What age?

L

Lyndino

Joined
Feb 22, 2022
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Hello fellow blade enthusiasts.

Just looking for thoughts and or experiences I can compare against my own.
I'm new to knives myself, actually researching and making educated purchases instead of cool "mall ninja stuff". Keep in mind I'm on a budget!
I have 3 kids, 16, 12 and 8. I got the 2 older kids some 4" fixed blades made of 440c with G10 handles for cheap at my local Canadian Tire. On sale they seemed like a decent purchase. Just to get them familiar with proper use and safety while camping and what not.
The big question here is for my 8 year old (who's been begging me for his own knife), what age would be appropriate? We're not farmers or rural dwellers but live in a nice suburban area. Not sure if that matters or not.
Would you start a young kid at that age with a folder or fixed?
 
There have been several threads about this already, and I have said this in every one of them....

Kids will do stupid things and no amount of supervision is quicker than a blade snapping back on a kid's fingers. Get a LOCKING folder, or a fixed blade.

As for age, that is up to you. I know some 8 year olds that act and have maturity much greater than their age. I also know some 8 year olds that I wouldn't want to be around if they had anything sharp or pointy in their hands.
 
You might consider starting the youngest child with a Swiss Army knife. Not anything too advanced, complicated or expensive, but something that will allow you to teach responsible knife use and ownership.
This is coming from an old guy who had his first knife at age 4.
 
shane45-1911 said:
There have been several threads about this already, and I have said this in every one of them....

Kids will do stupid things and no amount of supervision is quicker than a blade snapping back on a kid's fingers. Get a LOCKING folder, or a fixed blade.

As for age, that is up to you. I know some 8 year olds that act and have maturity much greater than their age. I also know some 8 year olds that I wouldn't want to be around if they had anything sharp or pointy in their hands.
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Of course I think my kids are angels and not demonic spawns of Satan. At least that's how they act with me lol.
When you say locking folder are you referencing a liner / frame lock or something costly like an Axis lock or SOG's XR lock? Trying to keep the cost down so my wife doesn't freak out anymore than she needs to.

What about steel type, would a better steel that stays sharper longer be of any benefit?
 
Rob47 said:
You might consider starting the youngest child with a Swiss Army knife. Not anything too advanced, complicated or expensive, but something that will allow you to teach responsible knife use and ownership.
This is coming from an old guy who had his first knife at age 4.
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Thought about that, he's already got a multi-tool in his tackle box. I'm just not sure a SAK will stand up to making hot dog sticks / pointy sticks for everybody we meet. And they don't lock open which is a concern.
 
Lyndino said:
Of course I think my kids are angels and not demonic spawns of Satan. At least that's how they act with me lol.
When you say locking folder are you referencing a liner / frame lock or something costly like an Axis lock or SOG's XR lock? Trying to keep the cost down so my wife doesn't freak out anymore than she needs to.

What about steel type, would a better steel that stays sharper longer be of any benefit?
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ANY quality lock....just avoid non-locking slipjoints and SAKs.

I wouldn't worry about steel for a first knife. Chances are the knife will end up being used to try to cut all kinds of things that knives are not made to cut. Don't buy junk, but avoid expensive supersteels for now.....:)
 
An opinel is also a choice, in stainless, several sizes to fit various hand sizes, no snap, easy to lock if you want to.

I usually go with a 91mm Victorinox, something fun like the explorer, but as you said they already have something similar.
 
Just my humble opinion, but perhaps a Mora Eldris would be good. It's a very respected company and the knife is not too big. I'm an old geezer who has carried a knife for literally over 50 years. Please let us know what you decide.
 
1911bphil said:
Just my humble opinion, but perhaps a Mora Eldris would be good. It's a very respected company and the knife is not too big. I'm an old geezer who has carried a knife for literally over 50 years. Please let us know what you decide.
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My first though was a basic Mora for $27. Wasn't sure about fixed or folder.
 
Let him choose. I believe in “love at first knife.”
edit: Give him a price range, which, is also a lesson. But, some things should be worked out individually.
You can’t pick his first crush.
 
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I'm a fan of the smaller Mora's or helle Boy scout. Small quality fixed blade with a guard for a good price. The boyscouts run about $50 and the moras are 15-25
 
Am I the only one who feels SAKs are riskier to operate than most modern locking folders (except locks like tri ad)? I am specifically talking about closing the blade: the strong spring, the short blade, and the lack of movement control seem to make it less easier for small kids to close the blade comfortably and safely.
 
I started around 8, with all non-locking folders. I didn't have my first locking folder until I was 11. And I have no memory of cutting myself, much less closing a knife on my fingers, and certainly no trips to the hospital.

There is a school of thought that if a child starts with non-locking folding knives, learning knife safety with non-locking folding knives, that they will grow up treating all folders as non-locking folding knives, which is not a bad policy to practice. I was one of those children.

I think if a child is unable to avoid closing a non-locking folding knife on themselves then any sharp knife would likely be unsafe for them as well. After all, the sharp edge is the real danger.
 
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My first sak was my 3-4th knife. Even now I don't love that they don't lock open. I carry one but it's for light work only.

I wish I still had it or even knew what it was but my first blade was a small 3-4" fixed blade. Smooth red handle (I think it was plastic but could have been wood) full guard, looked like a miniature kabar. Must have been a 80's model of something. Found it in dad's toolbox. He told me if I could sharpen it I could have it. I very clearly recall there was no was to cut or stab myself with it when I got it. Took me a good while to learn to sharpen a knife. Sadly it was victim of moving to many times.
 
sharp_edge said:
Am I the only one who feels SAKs are riskier to operate than most modern locking folders (except locks like tri ad)? I am specifically talking about closing the blade: the strong spring, the short blade, and the lack of movement control seem to make it less easier for small kids to close the blade comfortably and safely.
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Agreed. A double action OTF is the clear way to go, much safer than any folder. I'm only half kidding ;-)
 
BlindMouse2of3 said:
My first sak was my 3-4th knife. Even now I don't love that they don't lock open. I carry one but it's for light work only.

I wish I still had it or even knew what it was but my first blade was a small 3-4" fixed blade. Smooth red handle (I think it was plastic but could have been wood) full guard, looked like a miniature kabar. Must have been a 80's model of something. Found it in dad's toolbox. He told me if I could sharpen it I could have it. I very clearly recall there was no was to cut or stab myself with it when I got it. Took me a good while to learn to sharpen a knife. Sadly it was victim of moving to many times.
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Awesome idea from your dad, I might use this myself, give my son a dulled blade for his first knife and then he needs to learn to sharpen, great stuff!!
 
When I was a kid, everyone had an SAK. A lot of them were Boy Scouts. No one taught me how to handle knives; I just watched my parents in the kitchen. And, the first time you see that blade snap shut on a slip joint, you know to keep fingers out of the way.
 
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