At eight years old, I'll bet the interest will be in a SAK. The more stuff on it, the better. The one's I've had don't have menacing points on the blades either, which is a good thing for kids. Don't buy a cheap imitation model though. There are tons of those around and children could hurt themselves trying to force those stiff cheap blades open and closed. Not to mention nobody wants to put their kid's safety in jeopardy with a cheap piece of junk. They don't need a $100 knife, but they don't deserve a $3.95 one either.