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

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.
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What is the point of having your own knife then? I use my knives alone (I'm 13), and I have never seen any reason not to.
 
Cold Steel Recon 1 Mini Clip Point. 3" blade, lightweight,Triad lock is very safe,keeps good edge, easy to sharpen,great grip texture,looks killer,$50 or less. Otherwise Leatherman Rebar would be a good cheap multi tool knife too It's about $30 and can be used in all situations.
 
My son is 13 and has been getting my leftovers for years. His collection includes a SRK, Rat 3, Junglas, Recon1, BK2 and many more. He is very responsible and enjoys using them with me. My wife is having a custom display case made for them as a Christmas present.
 
Hi, he will cut himself for sure, we all did, I would give him a knife with a spear type blade, like a scout or canoe, and I would keep him from putting a razor edge on it, knives arn't razors, the first time I figured out how to put a razor edge on my knife I got cut with it, and I still have the scar at 66 years old, that same knife cut my brothers thumb to the bone, and cut most of my friends untill my father took a file to it. George
 
If you are looking for a fixed blade I recommend the ESEE Izula or a little smaller with the Candiru! We sell a lot of these to parents getting their kids their first knife. If you are looking for a folder I advise actually going a little bigger, rather than smaller. Smaller folders are fine but can be a little fumbly for a pre teen! If your kid is coordinated, responsible and really in to knives then get him whatever he wants. I had tons of knives by the time I was 10. Outside of missing 3 fingers and stabbing out my left eye, I am fine:D!

If I can help in any way shoot me a PM.

Good luck and don't worry!
 
junom said:
Hi, he will cut himself for sure, we all did, I would give him a knife with a spear type blade, like a scout or canoe, and I would keep him from putting a razor edge on it, knives arn't razors, the first time I figured out how to put a razor edge on my knife I got cut with it, and I still have the scar at 66 years old, that same knife cut my brothers thumb to the bone, and cut most of my friends untill my father took a file to it. George
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You gotta learn respect for a knife some how. :p
 
I gave my 5yr old daughter a Benchmade Griptilian with Spydie hole in the blade for opening. The axis lock is friendly to youngsters.
They also have cool colours to choose from. The quality will be appreciated if he manages to keep it for a long time.
 
I got my first knife when I was seven. I haven’t been a day without a pocket knife since then. Bought it with money I earned doing chores. Used the same knife for years. I don’t hold with the, “12 is too young to carry a knife” approach.

If he hasn’t learned basic knife safety by now, it’s time he did. The best knife for that is a small slip joint with no lock. Get a Boy Scout Manual from the ‘50s or earlier and read about knife safety. The rules for safely using a slip joint are basically the rules for safely using any knife. Mistakes with a small slip joint will drive the lesson home at a small cost in blood. Research shows that when people have safety equipment on their sports gear, they take more chances. If he learns to depend on a knife’s lock, he may be really using the knife hard when the lock fails. Emergency room visits are an expensive way to learn knife safety.

What he learns on a slip joint, he should apply to a locking folder or sheath knife. “Cut away from yourself, not towards.”….”A sharp knife is safer than a dull knife.”….“When you use a knife keep the pressure on the edge side, not the spine side.”….”Carry the knife so that if you trip, you won’t fall on the blade.”….“The lock on that fancy folder may fail, and at a bad time. Always treat a locking knife as if it had no lock.” There are also social rules. "A knife is a tool, not a toy." “Don’t take your knife to school.” “Don’t flash it around to get attention.” “Don’t pretend to threaten somebody with it.”

This knife is a present, so the old rule applies. Easy come, easy go. Buy something inconspicuous and inexpensive. When the kid looses it, breaks it, has it confiscated at school, make him do chores to earn a replacement. He may take better care of that one.

What knife for a 12 year old? A small, traditional, non locking folder. Nothing larger than 3 ½” closed. Jigged bone or wood is less threatening than stainless or plastic—except the red plastic Swiss Army Knives. Look at Case stockman or trapper patterns. Look at the Victorinox Recruit or Farmer.

While you're at it, get him a sharpening stone, and lessons in freehand sharpening.
 
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A spyderco junior? It has a very large choil to protect his hand from sliding down on to the blade when he stabs something (and if hes anything like most boys, he probably will) and the handle is relatively small. The knife overall is slim and boasts a strong lock, which will keep the blade in place while usage occurs.
 
Sounds like he wants a knife not a multi-tool so I think a Mora would be great if he's getting it for a camp/hike knife, also those are under $20! Or an Esee Izula for around $60.

Now if you're looking for a folder I would go for a Spyderco Tenacious (around $30) unless you're willing to get him something that will last him a life time and are willing to pay more for a Benchmade Mini Griptilian or a Spyderco Delica!

Izulas and Mini Griptilians come in all kids of colors so you could choose something fun looking for him!
 
I would have appreciated a Rat 2. Go with that. Don't get a huge fixed blade, no reason to.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
That isn't remotely true. Kids can and should be responsible with knives by that age.
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I thoroughly agree. I think the reason many of my peers (upper teenagers to 20's) are so put off by knives and think they are dangerous is because their parents thought what cards seems to think (this is not an attack on you as a person cards, I simply disagree with your opinion). my parents are old for my age and came from a different time and place than most young people my ages parents, it seems. I was so young when I s given my first SAK I can't even remember it. that may also be because it wasn't a big deal: my dad and brothers and grandpa used knives responsibly around me all the time. heck, novelty knives were a favorite of my dads as a present when he would return from work trips (I'm talking when I was YOUNG). Many people talk about cutting themselves with their first knives. i may have dinged myself, but I didn't do any serious damage that I recall because I had seen others responsibly using knives. in many cultures, even today, children around the age of 13 use all kinds of knives for work. any normally developed child of the age of 13 has the capacity to be responsible with knives, the lacking is on the part of the negligent parent.

To the op: Be sure you have taught your child proper use and he will likely go without a scratch. the only reason I said not to get a huge fixed blade is because they look good on paper, but honestly are almost always used purely for fun (which is fine, but means it will be used less). it is true that this recreational aspect of big knives can (even in responsible adults on this forum) lead to dangerous misuse. I say get a nice 2.5"-3.5" bladed folding knife of good reliable quality (slip joint old grandpa style included, if he is interested in that kind) that isn't so expensive it will be a travesty if he losesa it. he will appreciate it.

Rat 2
 
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.
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I definitely agree with your first sentence whole heartedly. I have my knife (and gun, and general weapon, and driving, etc, etc) rules written down in a book. A great wrestler once drilled it into our heads at a camp "nothing is real until you write it down" (pertaining to goals in his case) and although it seemed silly at the time I have found it to be a good habit (especially with rules of conduct).

I think it is better to use rules that are constant throughout life. like:

Do not take your knife anywhere that doing so may cause you or those in your company any harm and/or adverse conditions.

yes, this is more vague. but I have found it works. today I went to a concert and left my edc knives in my truck. could I have gotten them past the very minimal security? yes. did I need a knife? no. would it have caused adverse conditions if I had been "caught"? sure. I would have looked shady, my ladyfriend and our friends would have been embarrassed and held back, and I may have lost my favorite knives.

Rules mean nothing without the clear reasoning and moral rightness of the interpreter of those rules. Those are the most important things to teach. I only hope I have had them instilled in me well enough to pass them on (waaaay far down the road haha).
 
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