children and knives

[dbltap45acp]

Neep some of your opinions. I know that not all children have the same mentality, or the same level of maturaty. What age would you say would be good to start working with your kids when it comes to using a blade?

The local Sportsmans has some of the Condor fixed knives, as well as a ton of SAK's. I wanted to get a SAK and a fixed blade for my step son. He is 6, and the wife says she isnt real comfortable with it. I didnt plan on letting him just run around with either, but I thought he might like to have one or two of his own for when we go camping or hiking. He loves sitting there watching me when I carve.

So, what say you?

 

[SouthernCross]

My eight year old son has recently started his apprenticeship (under supervision) by cleaning fish...

and learning how to whittle...

I really don't think there is a magical age, but is solely dependent on how responsible the individual child is :thumbup:



Kind regards
Mick

 

[sircantaloupe]

When I was about 6 or 7, I stole my dad's SAK, cut myself with it within 20 minutes, and blamed it on a (nonexistent) sharp edge on a water faucet.

Little kids are irresponsible.

 

[dbltap45acp]

sicantaloupe, then what age would you say is a safe bet. I am honestly looking for everyones thoughts on this. If it comes down to I am going to make a mistake by buying him a knife, I will be a big enough man to say I was wrong and not buy him one.

 

[Gadgetaholic]

I wanted to get a SAK and a fixed blade for my step son. He is 6, and the wife says she isnt real comfortable with it.

You're screwed - if you get him a knife against his mothers wishes then he cuts himself, you are going to be in big trouble with his mother.

My suggestion would be to take a spare SAK & fixed blade with you and let him use them under your supervision. At some point you may be able to talk his mother into letting him have his own, then you just give him the spares that he has been using all along. i.e. buy yourself the knives, let him use them and the only real difference is that he doesn't get to hold on to them and play with them unsupervised.

 

[dbltap45acp]

If thats the route I go, I will buy the two I was going to buy him and just say they are mine. I have no knives I would be ok with him using, most of mine are pricey customs now. I also would never buy one without her approval. I said she wasnt comfortable, but she also said she trusts my judgement. My issue is, I am not used to children that age. I have a 3 year old son, and I learn new things every day. He is in an age bracket that I am not accustomed to. This is why I asked for help

To be clear, if I said this is what I wanted to do, she would back my play. I just dont want to make the wrong decision.

 

[Bushman5]

I had a knife at around age 8. Did fine with it, with proper instruction by an adult

my GF's kids are 9 & 11. They cant be trusted with doing the dishes properly, wiping a table down properly. No way in hell am i trusting them with a knife.

the maturity level is key. One can be very young and be mature and responsible. Other , well, cannot

 

[mete]

I was seriously starting woodcarving at 7 and started shooting at the same age. But each kid is different. Teaching and supervision is very necessary !!

 

[Loosearrow]

Age 7 with supervision. They will cut themselves for sure. My grandson (son) was hacking at some wooden sticks last winter. I told him to be careful and not do that. Next time I looked up, red blood dripping all over the snow. He didn't say a word. I said, "Aha, cut yourself didn't you!". He had a deep gash across his left index finger. I had to put out the fire, load up his pack and mine. I told him to keep pressure on it with snow. Then made a bandage out of a bandana. It took some stitches and a ruined day, but the finger works. Last week he asked when we were going back to Cut Creek Camp. Sounds like he is ready to go again. He will be more careful using a knife. If you play with knives, you will get cut. Explain that to the wife first. Lots of good safe knife use instruction on U Tube. In some countries, small children are swinging machetes and butcher knives. It's what you get used to. Growing up I swung an axe for the kitchen stove at 7. I still have my toes. I'm sure I had some close calls.

 

[Foilist]

My daughter is three and a half, and much too young for a knife. However, she watches me use knives and other edged tools in various situations, and I talk to her about them and what I'm doing - particularly being safe. She also has a toy SAK and mimics what she sees as she plays.

I think that is a good intro to responsible knife use for a little one. In a few years, it will be time to think about getting her one of her own.

 

[Mannlicher]

grew up on a farm in SW Virginia. Knives, axes and saws were part of every day life.
Even as kids, we handled edged tools and knives on a daily basis. I can't even remember a time when I did not have a Barlow knife of my own.

 

[Calebklyne]

i would sav 7 or 8 would be a decent age for them to be taught how to use a knife under supervision, it also depends on how comfortable your child is with it to

 

[mneedham]

I think the 7/8 year level is good. The Boy Scouts have real expertise when it comes to boys, usually have the Cubs work on the Whittlin Chip as Bears (8 year olds). I like the concept of the knife safety instruction and promise that goes with the whittlin chip....

 

[kfranz]

As the others have mentioned, maturity is the key. Coupled with proper adult supervision, many kids can be taught the skills necessary to handle a knife safely.

I know adults I wouldn't lend a knife to, and children I would.

 

[newknife]

My son is 5.. and of course he wants to do everything Dad does. He has a small SAK and a small Gerber. When we're together he always carries it in his pocket. He only uses it when I'm there to use it with him. Of course he's had a small cut from his knife but that's a good thing. Even at five he has respect for the knife and know's it's not a toy.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Southern Cross - what knife is that in your sons hand - it looks nice.

TF

 

[jw2n]

Two out of three of my sons were interested in knives at a young age. I started them with their own knives at the 8-10 years old range. They have both cut themselves (minor cuts), and learned from it. I guess there is a difference in generations, as I and all boys had knives at a very young age when I grew up. My parents gave me my first small bow saw at age 8, with which I cut down the family Christmas tree every year until I left home. Hatchets quickly led to axes, and onto small chainsaws by age 12. It was just the way it was and it all contributed towards family survival.

 

[BoxANT]

IIRC I was about 6 when I got my first pen knife, and yes I did cut my thumb! However, that "learned me" quick

 

[markhait]

I bought my son a Victorinox "my first Victorinox" knife. He was maybe 2 months old, but he didn't get it until he was 6. It stays locked up in my gun safe, and he only gets to use it when we're camping or building a fire in the backyard.
I like the "my first victorinox" knife because it has a rounded over blade point. He may still cut himself, but he won't stab himself.
I constantly remind him to cut AWAY from himself! Too bad no one other than experience ever taught me that!
He's done really good with it and is pretty cautious with it.
The only dangerous thing I have to remind him not to do, is to not wave
it around when he's talking.

Just keep a close eye on him and teach him the right way to use a knife and he'll be fine.
Don't worry about your wife either....he'll cut himself eventually and she'll remind you that it was a bad idea!

 

[MattM_Gilbert]

EDIT TO ADD: Mark Hait posted his reply when I was monkeying around with copy and paste.

The Victorinox Model "My First Victorinox Plus":

Swiss Army knife-maker Victorinox has developed My 1st Victorinox Plus comprising useful tools with numerous functions for younger users. Many children will first come into contact with a multi-functional tool that belongs to someone in their family, perhaps their mom or dad, and will want to try out a "grown-up one" for themselves.

To ensure their first encounter with a pocketknife is not too challenging, it has a short blade which does not have a pointed tip but is, nevertheless, very handy for day-to-day use.

The combi-blade serves as a cap opener, tin-opener, screwdriver, wire stripper and wood saw. Tweezers and a toothpick are accommodated in the handle.