Fist serious pocket knife for 11 (almost 12) year old

[signal4l]

Spyderco PM3 looks good. Smaller version of the normal Paramilitary

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP2...eviews#reviews

[3 AE]

Some more to consider from Benchmade. Offer free name engraving in different fonts. With S30V blade steel and G10 grips.
http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmadem...x#.WNbkcxiZP-Y

Without black coating.
http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmadem...x#.WNbmSxiZP-Y

With 154CM blade steel and Valox grips.
http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmade5...x#.WNbocBiZP-Y

http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmade5...x#.WNbpRhiZP-Y

[capt46wfd]

Are there any parameters other than PE and grip material, such as size or lock type? Also, is this knife going to be carried much and used little or is it going to see daily use? Another consideration is whether part of the pride of ownership is going to include hohning sharpening skills. If so, blade steel, shape and edge geometry are factors. If he is going to be sharpening the knife, I would stay away from recurve blades and stick with a straight edge. Thicker blades will also be harder to sharpen than a thinner blade profile.

Blade steels open a whole other debate. Some steels are tougher, better suited to chopping while others are harder and better suited to slicing. Cheap steels are easier to bring up to a sharp edge but it doesn't last. If you're looking to be in the $200 range, you're breaking into steel snob territory.

Benchmade has a lot of solid offerings. Some of the Zero Tolerance knives are also great knives, particularly the Rick Hinderer designs. Knifeworks is a great place to deal with. They do a lot of exclusive Benchmades including Benchmade Forum knives.

The Benchmade Griptilian is a great knife but the Zytel scales feel kind of cheap and the molded in texture leaves a little to be desired. It doesn't have full liners so it has a hollow sounding clack when you flip it which turns off a lot of people. Take a look at Knifeworks. Benchmade's site can be a bit overwhelming if you don't know what you're looking for.

A lot of people will recommend S30v steel. I personally don't care for it. I personally find it harder to sharpen than other steels and it can have a tendency to chip if the heat treat isn't perfect. I prefer S35VN and so do a lot of bladesmiths. Even better are M390 and CPM20CV which are pretty much the same steel.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[capt46wfd]

http://https://www.knifeworks.com/knives/folding-knives/benchmade-griptilian-551bk-1-3-45-in-cpm-20cv-g-10-handle-black-plain-edge.html

Benchmade Griptilian CPM20CV and G10 for $191.95

https://www.knifeworks.com/knives/fo...lain-edge.html

Same knife with silver blade for $178.50

If you're not hot on the grey G-10 you can dye the scales with good old RIT dye. These are both available in the 3.45" full size or the 2.91" mini-grip.

https://www.knifeworks.com/catalogse...t=0&q=Nakamura

The Nakamuras are a nice knife as well. I gave my son the G-10 plain edge M390 model. The carbon fiber S90V is a bit more ($267.75) but that is a really special knife for the price and S90V will hold an edge forever. The 940 Osborne also comes in the carbon fiber and S90V for the same price as the Nakamura.

[magister]

Spyderco Para or maybe a Manix could be nice choices. I like the Endura, personally. The VG 10 (endura) steel seems fairly easy to touch up/sharpen.

[CPM]

My son is a year younger than yours, and I plan on giving him a Benchmade Mini Griptilian. They are great little knives, that are a really good size for boys. You can get one lasermarked and delivered for ~$150.

I hear that laser marking stuff is pretty sweet. They now also offer a custom shop where you can specify anything.

[Pilot1]

Spyderco Para or maybe a Manix could be nice choices. I like the Endura, personally. The VG 10 (endura) steel seems fairly easy to touch up/sharpen.

^^^^This. I have a BM Grip, and prefer the Manix 2 Lightweight, or G10 version which I like better. Endura, or Delica are also great choices. Nothing wrong with a SAK or Opinel.

[TXBK]

I hear that laser marking stuff is pretty sweet. They now also offer a custom shop where you can specify anything.

I usually just get my last name put on mine, but you can do just about anything.

This one was a gift from a friend. It's a Griptilian to put the size in perspective, and it has my name on the other side of the blade. My friend talks trash because I won't use it much, but it's sentimental value is greater to me than its value as a tool. I have lots of tools for using and abusing.