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

[Bluto]

My son is 11 (almost 12) and I want to buy him a high quality folding knife. I'm OK to spend up to $200. I'm not worried about him abusing or losing it, as he has other knives and is very responsible. This is something that would end up being engraved and I envision he will have it forever, so it doesn't bother me to spend a few bucks on it.

He has average hands for his age and wants something with a plain, non-serrated edge. The grip is a bit tricky. He's does not like rubbery textures, wood or bone. That leaves me with G10 type material or similar. He also wants a modern look, but not "Tactical". A drop point blade is preferred, so that makes it a bit simpler.

He likes this knife, but not the grip: https://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/shallot. Something similar with beefier grips would likely be ideal.

American made is also very high on the list.

Any ideas? I'm really lost on this one...

[themonk]

ZT makes great stuff in that price range. The make a Titanium frame lock (ZT0450) that is a lot of knife for the money. All US made and overbuilt - http://amzn.to/2ocQ2f9

They also make the same model in carbon fiber which is a nice knife but it is so light it almost feels cheap. I would stick with the Titanium.

[HCrum87hc]

ZT makes great stuff in that price range. The make a Titanium frame lock (ZT0450) that is a lot of knife for the money. All US made and overbuilt - http://amzn.to/2ocQ2f9

They also make the same model in carbon fiber which is a nice knife but it is so light it almost feels cheap. I would stick with the Titanium.

This was going to be my suggestion. I have the ZT0450CF that I carry at work (office setting). It's a little less "scary" than a PM2 or something of that ilk. It's a great little knife.

[Ironbutt]

Benchmade Griptilian or Spyderco PM2 would be good choices, I think. Both are good all-around knives & made in USA.

[TXBK]

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.

[Uprange41]

Benchmade 940 or 940-2?

The 940-1 is well out of the $200 range, but the 940 and 940-2 are right in there at about $180 IIRC. The grips are aluminum on the 940 and G10 on the 940-2, they both have S30V blades, they fit just about anyone's hand well, and the blade is very easy to learn how to sharpen, if that's something that matters or will matter. Plus, there are several aftermarket scale options out there if he decides he wants to go and modify it.

[Adrenaline_6]

I agree, the ZT 0450 is a good choice. The 0801 and the 0770 would be good options also. I don't know how he feels about weight- it doesn't bother me but it bothers some. The 0450 and 0770 is nice and light, for a ZT. The CF versions are a bit lighter.

[dmd08]

My 14 year old son loves his Spyderco Paramilitary 2 and his Kershaw Knockout. He has cooled on his Benchmade Griptilian but would really like a 940. A ZT would be cool too.

[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.

[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.