Ok, I know there are multiple old threads on here about this but rather than flame up an old one and missing out on some of the newer sharps in town....

My son turns 8 in a couple of weeks. He's just joined Cub Scouts and learning knife skills is part of that program. We've started teaching him at home and he had a lesson in making wood shavings at Cub camp with past weekend. He loves it and wants to learn more.

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We've decided that a good folder would make a great birthday present. He won't get to carry it or use it without direct supervision until he's competent enough but we'd rather he learn with his own knife. He'll take a great deal of pride from that, and hopefully learn to take care of his tools along the way.

We're thinking a locking blade with a hilt to stop his hand from accidentally sliding onto the blade. His hands are still pretty small so we don't want anything too big but not something too small either. He needs to be able to get a good grip and it has to be practical. (He tried my Buck 199 folder but, as you can see, it was a little too big for him.)

I remember the day I got my first knife - a SAK, handed down from my Dad. I was so proud. I still have it. I don't expect him not to lose it but hopefully it will be a cherished memory. (This is a bigger deal than I thought it would be.)

What are your suggestions?

Victorinox for a folder (non locking) Benchmade,Buck.Gerber.

Just a few ideas.
Lee

I was going to recommend a Victorinox Alox Farmer a couple of weeks ago when you mentioned he was "moving up", but it doesn't have a lock or blade guard you want...would be a cherished lifelong possession.... you might look at the Gerber 500, has a rocker lock, and a circular section of the frame that acts like a choil to prevent slip...

How about a Buck-Prince#503U of the slimline series,about $30,should fit his hand just about perfectly,doesn't have a guard though,but the fit matters more than anything else!Good Luck!

How about a Spyderco Persistance? They are reasonably priced, well made and actually great steel. Very convenient design with some safety built in. Supervise use and it should be a decent choice for a young man.

I usually carry one or a Tenacious (slightly longer blade). I have been surprised with the quality and like the Tenacious more than my expensive Paramilitary model.

I remember my first Cub Scout knife, it was a Boy Scout pocket knife. I was sure proud of that one!

Get him a simple mid-sized SAK with a large 2" blade, and a smaller 1.5" blade.

Give him some basic training on it slipping and folding on his fingers. Give him the standard speech about being responsible and careful. Then let his go and allow him to make his mistakes.

Yes, it will fold on his fingers when he tries to use it like a dagger, and he will try to use it like a dagger. Yes, his hand will slide onto the blade when he tries to stab something, and he will try to stab something. He is going to cut himself and he will hurt and bleed. But, he will learn.

Kids have always had to bleed a little to learn how to handle a knife. They pretty much have to bleed a little to learn to respect, but not fear, a knife. The good news is that most cuts tend to be small and require little more than a little soap and water and a band-aide.

You might want to give him the fist-aide training for minor cuts along with the basic warning. Wash with soap and water, dry, instal bandage, go back to work.

How about a Case Cheetah?



It locks, it has a swing guard, it's well made (in the USA I might add), and they make it in two sizes (the Cheetah and the smaller Cheetah Cub).

I would get a nice belt pouch with it as well. I find kids are less likely to loose a knife when they carry it in a belt pouch than if they carry it clipped to a pocket or loose in a pocket. As an added benefit, they seem to take well to the concept that, when they aren't using the knife, it stays in the pouch.

They start at around $70 for the standard versions, which I find to be pretty reasonable for quality knives from the USA.

my first, at 6, was the typical SAK classic, you know, the key chain knife.

Buck makes a half model 110 I think. Lockback, strong, kind of heavy.

Spyderco or their cheaper Byrd knives have some small models that may fit his hand.

Case knives are classic.

Personally, I'm not a fan of locking knives for new users. Typically you have to hit them "wrong" to close them, so keeping the threat of cut fingers will help them forge better knife habits. I've only ever cut myself on a locking blade.

I'd say SAK tinker. thats what I got my 8yr old cub scout this past Christmas.

How about the Kershaw Mini Cyclone

http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-1635-00-Mini-Cyclone-Knife/dp/B000FU4HVS

A Victorinox Leather Knife case (Lockable 2 - 3 Layer) will fit this knife quite nicely.

Or if this a little too much knife then how about the smaller Fallkniven Mod U2

http://www.fallkniven.com/us-u2.htm

Its not a locking blade but very sturdy spine. I like the Case Sodbuster Jr (pardon the sales link, no affiliation)

Its a basic, CLASSIC, American blade that has been around for a 100 years and carried by probably most of our grandparents. I'd also recommend the Barlow Knife (another great blade for a kid).

I really do think, like most people have stated, a first blade/knife will be memorable, give him something that stands the test of time as a classic.

One of the smaller Opinels might be a good option. They cut with little resistance (thin blade profile), they're easy to learn how to sharpen, and there's a safety lock. It's simple to square off the sharp point with a file for a little extra safety. And you won't be out more than $10-15 if (when) he loses it in the weeds.

Great suggestions gang. Thank you!

I just found a Buck with locking 3" blade at the Scout Shop. It feels pretty solid, about the right size and it has the Scouts Canada logo engraved on it. My only concern is the unlocking mechanism. It's a little awkward in that he'd have to hold the knife wrong to close it.

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When my son was in the cub scouts, knives were NOT ALLOWED.
That's one of several reasons we're not in the scouts anymore.

Bacpac:

It would probably help if you could give a budget as to how much you want to spend. This will narrow the choices down from several hundred to perhaps dozens of knives!

I'm sorry to hear that Martin. Our Cub Scouts aren't allowed to carry knives or use them unsupervised either, but we do teach them how to use them safely so that they can do so freely when they move up to Scouts. I think (hope?) that learning with his own knife will instill a great sense of pride and responsibility in him. He's been asking for his own "real" knife for a couple of years and now that he's had a taste of using one he's hungry for more. I think this is going to be a very big deal for him (as it already is for us) and something he'll remember forever.

We want to get him something appropriate and durable. Every time I use my first SAK I remember the moment my dad gave it to me. Quality is important. I don't want to spend more than about $30 on it though. Money's tight and he's VERY forgetful. We'll be supervising him for now but I've got a hunch that he'll find a way to lose it.

If you are worried about your son loosing the knife, ensure that whatever knife you get him has a hole in it for either a small length of 550 or old shortened boot lace or small thin carabiner then he can attach to the belt or belt loop on his pants. Also really ingrain into your son that the knife goes back on the belt loop as soon as he is done with it...no matter what. Soon it will become a habit that will hopefully follow him throughout his life.

I just bought my 7 year old daughter a Wenger Junior 09.





It is a standard SAK size (85mm blade) but the main blade also locks. Their Junior line is interesting in that the main blade has a rounded tip instead of the traditional SAK drop point. In my case this made the knife a bit more Mom-friendly .

This model also has the one tool I think is the most useful after the blade: the saw. I think this is especially true for kids who I find will try "sawing" with their main blade at some point anyway.

The other SAK's I personally recommend, generally speaking, are the Victorinox Hiker and the Wenger Ranger 78 (same toolset, different packages).



This is a valid point, I had to teach my daughter to close the blade in two steps since it isn't possible to disengage the lock while also having all your fingers clear of the blade. It also means that the closing the saw (which doesn't lock) is done differently than closing the blade.

I've had some bad experience with that style of lock being too stiff for my son to close safely, but I may have just had a bad knife or model since I don't have any other experience with that type of knife.

The only locking blade knife I've used which allows you to close the blade naturally, with no fingers in the blade's path, is my old Wenger Ranger. It has a little slide on the side that is used to disengage the liner lock which can be operated by your index finger in its natural position (or your thumb if you're left handed). That said, I think the Rangers are a bit big for younger kids.

As an adult, I could operate my daughter's knife that way too (fingers clear of the blade), but she didn't seem to have the finger strength to do so.

given your apprehensions with a folder (which really makes a great birthday gift), did you consider a small fixed blade like a Swedish Mora, or ESEE Izula....a Bic lighter, and small MRE hot beverage bag with some ClO2 tabs, secured with a bike inner tube would make a good "woods walker kit"...assuming it will be a few years before he can EDC a folder

Along these lines, a Grohmann You-Make-It knife kit might be fun. I believe most of their outdoor knives are available in kit form; the #2 seems well suited to the younger guys.

It may also worthwile to check out their clearance page to see if there's anything that strikes your fancy there (me and my son have the X107SD Outdoor Knife).

Great point Teslinhiker. I thought a Scouts Canada cordura sheath would be nice but a lanyard would work well too. Either way, we'll try to get him in the babit of putting it straight away when he's done using it. He left my Leatherman sheath behind after tryiing that this past weekend so it'll be a message that is reinforced often.

Nice choice Denis! Think I'll go look at those. Haven't found one yet but haven't hit the more serious knife stores yet either.

I'm pondering this advice from the thread Denis referenced:



He'd probably really like either the same SAK my Dad gave me or a duplicate. I think it's a Spartan:

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Learning how to sharpen a knife is important, too. The excessive pressure needed to cut something with a dull knife has probably caused more injuries than anything else.

Sue

Great point Sue! I'm going to get him a sharpener also and we'll teach him how to do that. A dull knife is a dangerous knife!

My first blade when I was 8 was a smallish 2-bladed SAK style that required two hands to open the blades. 2 hand opening for a kid means less chance of an accident even though getting the finger nail in the slot was sometimes tricky. The main blade was about 2 1/2" long. It was similar but smaller than the one my Dad carried - but I loved it. Today, I would recommend a locking 2-3 implement SAK knife or a lockback single blade as a first knife.

When I was 9 I purchased a hobo style knife/sppon/fork/u-name-it with my allowance after going out on a camping trip. It eventually rusted out from being left in the rain. It was way too big for pocket carry. Later I inherited a 3 1/2" fixed blade /w sheath that I still have in my collection.

BTW, I second the advice from bacpacjac -- to a child it doesn't make sense until you explain the reasoning behind using a sharp knife versus a dull one. The more effort it takes to cut or whittle the better the chances you will slip and the knife will cut your hand or other body parts.

If your son is like most boys - like said above "Kids have always had to bleed a little to learn how to handle a knife."
I did, my step-son did.......

Have him earn the Cub Scout Whittling Chip (The Whittling Chip is a “license” for a Cub or Webelos Scout to use a pocket knife. In order to earn the Whittling Chip, a scout must undergo proper handling, care and safety instruction with a pocket knife.) Whittling Chip doc file

Either one of these will be good for first knives:
Victorinox-Swiss Army Inc Recruit Knife
Amazon.com link to the knife
Victorinox Swiss Army Tourist Pocket Knife
Amazon.com link to the knife

Both are good knives. The tourist one is my EveryDayCarry knife.

Last but not least - my Step-son Soars with Eagles and had the Arrow find him (Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow).

As an assistant Scout Master, I found the more active the Dad in the troop, generally the better the Scout does.

I wish your Son all success and hope to read about all of his successes.

You guys ROCK! Thank you so much for all your help! I'm getting more emotional about this as we go. What I thought would be a simple decision isn't turning out to be. He's going to be over the moon!

I fully expect boo boos along the way but he'll learn, as we all did. (Sometimes a little self-inflicted pain helps the lesson stick.)

Wolf, welcome to the forum! You must be a very proud Dad and Leader. It's awesome watching them isn't it?!

All the above are IMHO good ideas and I think the knife shown is a good choice. Slip a few band-aides into the package.

Try to remain calm when they cut themselves. I know it is hard for parents to see a kid in pain and resist the urge to freak out and keep them away from dangerous items like knives. But, IMHO, the more constructive response is to calm them down and reassure them that you know it hurts but it isn't going to hurt for long. That it is okay, and they will heal. Then escort them to the bathroom, instruct them on how to wash their hands and clean the wound, how to gently dry the cut with tissue so you don't get blood on the towels, and how to apply a band-aide. Let them do the job even if it isn't done exactly right. If the bandage falls off after a while it is good practice in field dressings.

I respect parents who can emphasize that getting hurt a little bit is normal, that the pain tells them that they are healthy and haven't severed nerves, that bleeding is a way for the body to wash away dirt, it is good. That they are strong, healthy, and smart and there is every expectation that they are going to handle small cuts on their own after a little practice. That making a mistake and slipping with the knife hurts but it isn't wrong, they aren't bad for making a mistake, you aren't mad at them, and they will do better next time. All this while being reassuring, and remaining calm.

That is a tall order for a parent. But if you do the best you can, and accept your own faults, the kids will be inclined to do the same. Both with you, and with themselves.

I guess I'll add to the fun with some more alternatives.

For a reasonable quality inexpensive folder, the Benchmade mini-pika II is usually around $23 US. I have used and abused one for nearly 6 yrs. It opens and sharpens pretty easy. Not my best knife but one I keep reaching for when I need a reliable tool for a tough job.



I have been looking at knives for my daughter who really really wants to be like dad and camp. She is a bit younger and on the small side so I am slowly settling on a fixed blade knife like the Kabar Little Finn, around $25 US.



She loves using my small Kabar fighting knife and this is a bit smaller and easier for her to control. This is a 3.5 inch blade and it has nice classic looks. I like the fixed blade for her, since she has difficulty (finger strength issues) with some of the better locking mechanisms and I think fixed blades are bit safer to start with.

Lots of good choices out there - happy hunting.

-Eric

That Kbar's a nice looking knife Eric. I've been looking for a fixed blade for myself and think I might have to have a gander at that one.

I'm with you on the injury front Art. Learning how best to avoid and treat them is important but there's going to be no bubble wrap in this family. Accidents happen and aren't (hopefully) the end of the world. They're a natural part of a healthy life. The trick is to learn not to repeat them, much.

My son has a little FAK and knows how to clean small wounds and apply bandages. He knows about pressure and elevation for larger ones. In fact, one of the Scouts cut himself this weekend (carving his turkey leg with a too large fixed blade) and DS was one of the cooler heads amoung the youth. His mom is a Scout leader and played it very cool, just as I hope when the time inevitably comes when it's my son who's bleeding.

(And if you listen very carefully, you'll hear a patter of applause from every point of the compass.)

LOL@ Doug. Thanks!

The ability to remain calm and act rationally under pressure, while still acknowledging that he other person is hurt and in pain, is always a valuable trait. IMO kids often pick this trait up by observing adults.

Kudos to everyone, I agree completely on teaching them responsible knife care while young (and accept a few cuts on the way).

Myself, I'm a big fan of fixed blades and not very much of a folder guy, so little help there. But I think more or less all of the suggested knives will work very well.

Is there any consensus on the "best" age for getting your first knife? Obviously, it will not only depend on your particular kid but also on the environment around you and what others deem acceptable. This forums has members from a lot of places, which is why I'm curious.


I remember very vividly being allowed to whittle for the first time by my parents out in the woods. Of course, I got cut. Which is probably why I remember it in such great detail. Don't remember how old I was - 5'ish? A very dear memory.



My kid got his first knife at his 5th birthday. Strict adult supervision rules only. That day, he got his first cut and gave us a very rash excercise in humility and the way kid's brains work: We made an agreement with him that he could whittle when all the guests were gone (outdoor birthday at the beach, beautiful day). When everyone was saying goodbye and the grownups were doing their endless farewell-chatting (for some reason, the chatting increases 10-fold when someone has packed their things and is about to leave) he got impatient and started nagging that he wanted to whittle. We reminded him about our agreement and I'll give him kudos for his quick thinking: A quick BYE - and by definition everyone has now "left" and therefore by agreement it is now "whittle time". Out comes the knife... Quick movements and knives go poorly together. 3 stitches to his left index finger and an excercise in how we handle cuts. A part of me is very ashamed for not watching out better, another part was very proud of his scar (that now is gone - bummer, it was a nice scar!)

We had a great discussion about this in 2008:
http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=154885&page=1

(And now I'm going to quote my own post, which is a little weird but saves time:)

"A first knife is indeed magical to a kid. But that doesn't mean they're ready for unsupervised carry. I think its primary purpose should be learning respect and responsibility under adult supervision. I borrowed and repeated the 'tools not toys' speech to my nephew until he repeated it back to me every time his knife came out.

FWIW, my nephew's first knife was one I modified from a broken butcher knife. I rounded the entire thing with a grinder. Then I added a cutting notch close to the handle, about 1" wide and inset about 1/2". You could fall on this and likely not hurt yourself. Yet it cut bark, grass, and rope, and made kindling quite effectively. I added a sheath made with olive drab canvas and black duct tape, and he loved it. "

Wow. Just wow. Validating 100% my decision to never go near scouting again.

The absolute favorite gift we gave out 7yo daughter this past Christmas was a tie-dye SAK. She takes care of it, she's cut herself with it (once). All of my kids have been using at least a simple table knives since they have been eating solid food.

I live per the principles you'll find here:

http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/

Interesting link. Free range was normal a generation or so in the past. Little did I know I was packing a murder weapon from the age of five on....

Nope, Free Range Kids is the latest fad. My kids can't understand why they can't go out with the other unsupervised 2-6 year olds playing on the transformer behind the house across the street.

BS.
There's a difference between "feral" and "free" and the smartest kids I know are those who were given the opportunity to get cut, dirty, bruised and involved in a wonderful world. They are savvy, they deal with bullies, they make friends wherever we go. The dumbest kids are the ones who are constantly being told what will happen if they are not careful - by constantly being warned of a persistent imagined danger from everything and everyone just breeds fearful citizens who will do whatever they are told will make them "safe".

But of course, I could rattle off all kinds of facts and figures about the reality of violent crime today vs. when I was a kid (much less) or the reality of how our instant media delivers fresh news of global horrors makes us unable to think clearly about what a real risk is vs. an imagined one (hint: don't drive if you want to be safe, terrorists would have to take down a jumbo jet 1x an hour to match the fatality rate of car wrecks in the USA). But we're a nation unswayed by facts that interfere with what we are told or want to believe.

Imagine our national reaction today to George Metsky:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Metesky

An enclosed pad transformer is NOT really dangerous, despite the ample warnings on it that it will apparently kill you at a distance. It's a humming, locked metal box. I would love to climb on it. What makes it go? What is it for?

Yes I am. Tuesday he turned 29.

I've had to drop out of Scouting due to a number of Family issues (My Dad - 94, My Mom - 88 this past 15th, My MILaw - 85 this past 6th, My Wife -- all have various/sundry health issues that have eaten up my free time. Except for SSon, I'm more or less the only Male family member around.)

Although last year, I was invited to one Scout's Eagle ceremony. He presented me with a BSA coffee cup and said that if I hadn't been there he would have never made it to First Class.

Very nice gift.

WB

Its more of letting their 5year old basically babysit their three year old while the adults are in the house updating facebook and their blogs. We've seen that two year old go in the street a few times and ran out to catch him a few times ourselves. The 5 year old daughter has turned in to the bully who bosses everyone else around and has no respect for adults, when told to not braid my daughters hair (because mama just fixed her hair) she tries to sneak her around the side of the house. I recognize the difference between letting kids who are old enough and mature enough roam or go elsewhere with permission and just being lazy parents.
Its the same neighbor whose blanket fell behind the dryer and caught the house on fire and was then freaking out because they had nothing and after the neighborhood organized a collection of stuff didn't want any because they didn't get to pick it out themselves and now is researching the "safest" dryer (since it was somehow the dryers fault).
When free range = no boundaries and no rules its not what the original intent was.

There's a distinct difference between free-range and neglegence in my mind. (Giving DS free-range with his knife before he's learned it's rules is over the line for me. Giving him one a few years before Scouts Canada says he can have one, and teaching him how to use it safely, not so much. That said, he won't take it to Cub events. Respecting group rules is as important as other people respecting ours.)

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on perspective, we don't all agree on where that line is. Free Range Kids is one of my favorite books but I find the comments section on the website disturbing because so many people refuse to accept the boundaries other people set for their own kids, while many others think their kid should be able to have their heart's desire regardless of others.

It's a matter of respect in my books!

Nice find Izzy. I inherited 2 similar knived when when Grandfathers died. They're "lost" in the house somewhere after a certain DS wanted secretly to look at them when he was 5. It's an on-going treasure hunt.

Your mother's a wise woman Izzy!

I wouldn't get any kid one of the Victorinox or Wenger rounded-tip "My First Knife". I got one for my daughter years ago and it's never been used. Half the cutting they'll want to do needs a sharp point. She did just fine with a real knife.

For a Cub Scout's first knife, I'd pick some swiss army variant. Nothing super-thick with a lot of tools, but enough tools to get them excited. It's funny to ask a pack of boys if anyone has a can opener and watch them all scramble to get theirs. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of models with locking main blades. Most of the new Victorinox ones have that serrated one-hand-opening blade, which I don't think will work well for a first knife. (Hard to sharpen, almost impossible to carve with.) Wenger has a few classic-style swiss army knives with a locking blade. So except for a couple Wengers, you just have to accept the risk that the knife will accidentally fold on them. They really need to learn to control the knife so that doesn't happen.

For a little older scout, I'd pick a single-blade locking knife. I love Spydercos and a Delica seems like a decent fit without getting too expensive. Gerber and Bucks might be a little easier on the budget. I cringe when I see kids in our pack/troop with dollar-store cheapo knives.

On another topic, I don't know why any group of scouts wouldn't be allowed to use knives. I don't know the Canadian rules, but even in the UK scouts can use knives with some limitations. In the Boy Scouts of America, boys can earn their "whittling chip" in Bears (3rd grade, 9-10 years old) to carry and use a pocket knife. I don't think there is any adult supervision required but they are expected to use it safely. Now a huge problem in the U.S. is that many groups meet in schools where knives are banned. That sucks but there are plenty of opportunities outside of pack meetings at the school to work on knife skills.

I can't quite let the thread go without commenting on scouting in general. I hope this doesn't blow up and derail the conversation, but it's a sore spot for me. If someone has a bad experience with one Cub Scout/Boy Scout/Girl Scout pack or troop (or council), they really should try to change their group or find or start a new one, rather than just walking away from scouting in general. I don't like all the rules and stuff either, but it's a great opportunity for a lot of boys (and girls) that often don't get a chance to do this stuff. I don't just put up with it for my kids but for all those other kids whose parents don't know how to use a knife or cook on a fire.

Nice ... I have the pretty much the same one; it was my first knife from when I was in Cubs back in the 80's. By the markings, it's a Stag Camper model also made in Ireland.

After many years of neglect I recently cleaned it all up, put a new edge on it and now it's a functioning knife again instead of a rusty momento in a drawer.

Here it is:

I was wondering about the rounded tip. When looking at it I didn't really see any downside, but again I didn't really see any advantages either (other than optics). It'll be interesting to see how it works out.

I got one of these Victorinox 'first knives' for my nephew, but was tempted to keep it myself. It's a nice, thin package with a lot of utility, unlike the usual bulky SWAK. The saw (it's a real saw) turns it into a highly useful tool.

BTW, I took a file to it and gave it a sheepfoot profile which had ... wait for it ... a sharp point. Only took a couple of minutes, and really didn't shorten the blade at all.

I need to clarify something: Our Cub Pack does use knives. We teach them to use use knives. We just don't let them carry or use them unsupervised. They're not outlawed and we don't make the rules for home. Mom or dad can bring it to the meetings and events when we'll be using them and a leader can hold it for them when not in use, but they can use their own knife when we do knife work.

A limitation, yes, but heck, it's only a few hours a month and it helps us keep everyone safer without risking outrage (and possibly worse) from the non-knife friendly parents. (Some of them even have trouble with us letting them freely roam a copse of trees behind our campsite.) As Ratbert says:

Bacpacjac....just a little clarification on my recommendation for a Victorinox Alox Farmer...it is what I built my EDC around ...rugged aluminum scales, saw, and what I really like is that the awl (not locked) opens on the end so you can really use it...it doesn't have scissors though

That's a nice knife Art. It's one of the finalists!

Thanks again gang!

I think we're down to the Scouts Canada Buck or a SAK.

I like the classic look of the Buck, the fact that it's simple, solid and that's it's engraved with the Scouts Canada logo. It's also just like the knife DH had and lost when he was a kid.

SAKs have the cool factor, especially the ones with Alox scales. I loved mine when I was a kid adn still treasure it today. Now I've got a few of them becuase they're so paractical. Back then it was attributable as much to it being my Dad's as it was for all the gadgets. Makes it more fun when playing Spy.

So, the final list is the Buck, and SAKs - Spartan (mine or one just like it) Farmer, Recruit, Tinker/Super Tinker, Cadet, Hiker, Junior 09.

I think we'll take him to the store and let him try them all out, see how he handles them and let him pick his own, with a sheath and a sharpener. One of our summer projects is knots so we'll have him make a lanyard for it as well.

There is only one solution - buy him both. Who can go through life with only one knife?

old SF trick... make a lanyard of small braided nylon (small engine pull rope)about 18inches long... attach one end to knife, and other to a Bic lighter with about a foot of duct tape...loop the lanyard through belt...carry in front pocket

LOL! Great tips Hikermor and Les! Thanks!

I have that exact knife, called Forest Master, in my accessory drawer. Obviously popular with the 'boys' 20 years ago!

My God! I never even put 2&2 together. I have an original GI knife that looks like that Schrade, minus the logo. That is just like my Forest Master! Though the GI knife blade has always been really really dull.

I stopped carrying my GI knife when Gerber came out with their first multiplier. Heavy & thick but better tools.

I aint gonna go threw 7 pages to see if it was suggested already but My votes for a Buck 110 Folder. Basic single blade proven design. I wouldnt go for any form of sak in any brand for a first knife. The first knife should always be single blade as its more reliable and usefull as a knife in itself. A sak should be a second knife then a fixed blade as a third. Plus a Buck just has that classic old school look to it and makes a great item to pass down.

Ah, the good 'ole Demo knife. I've got a bunch of them floating around somewhere. They must have stamped those things out by the millions during WWII/Korea/Vietnam.




The current Schrade is not the same company as it used to be. The name and branding was purchased by Taylor Brands, LLC; who is now making copies of the original designs, mostly in china. Totally different from what they used to be. A lot of Schrade's actual equipment was bought by Benchmade knives and a few other companies.

With Camillus gone as we know it (the high-end Canal Street Cutlery being the only part that remains), all that's really left of the old school brands are W.R. Case, Queen cutlery (Schatt & Morgan), and Buck knives. Case is still under ownership of Zippo, and being made in PA, like always. Queen Cutlery is partners with Ontario knives (both made in NY state). Finally, Buck knives is still a family owned U.S. based company, however many of their knives are now made overseas.

Thankfully, I've got a bunch of examples from all five in my collection. With the trend toward 'tactical' style folders, it wouldn't surprise me if many of the traditional patterns start to fade away as time progresses.

Well, I had no idea that Case was owned by Zippo, that comforts me. Because I'll be honest, if I am giving a gift for something of significance, (graduation, promotion of import, wedding gift, birth of first son) I either give a Case Sodbuster Jr., Case peanut (more for business guys who have never carried a blade on a daily basis) or a plain SS Zippo like the one I just gave my friends son for a graduation gift.

Replied quoting you so it'd catch more attention.

I had forgotten about this. When I mentioned this subject at the dinner table last night Corey reminded me about it.

One of the first Summer Camps Corey went to, he was doing wood carving and the SAK I had given him folded and cut his pinky finger pretty good. (He admitted last night he was NOT doing it correctly when it folded).

Reasonably needed a lockback knife. We got him a Gerber Gator folder (plain as opposed to serrated edge). Took it to him and one of the instructors happened to be checking up on him when we got there. He said he always recommended (and carried) the Gerber Gator.

SO I got lucky on my knife pick.

Here's a link to one place
Gerber Gator Link

Corey said he has carried one with him since. When he was doing EMS he bought a serrated blade one to use as his seatbelt cutting knife.

Corey HIGHLY recommended the knife for your Scout.

Let us know how it goes.

WolfBrother

Thanks Wolf Brother! Welcome to the forum!

I'll check that one out. I know Gerbers are a like/dislike knives around here but I like that ones I have for light duty work. BG knives are Gerber, and I like the look of the handles (minus the BG part, but our last name starts with B so maybe it could stand for B Guy or something. LOL!

Today's the day! We decided on the Scout Canada Buck folder. It's a well-built simple classic. It's the right size and weight for him, has a locking blade, and is just like the one DH had when he was a boy. It's got the Scouts Canada logo engraved on it too, which should add a little extra to the "pride" factor.

We'll spend the summer and fall teaching him how to use and care for it properly and will get him an SAK for Christmas, once he's had some time to practice. We thought that learning that it's not a toy was important before we got him a knife with gadgets.

We're hiking out to the beach today and when will give it to him when it's time to make the campfire. Hopefully it'll be a lifelong memory for him.

Thanks again for all your guidance. I really appreciate it!

To celebrate Canada Day and DS's 8th birthday, we went for a family hike today, through a local marsh to the deserted beach. The weather was perfect!



After the hour-or-so hike, we wickied up on the beach.



Then he forged for tinder and wood, made a tinder bundle and fire pit. When he was ready for us to light it, we presented him with his birthday present - his first knife and his own LMF fire steel. He loved them! He was determined to get the fire going using them.



Using a fire steel isn't as easy as it looks, even with Dad's coaching and some supplies from home.



After trying for quite a while, we pulled out his little emergency whistle, stocked with matches and HE DID IT! His first campfire! (He needed four strike-anywhere matches. The first three broke on the rock he was striking them on.)



Never have I seen him so proud!



He capped the moment by using his knife to whittle sticks with DH, so we could roast his self-cut spider dogs over that glorious fire.



On the hike back to the car, and all the way home, all he could talk about were all the adventures he's going to go on once he can use his knife by himself. Thanks for all your help with this gang. You've help spark a little boy's imagination!


(His fanny pack PSK expanded into Dad's old army webbing today and he was so proud!)

He is indeed Izzy! (He's snuggled in a camo fleece blanket as I type, actually.) He's been in love with camo since he was 4 or 5. His name is Joe so maybe it's only natural.

During your camo phase, you must have gotten the GI Joe nickname too.

Great photos, looks like DS already has more outdoor preparedness skills than 95% of the population. Now if DS can be proficient at map and compass work by the age of 10 that will be 99%.

Liath, we're slowly working on his map and compass skills.

He was born with a love of the outdoors. He's a typical 8-yo in that his attention span is short, but he's in his element in the outdoors. He loves learning all he can about thriving in the wildernness. Les Stroud is his hero. It may just be a phase but we're going with it.

LOL! Ya know, when the "new" GI Joe movie came out, my Joe thought they made it just for him. He wants to be "an army guy" and they did name the movie after him. If pt. 2 shows any wilderness survival, I think the deal may be sealed.

LOL @ Izzy!

Still working on that one Izzy. Your site overloaded the senses. SO many choices!!

Thanks Izzy. I appreciate it!! BTW, I really liked your article about the first knife. I like them all but that one was particularly insightful.