Evidence That We Are Genetically Inclined Toward Knives

I suspect that my interest in knives at a young age (1st-2nd grade) was purely social conditioning with a bit of common sense tossed in based on the environment I lived in. Knives were important for day to day activities at a young age, but especially when I got to about 5th grade. I suspect my first knife was mostly jewelry until my hands got big enough to handle a larger knife.
 
I believe that humans evolved in conjunction with using tools and weapons . So we are all somewhat programed genetically for tool using . But like all our partially instinctive behavior , the full expression requires a permissive environment and some early practice . It's very sad and unfortunate that all human young are not afforded the opportunity to realize this potential fully .
 
DocJD said:
I believe that humans evolved in conjunction with using tools and weapons . So we are all somewhat programed genetically for tool using . But like all our partially instinctive behavior , the full expression requires a permissive environment and some early practice . It's very sad and unfortunate that all human young are not afforded the opportunity to realize this potential fully .
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Can you define this potential please?
 
DocJD said:
The potential to competently use tools , especially hand tools . Individuals vary naturally in this potential as in all human capabilities including "reading comprehension " .
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It’s 2018. While experience using hand tools is a definite asset, our children are not going to need these skills as badly as we do and we don’t need them as badly as our parents did. How does this relate to knife skills? It’s not a tragedy that my 7 year old son doesn’t know how to use my folding knives.
 
MSchott said:
It’s 2018. While experience using hand tools is a definite asset, our children are not going to need these skills as badly as we do and we don’t need them as badly as our parents did. How does this relate to knife skills? It’s not a tragedy that my 7 year old son doesn’t know how to use my folding knives.
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It will be a tragedy if he comes across one unsupervised and hurts himself badly for lack of being taught by you.
 
marcinek said:
Strong disagree.

1) Using a knife is not a "dangerous activity" unless you are not taught how to use one correctly. Anything is. Kids need to be taught how to use knives correctly.
2) Kids who are allowed to engage in dangerous activities don't end up "tough," they end up dead. Children should protected...but also taught. It how society/culture works.

Watched a great Nova on PBS years back about monkeys. They are plenty smart, they can use tools, but they don't have the capability to pass the knowledge they have gained about using the tools onto their children. They are on their own.

Or maybe they are just worried about them getting "soft."
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I never said they shouldn't be properly taught, I meant that it's ok to let go of the bike and let them peddle, and it's ok to go inside and let them do the rest even if they fall sometimes. There's still an inherent danger in the activity, but you teach them the respect and safety that need to be applied, and then let them do the rest instead of controlling every situation. That's what was meant.
 
Trailing Point said:
It will be a tragedy if he comes across one unsupervised and hurts himself badly for lack of being taught by you.
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He has seen me with my knives and I have taught him that they are sharp and dangerous. When he shows interest in the knives I will train him in their use.
 
MSchott said:
He has seen me with my knives and I have taught him that they are sharp and dangerous. When he shows interest in the knives I will train him in their use.
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I think showing interest is the key. As a parent, you certainly can influence them, but they still have to become interested. I feel the same way about firearms and shooting, show an interest and I'll spend lots of time with you developing your interest. No interest.... I'm probably not going to spend a whole lot of energy. But as you did, a young child should know that a knife is sharp and can hurt you whether it be a folding knife or a kitchen knife.
 
MSchott said:
It’s not a tragedy that my 7 year old son doesn’t know how to use my folding knives.
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Not at 7, but all should learn at least basic skills in using a knife, a hammer and a screw driver. There is nothing more pathetic then someone who has to call another to do the most basic tasks in life and there still can/could be times when knowing which end of a knife/hammer/screw driver to use could save his/her life or another.
Just my opinion-you don't have to agree
Chances are pretty high that if you have and exhibit these skills they will be passed on. maybe not to the same level but retained non the less. Kids are like sponges.
 
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MSchott said:
It’s not a tragedy that my 7 year old son doesn’t know how to use my folding knives.
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Oh no! Sorry. He ended up all girly! :rolleyes::D

He should learn how to, at least, properly use a knife, a screwdriver, a frying pan, oven, iron, washing machine, charcoal grill, etc etc etc. Every child should.

No point battling this "gotta toughen up the boys or else they will end up as, what did someone earlier call them....sissy boys" crowd. Its pointless. They are not getting your point at all.
 
And one other thing, if I have found anything, its that I am always surprised how many people of all genders are into knives. Ton of "closet" fans out there. Way more than we think.

Either they have one and you don't realize it, or they want to have one.

Even....can you believe it? Girls! I know....crazy! Even knives that aren't pink!

:D
 
MSchott said:
It’s 2018. While experience using hand tools is a definite asset, our children are not going to need these skills as badly as we do and we don’t need them as badly as our parents did. How does this relate to knife skills? It’s not a tragedy that my 7 year old son doesn’t know how to use my folding knives.
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You got the year right , twice , congrats ! How you chose to raise your children is your business . Evolution in action . Stunt , cripple and warp as you will . History is not the story of one long golden age of progress as you assume .

A basic competence with hand tools has no downside and at the very least is a skill handy to possess . Sometimes it can enable survival , even in 2018 !
 
Peter Hartwig said:
Not at 7, but all should learn at least basic skills in using a knife, a hammer and a screw driver. There is nothing more pathetic then someone who has to call another to do the most basic tasks in life and there still can/could be times when knowing which end of a knife/hammer/screw driver to use could save his/her life or another.
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I believe that the motor skills are simply not well developed at Age 7. But by Age 10, they are more developed. Your second point is debatable.

I don't think things have changed so much in 2018 to discount the importance of knowing how to use tools. Everything isn't digital these days.
 
It's true that kids often develop interests in what their parents are doing, but not always. Many kids have zero interest nor aptitude for what their fathers (for example) do, which carries into adulthood. That happens with a lot of subjects, including knives, firearms, martial arts, etc., etc.

Jim
 
20180514_134831.jpg I had to post in this thread I started reading it at 5:30 this morning and didn't have time before work. Amazingly I remember getting my hands on my first pocket knife. I was 4yo and traded my cowboy hat with a older kid in the neighborhood. Ofcourse my parents quickly took it and returned it to the other kid but that's where the obsession started. At 8 my grandfather gave me my first knife a Camillus cub scout knife. I was taught that it was a tool and not a weapon, how to sharpen, oil and use responsibly. I've had a knife in pocket every day since with very few exceptions. I did the same with my children. I find myself in a interesting place now 49yo divorced and involved with a woman who has a 16yo son with Down syndrome that's him in my pic. He is a incredible young man and though he has a disability he is a smart kid. He has seen my knives and continues to ask if he can try them. I have let him cut card board while I help. Just last night I was cutting a tomatoe with my Manix 2 and he asked again if he could try. Logan has helped me with other task that required tools we changed the heating element in the dryer did some painting and a couple other things. Collecting knives is a hobby that I love and I'm constantly reading about and buying new knives. I know Im going to have to approach it in a different way than I did with my typical children but I look forward to teaching Logan about knives and responsibility. I still have that Camillus my grandfather gave me maybe that will be the one I teach him with? When the time is right and his mother gives her blessing. Thanks for this thread I love this forum it's a great community.
 
[QUOTE="22-rimfire, post: Your second point is debatable.[/QUOTE]
90%+ of what I say here is debatable, but you well may have read more into it than I was saying. Either way-just one persons opinion, not the law of the land.
 
I agree. No big thing as far as I'm concerned. I have a grandson and his grandmother slices his roll for him. Kind of makes me sick actually.
 
22-rimfire said:
I agree. No big thing as far as I'm concerned. I have a grandson and his grandmother slices his roll for him. Kind of makes me sick actually.
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Well maybe it’s a good time to stop armchair parenting here when you have the perfect opportunity to “un-sissify” your kinfolk.

A good leader doesn’t talk about examples, they lead by them.
 
22-rimfire said:
I believe that the motor skills are simply not well developed at Age 7. But by Age 10, they are more developed. Your second point is debatable.

I don't think things have changed so much in 2018 to discount the importance of knowing how to use tools. Everything isn't digital these days.
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Hey some little kids are pretty good with a blade! :D

 
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