Knife for 8 year old

[tao.jonez]

My 8 year old son has just completed the safety course for Cub Scouts. He is now allowed to carry a knife to certain events and to use the knife with adult supervision.

He has been given a Swiss Army type knife but it is too big (appx 3 3/4" blade) and the blade doesn't lock. I want to get him a single blade locking knife that is durable, affordable, and appropriate for camping type uses.

I would appreciate feedback/recommendations on small knives from some bullies.

[jnp]

My father bought me a basic Buck folder around that age. When I lost it, he bought me another one. Since I had a tendency to lose things as a kid, this process was repeated more than I care to relay.

So if your kid loses things, don't buy him an expensive first knife.

[gregaquaman]

I have very little understaning of children but just like leatherman as a pocket knife tool anyway. They also have all sorts of different shapes and sizes to suit Have a locking blade and are tough.
(They also dont have the knife of death stigma attached to them)
A bit expensive though.
Here is a random example of one of the smaller ones.



For a cheaper knife Pacific cutlery are a knock off brand knife that are moderatly durable.
And they also come in all shapes and sizes.

This is a rigging knife Which is sort of the knife that I was issued and worked well as a cheap knife and durable. Maby too big and does not lock open.
http://www.wellingtonsurplus.com.au/...+MODEL+YT385PS

[Permalost]

I think the leatherman tool idea is a good one. Also, jnp has a good point that they might lose it (I'd add that these are the years they'll learn that a folding knife is not a good prybar), so if you're looking for a small decent knife for a low price, I'd recommend the Gerber EVO:
http://www.gerbertools.com/Gerber/Kn...O-JR-FINE-EDGE

I've had one for years and it has held up well to lots of tasks.

Do the Cub Scouts teach how to sharpen a knife? I'd recommend a non-serrated edge so that he can sharpen it without hassle. It's one of those skills that a surprising number of adults don't have. Pick up a wetstone or butcher's steel (you shouldn't need a fancy system) with the knife for a couple bucks and he'll be able to keep his knife sharp (which is safer in the sense that a dull knife will require more pressure to do its job, which can lead to slips and accidents; a sharp knife is more consistent in how it behaves). Teaching how to sharpen might also instill a sense of upkeeping his stuff, which is a good thing to learn.

[Snake Plissken]

Last year, our 9 yr. old son wanted a pocket knife, as well. I was hesitant, since I remember cutting myself on a Cub Scout knife when I like 6 or 7. I remember the feeling of the pain and seeing the blood on my little yellow Cub Scout poncho.

The missus was "OK" with getting him a knife and after discussing it, we ended up getting him one of the mini Swiss Army knives from Target. He was instructed on proper usage and proceeded to cut his hand the next day, and the knife sits untouched on his dresser next to his watch and wallet. He occasionally asks for another knife and is told when he demonstrates proper knife handling responsibility, we will talk about it.

If you think he is exhibiting proper knife handling abilities, I would go with jnp's suggestion of buying a Leatherman at Target. It is would I would end up getting if the boy levels-up in his knife handling abilities. They are functional, reliable and inexpensively replaceable. He can use it for several useful functions while camping, cuz really...which are Scouts going to need a pair of pliers or a corkscrew?

Do you know if the Scouts still use the "Totin' Chip Card"?

[tao.jonez]

Permalost - yes, they do review knife sharpening in the training. I went to culinary school and worked as a chef for 12 years, so I have a great wetstone and honing steels. I take good care of my equipment and hopefully he will learn from my example.

How long is the blade on the EVO?

Snake P - The Cubs do have a card - the Whittling Chip. Don't know about Boy Scouts, but I think they have a slightly different system. For Cubs they have to have the card and follow the rules or they get an infraction. They lose a corner of the card for each infraction and when the 4th corner is lost they lose the card as well as the knife. Both can be earned back by re-taking the safety course.

I plan on letting him carry my small leatherman in his fishing tackle, but will go with a simple single blade for most events.

[Snake Plissken]

Snake P - The Cubs do have a card - the Whittling Chip. Don't know about Boy Scouts, but I think they have a slightly different system. For Cubs they have to have the card and follow the rules or they get an infraction. They lose a corner of the card for each infraction and when the 4th corner is lost they lose the card as well as the knife. Both can be earned back by re-taking the safety course.

Ah. Yeah, Boy Scouts is the Totin' Chip, I couldn't remember the name of the Cub Scouts one.

I plan on letting him carry my small leatherman in his fishing tackle, but will go with a simple single blade for most events.

Makes sense. One thing to keep in mind is the closing mechanism. Especially for an 8-year old, you don't want the closing latch to be on the same side as the folding blade. I know some knives have the little latch that supports the blade on the inside of the handle that you must depress, then the blade folds into the handle, effectively where your hand is.

The old style Buck knives have the "button" that you depress on the back outside portion of the handle, making it a bit safer for young small hands...if this makes sense.

[W. Rabbit]

My 8 year old son has just completed the safety course for Cub Scouts. He is now allowed to carry a knife to certain events and to use the knife with adult supervision.

He has been given a Swiss Army type knife but it is too big (appx 3 3/4" blade) and the blade doesn't lock. I want to get him a single blade locking knife that is durable, affordable, and appropriate for camping type uses.

I would appreciate feedback/recommendations on small knives from some bullies.

The Toollogic SL3 Firesteel knife is my favorite knife and it'd be perfect for an 8 year old.

You can get it as cheap as $30 from Sears but don't let the low price fool you, this is a great, durable, small form factor camping blade.

Blade length is 3", locks great, the knife has built in emergency whistle (great for finding lost scouts), but best of all it contains a magnesium alloy Swedish Firesteel attachment that will quickly start fires even when wet, making it an awesome camping accessory.



http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...u=SPM240903676

[ChenPengFi]

Kershaw 5300, 'bout ten bucks, 2" blade.

[WhiteShark]

What about an actual BSA knife?
http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=products&c2=CAMPING &C3=KNIVES&C4=&LV=3&item=24079&prodid=24079^8^01RT L&