Which knife for my children?

Vickyandherbiscuits said:
Are there any pocket knives that have both a saw and a blade that lock?
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What about a trekker? The saw doesn't lock but the blade does and it is not very "pointy".
victorinox_0_8461_mwc941us2_one_hand_trekker_multi_tool_pocket_1355497.jpg
 
My Dad gave my brother and me a 3 bladed stockman as our first knives. But this was in the early 60's and I don't think they had Vic knives with saws.
This was in southern WV.
 
I have a Junior 09. I like it a lot. In addition to the blade lock, it has a half-stop as an extra safety measure in case the blade lock is accidentally disengaged. The rounded tip does remove some of the knife's functionality, but it also makes it look very non-threatening, kind of like a butter knife. Consequently, it's very unlikely to frighten or alarm anyone. The nail file's pointed tip can also be used like an awl.

It's a great little SAK. The cost is a bit much, but you can find it brand new for 20-25 bucks if you do a little digging.
 
I'll add another vote for the walker. Great little SAK that will go on to serve them into teen years and adulthood. SAK's are a great knife to introduce kids to knifes, as its not just a knife, but some basic tools to get them going. They will learn to deal not just with cutting/whittling, but screws, opening cans, and some self reliance.

I would not worry at all about the SAK nit having a lock. Many many generations of kids got a boy scout knife as a first knife. I know I did. Those many many generations all grew up with all fingers still attached. maybe a little scar to remind them of a mistake, that they will never make again. I do NOT believe in starting kids out with a lockable. This will only encourage sloppy knife handling habits that may well come back to bite them. I know too many young guys with locking blades who have very poor knife handling, and they feel safe until a lock fails. Some pocket lint or dirt, wear and age on the lock bar. Many years ago before I retired, I was working as a machinist. There was a young guy recent hire, and he was using his Buck 110 in a very reckless way, and was told to knock it off and go get the right tool. His smart a$$ reply was, "Its a Buck knife, it'll take it!"

Well, not long after lunch, there was a blood curdling scream from the sheet metal shop, as the lock failed and the kid very neatly amputated his right index finger at the second joint down, and nearly the middle finger as well. The Buck didn't take it. The shop Forman ran upstairs to the caffeteria and got a large cut of ice, and put the severed finger in ice. They EMT's transported the kid to the hospital, where they actually reattached it. The kid was fired of course for unsafe shop behavior and disobeying the shop Forman who told him not to do that.

I've owned very few lock blades in my life, and still have all my fingers. I even carry friction folders like Opinel number 5 and Japanese Higonokami, yet never cut myself. I know if I do something stupid I will get cut, so I don't push it. If I need a knife that I know will not fold up on me, I use an old fashioned fixed blade.

OP, get your kids the SAK walker and have a heck of a good time teaching them proper and safe knife handling. The real safety is that lump of gray matter between their ears.
 
jackknife said:
I'll add another vote for the walker. Great little SAK that will go on to serve them into teen years and adulthood. SAK's are a great knife to introduce kids to knifes, as its not just a knife, but some basic tools to get them going. They will learn to deal not just with cutting/whittling, but screws, opening cans, and some self reliance.

I would not worry at all about the SAK nit having a lock. Many many generations of kids got a boy scout knife as a first knife. I know I did. Those many many generations all grew up with all fingers still attached. maybe a little scar to remind them of a mistake, that they will never make again. I do NOT believe in starting kids out with a lockable. This will only encourage sloppy knife handling habits that may well come back to bite them. I know too many young guys with locking blades who have very poor knife handling, and they feel safe until a lock fails. Some pocket lint or dirt, wear and age on the lock bar. Many years ago before I retired, I was working as a machinist. There was a young guy recent hire, and he was using his Buck 110 in a very reckless way, and was told to knock it off and go get the right tool. His smart a$$ reply was, "Its a Buck knife, it'll take it!"

Well, not long after lunch, there was a blood curdling scream from the sheet metal shop, as the lock failed and the kid very neatly amputated his right index finger at the second joint down, and nearly the middle finger as well. The Buck didn't take it. The shop Forman ran upstairs to the caffeteria and got a large cut of ice, and put the severed finger in ice. They EMT's transported the kid to the hospital, where they actually reattached it. The kid was fired of course for unsafe shop behavior and disobeying the shop Forman who told him not to do that.

I've owned very few lock blades in my life, and still have all my fingers. I even carry friction folders like Opinel number 5 and Japanese Higonokami, yet never cut myself. I know if I do something stupid I will get cut, so I don't push it. If I need a knife that I know will not fold up on me, I use an old fashioned fixed blade.

OP, get your kids the SAK walker and have a heck of a good time teaching them proper and safe knife handling. The real safety is that lump of gray matter between their ears.
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My Dad taught me very early on that a knife was meant to cut something. If you need a pry bar or a screwdriver, go get one.
 
Yeah so... speaking of safety, number one rule of using a knife: always cut away from yourself. Never cut towards yourself or any part of your body. Pound this into your kids heads before you hand them the knife, and repeat it often. Ask them to recite it back to you. They will thank you for this.
 
Legendary_Jarl said:
Interesting. Growing up in a city environment I never needed a knife other than for cutting meat for dinner. And at the age range you mentioned my parents did it for me still. I didn't get my first knife until I bought it myself age 13-14. It was a SAK like knife from Banff.
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Your post was out of line stop trying to justify it. JBC6650 JBC6650 over reacted and was scolded for it, but he was right that you owe Vicky an apology.

You have no right to tell someone how to raise their children.
 
I thought there were dedicated blade shapes for whittling, of which some are fixed blades, if that is their primary purpose. Right tool for the job.
 
Vicky, I just thought of something that I haven’t seen addressed yet, and it may not even be an issue.

How strong would you say is the pinch strength and/or thumb and thumbnail strength in your 3 year old?

I’m trying to imagine if it would be too strong of a pull resistance to overcome for a 3 year old to open up a SAK.

I have almost no experience opening a SAK except for the only 1 I have. Mine has resistance of course, but if your 3 year old couldn’t open it yet, it would surely be a big disappointment for him and leave a feeling of being left out.

Perhaps some more knowledgeable and experienced members here could give their opinion on this and offer up some additional advice, and it may turn out to not even be an issue at all.
 
eveled said:
Your post was out of line stop trying to justify it. JBC6650 JBC6650 over reacted and was scolded for it, but he was right that you owe Vicky an apology.

You have no right to tell someone how to raise their children.
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Let’s alllll settle down. He didn’t “tell someone how to raise a child”. Giving a knife to a 3 year old is going to get mixed reactions anywhere you bring it up. No one owes anyone an apology, I think some folks are overacting just a bit.

For a six year old? Maybe a Victorinox classic. A 3 year old? I can’t make a recommendation because I personally wouldn’t give a toddler a knife.
 
Uncle Timbo said:
My Dad gave my brother and me a 3 bladed stockman as our first knives. But this was in the early 60's and I don't think they had Vic knives with saws.
This was in southern WV.
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Southwest Virginia/Southern WV native for 36 years. This was the same thing me and my brother got, an old timer first, and a case next. I was 5 or 6 when I got the first one. Good ol’ days when you could still carry a pocketknife to school without facing a prison sentence.
 
I trust OP knows what she’s doing. I bought my son a tinker when he was 6 months old, and I’m holding on to it until he’s ready. He’s 4 now and I bought him a jetsetter that I’m more comfortable with him using on his own, though just yesterday I caught him cutting up the hem of his shorts in his car seat. My kid isn’t careful enough and had too many bad ideas.

As for a knife, I find the Gerber LST to be a good basic starter pocket knife for kids. Cheap, small, easily replaceable. It was my first when I was 9, and though the steel isn’t amazing, it’s good enough. It locks and isn’t stiff to open or close.

Also, I like the saw idea- I’d get a small pocket saw separately (opinel makes a good one). Of course a SAK is perfectly fine, depending on the abilities of your children.

Just keep the first aid kit well stocked! From personal experience it’s not a matter of if you cut yourself, it’s when and how badly.
 
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