BEST first Spyderco for my son

patrickbateman · #1

At what age firstly do you think my son should get his first knife? (I'm thinking at least in grade 6). How bout yours?

And of course, it will be a Spydie, so WHICH spydie is most suited for their first one?

Thanks, I'm sure this will get a lot of responses!

DMgangl · #2

Spyderench. My first knife was in a cheap $5 multi tool from walmart. It was cheap but it started it all. It would be a great first knife that will start 2 of men's greatest addictions Knives and Tools.

DM

CombatGrappler · #3

My son's first knife was a Delica 3 trainer. He could practice opening and closing the knife without me worrying about him getting cut. Now that he is 10 and has demonstrated good knife handling skills, he has a Byrd Robin, several cheap multi-tools, a small Cutco, and some other stuff I cleared out of my knife case to make room for more Spydies.

I vote for a trainer if the kiddo is really young.

ChapmanPreferred · #4

Dragonfly C28PBK
Native C41PBK
Delica C11PBK
Ladybug 3 LBK3P

Any of these would be great in my opinion.

ozspyder · #5

Ladybug
Delica 4
Dragonfly
Jester
Cricket

I have bought and engraved a Pink D4 for each one of my daughters and a Blue ZDP D4 for my son. My eldest daughter has used her Pink D4 under supervision and I will be introducing the others to their knives soon as well.

Personally I think the very small knives might not be as safe as a medium sized one due to the need for slightly more accurate and fine motor skills. Too large and the blade might be unweildy. So I settled on a medium sized ones for my kids. When they get older they can use my other dozens of blades - or bloody well get their own :p :D

I will most likely choose something a little bit more elegant for them when they leave school.

Agent_Ohm · #6

Persistance
Delica
Dragonfly

and maybe a Leatherman Juice as a multitool

Blerv · #7

I think I was 10 or so with a very dull swiss army knife. Prob 4-6th grade is a good idea. Good to teach him not to bring it to school quick as well

My pick would probably be a plane edge cricket. Cute and no a real distinct point. Good for utility stuff and doesn't have the strong self-close that a back lock has *snap + fingers*

jabba359 · #8

Rock Salt or Hobbit Warrior. :D

But I suppose a Delica or Dragonfly would also make fine first knives and fit his smaller hands as well.

patrickbateman · #9

DMgangl wrote:Spyderench. My first knife was in a cheap $5 multi tool from walmart. It was cheap but it started it all. It would be a great first knife that will start 2 of men's greatest addictions Knives and Tools.

DM

Thanks, but I'm looking for a knife for sure...I remember my grandfather buying me and my brother a swiss army type knife when we were young and I thought it was the coolest thing...

It's just that now I love spydies, and a lot of the tools on the swiss are kind of useless (or not used often), I was leaning towards a folder...

patrickbateman · #10

CombatGrappler wrote:My son's first knife was a Delica 3 trainer. He could practice opening and closing the knife without me worrying about him getting cut. Now that he is 10 and has demonstrated good knife handling skills, he has a Byrd Robin, several cheap multi-tools, a small Cutco, and some other stuff I cleared out of my knife case to make room for more Spydies.

I vote for a trainer if the kiddo is really young.

I can see my wife now saying what the **** did I get a 'fake' knife for, whats the point? I kinda agree...it would be good for a day or so, and then BORING to him and me!

But a spydie blade is scary too....he's not ready yet, but appreciate the reply.

patrickbateman · #11

ozspyder wrote:Ladybug
Delica 4
Dragonfly
Jester
Cricket

I have bought and engraved a Pink D4 for each one of my daughters and a Blue ZDP D4 for my son. My eldest daughter has used her Pink D4 under supervision and I will be introducing the others to their knives soon as well.

Personally I think the very small knives might not be as safe as a medium sized one due to the need for slightly more accurate and fine motor skills. Too large and the blade might be unweildy. So I settled on a medium sized ones for my kids. When they get older they can use my other dozens of blades - or bloody well get their own :p :D

I will most likely choose something a little bit more elegant for them when they leave school.

I agree with you on little knives and fine motor skills...good point...my SS cricket in my guy's hands I cringe at right now....I think a medium sized one is the right way to go....

Love all of the suggestions though, I have many to look at on google images!

patrickbateman · #12

Thanks guys, I will look at all the suggestions. I have time....he's still young.

D1omedes · #13

Honestly, I wouldn't start him off with a Spydie. I know you may take that as blasphemy but in my opinion, Spyderco knives come far too sharp out of the box for a young kid.

I would start your son out with a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. The blades are very useful and sharp enough to perform. In addition, you son will gain an appreciation for the knife as a TOOL rather than a cool toy. The addition of other tools along with a knife will emphasize that association. Look into getting him a Vic Cadet. It's light, cheap, slim, nice-looking and very functional.

thebestnoobcake · #14

D1omedes wrote:Honestly, I wouldn't start him off with a Spydie. I know you may take that as blasphemy but in my opinion, Spyderco knives come far too sharp out of the box for a young kid.

I would start your son out with a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. The blades are very useful and sharp enough to perform. In addition, you son will gain an appreciation for the knife as a TOOL rather than a cool toy. The addition of other tools along with a knife will emphasize that association. Look into getting him a Vic Cadet. It's light, cheap, slim, nice-looking and very functional.

+1 for the SAK

rlw1979777 · #15

My first spydie was a merlin when I was 12. A few cuts and a few stitches got me to respect it. Sometimes experience is the best teacher, but do like the idea of a trainer for your son.

whkento · #16

D1omedes wrote:Honestly, I wouldn't start him off with a Spydie. I know you may take that as blasphemy but in my opinion, Spyderco knives come far too sharp out of the box for a young kid.

I would start your son out with a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. The blades are very useful and sharp enough to perform. In addition, you son will gain an appreciation for the knife as a TOOL rather than a cool toy. The addition of other tools along with a knife will emphasize that association. Look into getting him a Vic Cadet. It's light, cheap, slim, nice-looking and very functional.

Well, as much as I LOVE Spydies, I gotta agree with D1omedes and thebestnoobcake on that. I especially agree with the 'tool association' idea. With regard to age, of course his maturity level would dictate that, but I got my first knife at 9 years old. I acquired a nice Z-shaped scar on my thumb that same year... :rolleyes:

Noble · #17

My son is rocking an SAK. Its great. I wanted to buy him a Laybug, but I found the added tweezers and scissors better suited to his curious mind. Ladybug is a great choice, along with the D'fly.

FIMS · #18

My daughter is 12, and for this coming Christmas Im getting her a Swiss Army knive. That will start her off before I get her something more streamlined.

spyderknut · #19

My sons were both age 6 when they got their 1st knives. There have been no unfortunate accidents nor inappropriate use or threatening that I recall.

A Delica would be my suggestion.

ColonelX1 · #20

i vote for a wouter combo, a ladybug with a SAK Classic attached