Youth knife ideas

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zignal_zero

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Apr 16, 2008
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i'm trying to pick out a knife for my 6yr old.

i've pretty much decided on a small fixed blade. i figured i want him to get used to handling it properly before he starts opening and closing one.

i'm tryin to keep it pretty cheap. i really don't see him putting it to hard use, just for whitling sticks, opening boxes, cutting tape, and some steak. so, i want to stay at the Frost end of the spectrum. plus, there's a chance it'll get thrown in the drawer and never touched for years.

he's into western stuff, so i'm looking for something that's more wood/brass/bone'ish than zytel/kraton tactical.

i'm trying to stay around 20bux. any ideas?

thanx
 
Mora? I dont have personal experience with them but I'm sure that plenty of other members can attest to their quality, durability and they're dirt cheap. Perhaps wait for a more experienced knife knut for better answers.
 
There are some good knives you can get for under $20. You don't want your son's first knife to be a pos frosts
 
You could probably find something from Buck, Winchester, Colt etc at Walmart.
Winchester use wood and brass in a lot of their knives, and they are made by Gerber so you know you're getting something much better than a frosts
 
How about this one

Colt Ridge Runner fixed blade
ridgerunner.jpg





I have the folder. Blade came reasonably sharp, sheath quality is good and wood nice
 
I didnt know winchester was made by Gerber. For the price, is the quality anygood. What type of steel is in the blade? Sorry for getting off subject a little.
 
Don't mean to rain on your parade but I have been a Boy Scout Leader and Knife enthusiast for a long time and IMO 6 is too young for a knife. Take it for what it's worth and you are the boy's Father so it is of course totally up to you but I see a lot of 10 - 11 year olds that should not have a knife. We run a very safety oriented training session which also includes care and use of the knife as well as hatchet and saw. The program is set up where the Scout will loose his priviledge to carry a knife if he violates the safety rules 4 times. This happens raely but our youngest boys are 10 - 11 years old.

Sorry but at 6 I have to suggest this one:
SAKToy.jpg
 
When he is ready for a folding knife, a Buck 110 would fit the bill. It's big enough to reduce the chances of loss, yet easily replaced if lost. Knife loss is going to be the biggest problem when they at that young age.
 
A mora knife with a guard on it seems like a good choice to me. 6 isn't too young for a knife in my opinion. I was playing around with knives earlier than that and I never managed to do myself much of an injury. Just make sure it's only "functional sharp" not stupid sharp. :D
 
SAKToy.jpg

Bought my boy one of those when he was about 1. He's 2 now and still loves it!

He also has a couple of real knives that are put away until he's ready. One is a Mora from Ragweed Forge, a youth model with a guard. Prices for those start at $13.
 
i think the best would be this http://www.ragweedforge.com/39.jpg one. #39 is a smaller version with a stainless blade of about 3 3/8". It has the same stamped crossguard, and a handle of about 3 5/8". This one is sized for younger children, but still comes with a razor sharp blade. It's up to you to know if your child is ready for a really sharp knife. It's priced at $25.
and maybe a EKA folder for later
 
I'd recommend those SAK toys as well.
Click to expand...
Whether or not Zignal decides to buy a 'real' knife, the toy would be nice anyway. The kid can play with it and carry it everywhere, and without the need for constant supervision. My boy even takes his to daycare on occasion, where he's been referred to as "McGuyver". :D
 
i've found it! and i didn't have to buy anything. i have an old Buck (102 i think it is) and a small drop point Browning that i had stashed away. either one would be perfect.

nah, he's not too young. this kid already has range time in. ask him how to clear a weapon, he'll tell you "drop the mag and check the chamber" he's not yer average 6 yr old :-)

but the toy idea is good, we actually used that with the guns. toy's > airsoft > BB > firearm is the progression we made.
 
Why don't you buy yourself a Mora, and let your kid use it when he asks permission? That way, he is dealing with your property, and there's a higher chance he'll learn how to handle a knife properly when he knows he is going to have to return it to you. Plus, you will know when it is in his possession at all times, because he has to go through you. What if you are asleep on the couch one day, and he's outside throwing his knife up in the air when 20 minutes ago he was watching tv? 6 is a bit young to own your own knife, but it isn't too young to learn how to handle it.

Once you can trust him with your knife, then you can give it to him as a gift, and that way he earned it.
 
Squeezymo said:
Why don't you buy yourself a Mora, and let your kid use it when he asks permission? That way, he is dealing with your property, and there's a higher chance he'll learn how to handle a knife properly when he knows he is going to have to return it to you. Plus, you will know when it is in his possession at all times, because he has to go through you. What if you are asleep on the couch one day, and he's outside throwing his knife up in the air when 20 minutes ago he was watching tv? 6 is a bit young to own your own knife, but it isn't too young to learn how to handle it.

Once you can trust him with your knife, then you can give it to him as a gift, and that way he earned it.
Click to expand...

it's kinda like that, anyway. my son only stays with me when i'm off duty. so we're always together. i'm not just giving it to him and saying, "here, always cut away from yourself" even though that worked perfectly for me LOL.

he'll only be using it under close supervision, he'll only be carrying it when i'm with him, and will (for awhile) have to ask before drawing it. not just for safety, but so he learns when a knife is NOT the right tool.

our motto is: "Safety First" :)
 
zignal_zero said:
it's kinda like that, anyway. my son only stays with me when i'm off duty. so we're always together. i'm not just giving it to him and saying, "here, always cut away from yourself" even though that worked perfectly for me LOL.

he'll only be using it under close supervision, he'll only be carrying it when i'm with him, and will (for awhile) have to ask before drawing it. not just for safety, but so he learns when a knife is NOT the right tool.

our motto is: "Safety First" :)
Click to expand...


Sounds good.


Motto #2: "Always aim for the throat"
 
I was in pretty much the same boat not long ago. This weekend we will celebrate my cousins birthday (7 or 8 years old I guess) and I know he likes hiking. I plan on taking him out for day hikes and if enjoys it, even for a short overnight trip. I just asked my aunt if he had a backpack, fork/spoon/knife, sleeping pad, etc Seems like he lacks pretty much all the esentials but a water bottle my mom gifted him not long ago.

Last week I bought a 30liter backpack, stainles steel fork/spoon/butter-knife set and... a VIC Rucksack. Then I took them all to have them laser engraved with his name. I plan on telling my aunt to only let him use the Rucksack when they go out hiking and ONLY under supervision. I hope I can take him out for the first time because my uncle and aunt are not at all into knives and instead of teaching him the propper way to use it (knife safety and alike) they might just not let him use it.I will tell you how this all ends in a few days :D :D.

Somehow I think that a VIC, with its multiple blades, can opener, tweezers and stuff... has more chances to be seen like a tool by the little kid than a Rambo knife. I know a fixed blade is safer because it will never fold on him (neither should fold a locking VIC though) but kids are kids and you can't understimate the risk of him playing RAMBO with it.

Mikel
 
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