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.