1st Knife Recommendations

[CaptainOllieWest]

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?

 

[scratchypants]

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.

 

[MyKneesHurt]

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.

 

[Boatman53]

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

 

[CaptainOllieWest]

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.

The GEC knives look great, but too expensive.

 

[CaptainOllieWest]

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

I am not sure what they will be using in the camp. I plan on giving him a knife when my Son and I take him on a trip in a couple of weeks.

I have never had an Opinel. I thought the could also be locked closed?

 

[CaptainOllieWest]

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.

Thanks, I will check out the rounded tip model. I see your point on the slipjoint.

 

[Mississippi Mud]

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

 

[CaptainOllieWest]

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

Thanks. I will check out some Old Timers.

 

[snapper]

Consider me another fan of Opinel folding knives. I prefer the carbon steel blades instead of the stainless ones but both will work. The Opinel was the first knife I gave my oldest grandson when he turned 10. They're well built and will last a lifetime if it's not lost first. For the price, I honestly think they're the best money can buy.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

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:

 

[GeoBoy]

Go to the Victorinox web site and look at the kids versions. Great first knife.

 

[MyKneesHurt]

@CaptainOllieWest The virolock was added in the 50's, but it wasn't unti 2000 that it was altered to allow the knife to lock the blade in closed position; Boatman could have had a pre-2000 knife in his pocket.

 

[Boatman53]

It most likely be pre 2000, I’ve had it a long time. I’ll have to check out the newer models.
Jim

 

[memaquay]

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

 

[clemency]

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:

Gerber LST, despite being summarily dismissed in this vid, is a good little knife. Small (small enough not to need a clip), light (and light enough not to need a clip) and locking. Mine lives in my pocket, even when I have another knife on my person for some reason.

But, +1 on the Swiss Army knife also. Not as scary as something with just a single blade. A Spartan lives in my car.

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

 

[Odyssey]

I like the idea of a folder and belt sheath. They can be bought separately. That combo will make it a serious tool for the young man.
Sorry can't help you with choices, there are just so many coming at different price points, but you could still keep it under $50.
I would suggest a small folder (not a mini and not a medium) for those small and busy hands. He might grow up to something else entirely but he will never outgrow this first one IMO. Best of luck with the trip.

 

[jdeerfoot]

Great topic. I remember giving my 10 yo nephew a Swiss Army knife on a trip and then spending some time showing him how to use it safety. Not more than an hour or so later he cut himself. Then I demonstrated some basic first aid.

 

[Rippy]

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

This would be a great choice. Comes with a sheath. Carry it for life without out growing it. Was glad to see the OP choosing a folding knife rather than a fixed blade as It's safer to carry, especially in areas with tripping hazards. I wear a folder and carry my sheath knife on the back of my day pack to prevent from falling on it. Dave

 

[ppine]

I would start him with a small fixed blade knife in carbon steel. No folder, no stainless steel.