I have a nice everyday set that I bought for myself a couple years ago at Wal-Mart by Remington it has a larger knife, a small knife & a folding utility knife it was fairly inexpensive but has served me well (but they are heavy), my brother-in-law bought my sister one around that same time and the one he bought her was a higher end one and so far she's broken the tip on her's twice, I use mine for almost all the samethings she uses her's for and in that same time I've only had to have mine sharpened once.

 Lord keep you arm around my shoulder & your hand over my mouth                                                              If God brings you to it, He will see you through it            'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

I use a OPINEL grafting knife with a really curved blade that makes dealing with hardwood grafts easy. Again good quality and should last a long time.

You can buy them on ebay.

What is a good weight for the first knife?

What will he use the knife for? At his age I think my eldest boy just sharpened sticks and disfigured trees. I would make sure you give him a good lecture on the safety side of things, no running with blade open, no showing off in front of other kids, no pocking animals etc etc etc.

Mine used to stab at trees a bit and this is where the blade lock stops the blade folding onto his fingers.

My memory is struggling a bit but I remember going on a school trip to France and buying a sheath knife (non folding) and that was quite safe when stored. I was probably older that 11, maybe 12 or 13. I also seem to remember my father giving me a thick ear or two for doing stuff with that knife that I shouldn't have.

     Be careful Mom, teach him well and make sure he is safe.

Not judging here, do you think 8 is to young for a small knife that locks? If so, what age do you say would be alright? Thanks

I have three kids and I am always between the devil and the deep blue sea.

I dont think 8 is too young if he has been good and responsible with woodworking tools, but I do think he needs to be supervised even when he thinks he is not, if you understand my meaning, I also think the American softly softly approach to kids punishment doesn't work in a situation where he abuses this privaledge. I mean if you or dad catches him cutting something he shouldn't then he needs to be whacked only just hard enough for him to realise naughty = hurt. I dont beleive in beating kids, one whack is enough.

I have a five year old that is like a shadow to me. When I am working in the garden he is doing the same. When I cut a cabbage with the knife then he gets to cut something as well, it is my way of teaching him. So I let a five year old use a knife but as soon as he starts "thinking" about something else to cut I say to him "hey thats not what the knife is for so I am taking it away from you".

I am also introducing him to shooting, I got a small pellet gun that is his and we spend a couple of minutes several times over the day shooting the dung trailer. I am completely focused on him and teaching him safe use and responsibility. I had the other weekend "can I shoot one of mums horses" I took the gun away and made him go and explain why he wanted to shoot the horse to his mother and both of us end up in trouble. But I believe in the long run I am being a responsible parent.

If he or I get a cut in the garden I deal with it properly and explain what and why I am doing, ie, cleaning, disinfecting, and dressing.

So I guess to answer your question I think your boy is old enough but are you ready for the lessons and consequences? ie, if he hurts himself then it is not his fault it is yours.