Son's first knife.......

I think an Opinel nr 8 or a EKA Swede 88 are nice knives for learning bushcraft skills. And of course a SAK, like Farmer or Huntsman, is a good option.
 
whittling with a SAK? I suggest something from the Byrd line. Cheap enough to use but sharp enough to be safe and great quality. Something with G10 handles would also be nice. perhaps a caracara?
 
Opinel, 6 or 7, inox. Cheap, sharp, easy to open and close for a child( no springs ) and it has a lock
 
A Victorinox Fieldmaster was the first knife I gave my boys. The next knife was a Mora #760 but they can't take fixed blades when we are out with the BSA.

Correction: Sorry I forgot. The first knives that I gave them were small Buck lockbacks.
 
Last edited:
Buck 112. If he ever becomes a knife Knut, he will probably get a 110/112 at one point. Might as well give him one now...
 
Scouting usually discourages fixed blades, and sometimes even locking-blade folders at the Cub Scout level.

(BTW - I can see both sides on this issue, and have no desire to debate it)


The quintessential first scout knife is a Swiss Army Knife. Several blades/tools, easy to open/close slipjoint, bright red (hard to lose), and a great knife to be nostalgic about years later when he is a man.

You can't go wrong with any of these:

http://www.swissarmy.com/multitools/Pages/Category.aspx?category=scouting&


They do have one that has the Cub Scout logo on it. If he is a true knife-newbie, then get this one or a Classic SD




I opened the catalog and let my son (an 8-yr-old Cub Scout) choose for himself. He ended up with this one:

My First Victorinox Plus
http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=everyday&product=54651&

He's not really into whittling and didn't want a pointy tip....but did want a saw...(and, of course, the ever-so-popular toothpick :D). So, that's what I got him and he loves it.




If your son is going to be doing some whittling (amongst other scout tasks)...then I would get him one of these:


Adventurer (make sure locking blades are ok with his pack first)
http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=outdoor&product=53601&

Tinker
http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=doityourself&product=53101&

Farmer
http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=doityourself&product=53964&

Also the Cadet, Electrician and Soldier might interest him.





I'd steer away from blades that are too small (under 2") or too big (over 3.5").

I'd also avoid stockman (jack knife) types...as they are easier to lose (smaller diameter and not brightly colored).

And lastly, I'd not overdo it on the blade/tool count if you get a SAK.


Best of luck in your search....be sure to let us know!


Dan
 
I know in NYC they do not allow fixed blades. I went on one of my son's camping trips to a boy scout camp and was asked to remove and return to my car a fixed blade knife with a 3 inch blade.

With that being said I would go with a stockman or a basic SAK.
 
The first knife my Dad got me was the Wenger Handyman and I still have it to this day, I have used this knife probally more then anything else in my life. It has a Saw that I used for cutting up branches and many many other things. The only thing that has gone somewhat bad with this knife over the many years I've used it is the blade is a little loose. I'm almost positive that if I sent it into Wenger they would replace it for me. But I have so many memories with this knife that I want to keep it just as it is. Here's a picture and link to the knife.

Wenger-Handyman-Lg.jpg


http://www.wengerna.com/handyman-16933
 
WOW.....thank you all so much for all of the great input. It seems to be the consensus on a SAK...which makes sense because of the "multi" tool characteristics. It also seems to be the obvious choice. I do know that we will be whittling so the blade HAS to be sharp. I also know we will be doing alot of leather work so a punch/reamer is going to be a necessity.

I'm probably going to get him a good one bladed knife for whittling and a second knife for all the other things he will need it for! :D;)
 
Mr. Sogetsu said:
I would get him either a buck 110 or 112. After that a SAK. After that a stockman. What knives does he like that you have? maybe get him a smaller/similiar style?
Click to expand...

He really does like them all.....but.....he is especially fond of my new scallion that I picked up the other day. He is infatuated with the way it opens....but for obvious reasons he will have to wait awhile until he will be able to pocket one of these gems!!
 
id say, a Vic ALOX pioneer and some small locking spyderco, think H1 ladybug/ SS Kiwi

also i got my little cousin a vic OH trekker, and he loves it
 
my first knife was a swiss army huntsman which served me very well. I think my dad gave it to me at around 10 i am now 16.
 
I would suggest a 2 or 3 blade slippie(Jack, Stockman, Whittler or Canoe). Both Case and Boker offer some nice choices. Something traditional that he could have for many years to come.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top