Knives for beginners?

[C_Claycomb]

Mod hat on. A number of posts have been removed from this thread. Some may be returned when there has been time to separate them from that which will not be returned.
Importing arguments and irritations from other threads was not cool.

 

[Pattree]

That’s a shame.
No worries.

 

[Garnett]

Everyone has a different use-case and different preferences and priorities, but my vote would go to a Mora Companion HD, which you can then put a protective patina on with mustard or vinegar etc.

 

[Laurentius]

I do not remember my first knife it would likely have been a not very good folder, and my first sheath knife was about as crap as they come, my dad was not pleased that I swapped a decent British Army jack knife for it in the playground. Not that his knife was any better I broke the tip off it in short order. My first proper knife was a John Nowill bowie, it would still suffice had it never been stolen. Among the blades I still use everyday is a John Nowill traditional butcher knife. Jack Adams died some years back but the tradition continues, I will not buy a mass produced knife now, I just can't.

 

[plastic-ninja]

Someone else said Mora or potentially an Opinel. I’d agree with that. Both good quality for the money; Opinel tends to be crazy sharp out of the box too.
Get a pocket saw for the wood processing.

 

[FIU]

I will also say any of the cheaper Morakniv are a good place to start.

I had lunch today with a young couple whom I've known since they were children. Since returning from Afghanistan the young man has had some challenges adjusting to civilian life. I'm trying to get them into the hiking and camping scene so I handed them both Morakniv Companion S. We already do a fair amount of shooting together. Hopefully, they can arrange some outdoor fun once the weather cools.

A simple, cheap gift of a Morakniv Companion may be the one thing to inspire a young person to find themselves outdoors. If it doesn't work, I'm only out like $16 per knife. That's less than the garbage they pass off as food at McDonald's these days.