what would be a good "kids" design

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shaker

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Apr 12, 2005
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I have two nephews well "great nephews" I should say, one is 7 the other is 8 and both are in cubs. I am thinking I should make them each a knife . Got the fathers (my nephew) permission to do so. what would be a good design for kids of that age? I am thinking a 2" blade and 3" handle? Just something simple so that they can safely learn to use a knife under adult supervision , when the time is right. I think maybe each a small knife for now, and each a good adult knife for when they grow up? after all no telling now long I will be around especially due to some of the adventure motorcycling rides I take lol
hmmm 2" balde and 3" handle with a good guard? a simple drop point?
 
a look like the crkt the natural? either one the natural w/ the black micarta handle or the stag look. has custom look to it. check it out
 
spydercos Bill Moran fixed blade perhaps?

http://www.rockcreek.com/spyderco/bill-moran-drop-point-knife/

EDIT: sorry, just releazied you wanted a SHORT blade. Maybe a Micheal Morris file necker??? short to your specs, inexpensive, and one heck of a great knife!


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^ oh man, i love those little file knives! thanks for posting those. It seems i need to send more $$$ his way:D
 
shaker said:
I have two nephews well "great nephews" I should say, one is 7 the other is 8 and both are in cubs. I am thinking I should make them each a knife . Got the fathers (my nephew) permission to do so. what would be a good design for kids of that age? I am thinking a 2" blade and 3" handle?
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jonnymac44 said:
I've got to give another vote to the ZT 0200:thumbup: That is one tough liner lock. A close second would be the Kershaw ENER-G II. It's a mid sized utility folder, not some heavy duty tactical monster, but it has got some VERY beefy liners and they make for one heck of a tough liner lock. Excellent all around user and slicer as well.
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Jon, you drinking again tonight? :D:p
 
SPXTrader said:
Jon, you drinking again tonight? :D:p
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Nope.....welll not more than any other night:D I just noticed this myself, and think I went to post a quick response to a different thread but mistakenly clicked on this one!:eek: I'll edit and move accordingly, thank you very much;)
 
i bought a ka-bar little finn a few months ago and immediately thought to myself "wow this would be a great "boy's knife", i'm not sure at their ages if it would be good, but it has a 3'5 inch blade (i think it's actually a hair under 3.5 but can't find my tape measure) and stacked leather handle.
https://www.kabar.com/product/produ...&categoryId=2,7&categoryName=Hunting/Sporting
the pic on their website is just a hair under actual size (on my monitor).
The nice thing about making your own of course would be the ability to avoid the stainless steel and made in taiwan, but i still like the design.
 
how about something along the lines of the Brusletto Baldur or a generic Sloyd knife shape? good multipurpose designs that can also be used for wood carving as they get more fine control.
 
Anything with a small fixed blade, preferably with a filed-down tip and a large finger guard. Make it sharp, but not hair-poppin'.
 
SPXTrader said:
Mykylmoris has his pocket filers, and they sound just like what you're describing. I have 2, and they are great little knives.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=618698
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I tried talking him into making me one last week, but he said that he isnt totally happy with the pocket sheaths, so the Pocket Filers are on hold for a little while.


My ears are perked up for when he starts making them again though!
 
I'm thinking that Salt 1 or the Ladybug Salt from Spyderco would work. They have non-rusting blades, less pointy tips, light weight, good thumb rest to prevent slippage, and oversize thumb holes for easy manipulation. Yellow makes it easy to find if dropped and makes for a more people friendly color. And if yellow is not their thing, some do come in black.

Lots of good features for young knife users.
 
I appreciate the posters who recommend fixed blades. I prefer them too and think that they are safer and easier to use properly. However, before you buy a fixed blade for your young scouts, check with their pack leader. Boy Scouts of America is very down on fixed blades. Yeah, pisses me off too, and their reasons (they describe them as "big and clumsy") are lame and ignorant. Still, it would be a shame to present fixed blades to your souts, only to discover that they could not carry them during any scout activities. They might also get hastled if they carried fixed blades in view of the sheepish populace. As much as I prefer fixed blades, I would rather have a folder in my pocket every day than a fixed blade spending 99% of its life in a drawer back home. That's why I bought a folder for my new scout.
 
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shaker said:
I have two nephews well "great nephews" I should say, one is 7 the other is 8 and both are in cubs. I am thinking I should make them each a knife . Got the fathers (my nephew) permission to do so. what would be a good design for kids of that age? I am thinking a 2" blade and 3" handle? Just something simple so that they can safely learn to use a knife under adult supervision , when the time is right. I think maybe each a small knife for now, and each a good adult knife for when they grow up? after all no telling now long I will be around especially due to some of the adventure motorcycling rides I take lol
hmmm 2" balde and 3" handle with a good guard? a simple drop point?
Click to expand...

I think a small little kephart style blade would be nice. Very non threatening and would be very functional :thumbup:
 
I've got to agree with Countyrat, some folks may feel a fixed blade is too aggressive.
I gave my sons Sodbusters for the scouts, and they love 'em.

Sodbusters and Douk Douk's are both pretty sheeple friendly knives, not to mention cost effective (in case they get lost). If you prefer a locking blade, get an old school Mercator K55.
 
CountyRat said:
I appreciate the posters who recommend fixed blades. I prefer them too and think that they are safer and easier to use properly. However, before you buy a fixed blade for your yound scouts, check with their pack leader. Boy Scouts of America is very down on fixed blades. Yeah, pisses me off too, and their reasons (they describe them as "big and clumsy") are lame and ignorant. Still, it would be a shame to present fixed blades to your souts, only to discover that they could not carry them during any scout activities. They might also get hastled if they carried fixed blades in view of the sheepish populace. As much as I prefer fixed blades, I would rather have a folder in my pocket every day than a fixed blade spending 99% of its life in a drawer back home. That's why I bought a folder for my new scout.
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This is correct. Most Scout Packs/Troop either discourage fixed blades or ban them completely from scout campouts. The truth is, you rarely need much more than a small pocketknife for the kind of camping most scouts participate in. That said, I got my scout two knives after he earned his "Whittlin' Chip in 3rd grade. A Gerber Freeman fixed blade and a Mini-Griptillian. He was also given a SAK later in the year. I'm not exactly a big Gerber fan, but for his limited uses, this knife fit his needs, and hands, well. It was only about $30 retail too. The mini-grip is a trooper too. Been the to bottom of several mudholes and bathed in the Gulf of Mexico once.

I want to commend you on making these for your nephews. They may loose the knives in time, but they will remember who gave it to them and why.
 
If they're not in Scouts and if you're worried about pinched fingers, you might try an inexpensive Mora.
I bought my son this little Mora (the 511) with guard for camping trips.

Mora511.jpg
 
Oh, I just read more closely and saw you're making the knives.

Still, I'd go with a good guard for a first-time user, and the Mora above is a sensible size to emulate. :thumbup:

Maybe even a slightly shorter blade.
 
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