Great 1st Knife for Son?
- Thread starter TripleB67
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Chronovore
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A lot to cover here:
- Agreed that folding knives are not good defensive tools. Is it worth getting into more detail on that?
- My first knife was an early model Spartan. There is a lot to like about a SAK but ultimately, it matters which tools would actually get used. Nail-opening could be an issue. Also, I prefer a dedicated pocket knife for a lot of cutting chores.
- The last Opinel I bought was disappointing. It had been over a decade since I had one and I might have romanticized the memory. The edge on this one was already rolled when I opened it. I had forgotten how soft their steel is (modified 12C27 with less carbon). Fit and finish was pretty terrible. I ended up returning it.
- Something from Spyderco could be an awesome first knife. My only concern is that I like the idea of budget knives for first knives. Spyderco's low end (including Byrd) feels pretty overpriced for what it is. For more budget-minded stuff, Civivi makes excellent products for the money and offers a variety of styles.
- Agreed that folding knives are not good defensive tools. Is it worth getting into more detail on that?
- My first knife was an early model Spartan. There is a lot to like about a SAK but ultimately, it matters which tools would actually get used. Nail-opening could be an issue. Also, I prefer a dedicated pocket knife for a lot of cutting chores.
- The last Opinel I bought was disappointing. It had been over a decade since I had one and I might have romanticized the memory. The edge on this one was already rolled when I opened it. I had forgotten how soft their steel is (modified 12C27 with less carbon). Fit and finish was pretty terrible. I ended up returning it.
- Something from Spyderco could be an awesome first knife. My only concern is that I like the idea of budget knives for first knives. Spyderco's low end (including Byrd) feels pretty overpriced for what it is. For more budget-minded stuff, Civivi makes excellent products for the money and offers a variety of styles.
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Ok so I saw the 503 photo and assumed it was a slip joint just at a glance. But it does have the little nail nick thing on the blade to open meaning a finger nail would be needed to open it...
hhmoore
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Yes, and no.
Yes, it has a nail nick; no, a finger nail is not needed to open it (I referenced that in the post you quoted). There's plenty of blade exposed to simply pinch and pull. I did it as a kid, and I've seen younger children than the OP's 13 year old open them with ease.
rather than some ordinary folder,...I've never given my 13 year old son a knife.He's not really an "outdoorsman", doesn't go anywhere much...
So ...: what would be a great knife to start him out with?...I'm hoping you can send give me some suggestions!
...
consider the ag russell sea skorpion
which has a neat marlin spike for
task more than just splicing rope
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I appreciate everyone's input and honest advice...a tremendous amount of great information that's been of fantastic use so far.
This morning I took out my Kershaw, a couple of my SAK, my RAT II, and my Dragonfly 2. After showing him how each of them opened, closed, and all the features, he said that he really liked the RAT II the best (although he said he wished it was a bit smaller) - to be honest I think he just liked how it opened better than an of the others. He couldn't get the SAK knives open very easily and he could get the RAT open easier than the others. I'm not sure if they make the RAT II, or anything very similar to it, in a smaller version or not...but he likes what he likes
As far as him being responsible and intelligent enough to carry the knife properly...he is very much so! He's been called an "old soul" on numerous occasions by teachers and his 2nd grade teacher deemed him smart enough to move him up to 3rd grade in the middle of his second grade year. But yes, I would need to show him how to safely open, close, carry, sharpen, etc. a knife.
Again, all the input has been fantastic!!!
TripleB67
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Yes we were all teenagers but not all of us were stupid. My dad taught me at a very young age probably around 5-6 years old to respect people and the appropriate use of tools. And if we had any disregard or forgot we were reminded with a belt. Discipline helps in proper training for difficult or unwilling youth. With firearms and knives he was even more strict that even toy guns or knives were not to be handled foolishly or in an unsafe manner.Hey, not pessimistic at all. We were all teenagers once. Teenagers do dumb things (dumber things as they get in the higher teens
Maybe this guy's teenager is a model teen. You're right I don't know. Of course educating the kid with knife dos and don't goes a long way.
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I’d recommend a Hinderer XM-24 Spanto.
All jokes aside, I think a Kershaw Leek or Chive would be a great choice. Assisted opening, so it’s extremely easy to open and both are a good size. Leek has better steel, though.
All jokes aside, I think a Kershaw Leek or Chive would be a great choice. Assisted opening, so it’s extremely easy to open and both are a good size. Leek has better steel, though.
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You should've shown him how to spyder drop the dragonfly
LOL...do you know if there are any thumb stud opening knives similar to the RAT II but smaller?
I appreciate the input!
TripleB67
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Griptilian would be good - relatively inexpensive yet high quality. As with any Benchmade, it’s fun to flick. Let’s face it, he’ll spend most of his time flicking rather than using
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Or, get him a balisong trainer. From a fidget perspective, I think he’d love it. Once he gets good, he can move up to a non-trainer.
https://www.squidindustries.co/
https://www.squidindustries.co/
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SAK
Chronovore
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I appreciate everyone's input and honest advice...a tremendous amount of great information that's been of fantastic use so far...
... I'm not sure if they make the RAT II, or anything very similar to it, in a smaller version or not...but he likes what he likes
You are welcome. I just got out my Rat II and some other thumb stud knives for comparison. It's similar in size to most of the other knives I might recommend. It could just be me but the Rat II seems to be in the smallest size tier I actually like for EDC. The smallest folder I use with thumb studs is the Kizer Mini Domin but it's only smaller than the Rat II by a tiny fraction. Anything smaller than that starts to feel awkward for me in regular use.
My usual recommendation for an exceptional budget folder with thumb studs is the Tangram Santa Fe. It's just a hair bigger than the Rat II but still in the same ballpark. It's much more comfortable in my hand and I often choose it over much more expensive knives for EDC.
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I second the mini grip if size is a major factor - it is just about a quarter of an inch shorter than the RAT II, and for little hands that might make all the difference.
