- Joined
- Jun 6, 2012
- Messages
- 1,341
I posted a thread yesterday, about my son and I spending a few hours with our new Becker. I took the time to teach him a few things about battoning out some smaller kindling, and explained to him the bennifits that the smaller pieces had, in starting fires. This time was really just an extension of what we've been working on the last few weeks, fire building. I've explained tinder, methods of getting a spark or flame to ignite with, gathering fuel, wind and moisture effects, etc..... The kid absorbs it like a sponge!
In the last few days, I've started giving him some lessons on using a blade to assist in the process. Things like the battoning, using your knife to strike firesteel, shaving magnesium, etc...... I gave him his first good working blade last weekend, a Vic Super Tink SAK. He looks at it like its an original copy of the book of Genesis or something lol, with complete and total respect. Along with gifting him the SAK, I gave him rules and responsibilities to follow:
1: Always be careful and mindful of what your cutting, and the direction your cutting in. Watch out for things that might get close to the blade.
2: Never play or act like your going to cut anything, except what your really going to cut.
3: Always maintain your knife. Keep it clean, oiled, and sharp. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.
As long as he follows these rules, he can cary the knife, when we go out. He knows good and well, that if he breaks them, then the knife is taken.
Now heres the point to all my rambling. My son its only 6. He will be 7 in late december. Is he too young for this responsibility? Am I putting more than he should be expected to cary, on his shoulders? He absorbs all of it, and is very careful about minding all the rules I've given him. When its he gonna slip up though? It has to happen right? And when he does, is he gonna get hurt, or maybe worse?
Whats your guys opinions on this? Chime in with your thoughts or experiences please?
Thanks,
Brandon
PS/ mods, if this is in the wrong place, I appologize. Please feel free to move it.
Pics for effect:
In the last few days, I've started giving him some lessons on using a blade to assist in the process. Things like the battoning, using your knife to strike firesteel, shaving magnesium, etc...... I gave him his first good working blade last weekend, a Vic Super Tink SAK. He looks at it like its an original copy of the book of Genesis or something lol, with complete and total respect. Along with gifting him the SAK, I gave him rules and responsibilities to follow:
1: Always be careful and mindful of what your cutting, and the direction your cutting in. Watch out for things that might get close to the blade.
2: Never play or act like your going to cut anything, except what your really going to cut.
3: Always maintain your knife. Keep it clean, oiled, and sharp. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.
As long as he follows these rules, he can cary the knife, when we go out. He knows good and well, that if he breaks them, then the knife is taken.
Now heres the point to all my rambling. My son its only 6. He will be 7 in late december. Is he too young for this responsibility? Am I putting more than he should be expected to cary, on his shoulders? He absorbs all of it, and is very careful about minding all the rules I've given him. When its he gonna slip up though? It has to happen right? And when he does, is he gonna get hurt, or maybe worse?
Whats your guys opinions on this? Chime in with your thoughts or experiences please?
Thanks,
Brandon
PS/ mods, if this is in the wrong place, I appologize. Please feel free to move it.
Pics for effect:
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