When my son went off to school I asked him what kind or brand of knife he would like to take to school with him. He said initially that he did not want to take one. About a month in he saiid that he was talking to several people on campus and that they carry every day. He came home and asked what I had for him to carry and he chose one of my Spyderco Dragonflies. He liked the size and weight . Just curious as too what you guys think and why?
What knife would you or did you send your kid (boy or girl) to college with?
- Thread starter Litlman
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ugaarguy
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I'd first check the campus public safety policy to see what blade lengths are legal. If your state has knife law preemption that overrides campus policy then I'd check the applicable statutes to determine what blade lengths are legal, and if any other features are prohibited on campus. What anyone here would recommend, not knowing what's acceptable for carry on your child's college campus, will be of little help.
That caveat out of the way, I personally carry a Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite, or Spyderco Equilibrium when I'm on a college campus. Both are small enough to carry down in the pocket while still offering a secure grip for use doing mundane tasks like opening packages and the like. Both are also small enough to be legal most places, and not draw much attention.
That caveat out of the way, I personally carry a Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite, or Spyderco Equilibrium when I'm on a college campus. Both are small enough to carry down in the pocket while still offering a secure grip for use doing mundane tasks like opening packages and the like. Both are also small enough to be legal most places, and not draw much attention.
If the knife is for opening care packages that's fine. For protection, it provides a false sense of security, unless backed up with some basic training from dad. Lessons in situational awareness and group safety would serve better.
Many mace type products are available and do not require body contact with an assailant.
Many mace type products are available and do not require body contact with an assailant.
As far as campus rules goes it would seem that they are lax in enforcing them. People openly carry mace on their key chains. The Dragonfly is pretty small. I offered him a standard Mini Griptilian, a Henry that looks very similar to a Buck 110. I even offered my Spyderco ARK and ESEE Canduru for neck carry and he opted for the Dragonfly. He said some people are carrying larger knives and a lot of his female friends are carrying. He said the attitude is that they would rather carry a knife just in case it's needed and not worry about the rules.
The Dragonfly is a nice city utility knife that does most light jobs.
I carry an older serrated Dragonfly for as long as I can remember. It's AUS 8 and the pocket clip is part of the grip. The one my son carries is a non-serrated VG 10 model with the wire clip. He has told me that he really likes it.
bannockburn
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I bought my kids Swiss Army Knives when they were old enough to be able to use them properly. Pretty sure they took them with all their other gear when they went away to school.
bikerdoc
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They both had too many to list.
Neither ever used one but when my daughter was at Columbia she used pepper spray to correct negative social behavior.
Neither ever used one but when my daughter was at Columbia she used pepper spray to correct negative social behavior.
I did put the basic Leatherman in his small "tool kit" . I do have a couple of SAKs that he could choose from if he wants to in the future. bikerdoc, I did notice during his orientation that the majority of female students had pink pepper spray hanging from their keys openly. These were the kids that were showing us the campus.
From a utility perspective, my pick is a Spyderco Delica or Dragonfly with a Full Flat Grind. They are relatively inexpensive, have blade lengths work well in knife-scared areas (the DragonFly especially if the knife is used often in public), use a grind that performs well across the board, and are in a steel that is very tough, stain resistant, holds a decent edge, and is easy to sharpen. I like the G10 handled models, but given how much less the FRN handles are, plus the cool colors...
I'm sad they no longer make this color handle
And even sadder they don't make them in SuperBlue anymore
The Mini Ritter Griptillian is also high on my list as a general EDC that could make a great sub-3-inch survival tool that is compact enough to carry it on you 100% of the time by default, but its pricier and a little harder to upkeep IMO.
I'm sad they no longer make this color handle
And even sadder they don't make them in SuperBlue anymore
The Mini Ritter Griptillian is also high on my list as a general EDC that could make a great sub-3-inch survival tool that is compact enough to carry it on you 100% of the time by default, but its pricier and a little harder to upkeep IMO.
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redbone
Member
One carried a SOG folder, the other an M16-03. They are both shooters and understood avoiding trouble. Thankfully, they were successful at it on campus.
AirForceShooter
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Sent the Girl off to Gatorland with a switchblade.
It's an NYC thing
AFS
It's an NYC thing
AFS
Kingcreek
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SAKs for everyone. 1 day walking thru Walmart the had the classic on sale for 8.99 and I bought enough for every member of the family and extended family.
Gave my nephew a Leatherman wave that he carried every day. He used it all the time in engineering research and lab.
Gave my nephew a Leatherman wave that he carried every day. He used it all the time in engineering research and lab.
WestKentucky
Member
I carried a couple different Kershaw knives as well as a few cheapo canoes and toothpicks. At one point I had 3 Brawlers when I found them for like 12 bucks each. I bought a dozen and gave them out as Christmas gifts to the guys I was comfortable drinking with. I kept one in each of my backpacks and one in my pocket. (Mon, Wed, Fri bag and Tue,Thur bag) I have always (since I had a bike) had a sharpfinger handy too.
1KPerDay
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kershaw scallion
Barry the Bear
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Another vote for the Buck 110, and it doesn't have that "scary tactical" look some of the liberal kids may be afraid of. Or if your like me and don't care one bit about that sort of thing I'm a big fan of the Kershaw blackout.
76shuvlinoff
Member
5 years ago as she was leaving I handed her my Mini Griptillian and a new can of pepper spray. It gave me an excuse to buy Mini Barrage assisted opener. (that I am never without except on flights)
She graduated from Michigan State last May. Wonder if I can get that Mini Grip back.....
She graduated from Michigan State last May. Wonder if I can get that Mini Grip back.....
Agree that a Swiss Army knife is the basic tool I 'd choose.
I don't recall which knife my son had in college. I gave his sister a Victorinox Executive. She used the scissors most.
When the son went to Iraq, I gave him a Fallkniven S-1. Today, he carries a Benchmade lockblade folder with a tanto point. His hunting knives are the Fallkniven S-1 and A-1. Just bought a Tramontina machete for clearing brush on his land. His wife wears a Camillus Cuda that I gave her.
entropy
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I sent both my sons off to work with a Leatherman Sidekick and a Gerber folder. The older one loses tools and knives like crazy, so nothing expensive. My Dad gave him a Leatherman Wave for his 16th BD, he lost it in the woods. Every Xmas I give him one of the $4 multi-tools from Wally World, because he goes through them.....
Every Xmas I give him one of the $4 multi-tools from Wally World, because he goes through them.....https://www.amazon.com/Marbles-Outd...TF8&qid=1483289851&sr=8-1&keywords=demo+knife
Same one I carried when I first enlisted.
Same one I carried when I first enlisted.
One of my kids had a close call at college.
Blade saved the day.
Kershaw for one kid, dunno what the other carries.
I had a 110 Buck in college, but also carried a handgun in my bag (permit).
Nobody knew back then, probably nobody cared (some bad stuff happened on campus but was hush hush). Bet faculty knew what eng student farmboys were prepared.
Today college is a whole 'nuther planet............in the wuss solar system.
Ripe for thug aliens to prey upon.
Yup, need more armed folks at college now than back in the day. So much for cultural enlightenment/progression.
Blade saved the day.
Kershaw for one kid, dunno what the other carries.
I had a 110 Buck in college, but also carried a handgun in my bag (permit).
Nobody knew back then, probably nobody cared (some bad stuff happened on campus but was hush hush). Bet faculty knew what eng student farmboys were prepared.
Today college is a whole 'nuther planet............in the wuss solar system.
Ripe for thug aliens to prey upon.
Yup, need more armed folks at college now than back in the day. So much for cultural enlightenment/progression.
commygun
Member
SAK for utility and a CRKT Bear Claw for SD. He didn't carry either one until he started seeing some of the sketchiness around the campus (University of Washington). The campus itself seems pretty secure as it must be the most heavily policed piece of real estate I've ever seen.
Your son will get far more use out of medium size Swiss Army knife than anything else. And it doesn't seem to "freak" people out as much as "tactical" blades do. The Victorinox Tinker is a great pocketknife and will open damn near anything. Cut string or packing tape, open a can of coffee, tighten a screw - you're covered. Get a splinter? No problem. Need a toothpick? You have one. But a nice locking folder would be nice to have in your pocket as well. I would avoid any "clip on" knife only because they are cop magnets. Life is too short to have to stand around and talk to some cop because he saw your knife and now considers you a threat. Out of sight, out of mind.
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