Great 1st Knife for Son?

Everything you mentioned is a Spyderco - should we assume you want to stick with that brand?
I'd probably go another route - something like a Buck 503 or 055 (I prefer the 501; but there's nothing wrong with going smaller)

 

I'm conflicted by the post.
1. Obviously anyone buying a knife for anyone is awesome. Especially your son. I remember my grandparents (who raised me) buying me my first knife while we shopped in bimart.

But...

2..I hate anything associated with knives as self defense. And even though you said the knife wouldn't be for self defense you used the example of your sons friends mom getting mugged and you said you grabbed your knife before going out to protect his mom so I can't help but think that'll stick with the kid. Knives are for protection.

Knives are fantastic tools and I think everyone should carry one but as self defense or protection they arent good. Probably have a better chance of harming yourself in a scuffle with one out then actually defending yourself, especially if you don't have a actual knife combat training...

All that being said the spyderco/byrd knives would be great. I also have bit my nails since I was old enough to put my fingers in my mouth. Terrible habit but I can say stopping smoking after 15yrs was easier. The rat 2 would also be a good first knife.

 

I bought my son a Swiss Champ when he was 13. Reason being my Dad bought me one when I was that age and I was enamored with all it's functions.

 

He said his son bites his nails so a slip joint would be a no go.....

 

Nothing wrong with any Spyderco, at all! A less expensive option would be a Kabar Dozier Folding Hunter, which in my opinion, are probably the best value folder on the market today.

 

I agree with steelhead, this post has a weird SD tone to it, but also OP says his main carry is a dragonfly 2...I can't see that defending anyone.

I will say although the RAT 2 is in fact a great carry, I would start small with the kid especially if he's not outdoorsy. Let him become comfortable with a blade, the dragonfly is an especially useful office type blade I used to carry one myself, and if he ever feels the need to go bigger he can choose to. But I'd also check your local knife laws to make sure he is legally able to carry.

 

Maybe the fingernails thing makes it a bad suggestion, but I would nevertheless suggest an Opinel 8 for a kid. Cheap enough that it's not the end of the world if it gets lost, while being a terrific starter knife.

 

As far as inexpensive knives go I have a few good ones that I usually recommend to people and have served me well.
Ontario RAT 1 / RAT 2 in D2 (I don't own the AUS 8 versions but I'm sure they are fine as well)
The Real Steel E775 Griffin in 14C28N
Opinel No 8
Ontario Utilitac
Spyderco Resiliance (Probably tenacious too but I don't own one myself)
Cold Steel Finn Wolf (Good cheap scandi folder)
Spyderco Delica (I have the K390 but the VG10 one is pretty cheap)
Spyderco UKPK (If you want an easy to open one handed slip joint, mines been great)
ESEE Zancudo (I personally like it more than the RAT 2, because of the stonewashed blade)
Tekut Zero (A very fun, light and cheap knife, might need to sharpen it a few times to get to good steel though)

Most of my favourite knives are in the 150-200 price range so kind of have to leave them out by default, but I enjoy using all the knives I listed, he might not enjoy the opinel much it's pretty boring honestly, but it's a good slicer.

 

Can't necessarily rule one out though, it's the work of all of 10 minutes with a dowel and some Emery cloth to make an easy-open notch in the wooden handle of an opinel. I might go with a number 6 though, I've found that the 8's are a bit bulky for pocket carry for me.

 

There are a lot of good suggestions here. Let me add one more...Buck 112 Slim Select. Comes in a bunch of different colors, made in the USA, and comes with the Buck Forever Warranty. Currently on sale direct from Buck for $19.99...

https://www.buckknives.com/product/112-slim-select-knife/0112FAM02/

 

Opinel no8’s seem to be the go to size, but as above I prefer the no6 or no7 to carry about in my pocket.

the no6 can also come with a walnut handle ,which doesn’t swell as badly when it’s damp.

 

Yes, Opinels are so cheap you may as well go for the top-of-the line variant. Still half the price of the cheapest non-chinese Spyderco!

 

Seriously...

 

The Delica and Endura are excellent “first knives” that he’ll still appreciate many years later if cared for. Still got my VG-10 Endura my Pops got me when I was 14-ish. I’d go with the Endura for the additional cutting edge.

 

Endura! That's a big flippin blade!

 

My suggestion might be a bit more out of left field. Maybe he would get more use out of a multitool? He'd still have a blade but would also have the tools to augment his imagination.

The MT set up doesn't require nail nicks to get to the tools, either.

 

I’m going to repeat the suggestion for the Buck 112 slim select. I got two of my grandsons and my oldest granddaughter a 112 slim select and they love them, easy open and close, easy enough to sharpen and they are very durable, safe and dependable. They all go fishing a lot, do some camping and have acquired the habit of carrying or packing their knives with them. I think it’s a great way for them to learn responsibility for taking care of and maintaining their own tools.

 

My first real knife was a SAK victorinox Spartan and I still have it

for my 10 year old son, I got him a SAK Alox pioneer and he like it a lot