Boys are usually able to have their first pocket knife at 8 to 11 years of age. Cub Scouts working toward their Bear rank complete the Bear Claws Adventure by learning about knife safety, care of knives, and how to use the tools for common camping and carving activities. Picking a knife that’s right for you and your son is a very personal decision. Some boys are ready to handle a knife at a young age, while others take longer to develop the needed motor and decision-making skills. Please talk about safety and the expected uses for the tool before you choose a new knife for your Scout.
The pocket knives below were collected using a variety of suggestion and recommendation lists for good under-$30 starter-knives for youths. They are lighter weight, inexpensive, have smaller grips, and/or don’t require a lot of strength to open. For most scouts it’s recommended to go with a simple pocket knife with few tools and a blade no more than 3 inches in length. You may also find it best to walk into a store that carries knives in order to try them out in person before you buy.
Top Recommendations
 BSA Official Cub Scouts Pocket Knife Non-Locking – 3.4″ Closed – 2.8″ Blade scoutstuff.org – $20 |
 Cub Scout Pocket Knife Lockback – 2.7″ Closed – 2″ Blade scoutstuff.org – $15 |
 Schrade Old Timer Traditional Scout Non-Locking – 3.8″ Closed – 2.4″ Blade amazon.com – $20 walmart.com – $17 |
 Case BSA Mini Blackhorn Lockback – 3.1″ Closed – 2.3″ Blade amazon.com – $23 knifecenter.com – $22 academy.com – $15 walmart.com – $22 amazon.com – $16 (not BSA) bladehq.com – $12 (not BSA) |
 Victorinox Recruit Non-Locking – 3.3″ Closed – 2.5″ Blade amazon.com – $18 walmart.com – $17 knifesupply.com – $15 |
 Opinel No.7 My First Opinel Ring Lock – 4″ Closed – 3″ Blade amazon.com – $16 walmart.com – $15 knifecenter.com – $15 knifesupply.com – $12 |
 Victorinox Tinker Cub Scout Non-Locking – 3.6″ Closed – 2.5″ Blade amazon.com – $24 scoutstuff.org – $30 walmart.com – $24 amazon.com – $22 bladehq.com – $23 (not CS) knifesupply.com – $20 (not CS) |
 Buck Nano Bantam Lockback – 3″ Closed – 1.9″ Blade amazon.com – $12.50 knivesshipfree.com – $12 knifecenter.com – $15 bladehq.com – $13 walmart.com – $15 |
 Victorinox My First Victorinox Non-Locking – 3.3″ Closed – 2.4″ Blade amazon.com – $14 bladehq.com – $11 walmart.com – $12 |
 Gerber Mini Paraframe Frame Lock – 3.1″ Closed – 2.1″ Blade amazon.com – $8 knifecenter.com – $16 academy.com – $10 walmart.com – $8 |
 Deluxe Pocket Scout Knife Non-Locking – 3.4″ Closed – 2.8″ Blade scoutstuff.org – $20 |
 Victorinox Classic SD Cub Scout Non-Locking – 2.3″ Closed – 1.5″ Blade amazon.com – $19 scoutstuff.org – $25 walmart.com – $17 amazon.com – $15 (not CS) bladehq.com – $15 (not CS) |
Other Options to Consider
 Schrade Uncle Henry Scout Slip Joint Lock – 3.6″ Closed – 2.4″ Blade amazon.com – $17.50 knifecenter.com – $18 walmart.com – $17.50 |
 Opinel No.7 Outdoor Junior Ring Lock – 4″ Closed – 3″ Blade amazon.com – $19 amazon.com – $23 discountcutlery.net – $30 |
 Rough Rider Camp Knife Non-Locking – 3.75″ Closed – 2.5″ Blade amazon.com – $19 amazon.com – $25 (more modern version) knifecountryusa.com – $13.50 discountcutlery.net – $16 |
 Ka-Bar Dozier Lockback – 4.3″ Closed – 3″ Blade amazon.com – $21 bladehq.com – $21 walmart.com – $19 |
 Victorinox Junior 9 Non-Locking – 3.3″ Closed – 2.5″ Blade amazon.com – $22.50 walmart.com – $20 academy.com – $29 |
 Gerber LST Lockback – 2.7″ Closed – 2″ Blade amazon.com – $11.50 walmart.com – $12 bladehq.com – $13 knifecenter.com – $19 |
 Victorinox Bantam Non-Locking – 3.3″ Closed – 2.5″ Blade amazon.com – $16 walmart.com – $16 |
 Case Sodbuster Jr Slip Joint – 3.6″ Closed – 2.8″ Blade amazon.com – $21 knifecenter.com – $25 academy.com – $30 bladehq.com – $25 |
 Schrade Old Timer Small Canoe Slip Joint Lock – 3″ Closed – 2″ Blade amazon.com – $13.50 bladehq.com – $16 walmart.com – $14.50 |
 Schrade Imperial Small Canoe Slip Joint Lock – 2.9″ Closed – 2″ Blade amazon.com – $9 bladehq.com – $7 |
