DargelSkout said:

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I don't understand the guys on here advocating for what's basically a butter knife.

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The goal is for an 8-year-old to become acquainted with a knife for the first time.

aggiec05 said:

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https://www.opinel-usa.com/collections/kids-folding-knives/products/no-07-my-first-opinel-with-sheath


Sharp enough to widdle, have fun, and learn knife skills,fully locking open or closed, but rounded point so some protection.

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That's what I gave my son as his first knife. He is 9 now and still uses it often.

Not sure if you purchased yet, but this video just got posted. I like this guy's videos. worth a watch if you're in the market for a budget knife.

There's a huge number of great possibilities, but definitely get him/her a knife that locks in the open position. And I would also recommend not getting a liner lock or frame lock, as the thumb is in the path of the closing blade. The compression lock from Spyderco or Benchmade's Axis lock (and the many knock-offs) are better alternatives for a newbie as they keep the fingers out of the path of the closing blade. The lock used in Spyderco's Manix 2 Lightweight, whose name I cannot immediately remember, is a great choice too, as is the knife itself.

Of course a back-lock would be a great choice too, however I find them a bit clunky. But certainly there are a great number of great choices, such as the Spyderco Delica or Native 5 Lightweight, and the Buck 112 or 55. Also, Spyderco's downmarket brand called Byrd has some very good choices for inexpensive but very capable lock-backs. You can get a Byrd Meadowlark for under 30 bucks.

C

My dad carries an Old Timer and has for his entire life (that I know of). I got one at age 8-9 or so and promptly lost it within about a year. That little sucker has come in handy over the years, that's for sure.

I now carry a Leatherman. I've field dressed a deer with that thing.

Good luck. My boy is 9 months old. Can't wait until we get to do huck Finn type stuff. Dance and gymnastic stuff for the daughter isn't that fun.

713nervy said:

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DargelSkout said:

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I don't understand the guys on here advocating for what's basically a butter knife.

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The goal is for an 8-year-old to become acquainted with a knife for the first time.

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Then I would go to a pawn shop and find a nice looking, old-school pocket knife that has a relatively dull blade. Like a previous poster said, teach the kid to sharpen the knife and let him carry it first when the dad is with him, and then on his own when he's shown some responsibility. These are at least sharp enough to cut string, tape, and open packages.

I don't like the idea of a D2 knife. The D2 ones I have, mostly made in China, are sharp as hell. I think they're good extra knives for backpacks, which is what I have them for, but not for a first knife for a kid unless he's like 15.