Just my two cents.<br><br>My first knife was a SAK classic and I was 8. I cut myself with it that day and was treated with a bandaid. Each subsequent "mistake" was a lesson painfully won with little real consequence. I still think this is a fine first knife. As far as a real knife, I am partial to an inexpensive neck knife such as a CUDA,CRKT Stiff Kiss MDP, or the like. I personally wouldn't recommend serrations for a first knife.