Recommendation? Son's first knife?

3 years old? Sorry all, but no knives yet. A bit young to have something truly sharp. Wait a year or two. Three year olds don’t really comprehend potential danger. Teach him safety by example, have him help you cut things...rest his hand on yours, etc. Perhaps call it “his” knife that only the two of you use together.

I received my first knife (a slippie) when I was 4. It was dull(ed) and I was allowed to cut apples and spread PB with it. My dad held onto it unless we were camping. Even then, it only came out when he said so. I was taught to sharpen it when my dad thought I was old enough (5 years). [I should point out that my dad grew up on a mill his dad built, and that my mom grew up on a generations-old family farm. Everyone in my family has always carried and used a knife, so there’s some validity in the way things were handed down.]

With all the threads about the difficulty adults have with the tri-ad lock, that’s not what I would start with.
 
I’ve heard the recon1 can be a little “slippery.” Something with a bone or a g10, wood or even a micarta handle might be easier to handle. Also, 2 handed opening and closing would be a safer bet for a youngster. Buck has some good choices made here in the US and cheap as well. I don’t know CS folders too well, but their 4’ pro big bore blowguns are fun for the whole family! My first CS was a recon scout.
 
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I got an 'Anchor' folder for my young nephew this Christmas (his first knife) -- can't remember what brand. Two hands to open, and though he can cut himself with the edge, he can't stab himself with the point of the sheepsfoot blade. But it has the coolness of an "adult" knife, and he spends a lot of time on the water.
 
Yonose said:
I’ve heard the recon1 can be a little “slippery.” Something with a bone or a g10, wood or even a micarta handle might be easier to handle. Also, 2 handed opening and closing would be a safer bet for a youngster. Buck has some good choices made here in the US and cheap as well. I don’t know CS folders too well, but their 4’ pro big bore blowguns are fun for the whole family! My first CS was a recon scout.
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I just received a Recon 1 and it has the grippiest G10 handle I have ever owned. As in ruin your pants pocket-level grippy/abrasive.

Last night for fun, I carefully asked my 5 year old to try to push the backlock on my Recon 1, Endura and Native 5. Not a chance she will be able to close any of those knives for at least a few more years.

I let her use full size scissors to make crafts as she is careful and knows not to run with them, etc., but I wouldn’t give her her own knife for another year or two and then it would only be in the woods.

YMMV...
 
SharpieB said:
I just received a Recon 1 and it has the grippiest G10 handle I have ever owned. As in ruin your pants pocket-level grippy/abrasive.

Last night for fun, I carefully asked my 5 year old to try to push the backlock on my Recon 1, Endura and Native 5. Not a chance she will be able to close any of those knives for at least a few more years.

I let her use full size scissors to make crafts as she is careful and knows not to run with them, etc., but I wouldn’t give her her own knife for another year or two and then it would only be in the woods.

YMMV...
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I stand corrected, I must have been thinking of the code4?
 
Minnesota Man said:
Not sure how I feel about the code 4. I'll most likely move it. The Recon1 gets all of my pocket time. Great knife!
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Good to know. I am just about to order a serrated CS and almost bought the Code 4. I don’t like aluminum scales and I luckily noticed as it looks like G10 in most pics.

I am really torn between another Recon 1 (I have the satin S35VN exclusive, so the black XHP) or the much cheaper Voyager 4” in BD1. Likely going with another Recon 1. It fits my hand perfectly.:thumbsup:

Sorry about the derail.... :cool:
 
SharpieB said:
Good to know. I am just about to order a serrated CS and almost bought the Code 4. I don’t like aluminum scales and I luckily noticed as it looks like G10 in most pics.

I am really torn between another Recon 1 (I have the satin S35VN exclusive, so the black XHP) or the much cheaper Voyager 4” in BD1. Likely going with another Recon 1. It fits my hand perfectly.:thumbsup:

Sorry about the derail.... :cool:
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I contributed to the derailment of my own thread so it's cool. Have you considered the American Law man or ultimate Hunter? I don't own either but want to. I don't really dig my Voyager. It really shreds pockets and a PITA to clip and unclip from pocket. I removed to much material under the clip and now it's real loose. Plus I don't like the negative angle. It's well made just not for me. If you want to go budget check out the finn wolf! Great scandi folder.
 
Minnesota Man said:
I contributed to the derailment of my own thread so it's cool. Have you considered the American Law man or ultimate Hunter? I don't own either but want to. I don't really dig my Voyager. It really shreds pockets and a PITA to clip and unclip from pocket. I removed to much material under the clip and now it's real loose. Plus I don't like the negative angle. It's well made just not for me. If you want to go budget check out the finn wolf! Great scandi folder.
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Both look great, but I like the 4” blade and the Recon 1 is cheaper than the American Lawman and the Ultimate Hunter in Canada. Thanks for the Voyager tip and I will look at the Finn Wolf. It IS cheap!
 
From what I remember in my youth, I liked the SAK a lot better than a two bladed knife. The SAK had neat stuff on it that I actually used. I can remember pulling out my SAK and showing the neighborhood kids all the neat stuff that was on the knife. I can't recall if we ever had a throwing contest, but we did play mumblety peg :p.....good times
 
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It depends on the kid's level of maturity and how intense the supervision . I know plenty of teens and even adults that I don't fully trust with anything very sharp and pointy ! ;)

Maybe to start, some kind of kit to make a wood model knife ? I also recall a Vic called "my first knife " that has a rounded non-point .

My first one was way later than 3 yrs . It was a cub scout folder with a fork and spoon included . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
DocJD said:
It depends on the kid's level of maturity and how intense the supervision . I know plenty of teens and even adults that I don't fully trust with anything very sharp and pointy ! ;)

Maybe to start, some kind of kit to make a wood model knife ? I also recall a Vic called "my first knife " that has a rounded non-point .

My first one was way later than 3 yrs . It was a cub scout folder with a fork and spoon included . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
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I'm not planning on giving my 3 year old a knife! Just looking towards the future. I don't know when he'll be ready. Just curious for when the time comes.
 
Minnesota Man said:
I'm not planning on giving my 3 year old a knife! Just looking towards the future. I don't know when he'll be ready. Just curious for when the time comes.
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:oops: Sorry ! I wasn't sure exactly . It's interesting that in the olden days and still in some subcultures and more "primitive" places that kids manage to grow up in close proximity to all manner of dangerous stuff . Open cook fires , knives , steep drop-offs ,etc .
 
OP, Why the rush? It's almost certain he is already the heir to your entire existing collection ;-)
But you know kids, where the "old stuff" is concerned - cool is hardly ever heard.
Perhaps your collection now, should centre around accumulating popular knives of the year.
One mint in box knife a year, so that by the time he's come of age,
And with all the huge sacrifices made,
That he might hopefully appreciate the great long term effort you put in.
Just my two cents.
 
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