Thread: First pocket knife for kids - opinions, advice wanted

Another one for Opinel, great wee knives. I carry one with my possuming gear as a back up, just in case. As kids tend to lose knives a tad more than us adults, how about painting half the handle in fluro orange and yellow and blue so they are easier to find, and different colour for each child so theres no arguments.

@RV1. i have a mercator knock off you can have

Originally Posted by gonetropo

@RV1. i have a mercator knock off you can have

Thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I'm keen to go buy one with each kid, first pocket knife and all that.

Offer them a selection (price range) n let them choose….?


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https://www.gearshop.co.nz/collections/opinel

wouldnt go near gerber again, sharpened like a block of soap

Get something that has a belt pouch. Kids are less likely to loose it if its on their belt rather than in their pocket.

If its a 'pocket knife' than it really needs to be <90mm closed and have nice smooth edges for comfortable pocket carry (GEC #15 Boy Scout is the ducks nuts, but OMG are they expensive these days if you can find one).

CASE XX Sodbuster is 92mm folded and is just over the 90mm limit but are not badly priced on TM from Deadwood Knives.
CASE XX Mini Copperlock is the same size, great blade shape, but a bit more expensive. Locking blade is a good safety feature.

Smaller and cheaper is the CASE XX Synthetic Blackhorn Stainless (80mm folded).

I got my 2 boys a #8 (?) Opinel each for their first Scout camp.
Still have one of them as a keepsake for the youngest who would of turned 39 tomorrow.

@Pengy just reread your posting and if I get the meaning I'm not sure a like was appropriate? Sorry.

I went Swiss for my lads, only let them use the blade when I was around but they loved the saw for cutting wood and the likes.

Have now purchased them a shorter fixed blade buck knife and sheath that they will keep and hopefully hand on to their kids.

Perhaps ask the knifemakers on here to create something kids size?
Shelley had a knife for sale years back that I asked him to modify to suit my then 6yr old.

Thanks everyone. Lots of recommendations for Opinel and lots of good advice.

I got my first pocket knife at Christmas when I was about 10, and had it in my pocket during weekends with dad for years.
Got my first multitool (Leatherman Micra) a year or so later and purchased my first fixed blade with junk mail money at 12. (all in first picture)



Below are a few options that could be appropriate with my preference at the bottom:



Buck Vantage Mini - Edit doesn't seem to be available anymore.
Opinel Number 07 - $30ish - popular with some of the guys above but wouldn't get my vote due to the fact that the handle can swell when wet, sticking the blade closed, and it doesn't have a popper lock.
Victorinox Cadet (alox) - $60ish - blade a bit small and doesn't lock
Victorinox Pioneer (alox) - $70ish - blade doesn't lock
Svord Peasant - $30ish - Good Option, may be too big as is is 170mm long folded due to the tang sticking up.
Benchmade Bugout Knockoff - $30 - The best option - see below
Benchmade Osborne Knockoff - $60 - Good option - link below
Victorinox (discontinued model) - $100ish - Good option, black locks, good if you want kids to have extra tools. The Solder, Trailmaster or One Handed Trekker are all roughly equivalent models.

More details on the Benchmade knockoffs:
I purchased a few of these about two years ago and both a Bugout and Osborne have about 1 year of pocket carry each and I am thoroughly pleased with both of them. I am currently waiting for a few more Bugouts to come in as these will gifts come Christmas. Now obviously you can all have the ethics debate about whether these should exist, but I bought them knowing they arent genuine and do not represent them as genuine.
Build quality is good - 90% of a genuine one. I wouldn't be foolish enough to beleave that the steel is the claimed S30V or S90V but have sharpening tools available to keep them sharp.
They are 100% clones of the originals and include all the same parts and functions.
The bugouts were a little slow opening one handed, but are properly fast now that I have taken them apart and polished the bolsters and blade pivot point with 2000grit sandpaper. I followed a youtube video for cleaning genuine bugouts.
Better to stick with the uncoated blades as i didn't like the black coating that same on one.
Available through Alibaba - the bugouts are currently $16 plus postage plus tax. Sailed through customs and arrived in about three weeks.

In my opinion a great kids knife as they are inexpensive, small, thin and lightweight, with a decent (and easy to use) locking mechanism. Has a pocket clip which may help prevent the kids loose them. Get any colour you like - different colour for each kid will work.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...1c2c1802K9XYrd
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...8dahZWDfZ&mp=1

Still have my opinel from when I was a kid

These are nice little knives, they come in a range of bright colours. Good solid lock back. They weigh nothing and come with a good little pocket clip.
I use one and they are great for the price at around $69 nz. You can find them on special for less often.