Need suggestions for a pocket knife

[Smashy]

I'm in the market for a good 'first' pocket knife for my boys, thought I'd start looking around now and the boys will find them under the Christmas tree this year. I was looking at the Buck Knight, it's got a 1 7/8" blade, and it's 2 3/4" folded...

http://www.giftsanddetails.com/catalog/4120246.jpg

http://www.cccoin1.com/images/bu-37.jpg

http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productid=2918

I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has any recommendations. I'm a bit of a traditionalist in this regard, I prefer wood to funky modern designs, something they'll appreciate when they're older. Brass bolsters would be a nice touch, but that seems to be hard to find in a compact size, so I'm flexible on that. The number of blades isn't important (as long as it has at least one :supergrin: ), but I want a locking-type for safety. And it needs to be compact (kid-size). Any other suggestions?

[mattz357]

If you like Knight, but prefer brass you could get "the 55" (which is the Buck model 55). It is probably a little bit bigger, but almost identical design with lockback and brass bolsters. Next size up would be the Ranger (model 112). My son's ready-made collection has a 112, 110, 119, and 303. The 303 would be a good choice too, but doesn't lock (slipjoint). How old are the boys? Victorinox also makes a "my first" knife with a round-tip blad, but it lacks a lock as well. Great idea, and good luck!

[Smashy]

I looked at the 55, but I think it's a bit too big. They're 8 and 10.

[gruntmedik]

Boy Scout knife.

[Smashy]

Where do I get one of those?

[Berto]

The little kershaws are great, I also think the Victornox Swiss Army knives are ideal for a younger person.

[woodasptim]

I'd recommend a Schrade Old Timer, Bearhead, Delrin, Plain. http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/3ot.html

[Smashy]

I'd recommend a Schrade Old Timer, Bearhead, Delrin, Plain. http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/3ot.html

That looks interesting. How is the quality? I want it to last.

[Smashy]

The little kershaws are great


I'll look into that.

[jame]

ever look into the traditional swiss army (Victorinox, please) as an intro for the boys? You can configure nearly anyway you like, the various tools can really save your tail in the right/wrong condition. I carry a farmer.....everywhere. Cheap. Multitask. Quality.

Legacy type stuff if you ask me.

[*ASH*]

first time knife ? nothing to expensive ?? folder ?? in that range i would go with the spyderco native .


http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5244171


a great knife and sv30 steel for 40 bucks !! i own 2 of them, great knife


i collect alot of knives and you may want to join up to bladeforums .com a great knife site with something for everyone ..

[Herb Twoleaf]

I would concur with the SAK crowd. As a boy, I learned about knives collecting Imperial Schrades, like my Grandpa carried. My favorite though was my cubscout pocketknife, which was proudly carried on my belt at those ages, even to school (horrors!). None of 'em had locks, and I think a kid should learn caution with a slipjoint if he's gonna handle knives at all.

Kind of like learning iron sights before scopes, or stickshift before automatic.

The Victorinox Soldier is a very classy aluminum handled knife, not at all plasticky, and should last a lifetime.

Or until lost, which kids will tend to do.

[earthworm]

Gerber LST or ULST,Opinel(don't laugh:these $10 specials will take & hold one helluva edge & @ that price replacement spares won't break you),Spyderco & SAK. If your young men (or ladies:gals carry pocketknives too ya know) are computer people look at the Victornix Cyberboy:my son calls his "The handiest thing you ever bought me Dad.".

[bwphoto]

Mine was one of those keyring knives that salesmen hand out all over the place - the blade was less than 2" long and it had a nail file and a bottle opener as part of the package. And I wasn't allowed to tell mom. Of course, being 8 years old, I chewed my nails and twisted the tops off soda bottles. But that blade meant the world to me.

I'd imagine that regardless of what you choose, your kid is going to love it.

[Sam Spade]

Boy Scout knife.

That was my first knife. My Dad engraved my name and the date onto the grips. I carried it everywhere, and sharpened it so many times that I changed the shape of the blade. Finally lost it, somewhere, after 15 or 20 years.

One of the fondest memories of my childhood.

Besides which, it's a good pocket knife.

[Smashy]

My Dad engraved my name and the date onto the grips.


I'm probably going to have their initials engraved on them also. I'm doing that with a couple of things. I have two matching muzzleloading squirrel rifles, waiting for when the boys are big enough to handle them. I'm going to inlet brass inlays on top of the wrist of the stock with their initials engraved on them.

[23skidoo]

I love Kershaws but I'm not sure a liner lock is the best choice for a young man's first knife. Just my .02.

[GlocksForGoons]

Boy Scout knife.

Usually a swiss army with two blades. I still have my cub scout knife.

[Mnukedude]

This is what I bought my daughter for her first knife:

http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=everyday&product=53005&

I carry one of these in addition to a larger folder. Sometimes a tiny knife is the only thing that will work. Besides, when I dig this out in public, I don't get gasps from the sheeple. You can get you sons a bigger knife later, to complement this one.

It comes in lots of colors so you can get one for each of them, and there will never be confusion as to what knife belongs to whom.

[stevelyn]

I carry a three-bladed Schrade stockman. During trapping season it gets a workout. Its blades are perfect for skinning and fleshing foxes.

A good place to check out is:

http://smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/main_front.jsp?Mode=Cat&Cat=1

They also sell a lot of junk too, but it's easy enough to wade through if you stick to brands you know are of quality like Buck, Boker, Bear, Schrade, Case, etc.

[mitchshrader]

marbles 4 blade congress. no lock, but it's a stiff springed old fashioned pocketknife, you'll not hurt yourself without trying to.

good looking knife, too.

http://www.jaxknives.com/marble_s_pocket___pen_knives.html

22$.. (hint: ebay for less) ..

[AJ Dual]

SAK Camper or similar or a Leatherman-type, multi-tool.

It gives them the opportunity to learn knife-responsibility.

It does a ton more stuff than just cut/whittle, with which they're going to get bored quickly, wich in turn will encourage them to goof around/disappointing you. If there's a bunch of other tools, it'll encourage more learning exploration. If they can turn a screw for mom, or tighten a nut on their bike, it'll do as much for their self-esteem as a blade.

And the multi-function tool aspect will give them just a bit of an edge should they have an unfortunate bliss-ninny encounter.

[bocephus549]

Get them a Bowie Knife (just kiddin') also would suggest a Boy Scout Knife. That was my first and I loved it. A Swiss Army would be cool too.

[wolfman97]

I had Buck knives since I was a kid. They take two hands to open, and are sometimes difficult even with two hands. They generally aren't that sharp and don't cut that well. Even when they are sharpened they don't seem to hold that sharpness with any use. Not to mention that the blade on a typical pocket knife is too small for a lot of things.

So I got a Spyderco Endura. One handed opening (so you don't have to drop everything to get your knife out) and the thing still cuts like a razor blade after 15 years of everything from opening boxes to cutting plastic pipe.

I still have some conventional Buck pocket knives. They are somewhere in my closet, I am sure.

[ktx]

I think this is a great idea! Your thread has brought back many fond memories of my first knife. Santa brought me an Old Timer, I was probably about the same age your boys are and loved it. I think something like that is best for its simplicity and timeless appeal, as you have suggested. I used it heavily in Scouting. I'm driving home for the weekend and you've reminded me to look for that first knife and see what it's been up to in my absence.

Your sons will love the gift, I'm certain, regardless of which you decide on.

ETA: That started me on my 'thing' for knives. As I type there are 3 within 10 feet of me, and I'm not even at home :wavey:

[snowbird]

Are Bucks still made in the USA? I have one little one that is, and another from a few years later that is made in Taiwan, which at least is still a free country. I like the second one on my car keys ring. I have some Swiss Army knives from the 1980s which are good quality and the best for nail-trimming. But, if possible, I prefer to buy American.

Grandpa once gave me a really great little wood-inlaid jackknife with my initials carved on, but I lost it between some big rocks at a river's edge while still a boy. It's still a nice memory. Your boys will likely feel the same way.

[MTPD]

I've had a zillion pocket knives, but the one I like best is the M16. About $35 on Ebay.

[elsolo]

. I was looking at the Buck Knight, it's got a 1 7/8" blade, and it's 2 3/4" folded...

http://www.giftsanddetails.com/catalog/4120246.jpg



I have that knife, it is a favorite pocket carry knife because of it's size and slimness.

[Smashy]

I have that knife, it is a favorite pocket carry knife because of it's size and slimness.

How's the durability? Does it hold an edge well?

[okie]

Gerber Paraframe Mini - Fine
http://www.rockynational.com/1203_22-08485_Gerber_Paraframe_Mini_Fine.html

[podwich]

How's the durability? Does it hold an edge well?

It's made of 420HC steel-kinda, well, meh.

[Squaw Man Wolfer]

I know I am going to make myself unpopular here, but I was in a Boy Scout store a couple of years ago and was surprised to see how much of the stuff with the Boy Scout logo is definitely second rate. I don't think that any age is too young to start getting lifelong quality gear.

I don't know how good the Boy Scout knife is, but buy the blade, not the logo.

Swiss Army knives like Victorinox or Wenger have some very high quality lock blades.

[mikeivan]

I have purchase several SAK's from this shop. They do engraving, have a vast selection and are very customer friendly.
http://www.swissknifeshop.com
I would not recommend a locking blade, however, a couple of "tool" blades should please the boys.

[Smashy]

Thanks for all the tips, I'll do some digging around.

[MooseJaw]

Spend 10 bucks, and get yourself one of these:

http://www.rockynational.com/5544_22-41830_Gerber_New_EAB_Pocket_Knife_.html

A guy can't have too many knives..

[*ASH*]

for the money and good steel . the spyderco native cannot be beat. im just saying lol

[benji]

victorinox soldier is the only way to go. you could look around and find one from the year they were born with the year stamped into the blade. i've got an '04 for my nephew when he gets old enough. it is one of the most useful knives i've ever used. i eventually changed from a soldier to an electrician because i have a p-38 on my keychain.

if you don't want a soldier, my other choice would be a case cv yellow handled peanut. cv blades with a patina are the best looking knives in the world.

[eddief4]

i like the idea of a buck knife, a good solid knife that they will have for a LONG time:wavey:

[Mrs. VR]

We bought our 12 year old a small Swiss Army Knife last year. He also has a fake buck style knife with a decorated handle that he got when we were on a dude ranch in Montana. Our 10 year old daughter has a small sort of "practice" folder she sometimes carries.

[Dean]

Columbia River makes an orange handled rescue knife.
I like one of those, for a boy.
You might be able to get one with Veff serrations. :drillsgt:

[glocker26]

Spend 10 bucks, and get yourself one of these:

http://www.rockynational.com/5544_22-41830_Gerber_New_EAB_Pocket_Knife_.html

A guy can't have too many knives..

:wow: For a kid!!!!!:wow: I own and carry razor knife but for a kid hell no!!!

I like kershaw knives but what ever knife you give him/her, make sure it legal for him/her carry it

[Pat S]

http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=139

These are great little knives and can be had for less than $20.

[gruntmedik]

Where do I get one of those?

http://www.knivesplus.com/camillus-boy-scout-knives.html

[fastsix]

Have you looked at Puma knives?

Made in Germany - might be hard to find one in the smaller size in the U.S. The larger knives are found easily enough online.

http://www.pumaknives.de/dispitemgroup_en.php?g_nr=33

http://www.pumaknives.de/img_large08/7302905.jpg

[Smashy]

Have you looked at Puma knives?

Made in Germany - might be hard to find one in the smaller size in the U.S. The larger knives are found easily enough online.

http://www.pumaknives.de/dispitemgroup_en.php?g_nr=33

http://www.pumaknives.de/img_large08/7302905.jpg


That one is nice looking. But in checking out the specs...

Blade length: 1 3/7"

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/sm15.gif

[lawman_77008]

:bump:

[leroyjq]

I'm in the market for a good 'first' pocket knife for my boys, thought I'd start looking around now and the boys will find them under the Christmas tree this year. I was looking at the Buck Knight, it's got a 1 7/8" blade, and it's 2 3/4" folded...

http://www.giftsanddetails.com/catalog/4120246.jpg

http://www.cccoin1.com/images/bu-37.jpg

http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productid=2918

I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has any recommendations. I'm a bit of a traditionalist in this regard, I prefer wood to funky modern designs, something they'll appreciate when they're older. Brass bolsters would be a nice touch, but that seems to be hard to find in a compact size, so I'm flexible on that. The number of blades isn't important (as long as it has at least one :supergrin: ), but I want a locking-type for safety. And it needs to be compact (kid-size). Any other suggestions?

Smashy...how did you post your pictures on your thread box?

[HKMark23]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/hkuspelite45/GT/smalllockbackcamillus.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/hkuspelite45/GT/Camilluslockback2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/hkuspelite45/GT/ulsterbsa4bladescout2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/hkuspelite45/GT/Camillusserpentinestock.jpg

[RonS]

It is hard picking a knife for a kid. My first was a Cub Scout knife. As you might expect, with the wide spear point blade, I closed it on a knuckle trying to open a package. Good learning experience as no major damage was done. Then I won a little Diamond Edge brand pen knife, my first stainless steel pocket knife. I won that one in a Pepsi contest, a bottle cap deal of some kind. I carried it for years and still have it, the brown fake stag handles wore down to the white plastic, but it is still a usefull little dress knife. The blade is a small clip point with a fine point and very usefull. I called it my flying knife for years before the recent hysteria when anything with an edge became a "weapon".

Both of our girls got the little Swiss Army Knives as kids and still carry them, and for HS graduation the oldest got a Spyderco Endura and a Streamlite and the youngest got a Colombia River TiNi PECK and a Streamlite.

For a kid, I am inclined toward a jack or small stockman, but most do not lock, so you have to balance that. Case has some nice ones in that line, and you can get them in carbon steel, which is a good teaching tool for caring for things.

Good place to look.
http://www.agrussell.com/default.asp

[lwt210]

Just so you know.....

Schrade knives are made in China now. So are many of the Buck slippies.

I am getting my 8 soon to be 9 year old his first knife soon. I scouted around online auctions sites and local stores and now have several Old Timers and Uncle Henrys in the safe....some new in the box with all the papers.

Call me old fashioned but I prefer the USA made Schrades to the Chinese made ones. And you can find good deals on line if you look.

Many folks report finding the older USA made Schrades at out of the way hardware stores in smaller towns and communities. Most of the time, these knives are new and in the box. New old stock, they call it.

I have decent luck finding good old blades at antique shops too. Like this set of Schrades/I*XL scrims.

Swiss army knives would be a good choice as well. Hope this helps.

[elsolo]

How's the durability? Does it hold an edge well?
It's not the best out there, but for it's price point it's of overall good quality.
Think of it as a way to teach your kid good resharpening skills.
The lock mechanism is solid, I'll give it that.

[Mrs. VR]

I meant to say this earlier, I carry a kershaw leek, but at least in my opinion it's too sharp for the kids to carry. Also it has the safety, but it also has the assisted open, which might not be great for kids either.

[Smashy]

Smashy...how did you post your pictures on your thread box?

Those two pictures? I just right-clicked on the picture to open the properties, then copied the URL and posted it here.

[Mnukedude]

I meant to say this earlier, I carry a kershaw leek, but at least in my opinion it's too sharp for the kids to carry. Also it has the safety, but it also has the assisted open, which might not be great for kids either.

Yeah, this doesn't sound too good. I have the Blur, which also assisted opening. IMHO, that feature alone eliminates it from consideration as a first knife.

[a_tack]

The Buck Mini Trapper is a good first knife

[eisman]

Buy a Will Henry. Have it delivered. Then say, "This is too good for a first knife, I'll put it away for later." Then buy anything else.

If Shrade still offers "lost knife" insurance, get him one of those. I used it several times when I was a kid.

[Squaw Man Wolfer]

Don't know if they still make it, but I have a Buck single blade 2 1/2 inch lockblade with a red polymer (Bucklite) that is an Official Boty Scout Knife. In my pocket right now.