wondering if Frost Cutlery or Rough Rider knives are good enough as they might not be for you. Your son may prefer a modern type knife and Spyderco makes many good ones of varying sizes. You son probably likes the kind of knife that Dad likes for now and as his tastes develop, he'll choose his own path.
 
22-rimfire said:
Muphasta, maybe you should ask Grant which he thinks he might like. No doubt SAKs are kind of cool as far as I'm concerned as long as they don't carry them to school. And you get a pretty good and reliable knife for a pretty low price. If they don't loose it, they will likely have it for a long time.

You aren't wondering if Frost Cutlery or Rough Rider knives are good enough as they might not be for you. Your son may prefer a modern type knife and Spyderco makes many good ones of varying sizes. You son probably likes the kind of knife that Dad likes for now and as his tastes develop, he'll choose his own path.
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Funny you should say this. I did ask him if he'd prefer a single blade or a SAK. The kid said that he'd be happy with whatever I thought was best for him. He really amazes me sometimes!

I think a butterfly knife or balisong are out, and now I need to figure out how muck mom will let me spend on his SAK. I never had a folder a locking mech until in my late teens. He'll survive, I am sure.

Thanks again everyone. I'm not shy about videotaping stuff, so one day a video may pop up here of him receiving whatever we decide on.
 
I'd go with a multi-tool. Maybe a SAK or Leatherman. I think for most boys the gadget factor is cool to them and it will also most likely have a blade. Hard to beat a knife with extra tools for the first knife. Every kid has a bike, maybe goes fishing...ect. So a multi-tool with a pliers, blade, driver bits...ect might come in handy and be the most use for a kid.
 
I would recommend a small fixed blade like the EESE Candiru or Izula. No chance of it closing on his fingers and a lot less likely of sneaking to school in his pocket. Not saying he would do that but I was thinking of myself as a kid.Plus you can do some cool cord wrap stuff with him on the handle.
 
mcrow said:
I'd go with a multi-tool. Maybe a SAK or Leatherman. I think for most boys the gadget factor is cool to them and it will also most likely have a blade. Hard to beat a knife with extra tools for the first knife. Every kid has a bike, maybe goes fishing...ect. So a multi-tool with a pliers, blade, driver bits...ect might come in handy and be the most use for a kid.
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The kid already has a decent start up set of tools for the bike. I worked in a few shops myself, and know the importance of having the right tools and taking care of them. I'm trying to instill that into him as well. His little brother will get similar tools when pen he is ready.

I agree that the multi-tool aspect is cool, and now just need to figure out how many tools will fit into the budget.

I'm not worried about him sneaking something into school. Of course every parent, or at least most parents believe their child knows better!

My youngest on the other hand, he is a stinker and while I'd hope he wouldn't take his blade (when he gets one), if a mid was to try, it would be him. He is smart, but loves to push boundaries!
 
I'm thinking of getting him the Fieldmaster SAK. I like that it has scissors, and no corkscrew. Hell like the scissors, saw, and not miss the corkscrew. Mom may iss the corkscrew however. Now on to convincing the wife that he is ready!

Is Amazon a good place to buy knives from?
 
I'm with the ones who have already mentioned My First Opinel No. 7. There's variety in colors plus safety:

Safety Features:

  • Double safety ring "VIROBLOC", created by Marcel Opinel in 1955, locks the blade either in open or closed position.
  • This knife also features a "Round Tip" blade for added safety.
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How about one of the locking leather man models like the wave. He'll have all the tools he needs and the blade won't accidentally close while using it. I got a PST for my first and I still have and use it
 
Well, I think I've made my choice. If anyone has any cons that should be pointed out about this, please let me know...

I stepped into a pawn shop for the first time in about 12 years just to check things out. Saw a nice (but obviously used) Buck 110 listed at $29.

I talked them down a little from there, but walked out with it.

I intend to clean it up before giving it to him. It also must get past the wife of course.

Please let me know what you think!
 
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