I'd recommend a smaller blade to start with. The G10 Robin is an amazing knife for the price and you won't feel bad about it getting abused or lost. If you want to go with a full-fledged Spydie, go for either an FRN or SS Dragonfly -- great little big cutter with even more bang for the buck.
If you're considering the D4, take a moment to look at the G10 Meadowlark. It displaced the Delica on my rotation when I first got it (:eek :) .
Starter Knife Ideas
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guntotin_fool
- Member
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:40 pm
I would offer a bit of incentive to the boy.
get him a 2.5-3 inch byrd. talk to him about the responsiblity of carrying it only when allowed, putting it always right back in the pocket, and that it is not a toy but a tool. Tell him that if he keeps that one till christmas, you will reward him...do not say how, but let him guess.
This will A) reduce your pain if he looses it in a week, B) plant a seed that keeping it and managing it is his responsibility. C) let you buy him a step up when he manages to keep it, or let you buy him another byrd and repeat the process.
I did the same with my son and with my nephews, at deer camp gave them all a knife, and told them it they had it at next deer camp, I would reward them, it worked.
I grew up with a lot of slip joints, both scout knives, old timers, and SAKs, and I would say that they are not for kids, the close without warning thing just makes me cringe at a few times mine snapped shut when I pulled the knife the wrong way out of a box or green stick, and i have a couple of scars to show it.
get him a 2.5-3 inch byrd. talk to him about the responsiblity of carrying it only when allowed, putting it always right back in the pocket, and that it is not a toy but a tool. Tell him that if he keeps that one till christmas, you will reward him...do not say how, but let him guess.
This will A) reduce your pain if he looses it in a week, B) plant a seed that keeping it and managing it is his responsibility. C) let you buy him a step up when he manages to keep it, or let you buy him another byrd and repeat the process.
I did the same with my son and with my nephews, at deer camp gave them all a knife, and told them it they had it at next deer camp, I would reward them, it worked.
I grew up with a lot of slip joints, both scout knives, old timers, and SAKs, and I would say that they are not for kids, the close without warning thing just makes me cringe at a few times mine snapped shut when I pulled the knife the wrong way out of a box or green stick, and i have a couple of scars to show it.