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What would be the best knife for a 11 year old boy?
- Thread starter dommpy
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
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- 19,385
Like everything, it depends on the boy.
I can totally remember my first decent knives at that age, so I gave this a lot of thought:
As much as I like regular SAKs, I think kids are better served with locking blade knives. Learning to use a knife means occasionally misusing it. Locks prevent accidents.
Victorinox does make locking blade SAKs. This EvoGrip 10 is one of them:
I would generally steer clear of one handed knives like Spydercos or flippers. Give a kid a knife that is designed to be more of a weapon and that's what they'll focus on - or their friends will. So I'd be more inclined to get something that opens with a fingernail. However, I did not like "Grandpa knives" as a kid. I would avoid wood and bone handles or brass. This would be my choice for a classic lockback that is tough and useful without being weapon-like:
Otherwise, a smallish fixed blade would be great. I'd go with a Morakniv Pro S (pic) or Mora HighQ robust in a neutral or bright color scheme (favoring the Pro for its shorter 3 5/8" blade). Not because kids are supposed to like bright colors, but just to de-emphasize the military appeal of an olive or black knives in favor of something that is supposed to be a tool. If I were a kid, I'd like the ones with two tone handles in preference to the cheaper looking solid plastic. I'd also go with stainless.
I would have loved any one of these three when I was 11. They are complex and serious looking while actually being useful.
As much as I like regular SAKs, I think kids are better served with locking blade knives. Learning to use a knife means occasionally misusing it. Locks prevent accidents.
Victorinox does make locking blade SAKs. This EvoGrip 10 is one of them:
I would generally steer clear of one handed knives like Spydercos or flippers. Give a kid a knife that is designed to be more of a weapon and that's what they'll focus on - or their friends will. So I'd be more inclined to get something that opens with a fingernail. However, I did not like "Grandpa knives" as a kid. I would avoid wood and bone handles or brass. This would be my choice for a classic lockback that is tough and useful without being weapon-like:
Otherwise, a smallish fixed blade would be great. I'd go with a Morakniv Pro S (pic) or Mora HighQ robust in a neutral or bright color scheme (favoring the Pro for its shorter 3 5/8" blade). Not because kids are supposed to like bright colors, but just to de-emphasize the military appeal of an olive or black knives in favor of something that is supposed to be a tool. If I were a kid, I'd like the ones with two tone handles in preference to the cheaper looking solid plastic. I'd also go with stainless.
I would have loved any one of these three when I was 11. They are complex and serious looking while actually being useful.
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- Nov 20, 2005
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I think kids need to learn about knives and potentially getting cut is part of the learning. A few other examples that I own.....The Sentinel I mentioned above is a liner lock and the Adventurer that I EDC has a side lock that has never failed me. The Dual Pro X has locking blades, but the accessory items do not lock. The One handed Trekker has a locking main blade but the saw blade has no lock.
I mis-read your post to say that they did not make locking bladed SAKs. I have edited my post somewhat to show some other examples.
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- Dec 26, 2013
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Gave him a spyderco persistence. Before that he got a s a k, buck folder, and not long before the persistence and a rat 1. The rat is fairly advanced for the age but he has earned the privilege. I think the persistence is just about perfect. I think he would agree.
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- Feb 11, 2011
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This ^
I would never recommend a slipjoint, even though I carried a couple from when I was 5 years old until I turned 10. I was less clumsy/careless than most kids. I bought a fixed blade when I was 10.
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A Vic Pioneer or Farmer. Engrave his initals on the rear scale. That way it's personal. If he is like many young men, he will want something tactical but, he will never git rid of the SAK because of the initals.
Some people have suggested getting two knives. This has merit. A Rat knife or zancudo would be good. Maybe a small fixed blade of some sort.
Some people have suggested getting two knives. This has merit. A Rat knife or zancudo would be good. Maybe a small fixed blade of some sort.
This here:
A Victorinox was my first knife.
Start with a SAK, and based on how well he handles the responsibility, upgrade from there as needed
A Victorinox was my first knife.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2010
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- 3,274
I would go with a nice Leatherman wingman over a SAK. I would go with a fixed blade over a folder though. Mora is good for a first cheap knife.
There is hardly gong to be a perfect first knife experience given that opinions on the best knife for a particular age group is going to be as varied as the types of personalities as there are types of knives available for every need.
For a minor, consideration include domestic house rules but the law as well.
One can hardly choose anything with out consulting or at least have a working knowledge of the local acceptable norms when it comes to knife ownership.
Having said that, one would have to picture the consequence of placing a knife in the hands of a knife rookie.
It is rather important to know the character of the minor, just as it is equally important to pick a knife which is physically reflective or one which makes a comparable fit for the young individual in question.
Accidents can always occur but more so for characters with extreme carelessness or unresponsible traits.
Losing or misplacing is just as bad as ruining a knife from pure misuse or negligence.
We need not only to give a knife but to educate the minor throughout this breaking in period of new knife ownership.
And that includes care and maintainence besides all the fun stuff one does with a knife.
Having said that, i would personally go with a small fixed blade for a start.
Because both knife and owner might go through hell and baptism of immense fire.
A boker gnome would be my recommendation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x1gcEai59Q
For a minor, consideration include domestic house rules but the law as well.
One can hardly choose anything with out consulting or at least have a working knowledge of the local acceptable norms when it comes to knife ownership.
Having said that, one would have to picture the consequence of placing a knife in the hands of a knife rookie.
It is rather important to know the character of the minor, just as it is equally important to pick a knife which is physically reflective or one which makes a comparable fit for the young individual in question.
Accidents can always occur but more so for characters with extreme carelessness or unresponsible traits.
Losing or misplacing is just as bad as ruining a knife from pure misuse or negligence.
We need not only to give a knife but to educate the minor throughout this breaking in period of new knife ownership.
And that includes care and maintainence besides all the fun stuff one does with a knife.
Having said that, i would personally go with a small fixed blade for a start.
Because both knife and owner might go through hell and baptism of immense fire.
A boker gnome would be my recommendation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x1gcEai59Q
Agree 100%!
A Victorinox Cadet or if you want to spend a bit more, a Farmer and a Mora. With the Mora I recommend the 511. It has a guard to keep his fingers on the handle.
If you only want to get him one a Buck 110 may be something to look at as well.
Is he involved in Scouts? If so and he is in a good troop they will require a "Totin' Chit". This is a card the boys earn proving they have had training in the use of knives, axes and saws. The last time I was involved with scouts (about 15 years ago when I was Scoutmaster for my oldest son's troop) the program was done quit well. If he is not involved in Scouts perhaps you can find your local Scouting District store and pick up the Totin'Chit booklet as a training tool.
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- Nov 29, 2014
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Consider the topic of this thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1262023-Knives-for-Kids-at-KnivesShipFree/
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1262023-Knives-for-Kids-at-KnivesShipFree/
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- Jan 3, 2015
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- 92
I would definitely get something with a locking blade. I remember almost cutting my fingers off on a non-locking SAK when I was about 11 yrs old. The knife closed on my index finger knuckle as I accidentally hit the spine on the piece of wood I was trying to cut. I guess I was lucky in that the knife wasn't sharp enough to leave me with anything more than a band-aid wound.
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2014
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- 79
As a father, I can't recommend Opinel and Mora highly enough.
I started my son on Opinels around ten. It's available in two decent steels, easy to sharpen, reasonably safe (with the Vibrolock), and has many sizes. Plus it's cheap to replace when it's inevitablely lost/broken.
Moras are cheap, have a myriad of styles and sizes, also available in two decent steels, and also dead easy to sharpen.
I mention sharpening because it's a great skill to learn. Why not start with something easy?
I started my son on Opinels around ten. It's available in two decent steels, easy to sharpen, reasonably safe (with the Vibrolock), and has many sizes. Plus it's cheap to replace when it's inevitablely lost/broken.
Moras are cheap, have a myriad of styles and sizes, also available in two decent steels, and also dead easy to sharpen.
I mention sharpening because it's a great skill to learn. Why not start with something easy?
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
- Messages
- 4,798
Well, here's my experience...
My youngest son wanted a knife when he got old enough to hunt, 10 years old. His grandfather gave him a hunting knife he'd had for years. This sparked the knife bug in the little fella I guess. Oldest boy was not as stricken, but recognizes good tools.
He wanted a Kershaw Scallion, so I got him one. Oldest boy wanted a Leek, so I got it too.
Then the youngest wanted a KA-BAR mini Marine Combat knife. Couldn't turn that down. Got one from 1SKS. Oldest one wanted this Kershaw Brawler... fine.
Since then they've racked up whatever strikes their fancy. Little guy picked up a balisong, a Gerber Bear Grylls FB, and couple weeks ago he got a Damascus hunter from Tooth and Nail out of Portland, Oregon. Oldest got this money clip thing from Gerber. These guys are only 12 and 15 now.
When it comes to getting my kids what they want in a knife, I generally let them do the choosing. I did buy each one of them a Camillus Fisk bowie though.. they can have them when I'm done with them though. Let the lad look around some of our own dealers' websites. He may surprise you.
My youngest son wanted a knife when he got old enough to hunt, 10 years old. His grandfather gave him a hunting knife he'd had for years. This sparked the knife bug in the little fella I guess. Oldest boy was not as stricken, but recognizes good tools.
He wanted a Kershaw Scallion, so I got him one. Oldest boy wanted a Leek, so I got it too.
Then the youngest wanted a KA-BAR mini Marine Combat knife. Couldn't turn that down. Got one from 1SKS. Oldest one wanted this Kershaw Brawler... fine.
Since then they've racked up whatever strikes their fancy. Little guy picked up a balisong, a Gerber Bear Grylls FB, and couple weeks ago he got a Damascus hunter from Tooth and Nail out of Portland, Oregon. Oldest got this money clip thing from Gerber. These guys are only 12 and 15 now.
When it comes to getting my kids what they want in a knife, I generally let them do the choosing. I did buy each one of them a Camillus Fisk bowie though.. they can have them when I'm done with them though. Let the lad look around some of our own dealers' websites. He may surprise you.