recommendations for a first knife for my 9 year old

[jimh0220]

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!

Well chosen. He'll love it. Reading this to myself last night with my 6 yr old hanging over my shoulder had him asking, 'When do I get my first real knife?' My answer, 'Later, a few years from now.' His reply, 'OK Dad. I don't touch your knives now, just like you said. Knives aren't toys. Right?' Damn, Dad did something right!

 

[muphasta]

Well chosen. He'll love it. Reading this to myself last night with my 6 yr old hanging over my shoulder had him asking, 'When do I get my first real knife?' My answer, 'Later, a few years from now.' His reply, 'OK Dad. I don't touch your knives now, just like you said. Knives aren't toys. Right?' Damn, Dad did something right!

that is awesome! My kids are always over my shoulder seeing what I'm looking at. Reading, playing a dumb game on the iPad, whatever it is, they want to be a part of it.

I know my 5 year old is going to have an issue w/his big brother getting a knife so I must figure out something to give him when I give Grant his knife.

I'm pretty excited!

 

[muphasta]

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...

with many things, I'd rather buy "Used" and "quality" vs "New" and "junk". bicycles, tools, etc can be had much cheaper once someone else has owned it. If it is a quality item to begin with, buying 2nd hand has little risk.

I'll be keeping the Buck 110 for myself as it is a bit of a classic.

 

[Surfingringo]

I'm glad you went with the sak. That's a good model too. I think he will be really happy.

 

[Agent18]

Heck! SAKs are collectible to me! I have two now!(GolfTool and Tinker!) and I want more! SAKs are unassuming enough to not freak out "non-knife" people and they're just downright cool!!

 

[muphasta]

Heck! SAKs are collectible to me! I have two now!(GolfTool and Tinker!) and I want more! SAKs are unassuming enough to not freak out "non-knife" people and they're just downright cool!!

I agree. I think I finally made the right call. I always have loved my Classic. I miss the (forgot name) two blade SAK that fell between the boards at the lake and was never to be seen again. Always wanted a larger one, and I'll live vicariously through my eldest.

 

[bigmac53]

I got a nice little buck folder when I was around your sons age, I think I had it thru high school and it either got lost when I went to college or my brother swiped it... probably the latter. I think a nice little SAK would be a good choice too, since its more tool than knife if you know what I mean.

 

[jonathan13]

I think SAK's are great first knives but at the same time, I question it because they have a nice pull that could be hard for a child to overcome, and they do snap closed. You do not want it to snap closed on little fingers.
Opinel is a good choice, easy to operate, no snap, and they do lock so no chance of it accidentally closing.

I also think a lock back of some sort could be a good choice, maybe a Spyderco Dragonfly? Easily opened, the back lock is easily operated with both hands, and no little fingers in the way of the blade when closing. Also, it has a clip, so you could show him how to carry it with the clip. =]

Agreed 100%. The dragon fly is a great choice. You could also get a bird robin 2 g-10 for half the price. Same quality just with 8cr13mov.

 

[muphasta]

tomorrow is the day I present the knife to my son. I'm really excited!

To compensate my youngest, I bought him his own spinning reel. I hope he'll be satisfied.

 

[muphasta]

Back from our camping trip. I'll be posting a video of him acting goofy while I'm giving it to him soon. I've a lot of pix and videos of our camping trip to go through.

My fears of the wife freaking out if he cut himself were short lived. He cut himself 4 times in 2 hours. Not sure how he managed all that, but he, the wife, and I all took it in stride. no tears or yelling, no fainting (I don't like blood), and he understood he needed to be more careful, then even more careful, still more careful, and finally to just put the thing away for the night.

 

[G.Moll]

Case sodbuster or sodbuster jr for a slip joint. If you want something that locks a spyderco dragonfly. Fixed blade go with an izula2. Gotta start the knife addiction early!!!

crap im late

 

[Catalyst Edge]

I don't know why everyone is recommending slipjoints, if they're 9, get them a safe locking blade. A buck Nobleman or Bantam BBW are good first options. Cheap, small, reliable lock and blade and a trusted name brand.

 

[muphasta]

Ok, here are some pics from our camping trip where Grant received his knife.

There are four wounds here in the pic, all from his knife. He didn't even whimper!