At what age to teach my son knife use?

I've used knives for along time, but I had my first at 8 or 9. and I had a hatchet before I had a fixed blade. I was in the woods, building shelters and all the good stuff around 10 years old.
 
I tried for years to teach my oldest son how to use a fillet knife. He is almost 40 now and he keeps telling me," Show me once more dad ":D One or the other of us is not to smart.;) He keeps telling me that the handle does not fit his hand.
 
I didn't get one until I got my whittling badge in Scouts, maybe 8 or so. However, I used his plenty of times for years under supervision.
 
My son was five when he got his first real knife. A SAK Classic that I handed down. At eight he got his first lock-back as he only had slipjoints before.

He is nine now and "owns" two fixed blades. He is allowed to carry them only when he is with me.

He has a knife box at his house (my Ex's ) and one at mine. He has my knifenut genes (it drives the ex nuts :) ) and his collection is over 25 knives,mostly vintage slipjoints.

(Thus the two separate knife boxes,she would complain when he would come home with a couple new knives after my weekends.:thumbup: )

He is very proud of the fact he owns more knives than most grown ups.
 
8 is just right. He should have some rational sense by now. I was a Cub Scout by 8 and my knife never left my pocket. I personally think that a folder is a good knife to learn with because he will learn more restraint. With your guidance he'll learn it's limitations. A fixed blade is so forgiving that he might have a little false confidence when he uses a folder for the first time. My 2 sons had their first pocket knives as soon as I could tell that they understood that the knife needs to be respected.
 
If you are looking for a specific knife to give him- in a SAK I'd recommend a climber (there's some inexpensive ones available right now) as I think any kid is going to get a LOT out of the scissors.

I'm 50/50 on the SAK saw for kids at that age, i'd rather get them a seperate opinel folding saw or a leatherman that has a saw and file. With an SAK and an LM a boy can spend days in the backyard and never think about nintendo :D
 
mymindisamob said:
My youngest son just carries mine. He's kind of like my knife Caddy.;):D
Zmule.gif

He's almost 4 and carries his toy SAK in his pocket. He is always willing to use it to help others as a good knife owner should.:thumbup:
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Did this model come WITH the knives - or was that a later aftermarket mod?

TF
 
teach good knife skils, then a .22 single - shot, next a .410, WITH SUPERVISION, huntin& fishin,........
 
CSG said:
My boys are 9 and 11 and I still haven't been able to bring myself to introduce them to knives. The irony is that I was 7-8 when I got my first pen knife (my granddad was the VP of Utica Cutlery). I know it's time and they can probably handle things but the minute they cut themselves that first time, my wife will kill me!
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There's one of my fears.
 
Actually, he has a Leatherman Micra and this SAK that I got him for Christmas in 2007 but I just haven't had the nerve to let him put them to alot of use yet.

I need to go back and reread some of the advice and suggestions here but I really appreciate all the help and support of this great family we have here at W&SS!!

Thanks again and feel free to add more if you think of more.
 
Stomper said:
Stormstaff - Give me a call or stop by the house. I`ve got a new Economy Victorinox you can have to give your son if you decide to go that way.
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John, you are too cool. Thanks for the offer but I've got the knife covered. See above post.

Darn, the cool people around here constantly amaze me.

Once again I have to say to everyone on this board, thanks for having me in your "family" and God bless you every one.

(ya, ya, a little sappy but it's how I feel)
 
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Talfuchre- This is an aftermarket upgrade and he's up for mods any day.;)
Stormstaff- Thanks! You can get these kinds of pics soon too.;):thumbup:
 
To answer the opening post, I believe it is only you that can decide. Some kids are more mature than others at certain ages. For instance, I got my first knife when I was 5 or 6. However, I know 12 year olds today that I wouldn't trust giving their first knife.
 
I taught mine by showing him how to PROPERLY use a knife in the kitchen. I found that it was a much more controlled environment.
 
Great thread!!!!

I've got a son that is a ways away from being ready for his first knife (6 months old :) ) but this is all useful information.
 
I got my first knife, an Errickson Mora (traditional youth model, has the cross guard) when I was ten, concurrent with when I got my hunter certification. I got to use it in the woods, dad held onto it then. He also spent a lot of time teaching me propper care and safe use.

I was occasionally allowed to carry a very small locking folder around the same age.

At 12, I got the first knife that I got to control 24/7/365. It was a pretty crummy SAK clone. I etched my name and the year into the scales:p I carried that knife a lot in my teens. A year later I was given a real Wenger SAK (Commander) for Christmas. A couple years later I got my first locking folder as a birthday gift.
 
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