This.

I still have my Buck Ranger folding knife (my first "real" knife) with my name and the 1978 date it was given to me (by my father) engraved on the handle. I plan to do the same for each of my girls.

Won't the girls rather have a fixed blade nail file? Just sayin.

Gotta agree with Sid on this. I was a Scoutmaster for years. just about every kid lost their knife.

Gerber has those Bear Grylls knives that are pretty decent. Would make a good starter knife for him.

i bought a winchester brand locking folding knife for $10 at 'big5'. believe it or not, the steel seems pretty darn good and it holds a very nice edge for a LONG time.

my other knife is a CRKT M4. not under $50.

Here's what I recommend for most youth I work with as a "starter knife":

http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/red-d.w.o.

I have the same black Gerber Folder Cliff posted. Had it for about 25 years, solid knife, and not too expensive.

Seriously, don't over think this. Go to Wal Mart and pick a medium sized folder for about $25, he will be fine.

My 11 year old boy is in Scouts and had the same requirement. I picked him up the somewhat cheesy Bear Gyrills fixed blade at Wally World. IMO a fixed balde is safer, no opening and closing and no risk of the knife closing due to a failed locking mechanism. This knife has an orange handle so it stands out. Comes with a nice nylon sheath and a retention strap. Don't remember the exact price but it couldnt have been more than $30.

Gerber is a pale shadow of what it was 25 years ago. Their quality is, frankly, in the toilet.

Not even clos to your price range, but the Ontario xm1 has one of the toughest locking mechanisms I've seen on a knife

I hope you got Cliff's fixed...

I own several folders but for a 14 year old, well, lets just say I can see the boys sitting around the fire seeing who can flip open their knife the fastest.

I also can't believe you guys recommending high end knifes... as a scout I used my knife for breaking up small branches for kindling, whittling, opening cans, poking at the fire, etc.

My buddy had a K-Bar that is probably still kicking around somewhere.

Now I'm looking for a knife for myself.

Purpose? None whatsoever. Just something fun.

How about this - thoughts on quality?

Ka-Bar Boot Knife

I would be all over that!

I really like the look of the Kershaw Military. They appear to be unobtanium.

http://www.gpknives.com/images/kershaw/4351[large].jpg

Can some one in the know go down the details, differences and recommendation of a Ka-Bar vs. the M9.

Hmm, seller is not that close by to me. Unless it is a very cool knife for some reason, or undervalued by a whole bunch, I think I will pass.

After some digging...I found one....dammit...

J.

sent you an email. got dyslexic on the address...not sure how this is gonna play out.

damn..sorry. lady down the street is gonna think she has a stalker. :(

When a father gives his son a knife, it should be heirloom quality. If he loses it, well that tells you a lot about the son. Certainly the father will never be known as the guy who gave that cheap ass knife to his son.

Actually, its a big guy with a diesel Ram and a Harley, he'll think you want to be his boyfriend.

Did you tell him you wanna give him your Buck Ranger?

some people call it a kaiser blade ... I call it a sling blade .... uh huh .....