1st Knife Recommendations

scratchypants said:

That's tricky, but I think you've got something with the Opinel. At that age (and depending on the kid) it may get lost or abused. Otherwise I'd offer that Great Eastern Cutlery and their Tidioute line have some very nice little pocket folders.

Click to expand...

Boatman53 said:

I agree it is tricky. Any parameters from the camp for suggestions? Or is it your camp? Opinel could be a good choice, easy to open and it can be locked open. I wish they could be locked closed too as I had one partially open in my pocket.
Jim

Click to expand...

MyKneesHurt said:

Opinel makes a kid's folder with a rounded point; he can cut, but not stab. They're cheap, decent steel, attractive, and light, which is exactly what you want for a knife that's about to get lost. It's a 7, not a 6, called the Outdoor Junior. 20-ish bucks.

Mora also makes a kid's fixed blade, if that's on the menu, with a rounded tip - the scout knife. Maybe forty bucks.

I personally would go with a Swiss Army Camper or Hiker, because you learn to use a slipjoint and don't develop the bad habit of relying on a locking mechanism to protect your hands. That kind of muscle memory makes a huge difference when you're wet, tired, and cold.

Click to expand...

Mississippi Mud said:

I like Opinel and you'll not go wrong with a Swiss Army, but, perhaps a bit out of nostalgia, I would recommend an Old Timer lock blade. It was my first knife, gifted to me by my father, who probably gave it in the hopes of keeping me still in church rather than any real utility. I never lost it and treasure it today. At ten, your grandson is probably mature enough to handle a knife without a blunt tip. I would, however, also recommend that the knife come with a belt sheath (even for a folder) because that will help him keep up with it. Things in the pocket eventually fall out. And besides, sheaths are cool.

Old Timer still makes a nice folder, made in the USA.

Old Timer Bruin Lock Blade

Click to expand...

Glenn MacGrady said:

I wasn't familiar with Opinel, so I looked at some videos and reviews. The blade is evidently very thin and sharp, which is good for cutting string, tape, paper and food, but maybe not so good for serious carving or whittling. The blade on the #6 is less than 3", which may make it legal in more places, if that's any sort of concern. And the price is so low, it would probably be hard to find anything less expensive. I'm not sure how a kid or anyone would like that twisting barrel lock. It's slow and might seem "uncool" to a kid compared to faster opening and closing pocket knives.

I don't think even a 10 year old needs a blunt tip. That detracts from the usefulness of a knife, and would also detract from the full experience of learning how to use a knife safely—including the blade, the locking mechanism, the opening and closure methods, as well as the sharp tip.

I don't think a first knife will necessarily be lost easily; it may be treasured. I do agree that it's easier for a knife to slip out of a pocket than out of a belt sheath. A knife clip will help a pocket hold. The Opinel doesn't have one.

I have lots of knives, but they're all rather expensive, so I wouldn't recommend them as a first knife for a kid. There are literally hundreds of not very expensive folders that could be a first knife.

Here's a video from Knifecenter on pocket knives under $30:

Click to expand...

Check this out: Spartan

Victorinox Spartan - 1.3603 ++ Explore the world of perfect Swiss quality online ++ Home of the Original Swiss Army knife ++ Find a store close to you ++

www.victorinox.com

memaquay said:

The Buck 110 can be had quite reasonably, and it is still quite a nice knife.

Click to expand...