1st Knife Recommendations

Halpc · Jul 14, 2024

I still have the pocket knife that my grandfather gave me when I turned 8. It has been a treasured possession for almost 70 years. I started a family tradition of giving a pocket knife to each grandchild when they turned eight. The girls insisted on being included I think that the Swiss Hiker model has been the most popular. It has a saw and doesn’t have the bulk of the unnecessary, for them, corkscrew. A couple of them have become good whittlers and as far as I know, only one has cut himself. That reinforced the notion that maybe granddad knows something and he and his brother and sister are very careful now to close their knives as I had instructed. They always bring their knives when we go camping and enjoy using them.

lowangle al · Jul 14, 2024

If I were a 10 year old I think I would want a sheaf knife. I think they are safer and easier to use. I was thinking a stainless serrated Mora with a plastic sheath. They aren't as sharp as a smooth blade so would be more forgiving. I didn't know they came in a youth version with a rounded point, but that would be even better.

kahel · Jul 14, 2024

Either he gets a knife - or he doesn't.
And if he gets a knife, it should be a knife and not a toy.

A good camp knife (also for younger people) is a Mora Companion.
Inexpensive, sturdy, good grip and durable. With the Mora he can do everything he needs to do in camp.
Building shelter, prepare food, prepare firewood and make fire with an ferro rod, save carving is also no problem, and sometimes even climb a (dead) tree. If necessary, he can also gut a fish with it.

And while you're at it, take him a Bahco Lapplander folding saw, so he'll be well and fully equipped for the time ahead.
My father used to tell me: "Boy - with good tools, half the work is already done".

Best regards
Michael

PS: and yes, you can cut yourself with knives - no matter which one you use.

Erica · Jul 14, 2024

I agree with a Mora.

I like the opinels but that lock is fussy and gets clogged with junk if you really use it a lot. A Swiss Army knife - I've had one for 50 years or more, but you can't really get those blades sharp. And the biggest cause of knife injuries is a dull blade.

Moras are inexpensive. If you want to make it more precious, purchase a leather sheath for it. Or the plastic works fine. Moras take an edge well and last forever.

kahel · Jul 15, 2024

Erica said:
If you want to make it more precious, purchase a leather sheath for it.

like this ...

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regards
Michael

memaquay · Jul 15, 2024

My apologies to the Mora fans, but Mora's don't do it for me. A knife, particularly a first knife, should look good in a traditional sense. I still have my first knife my dad gave me, a traditional belt knife, wooden handle, very classy looking. I've only owned one Mora, and I gave it away, it was too ugly to look at. A hunting/canoeing/bush knife should look something like this

I know we can't all be the lucky recipients of a hand made knife, but there are lots out there that look good and won't break the bank. I still think the Buck 110 folder is a heck of knife for value, looks and sturdiness.

Aslowhand · Jul 15, 2024

I got my first knife at the age of 5, a Swiss Army knife of course (I'm Swiss). A real pocket knife, no toy. I was very excited. Along with the knife, my father gave me detailed instructions on how to use it. Of course, I cut myself the first time I used it on my own. Pretty soon I learned how to use this tool safely. Decades later it's still in my pocket every day.

Sabourin Lake, Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, Ontario

Boatman53 · Jul 15, 2024

Very nice sheath Michael. I’ve been meaning to sew up something like that for a while. It really classes things up.
Jim

kahel · Jul 15, 2024

CaptainOllieWest said:
He will be learning about knives during survival camp this week.

@CaptainOllieWest

so how it can looks like with kids on on a weekend in camp ...

this is the son of a friend of mine ... he was also 10 years old at the time ... and that weekend I kept an eye on him ...

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Arriving and getting ready for the day. Fill up the water bottle and get some snacks ready ...

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After choosing the right axe - splitting wood with the "big" axe ...

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Look at his beaming face after I had given him a Lapplander and a Mora Companion ...

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and then, of course, he carved with his father and big brother ... is clear

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Sawing wood was of course no problem ...

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regards
Michael

@CaptainOllieWest

It's up to you to teach him everything properly ... so that the little one can cope safely and well on his own.
And ... it takes no more time than a weekend at camp.
... if the worst comes to the worst, it is always good to be prepared ...

. first aid kit near by

. pre-cut wound plasters in various sizes on the man

TXRiverRunner · Jul 15, 2024

CaptainOllieWest said:
I will be taking my 10 year old Grandson on a trip soon. He will be learning about knives during survival camp this week.

I plan on giving him a knife. This will be his first. I am thinking a folder. I am currently leaning towards an Opinel No. 6.

Any recommendations for a first knife?

I'm a big fan of Case Knives. Form my son's 12 birthday I had a small Case folder engraved for him. My 10yo son already has 4 or 5 pocket knives. Mostly lock blades in the 3 or 4 inch size. Both my sons acquired my love of collecting pocket knives. I guess most boys would.

CaptainOllieWest · Jul 15, 2024

Thank you for all of the great suggestions. I don't want to kill this thread, but I bought an Opinel Jr. No. 7.

No.07 Outdoor Kids Folding Knife

The No.07 Outdoor Junior is a great knife for scouts, young adventurers and campers. It's blunted tip helps improve safety around young children. The pea-less safety whistle works when cold, hot or wet! Take this knife on your next outdoor adventure, but remember to always use it under adult...

www.opinel-usa.com

It was delivered yesterday. I am not sure about the rounded tip. I will need to get him a more traditional knife in the future. It should be a good starter knife.

scoutergriz · Jul 16, 2024

Erica said:
I agree with a Mora.

I like the opinels but that lock is fussy and gets clogged with junk if you really use it a lot. A Swiss Army knife - I've had one for 50 years or more, but you can't really get those blades sharp. And the biggest cause of knife injuries is a dull blade.

Moras are inexpensive. If you want to make it more precious, purchase a leather sheath for it. Or the plastic works fine. Moras take an edge well and last forever.

I regularly get my SA knives sharp enough to shave with, but like every stainless steel knife I've seen it does take a little more effort- I start with a medium grit oilstone, then graduate to a fine grit stone, then a 600grit diamond paper strop, and followed by a barber's clay and water...

scoutergriz · Jul 16, 2024

just a warning, many camps and organizations don't allow fixed blade knives and some don't even allow non- locking folders and routinely seize any they see, one camp I worked allowed NO "non-table" knives for anyone under 12 yrs old. I did a 1 week stint and was out of there!!!

TXRiverRunner · Jul 16, 2024

scoutergriz said:
just a warning, many camps and organizations don't allow fixed blade knives and some don't even allow non- locking folders and routinely seize any they see, one camp I worked allowed NO "non-table" knives for anyone under 12 yrs old. I did a 1 week stint and was out of there!!!

Unfortunately most kids are not taught knife safety anymore. I believe dads, or other father figure, should take the time to teach their sons how to properly handle a knife of any kind. Same with guns, but knives especially since they are more easily accessible. One of the best ways is to just sit down with the kid beside you. Both of you have a knife and a whittling stick. Demonstrate, guide and correct as you enjoy being together. And talk about all the times you did it wrong and cut yourself.

ppine · Jul 16, 2024

We got knives around age 7-8, were on a rifle team by age 10 and started backpacking without adults by age 12.
My Dad gave us great instruction about how to do everything safely. I joined the Boy Scouts at age 10 and the Scout Master always wanted me to carry the axe.
A folding knife that does not have a lockable blade can collapse on the hand of a kid that tries to stab with it. I think small fixed blades are the safest.
A safety note. I bought a nice Benchmade folder with a spring loaded opener. It actually opened in the pocket of my loose pants and locked in place without my knowledge. Be careful out there.

kahel · Jul 16, 2024

O.K.

here is the ultimate YouTube channel from my friend Felix for folding knifes & swiss army knifes!

Felix Immler

Welcome to my channel. My name ist Felix Immler. I like to practice bushcraft-skills with my Victorinox pocket knives. Join me on my adventures and I will show you different carving projects. I hope you enjoy the clips and look forward to your comments and feedbacks...

www.youtube.com

Boreal Birch · Jul 16, 2024

The knife scars I have are mostly on my left hand from me being somewhat careless. The only one on right hand (dominant hand) is from a non-locking folding pocket knife that folded when trying to drill a hole in a wooden spoon handle was making. If I would have had a locking blade or better yet a Swiss Army Knife with an awl I would not have that scar.
The wood handled carving knives with the laminated steel blade from Mora are really nice knives for kids, especially the #120 with the shorter blade. I have taught a many kids how to make their own knife from Mora’s #106, #120, #1 & #2 blades. making the handle and sheath from birch bark at the Fairbanks Folk School. Other instructors taught them how to sharpen them and more importantly how to carve safely with them by practicing safe holds, that keep fingers and sharp blades away from each other while carving spoons. The kids called Week In The Woods classes, John’s Band-aid Camp.

CaptainOllieWest · Jul 16, 2024

I don't remember how old I was when I revieved my first knife. I was very young. As kids, it seems like my brother, friends and I always had knives. The first ones were traditional folders and then lockblades and fixed blades of varying quality.

I did know a kid who nearly died from a knife accident. He was home alone with his older sister. He had been out with a fixed blade in a sheath and came home and fell asleep on his bed. The knife came out of the sheath and he rolled over on it. He awoke to feeling wet. It was his blood. I think it pierced a kidney.

I started my son with knives about the time he joined Cub Scouts. I think his first knife was a BSA folder from the Scout Store. He is 18 now and has many knives. I ordered a BPS Aura with some custom engraving to celebrate his high school graduation. It should be here soon.

Aura — LIMITED SERIES 200 PCS ONLY — High quality handmade camping knives — BPS

Aura — LIMITED SERIES 200 PCS ONLY ✔️ Handmade Camping & Kitchen knives ✔️ Best Price ✔️ Worldwide shipping ✔️ 100+ handmade knives in our catalogue | BPS

bpsknives.com

GeoBoy · Jul 16, 2024

Folder is probably the best first knife for a beginner.

Halpc · Jul 16, 2024

Kahel thanks for that link. Your friend has some interesting videos.

1st Knife Recommendations

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