What would you give to a knife newbie?

Lord Cthulhu

Lord Cthulhu

Joined
Jun 13, 2001
Messages
135
I'm thinking of asking my father-in-law if I can give a knife to his son for his next birthday. He'll be 13.

This got me thinking about what is the best knife to give to a non-knife person of any age.

My thought is that an SAK is the best choice for several reasons. First of all a SAK is argueably the goodwill ambassador of kives. They are recognizable by almost anyone, even non-knife people. They bring to mind images of a tool not a weapon so they don't scare folks.

Secondly, they are relatively inexpensive and the two real SAK brands are of high quality.

Three, they have other small tools on them that make it less likely for a new knife person to use a sharp blade in a dangerous way. (If the SAK has a screwdriver they won't be as likely to use the big blade as one.)

Inputs? Any other or better suggestions?

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"I'm inuspeptic, frasmotic, even compunctious to have caused you such pericumbobulations."--Mr. E Blackadder
 
Sifu
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I think a SAK is a good choice - like you say non threatening and very sheeple friendly. Otherwise a traditional folder from Case or Buck??
 
I'm with you all the way with the Swiss Army Knife. I've given a few Victorinox Classics, Mini-Champs and Tinkers as gifts to people who in the past would have never had the slightest inclination to carry or use one, and they cherish them.
 
Another vote for a SAK.

However, I´d choose one with the blade locking function. Those tiny fingers do come off with ease
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Hi -- I've given Leatherman Micras to a few non knife-nuts, and everyone's loved them. IMHO, they're even more "tool-like" and less "knife-like" than a SAK; not sure if that's good or bad for your use.
 
Yes, I second the vote for a WAVE... I don't know if he could handle a Commander so how about a CQC7-B?
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Wavin'

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At risk of spoiling the 'surprise,' why not ASK the lad what he would like, and then clear this choice with his folks? He might have a very specific wish list.

Or {shameless plug follows} get him a copy of LG4, and after a few days, he will have all sorts of ideas what kinds of knives he wants.

BRL...

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What BRL suggested, except I would clear it with the parents before taking up the subject with the kid. BTW, what ever you get him, adding a copy of LG4 will be something that any future knife nut will appreciate for many years.

N2S
 
I have given several SAKs to young uns (after okaying it with their parents) and they were universally liked. I recently gave a non knifeknut friend of mine a new Griptilian. He held it in his hand, opened it with the blade hole, and then even figured out how to close the Axis lock. He looked at me with a big smile and said, "Cool." The next day I asked him how he liked it and he said he slept with it under his pillow. Now this guy is 47 years old, but he acted like a kid with a new toy. He wants me to show him how to sharpen it. I think a new knifeknut has been born.
 
I would go with the SAK....Oh yeah,and a box of Band-Aids.
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Ken
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"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names." - John F. Kennedy
 
A Spyderco Civilian or if thats expensive the Matriarch
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Seriously, how about keeping it to a lockback as thats what most are familier with. I would suggest the blue handled plain edge Delica. Not to big, but a great little blade. If you want to impress, how about the black handled CPM440V Native?

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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
 
i just gave my girlfriends brother a BM accent II, i liked the knife, it was smooth and the 154cm is a proven steel and it is just large enough
 
definitely i'd say a SOG crossgrip. much better than a SAK or a leatherman micra in my opinion. the screwdrivers and wrench on it are unbelievably useful. i can't recommend it enough.
brandon
 
Thumbs up for the SAK.

Can't think of a better intoduction to knife collecting.

Andrew L


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"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
Well if you like the lad I would say start him off with a Griptillian. And then if he likes it then you can encourage the habbit and gently lead him to collecting nice knives. I had my parents start me out with small cheap swiss army stlye knife when i was 5. And now 12 years later i'm looking at buying a $450 custom. So gl i hope he joins us in the knife nut community.

Trevor
 
Get him several diffferent catalogs and magazines (Blade, Tac Knives, etc.) and let him look. See what sparks his interest.

If you are wanting to surprise him you can't go wrong with an SAK. Great knives and everybody should have one in their collection.

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Jason Cadden
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Webmaster
Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
jcadden@smkw.com
 
SAK is a good choice. OR any decent stockman.

I usually tell people (giftors) to also buy a sharpening stone (or other suitable implement) and to teach the child how to safely sharpen and maintain the knife. Dull knives cause more accidents, IMHO.

Also, if you're trying to teach about the responsibility of maintainance, I often recommend a carbon steel blade and recommend that the giftor warn the giftee "take care of it or it will rust." and again follow up with maintenance recommendations.

My $.02,

Mike

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