Kids Knife Gift

[thog94]

My son has been bugging me to get him a Spyderco for a while now. He's had some time with my old Gerber and his own little Victorinox. Last week he got a hold of my 2012 catalog and wrote me a note of all the knives that he's likes and thinks that I should get him. Needless to say at 9 years old he likes the nice stuff and still doesn't have a grasp on money!

He has a possible surgery coming up and I feel bad for him. I also think it's time that he has a Spydie like dad, so this would be an opportune time. My wife isn't really liking the idea, but I think I sold her on a real small model. I trust him and he knows the Do's and Don'ts with a knife.

I want to get him something small and with a clip. I think that the Chicago is the smallest folder with a clip. If it's deemed to large for him, I think I'm going with the Lady Bug even though it doesn't have a clip.

Any suggestions or ideas out there on other Spydies?

[PanChango]

My initial thought was with the dragonfly.

There is also the upcoming Meerkat sprint run too.

[OldSarSwmr]

I think the Dragonfly is a great knife for your son, both of my boys have one. IMHO to small a knife can be harder to manipulate than a larger knife. I feel the Dragonfly, while small, handles like a larger knife.

Just my two cents
Dan

[thog94]

I have a few Dragonflys in the collection and was looking for something a little different for him. He does like them so that is a possibility. I have a Meerkat pre ordered and that one is mine! I just worry about the locking mechanism on that. Thanks for the suggestions

[FrankH]

Hi,
This is my first post. I'm a scout leader and have two sons. I would actually suggest either the Delica 4 PE or the Salt 1. The size of the handle will be a lot safer and easier for a nine year old to handle. I can't think of a better cutlery combination that a Delica 4 and a Victorinox Tinker. I really think the Ladybug will be too small and not as easy to manipulate.

Frank

[Blerv]

If possible I would stay away from liner locks. They aren't unsafe but if there is a .0001% chance he will cut himself you will NOT hear the end of it.

Tiny lockbacks keep the fingers out of the channel when closing and have great natural detent/self-close. The Meerkat (IMHO) is another fantastic recommendation. It's so cute the wife even thinks so :confused: .


PS: Welcome to the forums FrankH!

[Evil D]

How old is he? Like the others have said, small is not really a good idea. You want a knife with plenty of handle for a secure grip. Obviously, probably the #1 knife in the lineup for beginners is the Dialex Junior, since afterall that's what it was designed for. My 9 year old son is very comfortable with a Delica.

[thog94]

He's comfortable using my Jester, one reason that I was thinking about a Ladybug. I understand the grip and handling of a smaller knife but he does seem comfortable with it. He also likes my DragonFly.

He's used my Native and says that he doesn't like how big the handle is. I know that part is the bulk as well as the length. One of the reasons that I didn't think about or mention the Delica.

I think that I'm going to let him carry each one for a day or so and then decide.

[Blerv]

How old is he? Like the others have said, small is not really a good idea. You want a knife with plenty of handle for a secure grip. Obviously, probably the #1 knife in the lineup for beginners is the Dialex Junior, since afterall that's what it was designed for. My 9 year old son is very comfortable with a Delica.

Oh of course! How could we miss that one? Genius design; your kid will be the envy of everyone 2-5 times his age. =)

[rnbtexas]

+1 on the DragonFly and the Dialex Jr.

[hawaiihunter]

Tenacious, that's what I got when I was 10

[phillipsted]

I think you should go "old school" and get him a Delica PE - and he can pick the color.

TedP

[xceptnl]

I say a Delica or maybe an Ambitious. The linerlock are fairly easy to manipulate.
(I can't believe I forgot the Native)

[.357 mag]

The dragonfly fits my 8 year olds hand perfectly

[razorsharp]

Junior !

[SpyderNut]

Here's a few other medium/small knives to consider for your son:

1. Balance
2. Cricket
3. Spin
4. Lava (if you can find one! :) )
5. Manbug
6. Kiwi (lock-back)

[Jigsaw]

I think the Dragonfly 2 would also be a great choice as well as the Chicago [liner lock was a little tight for me at first]. Perhaps maybe the Squeak? It's small, with a wire clip but it doesn't have a lock though, I have one and I use it almost everyday, it is one of my favorites.

[VashHash]

I vote the junior big choil area so the hand won't slide onto the blade and the comp lock is one of my favorite locks. He can also put his thumb on the back of the blade for whittling and reinforced cuts. It can be closed fairly easy and would promote the hand being out of the path of the blade. Not to mention if he left his hand there it would hit the dull area on the knife

[GMAN]

A bro if you have a knife shop near your area this is a perfect father son time a day you won’t forget and neither will your son just think about looking back and talking about (a dad remember when you took me to get my first knife). Ya it will be a little more expensive but well worth it and also helping out your local dealer. This way you can see what really fit him. Enjoy.

[Jazz]

Dragonfly is perfect! I got my first knife when I was 9. :)

- best wishes, Jazz.