View Full Version : First pocket knife
Kind of a different question for M4C but I thought I'd ask. Thinking of a first pocket knife for my 7 yr grandson. I seem to remember a product that was initially unsharpened that they can have to learn responsibility and at some time in the future the blade can be sharpened for real use. Does this sound familiar to anyone else? thanks for you thoughts.......
http://m.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=789
The Spyderco wooden kit could be cool. You get to put it together yourself. if you want a "real knife" I'd probably just go with a little victorinox bantam or the like
Yep, that's what I'm starting to think too. thanks........
http://m.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=888 forgot about this one. I'm sure there are other brands that make these things. I think cold steel had one too
Give the little fella some options. This or a Swiss Army equivalent.
http://www.scoutstuff.org/knife-bs-pocket.html#.VcfDCEJU3zI
In no time he'll be cutting things that shouldn't be cut. Opening things that shouldn't be opened. Unscrewing stuff that shouldn't be unscrewed and punching holes into stuff that shouldn't have holes! In other words, he'll have one heck of a good time upsetting everybody! That's what boys do. :D
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In other words, he'll have one heck of a good time upsetting everybody! That's what boys do. :D
We all did!!! :cool:
superr.stu
08-09-15, 18:40
Basic victorinox makes a great first knife.
BatteryOperated
08-09-15, 18:55
I wonder if the opposite might work instead. That is, purchasing a real knife and giving it a dull blade to start, and when the time comes just sharpen it up.
It doesn't matter if you're six or sixty,. Never use a dull knife. It just leads to trouble and injury. Keep it sharp and teach the people that use it to handle it properly. It's akin to showing someone how to use a firearm with blanks hoping that someday they get the consequences of using live ammo. Total BS. They need to know the realities of using something that can cause bodily harm right off the git go.
I can't remember what my first knife was, but I got it when I was six, and promptly carried it to school (to show my buddies), and then daycare, where I was ratted out (by said buddies). I didn't see another knife after that for a little while, but when I did, it was just a basic victorinox. I never had a practice knife, but I was taught how to use them with care. Cut away from you, don't stab with a non locking blade, etc. I agree with 3 AE. Education and proper instruction are key.
lazerblazer
08-10-15, 12:19
This could be a good choice, user added blade when ready plus other tools to learn about and use. http://www.leatherman.com/leap-358.html#q=Leap&start=1
sent from LazerPhone
pointblank4445
08-13-15, 15:04
A solid choice:
http://www.swissarmy.com/us/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Collections/Del%C3%A9mont-Collection/RangerGrip-178/0.9663.MWC4US2
- It's classic Swiss Army so it has that classic first-knife mystique most of us started on
- Locking blade (as discussed)
- no superfluous tools (toothpick to lose, just blades and screw drivers)
Added bonus: this one's got "Ranger" in the title.
Moose-Knuckle
08-15-15, 00:53
Hard to beat a Swiss Army knife for a boy's first. Still have my old Wenger my first, they were bought out in 2005 by Victorinox.
A solid choice:
http://www.swissarmy.com/us/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Collections/Del%C3%A9mont-Collection/RangerGrip-178/0.9663.MWC4US2
- It's classic Swiss Army so it has that classic first-knife mystique most of us started on
- Locking blade (as discussed)
- no superfluous tools (toothpick to lose, just blades and screw drivers)
Added bonus: this one's got "Ranger" in the title.
Yeah, I gave my kids pocket knives with sharp locking blades. I had a Boy Scout knife when I was a kid and managed to cut myself 2 or 3 times because the blades did not lock. Make sure the blades lock.
Sharp edge, blunt tips:
http://www.moraofsweden.se/allround/morakniv-safe-50.0.524.2
http://www.victorinox.com/ch/app/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Category/The-Original-Swiss-Army-Knives/The-Original-Swiss-Army-Knives-84-mm/My-First-Victorinox/0.2373.T5
First: awesome post.
I suppose all of us remember our first knife. Mine was a small, dual bladed pen knife, and I think I was around six years old when I received it. Each Sunday at church a family friend--and a true "man's man"--would ask me if I had my knife in my pocket; I'd proudly pull it out to show him I did. It was my first initiation into manhood.
I'd definitely *not* give him a dull blade. He's going to pick up a few minor cuts along the way regardless, and he needs to learn to be careful. I'd also avoid a locking blade; I've never had a slipjoint close on my fingers, but I have picked up a few nicks fumbling around with a stubborn lock.
Should I ever have a grandson or -daughter (fingers crossed) he or she is going to receive a Victorinox alox Cadet. Truth be told, I already have it. ;-)
Averageman
08-15-15, 12:32
Cub Scout knife my Granny bought me.
She was a gem.
militarymoron
08-18-15, 00:09
This is the knife that I begged my dad to buy for me back in 1980 or so:
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/PU230260/Puma-Lieutenant-Lockback-Folder-Black-ABS-Scales-28-inch-Blade
It wasn't my first pocket knife, but it was my first quality pocket knife, and the only one I still have from my childhood.
It's actually in the original pocket sheath on my nightstand right now and it's going to be my son's first pocket knife (he's now 7).
Eventually, he's going to get serial #001 of my MM knife:
http://www.skdtac.com/Zero-Tolerance-0360-SKD-MM-Knife-p/zto.124.htm
My first knife was sharp enough to cut, we aren't talking shave sharp across a 32k grit stone sharp, but sharp enough it would bite me. Was a Swiss army knife, loved that thing.
As has been mentioned, be sure it has a locking blade/saw/etc. I cannot count how many times as a kid I would try to cut something that couldn't really be cut with it, or pry something and *snap*... damn blade would close on my hand. Stupid POS walmart knives... :laugh:
Luckily, they were POS walmart knives and about as sharp as a dull paring knife, so the injuries were not severe.
Which brings me back to the point talked about starting with a dull knife. While we all agree a dull knife is a dangerous knife... kids will be kids, and even some of us adults are more prone to knife related injuries (not that I'd know anything about this.... :o ), so I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but something with a blade sharp enough for him to play outside with, whittle sticks and make spears or whatever, but not super-sharp like all the knife guys are about....
To that end... a knife with a blade actually big enough to do fun outside stuff with could be a plus. I know when my parents finally relented and let me have a knife when I was a kid, it was this super-pathetic little 3-blade pocket knife. Hated that damn thing- blades were to small to do anything with, not to mention paper thin; I probably could have snapped a blade on that thing doing anything serious with it.
Luckily the OP is a smart parent looking for a "real" first knife not some gay-ass faux-knife, and for that, we thank you.
Now, my $0.02:
Anything with multiple functions. Kids love that. I know when I got my second knife- a crappy advance auto parts special multi-tool- I just went ape-shit over that thing. Even though I never really used any of the tools, it was still fun to have it and take them all out and run around with the thing in its belt sheath being Mr. Fixit around the house.
So that small Leatherman linked up top would probably be a great choice, and it's a bright color to minimize loss.
Although recent experience has taught me that Leatherman's blades are insanely sharp... :o
That being said, does your kid like guns and Army stuff?
If so he'd probably go ape over that Ranger Victorinox.... I know I did, and I would have. Hell, I went nuts over an OD green watch from walmart when I was a kid. I could have conquered the world with that, a pair of camo pants, and my trusty multitool... :laugh:
That being said... I think a kid would get frustrated really quick with the Ranger, as it doesn't have a real blade- would be hard to use for thing that require and actual blade.
Here's a thought-If he's pretty thoughtful and dexterous I'd take a risk with the sharpness and get him the Leatherman for his "EDC", and then also get him a MORA for his "outdoor" knife that he can take with his Dad camping or roaming around the woods. Hell, he can even wear it on his belt and feel extra badass.
It even comes in OD or Desert camo, Stainless, so he shouldn't have to do to much to take care of it.
Plus, another thing to think about is if he's trying to pry/cut/stab something, on a pocket knife or multitool there's nothing to stop your hand from sliding up the handle and onto the blade. So if you go with a second knife that's got at least a little finger choil [?] to work with in a fixed blade design, you help remove the sliding and snapping closed issues from the labor-intensive situations that are likely to cause those things to happen.
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/FT11602/morakniv-mora-of-sweden-forest-bushcraft-fixed-stainless-steel-blade-green-rubberized-handle-plastic-sheath
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/FT11832/morakniv-mora-of-sweden-desert-camo-bushcraft-knife-43-stainless-steel-blade-brown-rubber-handle
The first pocket knife I was ever given was a switchblade. Never carried it much outside of the property though. I guess I didn't really have a traditional pocket knife till some years later, ended up with a swiss army knife, rarely carried that, then a leatherman, then bought a cheapo folder, then a Sog Flash II, then went to an Emerson, lol.
Personally would say it going to depend on the kid to some degree. Know some I would be handing a knife sharp quality knife to, and others who I would be more inclined to get a mallet and a pair of pliers. That said, a knife that is sharp-ish, is better than a dull knife. Razor sharp might be a bad idea, depending. But sharp enough to cut well, but not remove fingers would be about what I would be looking for in a knife for a kid. If it is dull I could see it creating too many bad habits and them losing respect of the danger of the tool.
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