The first knife to give your kid

Kids generally don't have good dexterity when very young from my observations. As others have said, it depends on the young person, where they live, their likes, and maturity level. The knife should fit their circumstances. As things change with interest, there is time for a new knife.
 
DangerZone98 said:
Perhaps martial arts would be a good outlet for him? But in addition to proper striking and grappling, it’s important to convey the preference for avoidance. If his first response to bullies is to beat the ever living daylights out of them, that probably wouldn’t go well. Hit only as a last resort; but if you have to, hit first and hit hard.
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I did suggest karate lessons for him a few years ago but his mother thought dancing would be more appropriate as it's not violent :rolleyes: she doesn't know about our little lesson and I did tell him that avoiding needing to do it in the first place was much better. Maybe it's avoidance that is why he hasn't had any trouble since. Anyway I hope it's all over now :thumbsup:
 
Welshie12 said:
I did suggest karate lessons for him a few years ago but his mother thought dancing would be more appropriate as it's not violent :rolleyes: she doesn't know about our little lesson and I did tell him that avoiding needing to do it in the first place was much better. Maybe it's avoidance that is why he hasn't had any trouble since. Anyway I hope it's all over now :thumbsup:
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There are other disciplines than karate if his mother doesn't approve. Check out Aikido, a strictly selfdefense Budo sport.

Regards
Mikael
 
The first knife I gave my son, at 10 Years old, was a Queen Cutlery three blade Stockman.
His first fixed blade, at 12, was a Bark River Gameskeeper.
 
Ben Dover said:
The first knife I gave my son, at 10 Years old, was a Queen Cutlery three blade Stockman.
His first fixed blade, at 12, was a Bark River Gameskeeper.
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I got my own Case (a barlow) a little prior to 10 and used it heavily trapping, and later small game and deer hunting after age 13. Did the Gameskeeper correspond to his start of hunting?
 
22-rimfire said:
I got my own Case (a barlow) a little prior to 10 and used it heavily trapping, and later small game and deer hunting after age 13. Did the Gameskeeper correspond to his start of hunting?
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Sure did. Became a superb first hunting knife. He was a fairly large lad at 13, and it fit his hand well.
 
My twins (boy/girl,) started with Vic Classics when they were ~6. When they were a bit older they got some larger hand-me-down SAKs, a Hiker and a Camper iirc. Next, ~11-12 they each got an assisted Kershaw, lol. A Chive for my daughter and an AM4 for my son.

This year they're turning 14 and they'll probably get their first Spydercos. Will most likely let them each pick something from my collection, (while maintaining veto powers of course :)).
 
I would give a SAK for a starter for a young child. I don't think 5 or 6 is to young if the child shows interest in knives and at least a little responsibility. If they showed no interest, I wouldn't give them a knife-same for adults
If their dad carries and uses a certain knife they may very well prefer something similar for theirs , but I still think a SAK makes a good starter if specific likes and desires are not known
 
I'm thinking of grabbing a cold steel tuff lite mini for my 5 yo son. He's smart and responsible, and into knives like his Dad.

Slip join knives seem like a recipe for band aids and tears. I'd rather get him something with a good lock.
 
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My grandfather gave me this knife over fifty years ago. I must have been 5-7 years old. It was used at the time, and he gave me an old stone to go with it. I had a lot of fun with the knife and learned a lot of stuff.

It makes sense to give a kid an old knife that isn't like a razor. (S)he's going to get cut anyway, so it's best to lessen the risk. Let the kid grind away on it with a stone, and figure it all out.

ka-bar.jpeg
 
marcus52AR said:
I'm thinking of grabbing a cold steel tuff lite mini for my 5 yo son. He's smart and responsible, and into knives like his Dad.

Slip join knives seem like a recipe for band aids and tears. I'd rather get him something with a good lock.
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I love my mini tuff lite and always carry it but I think the lock might be a little to stiff for a 5 yr old
 
My first knife was an uncle henry golden spike. I won it in a drawing dad entered me in when I was 2. I didn't get it till I was about 10.

My first pocket knife was some small old timer. I got it when I was 8 or 9. It's out in the cow pasture somewhere. Not really worth looking for as by the time I had lost it in my teens one blade was broke and the other 2 were ground to just about nothing from me learning to sharpen it.

My son 11, got a buck 110 when he was 6 but I still don't trust him. He's too much like his mother with his head in video game la la land nonsense all the time. My 4 year old step son I'd trust with it more right now. He will most likely get the same when he turns 6, time will tell if he will be allowed to carry it.
 
Prokskee said:
I love my mini tuff lite and always carry it but I think the lock might be a little to stiff for a 5 yr old
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I agree with your concern that the Tri-Ad lock might be tough for children. Heck, it’s tough for some adults that aren’t used to folding knives. Once I saw someone who couldn’t safely disengage the Recon 1’s lock, and it was a scary sight.

If you can trust the youngster with it, the Delica 4 would be an excellent choice in my opinion. Or if you want to go the fixed blade route, I can also recommend the Izula (I love mine). Of course, don’t forget supervision and teaching knife safety. :) Cheers, man.
 
When my niece turned 14, my "tight fisted":rolleyes: brother bought her an "El Cheapo" Ka-Bar for her first hunting knife.

But not to worry, "Uncle Ben" came through and gave her a Bob Dozier KS-1 Master Skinner .:):thumbsup::)
dozier k nife.jpg
 
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