So my son is due to turn 10 in February. It's that time in young lads life.
Reading all the excellent opinions it would seem an SAK might not be the way to go? I remember my first with fondness. They are very useful for everyday but less so "in the field".
I suppose I need to consider what he'll actually use it for. Which is supervised whittling generally, but some everyday jobs too.
He won't take it out of the house unless we're together, but I'm considering the EDC nature of the sak. The opinel (not being a legal street carry), is another option.
If he were to carry it without either of us, there might be some awkward conversations with the authorities anyway! But the SAKs are dead handy with the range of blades. However I'm concerned about the blade-folding safety.
That said they're used by scouts and DofE.
He's been using my Companion for a while but finds it a little big and tiring. The size of the handle and blade length being the issue.
His knife safety is pretty good and I wouldn't recommend an SAK for whittling anyway.
Maybe I'm overthinking the "rite of passage first knife"?
So, handy folder with the proviso of not using it for whittling, or fixed?
He's going to cut himself whatever, I did, it's part of the process!