recommendations for a first knife for my 9 year old

[ozgooner]

An iconic knife for sure and everyone should have one. Maybe a little on the large/heavy side for a nine year old but will certainly teach him an appreciation for a quality blade.

 

[Surfingringo]

My first "nice" folder was a puma ("earl" I believe). It was a very similar design to the buck 110. I can't speak for your son but I was completely stoked! Hope he enjoys.

 

[22-rimfire]

The 110 a good field knife. Probably a bit large for him now. But he'll grow into it. The size makes it rather difficult or less likely that they would carry it places they shouldn't as a kid.

I went back through this thread. I don't believe a single contributor recommended the Buck 110 even though it is an iconic knife. Funny how these recommendations work.

 

[Egnar T Seinnhoj]

When you're ready to hand him a fixed blade, I highly recommend a Mora 511. It fits small hands well, has a finger guard and teaches good knife handling fundamentals. I've got one just sitting around waiting for my son when he's finally ready.

 

[tobin420]

ka bar dozier

 

[tobin420]

id get him a ka bar dozier lock back there around 20$ and come in all kinds of color and blade combo's. i have a small pink one on the way for my girlfriend and a zombie green and black one for me
im sure he'd like a neon green one and , you can always dull his blade a little befor you give him it , then teach him to sharpen it

 

[Agent18]

My first knife was a SAK Golftool, while it was specific to my needs, I'm sure getting him a SAK loaded up with tools would be a wise choice! Can never go wrong with a SAK!

 

[gixxer1237]

Busse MOAB. That's a good first.

No really a cadet or one of the tiny lock back bucks.

 

[Egnar T Seinnhoj]

Kershaw Grant County isn't a bad knife for a little one.

 

[dr_fosg8]

How about a buck bantam bbw in mossy oak? Under 20 bucks at most retailers and a lock back with thumb stud. For a bit more you could get a 501 or 505 or similar. My first was a 505 (at least I think, been a long time ago,LOL)

 

[whetrock]

It's hard to beat an Opinel for the price, the Inox, and Carbon are both more than serviceable. It's got a rudimentary, but effective lock, making it safer for a novice, than a slipjoint. Very ergonomic as well. The blades are thin, not overbuilt, making them suitable, only for cutting IMO, but that's right up my alley. Not to mention, if it's lost, it won't be a great loss.

 

[neeman]

I second the My First Opinel idea, and also posit that the Mora scout knives with the double guard could be a good choice.

I have taught boys and girls how to use knives
I have used the fixed blade Mora Scout with a double guard
And the Opinel #6 that functions as a fixed blade once locked with the ring, but has no guard

What I like about the Mora Scout is the double guard makes it much much safer for little hands being tired and slipping
Later a strong pair of pliers can cut off the top guard (and file it round) so they can learn to use their thumb, and still have the bottom guard

I taught folding knives on non locking slipjoints
How to cut so the blade will not fold, without relying on a lock
I consider this a basic skill

I always give SAK Spartens to 13 year old boys for their BarMitzva present (but the motor control of a 13 year old is much higher than a 9 year old)
They like SAKs with all the bits much more than a regular Stockman

 

[benzology]

Definitely something with a locking mech.

My first knife was a SAK at about 10 years old. At that time I was pretty active with tools, taking apart and putting back together bicycles and mucking around with stuff like that.

While playing around with my brand new SAK I did something silly and the thing closed on my right pointer finger - cut to the bone and severed a tendon!

I guess looking back I never made that mistake again but not fun for a kid...

 

[Nord]

I would go for a fixed blade. Less complicated and easier/safer to use. A Mora knife with a single guard. 511 or 546 have comfortable grips (especially if you go over them slightly with sand paper to give them a rougher surface) and the grips are quite small and slim so will work nicely for a child, or go for the 611 for a more traditional look and feel, or the #73-164PS or the #73-164 that are designed for children and small hands. All are very cheap and very good knives for wood carving, whittling and general camping/bushcraft. Indeed I doubt there are better knives for children and for the purpose at any price. I would go for stainless steel for a child if it is intended to be used outdoors a lot. No reason for a double guard with a single edged blade. A double guard is in the way for some whittling and carving and serves no real purpose. I got my first knife on my 4th birthday and it was a double guard scout version Mora knife by Frosts. The 'scout' type models have leather sheaths and they are not as safe as the plastic ones, even if they look nicer. When I grew up it was common for kids to start with Mora knives with a guard and when they were considered old and skilled enough they were allowed to progress to Moras with no guard. The Mora knives with finger guards were sort of considered to be knives for kids when I grew up. I don't need a guard but I like to have a single guard on some knives, especially if you use them with gloves or mittens in the winter which makes it hard to feel and control things as well as you can without gloves. Considering that they are razor sharp they will slice through your mittens and your finger if you slip.

 

[Nord]

When you're ready to hand him a fixed blade, I highly recommend a Mora 511. It fits small hands well, has a finger guard and teaches good knife handling fundamentals. I've got one just sitting around waiting for my son when he's finally ready.

While playing around with my brand new SAK I did something silly and the thing closed on my right pointer finger - cut to the bone and severed a tendon!

I guess looking back I never made that mistake again but not fun for a kid...

I think that a fixed blade should come before a folder. Fixed blades are easier and safer to use in every way that I can think of. They are usually better and more comfortable for whittling and general woods use too.

 

[Nord]

With a kid's first knife, I give them the small swiss army knife with the knife, scissors, screwdriver, tweezers and toothpick (Classic I believe is the name). I put a lanyard on it and if a girl, they wear it around their neck, if a boy, they put it through the belt loops. This is to keep it from getting lost. Next comes the basic Leatherman multi-tool. You'd be suprised how many girls like this too.

A folding locking blade may get a child in trouble with a youth leader or the law.

Haha, this made me remember when I brought a butterfly knife, which I had purchased during a school trip to England, to school at 11 in order to make a leather case for it in 'sloyd' class. The elderly female teacher totally freaked out when I displayed it and told her what I wanted to do.

 

[muphasta]

Finally have some pix of he 110 I picked up:

I think I'm having 2nd thoughts about giving it to him. It seems much larger today than in the shop!

I may give him this CRKT:

But, that has a not so simple lock.

So, he may get this Gerber that I picked up really cheap.

But now that I bought hat Buck, I need to convince the wife that I need to buy another knife!

 

[muphasta]

Well, I went back to my initial decision today. Ordered a SAK Fieldmaster. He deserves a brand new knife as his first.

Thanks again for all the input. A lot of passion for blades here!

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

I'm glad that you got him the SAK and if it'a Amazon, you'd be ok.

I was a bit shocked that you bought used knives for him. My idea is a knife is personal and lots of personal vibes are transferred to the knife. For starter knife, it's best something new.

When he buys on his own, then he can choose whatever, new ir used.

Having said that, the drifting in your buying decision is totally natural

PS: I also have the Point Guard and your pics brought back memories...

 

[jimh0220]

Look at what BSA knives are: basically a SAK. There's a reason: easy to use, easy to maintain. I learned knives at 8 with one and never (seriously) hurt myself with one. I'd head in that direction.