[jyl]

Son is turning 14 y/o and going to a week long outdoor camping, archery, woodcraft thingy with his buddies. The list of things he is required to bring includes: "fixed blade or locking blade knife".

So my first reaction was to call the camp and pull him out, demand a refund, complain that my baby boy and other children will be placed in harm's way, around knives that could cut them.

But, a quick feel of my crotch reminded me that I am a man after all, and that boys are supposed to play with knives and sticks in the woods.

That said, I am ashamed to admit that we have no "fixed blade or locking blade knife" in the house, with the exception of cooking cutlery (too dorky) and my switchblade (too illegal). So, I have the happy chore of going to the knife store and buying him a "fixed blade or locking blade knife".

What do you recommend? There is, as you know, a profusion of different knives out there. Should I come back with a WW2 German bayonet, a Kabar with spare .45 round in the handle, a Cold Steel Tanto? Or a Swiss Army lockback knife, Opinel fruit cutter, a basic Gerber paraframe?

Let me have your suggestions, please. $50 limit. Suitable for smallish hands.