Younger brother is turning 13 and wondering what knife I should get him

By 13 I had been using knives for many years ! But you can't judge things by age alone . Is he responsible ? How's his dexterity ? A simple slip joint of decent quality is , I thnk ,the best starter. Along with training in safe handling , proper use , sharpening and , certainly today the legalities of where it can and can't be carried !
 
ZT0620, might as well start him off right. He is going to cut his finger no mater what kind of knife he gets!
 
While I do like the idea of a SAK, he might prefer a Spyderco Delica in his favorite color.
 
Spyderco Delica or SAK. My first real knife was a Spyderco Endura when I was 14, two decades later I still have it for sentimental value :)
 
I would get him a medium sized Trapper pattern. The Northwoods choice is very good, but expensive from my way of thinking. Case would be a better choice for me and do the GEC thing later.

As always it depends on the kid and their interests. SAKs are always good choices (Tinker, Pioneer, Bantam, Spartan). He'll also learn how to sharpen it since they do need sharpening when you use them.
 
I think it depends on what he likes and what type of person he is. I was thirteen not too many years ago, (less than ten actually) and I already had the perfect knives for what I needed: Buck 110 and 119. That being said, at thirteen I was out in the woods every day hunting squirrel and doing random woodcrafting projects. If he isn't into that kind of stuff and wants something more "modern" then get him a Rat 1 or 2 or similarly priced folder. If you know he'd like a slipjoint then he'd get a ton of use out of a Buck 301.

His personality makes a difference because while I've always loved traditionals probably 90 percent of my peers at 13 would have wanted a tacticool knife. I had some of those too but didn't like the looks. Today's thirteen year old is probably the same, so make sure you know from him what he likes first. If I had been handed a Spyderco at thirteen I wouldn't have liked it much, even though my dad EDC'd one.
 
Chris said:
As the title says my younger brother is turning 13 and he needs a knife. I'm king of leaning towards maybe a traditional slip joint like the northwoods Fremont Jack, every kid needs a slip joint growing up. But give me some suggestions, thanks!
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No you dolt. GIVE HIM THE BIGGEST, BADDEST, AND BULKIEST KNIFE THAT YOU CAN FIND :cool:
 
Sorry haven't checked back in this thread in awhile and after thinking about it I don't think he would be very much into a slip joint. He's a up to date kid and would probably prefer something more modern. After thinking about it awhile I think a dragon fly would be perfect for him. I happen to have a g10 one that hasn't seen much use, but I don't think I can part with it haha.
 
Chris said:
Sorry haven't checked back in this thread in awhile and after thinking about it I don't think he would be very much into a slip joint. He's a up to date kid and would probably prefer something more modern. After thinking about it awhile I think a dragon fly would be perfect for him. I happen to have a g10 one that hasn't seen much use, but I don't think I can part with it haha.
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How about a Byrd Robin 2 in G10 or stainless?
 
The cow said:
No you dolt. GIVE HIM THE BIGGEST, BADDEST, AND BULKIEST KNIFE THAT YOU CAN FIND :cool:
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Something like . . . THIS?
opinel-no.-13-carbone-p_13283421vb.jpg

(image from the Internet; don't own this myself . . . YET)

It's a "13" as well.
 
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Get him two knives.

I normally recommend a Victorinox. Maybe a Pioneer or Farmer. A Cadet would work also. Have his name engraved on the handle. That makes it his. It becomes personal. He may not like it but he will never get rid of the SAK because it has his name and because you gave him the knife.

The second knife should be an EDC work knife of some sort. I don't know anything about your brother but, in general, I would recommend a decent EDC knife that is not super costly. After all he is only 13. How would you feel about an Utilitac II? Or a Kershaw /Emerson of some sort? Both good quality budget knives that will not break the bank and your brother does not have to worry about them.
 
Screw the parent's common sense and be a good sibling in getting your brother this!

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That is a very good idea about the engraving, anyone know a dealer where I can get a knife and get it engraved also? Haha I'm sure he'd have fun with that long sword until he lops off some sort of ligment on himself.
 
Chris said:
That is a very good idea about the engraving, anyone know a dealer where I can get a knife and get it engraved also? Haha I'm sure he'd have fun with that long sword until he lops off some sort of ligment on himself.
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Victorinox offers engraving. So does Benchmade. I am sure there are others.
 
Some malls have silver gift shops that offers engraving. Also some local businesses does too if you prefer that.
 
I dont have kids, so my neices and nephews are pretty much my kids.
My oldest nephew 13 has been into knives for a couple years. He has had a few mtechs and sogs. In the 20$ range.

He has never lost or cut himself with one yet... I got tired of seeing him with a 20$ knife. Ive broke and cut myself more on cheap knives than i should. He always admires what ive got.
When were together we always check out guns and knife shops. We always share what we like. He was into looks over quality. Until now i just got him a zt 0770cf a few weeks ago at a nice shop in columbus ohio.
I told him to keep his cheap ones for beaters

He now recognizes quality over quanity And looks.. I know that he will cherish it. He even tossed his in when a took a few pics of mine when i take pics for this forum

I was gonna get him a spyderco in the 50-80 range. Which would have been easily good enough.
But the way i look at things are, i like to buy things once.

 
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At 13 my first knife purchase was in Atlantic city. It was a hollow handle Rambo knife with survival knife that wouldn't sharpen at all. I loved the hell out of that knife and aged adventurer all the time with it pretendimg to use the fish hook and thread to sew up my pretend wounds!
 
I did have to talk my sister into it, after he already had it.it wasnt to hard she was just was worried that he'd hurt himself.
She knew that i always had a knife. And that he has had them for a couple years. Any parent and especially mom will be worried about the child have a knife.

I remember his first it was a plastic buck lockback. I dulled it like a butter knife in order for her to be comfortable with him having it
 
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