My grandson, who is currently 11, has liked knives for a long time, funny "a long time", right? - anyway since before he was allowed to handle one and not be around an adult. He is pretty responsible with them and quite honestly rarely even carries one, but just likes them. Over the years he'd get caught up in the "that's a cool one" Chinese gaudy looking rig. My SIL likes knives, although not a huge knife guy, but has an appreciation for knives, nonetheless. A couple of years back my SIL bought the grandson one of those roll-up knife holders and it has led him into a small collection. I have giving him a handful of Case knives and he has accumulated some lesser ones but keeps them all neat and organized in the case.
Anyway, that is the boring background to my story. This year I have finally taken more of a serious interest in knives. hence, me on here. I have really learned a lot, and still have a long way to go. The other day me and the grandson were hanging out and I pull out a nice Case the SIL and daughter gave me a year ago and I start explaining the parts - bolsters, tapered bolsters, backsprings, pull & snap, liners and gaps and a few other things.
I have been explaining the junk knives to my wife lately; and earlier this year my wife was out junking and found a new knife that had his name on it - Chinese of course but only like 15$ and wanted to get it for him. I told her it was junk, but it was fine to get it for a Christmas present. You probably see where this is going

. Well, it did. Thankfully he came over and whispered all of the imperfections of the knife and not out loud in front of everyone. But hey, I see it as a long-term positive.
