What Is the Best First Knife? 

My father gave me my first knife when I was around 8 or 9 years old and it was a 3 bladed Schrade Old Timer. That was over 40 years ago and I still have it and use it. My father passed in 2002, so this knife has a lot of sentimental value for me.

Opinel's are great first knives. Also recommend them if you're learning to freehand sharpen as they're cheap but still good tools.

I still have my first knife. My great grandfather gave me an old Barlow when I was way too young lol. it’s very dull and kinda beat up. I remember digging in the dirt and drilling into trees with it. It’s how I learned about non-locking knives closing on your fingers. Every time I go to sharpen it I just can’t bring myself to do it. I’m not going to carry it and it has so many memories on that blade like the horrible grind from when I was learning how to sharpen. I’m very lucky to still have it.

great lineup for first knifes. buck 110 a classic

Can't go wrong with the Swiss Army knives.

Swiss army knife all day long i believe is the best way to Go for a 1st knife and the last knife because it stands up to anything like a champ 💪 it's a wenner 🏆🎗️🥇🥈🥉🏅🎖️🏆

I told my kids they can get a knife as soon as they start treating it like a tool, not a toy. Their first knife is a Victorinox Tinker. I got them each of their own. The oldest one is getting a Buck Bantam BBW soon. Excellent performance and many size/color/patten to choose from at affordable prices. A high value USA made blade in deed. My first EDC is a Kershaw Leek. Love it. I favor the frame lock over the liner lock though.

I still throw my little Buck 505 in the same pocket as loose change, even if carrying a larger knife.

All great picks. Glad u included fixed too👍🏻 The top 5 I recommend & gift 1- Tenaciuos 2- Cutjack 3- Rat 1 or 2 4- Elementum 5- Delica

Bought my son an Opinel Junior, and a Mora... Hes almost 8 yrs old and loves to carve 🙂 i will buy him a Victorinox later to his 10th birthday 🤔

Really surprised you didnt add the Opinel knives since they come in such a wide variety of sizes and designs with the added bonus of being super affordable so if it gets lost or broken it's easily replaced

I got my first knife when I was 5 years old. It was a case stockman I traded some baseball cards for back in kindergarten, I have since acquired over 30 knives over the years but I still just edc my trusty case stockman because I can make it do anything I need it to do. For a first knife though you really can't beat an opinel though. They are cheap and will last a lifetime and they come in many different sizes and blade shapes. Although a case stockman is great, I still have a few scars on my fingers from collapsing blades and such when learning to use it as a kid.

Opinel no.8 was my first knife absolutely loved it, a classic knife.

Swiss Army Tinker was my first knife. 20+ years later, I still have it somehow

Great list & you did a fine job explaining each choice. Well done as always.

Opinel, Swiss Army Knives and all slipjoints knives in fact + Mora's (for the cost)

Bought a Buck 110 with my first paycheck! Then the cops took it Great video DCA good choices and great advice as always My reccs: #1 Opinel 7 or 8 good blade and very affordable #2 Marttiini Hunter instead of the Mora, better handle, the leather sheath is a quantum step up(plus quiet), and still under $25 #3 Otter Mercator with a pocket clip. Just a great overall pocket knife and they will last a lifetime Thanks for the vid

Good idea for a video! I'm 50 years old and I just started collecting recently. I started with a pretty big swing ---- a Fallkniven S1. Then I bought a few Case folders. Now I seem to be focused on bushcraft and modern gentleman's knives. I'm a little obsessed with the many different designs and the history behind each one.

I added that white river knife Caper to my collection on a suggestion of yours awhile back! Great knife my first blade was a Rat II and it’s still one of my favorite blades

After a hundred videos, I finally pick one in my budget at that time, and from someone who was completely new to knives, I chose a SOG Terminus XR w/C.F. and S35VN @ $67...and it came with an autograph on the box from... u guessed it... David C. Anderson. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing , was very good in suggestions . My first knife was the tried an true buck 110, also had quite a few old timers growing up take care and keep them knives coming

My first two knifes were a Swiss Army knife and a Gerber paraframe I love those knives and still use them to this day

My first was a mini griptillian, love it and keep carrying it today

Man I love the look of the Civivi Elementum. That blade shape is perfect, especially with that hollow grind.

Your presentation is first rate, well spoken, pertinent points well presented in a pleasurable manner. You sir, have a future in broadcast!

DCA is an excellent speaker. Is he reading of a teleprompter?so fluid!

I've had the yellow swiss army knife for last few years and it is excellent. Small and useful. Just used it the other day to adjust the derailer on my bike

The parcel hook on the Compact makes a good holder for the pen. Open the parcel hook and lay the pen in the groove. Then gently close the hook onto the pen. A lot easier than trying to hold the thin pen by itself. My first pocket knife was a Kershaw scallion. The Spyderco Dragonfly is one I give to many first time knife people.

Just bought my first knife! Spyderco para 3 lightweight. Can't wait for it to come in!

I got the Kershaw Leek as my first real EDC and I love it!

You did great C, you always do!

I think the Eldris is great. I’ve carried it so much, it’s fairly rare that I need more blade. I scoffed at it before I owned one, it’s really comfortable.

Great selection. 2 of my first knives are in there. Elementum is a great "modern" choice. That CRKT is a nice choice. I think you're right to recommend guards and locks. Its easy to forget how much we cut ourselves when starting out. I just ordered the Pilar Slipjoint because the wife fell in love with it and it's a Canadian legal version. There may be regrets... Another great episode DCA!

Fantastic video with fantastic choices my friend 👍🏼

Wow. I’ve got some of these like the Swiss army,buck, mora. But some of these I’ve never even heard of but all look like great picks great video.

Nicely done. I personally started with mini fixed blades then went to Swiss army style pieces. After a few cuts from heavily using a non locking folder I went back to fixed blades and more survival style knives. Man, thinking back to my first knives makes me smile. A good many were acquired flea market shopping with my grandma... Good times.

Great video, I appreciate the addition of the skeletool as a tinkerer this would be my choice.

Great video DCA! A lot of great first knives in this video. The Victorinox SAK's, the Civivi Elementum, and the Kershaw Leek, I'd say are the best out of the ones listed. They are tough, look good, and have good quality. As far as a fixed blade, can't go wrong with a Mora. They are great, simple knives that will really take anything that's thrown at it.

I've gifted all my beginner knives to co-workers. First was a Spyderco Tenacious and recently a Kershaw Blur. As for my current EDC I'm carrying either my XM-18 3in or my Shirogorov Neon R20.

Nice collection, David. I have a similar collection that I secure in a Roaring Fire tool roll. My collection numbers probably sixty and it would be hard to pick out any particular knife as a favorite. When I completed basic training in San Antonio, TX, I bought a Buck 110 as a gift to myself. It's been around the world with me in almost 56 years. I do see a couple of folders that I'm going to research. Thank you!

Nice vid my fav would be the spyderco even though I don’t have one they seem like a good knife and look good

Happy to say that my "first" knife was the Leek. I was in scouts in the 90s, so I had a couple no name brand swiss types, and a goofy liner lock with a red light in the back, but my whole idea what a pocket knife was changed with my Leek in 08.

Outstanding presentation!

Great list of knives, I really love the buck 110 folding hunter.. I use it on every hunting trip to gut and skin my deer.

Buck and Victorinox are legendary knives among pocket carry outdoor knives, mora is no nonsense options. But Elementum is surprise package,! Looks good and feels like worthy outdoors pocket carry. Good Video 😎😄

Another great video DCA 🤙🏼🙏🏼

Guter Mann! Very good explain, thanx a lot! Best regards from the Bavarian Forest Michael

It took me 40 years to finally buy a more and slapped myself for not doing it years before as soon as I got it home. I whoop my knives hard and usually have to profile/sharpen any knife i buy. Not with a mora. Strop it, or not, and throw it on your belt. Hunt, work, carve, do what ever you want. They work, well. Best for the buck hands down

Swiss for 1st timer imho which civivi really are doing great as well so I would recommend them to and WE knife

I’ve grown to truly appreciate the explanations that DCA gives. Everything listed is a good option. My only comment would be to consider young girls as well as boys. For example, maybe a Dragonfly versus a Delica.

My first knife was a Kershaw Nerve. Simple flipper but the action was extremely satisfying while the sound was rich, never found a knife like that again, even in the $300+ region...

I don't know what it is, but that civivi elementum style knife is so gorgeous to me.

My first "real" knife,was a Buck 110 in 1975 [I still have it!] Paid 35$ back then price has barely gone up! My new favorite I got from KC is the composite blade Kershaw K Onion Leek . An Incredible Knife for the money!!! A "must Have " for a collector,or someone that Just needs a EDC knife.

First knife I had was a Barlow,10 years old at the time, paid a whooping $1.99 for it ,don't come across deals like that anymore ,lol

Buck 110. Always the best first.

I gave my first knife to my friend because she had a stalker, but I don’t miss it. it was one of those mall knives that they sell in japantown. She never had to use it to my knowledge.

My very first knife in the late 70s was a buck 119. It was also the cause of my very first trip to the ER to get stiches. Long story short I was letting another kid see it. When he handed it back to me blade first. I grabbed the knife then he jerked it out of my hand cutting 3 fingers literally to the bone. It was a lesson well learned. Anyway happy Thanksgiving from Kentucky land between the lakes and God bless all reading this.

My 1st EDC knife was a Garberg Swagger half serrated. 200+ knives later it's still my only EDC knife. I'm a 70+ year old cyclist so I need serrations for cutting plastic tiedowns etc. Between the bike, tools, locks, snowmobile suit, and boots I need a lightweight knife when buying groceries etc.

Helle has a lot great choices also. And Hultafors has a very nice little knife.

As many knives as I have, this guy has talked me into the Evogrip s18, after mentioning it in a couple videos.

Good advice as any of those would be a good and useful knife for years of service.

It truly amazes me that there are so many lower cost knife options now. As a teenager in the 90's my options for pocket knifes I could afford were limited to classic Buck and Schrade models, or really poor quality knockoffs of Spyderco or similar tactical knives. Of course Swiss Army knives were also available, but the variety available at Walmart or Big 5 were pretty limited.

My grandfather gave me my first pocket knife when I was 5 lol it was a Appalachian trail one

I just got a Ka bar dozier and it's great I'm 14 btw

My first knife was a hardware store knife. My first GOOD knife was a benchmade griptilian 551 (black 154cm)

Probably would check out hogue deka and sog terminus xr in D2 as my first knives.

Nice video! Has me thinking about my own kids. When and what will be their first knives...

The delica was my first "good knife" when I first got into knives many, many years ago.

*in Agent Smith voice* Mr. Anderson, you've made some very good selections. Jokes aside, I finally put my finger on why I enjoy your knife chats so much - you're a great teacher! You know how some people are really knowledgeable about their stuff, but are terrible at communicating about it? Not you. You take all manner of knife facts and present them in ways that are simple and easy to understand. It was the analogy of the Scandi grind as a double chisel that made it sink in for me (sorry). Simple, yet brilliant. That's excellent teaching. Thank you sir.

My first knife was a crappie Winchester and I broke the tip off now I carry a gerber I'm really into knives

I can vouch for the delica 4. It's a solid knife. I got an orange one about 8 months ago. I use it at work daily. I work at a grocery store and none of my customers or fellow co-workers bat an eye at it. It's a very non threatening utilitarian knife.

Some of these strike me as kind of big for a kid; maybe good first knives for adults who aren’t that into them yet. I still have, and occasionally carry, my first knife: a Camillus Boy Scout knife. It is a lot like a small Swiss Army, with a blade, bottle opener, awl, and can opener, with fake bone or antler plastic handle scales and a BSA medallion. I don’t work it hard, but I’ve opened countless cans and carved many a pointy stick...

Slipjoint Swiss Army knife hiker model Fixed blade Mora kniv companion Lock knife Opinel number 8 inox Those are what I’d recommend for a beginner or someone who just wants a slipjoint folder a locking folder and a fixed blade and is on a budget

2020 is when I got first knife at smkw and I still have it today the bench made mini BK barrage

I would recommend a really cheap utility knife that takes standard stanley blades then give them a nice knife so they appreciate it more

First knife was a Kamp King. Carried that in the pocket of my Cup Scout uniform pants.

Imho, one of the best 'first knives' for a kid is gonna be a *Buck* folder... No matter the model, it'll be a great knife, of decent quality. And, if your child loses it, you're not out a bunch of cabbage... I love the *Kershaw Leek* (as a matter of fact that's part of my EDC rotation). But, as a 'first knife' for a young person? Seems like the blade-tip probably wouldn't hold up to abuse, and the 'speed assist' opening, a feature I love, might not be legal where your kid is carrying it...

I like David; excellent presenter. Thanks!

I remember my first knife when I was about 7 it was some no name multi tool with pliers I remember the handles being black, my dad always carries a very tiny old timer knife with 2 blades he use to clean his nails and open stuff, I carry a huntsman Swiss Army knife with green + scales, I’m thinking about what to get my daughter when she’s older I’m thinking a Swiss Army knife SD something small with a nail file

Ya do good work, keep on keepin to...

Please do another beginner knife education seminar. Guided towards Boy & Girl Scouts in both US, England, & Australia. Knife safety can be a separate welcomed video with showing mistakes, bloopers, & blood;-) Glow-in-the-dark/phosphorescent handles & knives with lights - an added bonus :-)

Something interesting young knife enthusiast likely might not know. About every pocket knife or hunting knife sold long ago came sharp as butter knife out of the knife case. Crazy as it sounds it’s true; because people kept cutting themselves on sharp ones. Most pocket knives had two blades one short and one long. Often both had rounded points and straight edges; there were exceptions but sure not like today's knives. The idea was; if you didn’t know much about using a knife you were less likely to hurt yourself. A boy and his dog included a trusty pocket knife. Most pocket knives were hard to open to keep little boys from being hurt. It works; I can tell you from experience. There is a saying; a dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp one which is true. However, that is if you know how to use it; is not mentioned. The first thing to lean hammering a nail is not hitting your thumb. The first thing to learn about knives is not cutting your finger; the second is how to sharpen a knife. Little blades make little cuts, big ones make big cuts. Real sharp ones make Emergency Rooms lots of money. There are two kinds of knife enthusiast; one’s that never got stitches and one’s going to get stitches.

I've owned the Buck for 50 years. And I also have assorted Mora, it the price that drew me but the simple grind is what I love.

Love these kind of vids even though I’m way past my first knife😂

Me personally I wouldn’t recommend a classic buck 110 or 112 just because there a bit to chunky at least for my taste but the slim versions I like them a lot if you do wanna get one I like the slims so I dunno go for what you want at the end of the day

Opinel 6,Case Baby Butterbean,Victorinox Excelsior,Spiderco Ladybug.

Any recommendations for the cheap PoS at the flea market that snaps shut on your fingers, that you have the scars in memory 30 years later!?..... The handle was camo though.

I’m a newbie to knives and you suggested that I take a look at first time knives video. Thank you for suggesting that. There are two knives that I’m looking at the civivi elementum and the syderco delica 4. Which one do you think would be the better choice? Does your company ship to Canada. If so what kind of process is it. The shipping fee can be quite expensive sometimes from the USA to Canada.

"The lock on this knife, indeed the lock on most knives, isn't designed to save you from big mistakes but it will protect you from some of the small 'Oopsies' out there." Well said!

@KnifeCentre *You don’t need a pressurised pen to write upside down!* David keeps saying that but ordinary off the shelf ballpoint pens are *NOT* gravity driven & will write upside down.

How about a video about woodcarving knives that might cross over to hiking/hunting or edc?

My take is 'OSO' and if you have a bit more $$, A LEEK from Kershaw.

Buy a flipper, it's fun to play with. Then go for a practical edc length 7-8 inches (full length). Budget 50-100 dollars to see if knives are really your thing withought cheaping out. After that it's all personal preference.

My 1st knife is some kind of double sided batman blades😂. It's scary to get the blade out as I have to push quite hard then the blade flys out like a jump scare 😂.

It would be nice to have a locking knife but there illegal in the uk

swiss army tinker!

It must be a lock back period .Happy trails

Please checkout the Cold steel pocket bushman. A folder to replace your fixed blade.

What about Cold Steel Knives .

My first knife was a buck 110