Is he a country boy, an athlete, or a gamer? Country boy ASAP, athlete- maybe wait just a little, gamer- be scared he would cut himself wait until hes grown.

My 8 year old is going to be opening a 3 blade old timer for Christmas.

I got a swiss army knife around 12.

I gave my son one when he was 10, but it stays in my closet for now. He is 13 now....

I know it sounds crazy, but I know my son. He is not yet ready to have it in his own room, and under his control yet....

My son received his first pocket knife at 5, it was an old Barlow whose edge was worn a bit -- I I took a stone to it and wore it down a bit more. Over the past few years he has slowly advanced in knife quality as he has learned to use it. About 6 months ago, he bought a Buck Vantage (with his own money). He knows the knife is a tool, not a toy. In fact, over the past year, him having a good knife as made my life a bit easier -- I don't have to get off the tractor to cut hay twine off of round bales, at our bi-monthly stock shows I simply throw the shavings bags where I want them and he makes the beds, etc..

All that being said, he's a typical 8-9 year old boy that makes a lot of bone-headed decisions (a year ago he "gifted" an old pocket knife of his to a friend at school - that was fun!); but if you don't give them a chance to have responsibility and a chance to fail, then they may not get to where you want them to go.

I got a hand-me-down old Case small stockman with one broken off blade from my Dad when I was in the Second grade.

Growing up, my Dad would give my brothers and I our first pocket knife on our eighth birthday. Every kid is different but for us, it worked out really well, and was something we all looked forward to. First knife was really similar to what you're looking at, and Dad had worked with us enough on knife safety prior to getting it that we were ready for it at that point.

BCO07 said:

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My 8 year old is going to be opening a 3 blade old timer for Christmas.

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That was my first knife. Think I was 8, but maybe 7. Only problem is that they are made in China now.

Once he proves he won't lose it or use it as a screwdriver he can have a non Chinese one