Age and knife for a kids first knife

A

alexanderkbaker

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Jan 26, 2008
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I am thinking of getting my nephew his first knife as he will be camping with me this summer. He is eight and I am hesitant to get him one at this age.

The criteria my dad used when I got my first knife was a guard, a fixed blade for strength and to save fingers, and not too big a blade, I think it was about 4 inches, and it was cheap. Like most kids I threw it at a tree and snapped the carbon blade. The next model was 1/4'' 440 stainless. A fixed blade would also discourage use in inappropriate locations as it would be hard to hide, IE taking it to school. I have liked the SAK models except that there is no guard and not all models have a locking blade.

I was thinking of getting him the Byrd Robin with G-10. Well more like if I don't like it he can have it :) .
 
I'm also getting my Nephew his first knife. He will be 10 this june. I'm getting him a Vict. SAK - My First SAK & a Mora w/ stainless blade ( the only reason I'm going for the stainless model is it's easier for him to take care of.) He will also be going camping & hiking w/ me this summer :D
You can get a Mora for about $10.00 from SMKW & the SAK for about $12.00 from SMKW.
 
As a parent I found 8 to be kind of young (for my kids) to have a knife. Even at 11, there were a couple of times I had to confiscate the knives for awhile when mysterious cuts were found on some items in the house. Each kid is different though.

But no knife should ever be given without good instruction in different techniques for making cuts safely, safe handling and storage, and sharpening. Maybe first aid for cuts, as well. This kind of instruction can impress the child that they are truly being entrusted with something that is important and can be dangerous.
 
I am also interested in the responses to this question. I am a little confused about whether you are looking for a fixed blade knife or a folder. I personally would be thinking along the lines of a folding pocket knife for my boys. I think ideally it would not have a pointed tip, just to prevent accidental stab wounds. Maybe that is an unnecessary concern, I don't know. I suppose I could grind down the tip of an otherwise good choice. I think a small SAK is likely to be under consideration in my case, although a lock would probably be good to have. I like the idea of having some other tools on board so the blade does not get used as a screw driver.

As for age, I got my first knife before 8. Probably 6 or 7. But that may have been too young in my case. I certainly didn't take care of the knife properly. The correct age is probably different for each kid, but 8 to 10 is in the ballpark for many, I would guess.

It's a great idea to guide your nephew through this important milestone. Be sure to give him all of the relevant safety tips, too, and make him demonstrate safe use.
 
Every kid is different, and if you're hesitant, then now is not the time.

I got blamed for scratches my cat left on the bureau. Odd as I would've made the scratches deeper but less artistic.
 
When you give him a knife when he is so young, maybe it is good to tell him he is only allowed to use it when an adult is around.
That way, you can see if he uses it in a responsible way.

And after some time when you feel he is mature enough, you can tell him that he can use it without supervision.
 
I had a single blade SAK when I was 6, and then a 4.5 inch martindale hunting knife when I was ten. After that I took a paper route and started buying my own stuff when i go to gun shows.
 
1st knife around age 7, 1st shotgun age 9. I learned from my Grandad and Father how to handle, whittle, sharpen etc. It's all about TEACHING. No I was not allowed to carry or handle my knife by myself until about age 9, when they felt I had picked up the basic use principles, and earned there trust. That's the other big thing, EARNED TRUST. So it really goes back to you the parent to TEACH your child. You don't say lets go hunting, and never teach your kid how to handle or be safe with a gun first before you ever leave the house. Your kid will thank you for the time spent with him or her,and really it's one of those bonding times that you will both look back at with wonderful memories.

Edit-One more thing, I remember my Grandad helping me hold a side by side 12ga when I was 5. It was an old hammer gun, and he said pull both triggers. Well the gun went one way, BACK, and I went even further. Needless to say I learned a lesson that day, on which was the business end, and to always respect a gun. I say this in that you kinda have to do the same thing with a knife. Show and tell, sometimes it painful, but a necessary evil.
 
In Sheffield, England, where I grew up, knives were a part of everyday life. Not because they were needed to tame the wilds or whatever, but because of the abundant cutlery industry at the time. I was given my first pocket-knife at the age of 7, but had certainly handled knives at a younger age. Other knives were soon gifted to me by relatives, I got another couple of folders, and a couple of British army jack-knives that belonged to my grandfather. Not long after, my uncle, who was a sailor, gave me a kukri! Apart from this, my first fixed blade was a paring knife my father reground at work, with a leather sheath made by my mother. I carried that knife for years! I think it's natural for a parent to worry about their children possessing potentially dangerous objects, but I'd guess I'm far from alone on these forums in having had knives at such a young age, and did any of us come to any real harm? Hope your nephew enjoys many years of safe and responsible knife ownership Mr Baker.
 
If you think the kid is ready, and if you can teach him the basics of how to use a knife safely and effectively, then I don't think age matters, five years, ten years, fifteen years - some people would never qualify as ready in my books, some would be almost born ready.

In my opinion, a fixed blade would be the best choice. A simple Mora would do well. Fixed blades are much safer than folders to use: they will never fold on your hand even if you abuse them to no end, and in case you do abuse them (which kids occasionally are prone to doing) they are much more durable than folders. And cheaper, too, and easier to maintain.

Don't buy a knife that has a dull, rounded tip. A knife without a tip is like a man without a brain - only a shell of its former self. The tip may look intimidating, but most of the injuries people get from knives are from the sharp cutting edge, not the tip (this is true at least in my country).
 
When I was kid, every boy in grade school carried a pocket knife to school and every where else they went. Quite a few of us took guns to school on the school bus and would drop them off in the Principles office so we could go squirrel hunting right of school. Times have certainly changed, and not for the good.

My first knife was a two blade Barlow and I still have that knife. Dad would of ask to see it and would inspect it. If if wasn't clean and sharpened to his standards I would lose use of it for a month...only happened once. I have heard the arguments about folders but disagree, I would recommend a lock blade however for the reasons others have stated.

alexanderkbaker said:
A fixed blade would also discourage use in inappropriate locations as it would be hard to hide, IE taking it to school.
Click to expand...

This statement tho puzzles me, if the boy cannot be trusted to follow the rules then a knife should be completely out of the question. If this is the situation I would get one for him to use but only when he is physically with you.
 
Not to change the subject, but how does his parent(s), guardian feel about it? If it's being left up to you, I think the advice already given is solid. That said, in my instance, I can say my eight year old is not responsible enough to handle a knife. Your nephew may well be different. Sound judgement and supervision are necessary, methinks.
 
Mora has a 'boy scout ' model with a guard if you want a fixed blade.By 8 I was well on my way with knives and carving tools .But it depends on the kid. Whatever the age you must train and supervise and discipline if misused!
 
I got mine before I turned 8 (My Dad gave it to me and he died when I was 8). I had to fillet a fish (show responsible use) before it was transferred to me. BTW it was a small Norwegian "puukko" (?tollekniv?) with a sharp tip, no guard, and pocket sheath. All that and I never stabbed myself, slipped forward onto the blade....
 
The Kid is six. I got him a KISS folder and a Leu custom kozuka, black over green----------BUT, I'll know when he can Have them!!
 
mete said:
Mora has a 'boy scout ' model with a guard if you want a fixed blade.By 8 I was well on my way with knives and carving tools .But it depends on the kid. Whatever the age you must train and supervise and discipline if misused!
Click to expand...



That guarded mora was my first knife when I was about 10. Dad gave it to me coincidental with getting my hunting license and starting hunting. He held onto the knife when we were not in the field, and took the time to train me in its propper use. A couple years later, I started getting folders, which I had full dominion over.

ETA: Mine was made by Erickson.
 
Sgt. 0811 ---> I say 8-11 ok if supervised. Latter 11-12 small pocket knives w/o supervision<
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The same for me.
 
Got my first real knife at 10. Gave my son his first at 10 too. But there's no magic age because some kids are mature and responsible enough at a younger age, while others are't ready even when they're 30-40 years old! ;)

My first was a John Primble 4-blade congress slipjoint. Still have it. I gave my son an Ulster scouting knife.

If I had it to do over again I'd have given him a Victorinox Cadet (Alox scales) because I believe it's better made.

I had, and then lost :(, a G-10 Byrd Robin. I found it to be amazingly well-made for being made in China. I'd still go for the Cadet, though.

http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=doityourself&product=53042&
 
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