what is a good knife to give a 12 year old boy?

C

CluelessMother

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Dec 7, 2013
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Ok, I'm going to be short because I'm not in a familiar area of intrest here. I am a 'step"-mom to a 12 year old boy. Who wants a knife for xmas. Both parents agree he is responsible enough, so althought I'm uncomfortable with it I waved the white flag and tried my best to bite my tounge.

Question 1. Is a Crk&t - f.t.w.s Elishewitz an appropriate and safe choice to give a 12 year old boy. (His first knife aside from a swiss pocket knife)

Question 2. What is a good knife to give a 12 year old boy?
 
The Opinel, is available in carbon steel, or stainless (12C27), and locks, not to mention very inexpensive.
 
I would say an Ontario rat 1 or 2 or a Ka-bar Dozier folding hunter. A Victorinox Swiss Army knife would be good too, a tinker or huntsman are great models to start with. :)
 
O second the rat 1 or 2. I'm sure he'll be happy with whatever you get him tho, best of luck to you in your search!
 
Question 1:

No. A large combat knife like the FTWS is not appropriate for a 12 year old. That is something best enjoyed during the stupidity of the late teens/early 20s when you know better than everyone else, feel invincible, and have no qualms about carrying it. :D

Question 2:

I'd get him something like a Victorinox soldier or a stockman pattern knife. Both are sufficiently non-weapon like that they won't offend anyone.
 
Another vote for the Ontario RAT 2, or the ESEE Zancudo. Both in the $25-$30 range with about a 3" blade.
 
whetrock said:
The Opinel, is available in carbon steel, or stainless (12C27), and locks, not to mention very inexpensive.
Click to expand...

AND - they have a knife called "My First Opinel No 7 Junior Scouts folding knife. Note the lack of a point. Great starter knife, IMHO. Specifically designed for a young person's first knife. Not expensive, in the $15 range depending on where you get it. I bought one for my grandson (with daughter's permission) and it was a good choice for him.

51dHZviBzQL.jpg


Best of luck with your decision. :)
 
I just looked up the knife you mentioned and its a huge fixed blade. I'm not sure what he will be using that kind of knife for... but its not very practical for every day cutting tasks and it would certainly raise some eyebrows (and possibly get him in trouble) if he "uses" it in the wrong setting. I would say no.

Does he need a larger fixed blade knife for any tasks like splitting wood, camping, boyscouts etc? If so, I would recommend an ESEE-4, its designed to do the aforementioned tasks and it is a more practical, handy and "less intimidating" knife. I would not recommend this knife to a 12 year old though and I am hesitant to recommend any larger fixed blade for a 12 year old unless he is extremely responsible, has good character and temper, and spends a lot of time outdoors, there really is no need for him to have a knife like that yet, in my opinion.

If he wants a knife for general every day tasks, I would recommend a high quality smaller folding and locking knife that will last him a lifetime and serve a more utilitarian purpose. The blade will "lock" into place when open to prevent the knife from closing on fingers etc. I went through all of boyscouts with a basic swiss army knife and later a small locking spyderco... no need for big knives, especially at 12.

A few recommendations from lower price to higher price.

Ontario RAT 1 (but its pretty big) ~ 30$
Ontario RAT 2 (smaller) ~ 30$
Spyderco Manix 2 ~ 70$
Spyderco Delica ~ 70$
Benchmade Mini Griptilian ~ 90$

My personal recommendation would be the Benchmade Mini Griptilian because it has a stronger locking mechanism and is an overall excellent quality knife. Up to you on how much to spend, I would recommend a knife without serrations (plain edge) because they are easy to whittle with and sharpen.
 
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as most knives are sharp and pointy,
you and all responsible adults are naturally apprehensive about such gifts to minors.
well ma'am, only you can be the best judge of his character.
but it's not really all about the inherent dangers of a knife.
it boils down to the individual whose hands it is in.
if he's docile in nature,
and has a healthy indoors collection of rare stamps and loves playing chess;
then i wouldn't worry too much about giving him a tactical fixed blade for x'mas.
it would be nice if his interested in knives is not use per say,
but in collecting and display.
otherwise, please start with a shorter knife...
 
cards94 said:
a cardboard cutout.
Click to expand...

Lol!

Oh, I dunno. It really depends on the child. I got my first knife at 7. All 4 of my kids got knives before High School. Different ages for different children, I went by whether I thought they were ready for that particular responsibility and none of them had a problem owning, maintaining, and responsibly using them.

So, it depends. I DO have one grandson who should only have a cardboard cutout. :D He may be 40 before he is responsible enough for any cutting device. ;)
 
Honestly, the knife you choose is not nearly as important as the rules you implement. With my youngsters I have 2 rules:

#1 - Only use the knife when mom or dad is with you.

#2 - Knife does not leave the house unless mom or dad are with you AND you ask.

This cuts a lot of trouble out like taking it to school, etc. but in 2 simple rules.
 
I gave my ten year old son a Vic Fieldmaster. Has the saw, scissors, and some other tools in addition to the lade. He loves it!
 
fetzer85 said:
Honestly, the knife you choose is not nearly as important as the rules you implement. With my youngsters I have 2 rules:

#1 - Only use the knife when mom or dad is with you.

#2 - Knife does not leave the house unless mom or dad are with you AND you ask.

This cuts a lot of trouble out like taking it to school, etc. but in 2 simple rules.
Click to expand...
This , my kids have had knives younger. My vote goes to Buck Vantage or Kabar Dozer.
 
My Colorado grandson is nine yrs old and has a "collection" of six or seven folding knives...one is a Cold Steel which I gave him. Of course, this boy also shoots his dad's 9mm at the range, and can really handle a .22 auto pistol @ 25 yds.
Raise 'em right...is all you can do. Just keep the blade-length 3" or shorter.
I am buying the Ontario Rat 2 (3" blade) for a 12-year old grandson. His father is a responsible hunter/outdoorsman, and I'm not worried. The boy probably already has several hunting knives.
 
Bugout Bill said:
Question 1:

No. A large combat knife like the FTWS is not appropriate for a 12 year old. That is something best enjoyed during the stupidity of the late teens/early 20s when you know better than everyone else, feel invincible, and have no qualms about carrying it. :D

Question 2:

I'd get him something like a Victorinox soldier or a stockman pattern knife. Both are sufficiently non-weapon like that they won't offend anyone.
Click to expand...

I'm 13, and I have a 9 inch Battle Rat chopper. I guess it just depends on the kid.

I recommend a carbon Mora, a Becker BK 14 or BK 17, a Benchmade Griptilian, or a Spyderco Delica. Any of these should be a great knife for the kid.

I carry my knives everwhere except for school. I have used knives since I was 2, and got my first SAK when I was 5 or 6. I have since bought a ZT 350, a Sebenza, and many other knives (with my own money).
 
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