GSO 3.5 for kids?

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supertac916

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Sep 6, 2014
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I noticed that there were some GSO 3.5 factory seconds on the website for sale this morning with a 20% discount. I picked up two of them for my boys this morning in CPM 20-CV. We just got back from two night camping trip with my boys ages 6 and 7 and figured they needed something other than their Buck folders. Do you guys think these are good knives for kids to use? I've never handled a Survive 3.5, so I don't know the ergonomics. They've been wanting to baton, feather stick, and do the basic bushcraft stuff, but most of my other knives are too large or are like the Bark River Necker II's. The Necker II's don't seem to be good at things like light batoning because the edges are so thin. Would these be a good fit for young kids learn on for basic camp chores? I also figure these will last them a life time and can be passed onto their kids.

Thanks!
 
Yes! I purchased one for our daughter recently. It is all about training. If they know about knife safety with a folder then they should be good but need to know is they should be placed in their sheath when not used because you cannot fold that blade away like a folder they may be used to.

Enjoy!
 
Training and supervision....When I was a kid with knives I threw them in the ground and trees. Not that the 3.5's can't be but...
And as a kid I had a few cuts here and there on my fingers being reckless as kids can be. With the edge of a S!K can be more 'scarring'!

And I did the same for my 7yo daughter.

Keep-em safe!
 
Thanks guys, I will definitely watch them for awhile and supervise them with the 3.5's. They've been practicing with their folders and I'm teaching them proper handling and safety. I don't let them handle them without me and probably won't for a little while. The wife would kill me, if they needed stitches or did some serious damage.
 
I think it's a great size for a kid. But know these are literally shaving sharp. Much easier to do damage with than with other blades. Drag the blade across your leg and you'll be missing a lot of hair.

Definitely reinforce safe handling and use.
 
Jamesbern said:
I think it's a great size for a kid. But know these are literally shaving sharp. Much easier to do damage with than with other blades. Drag the blade across your leg and you'll be missing a lot of hair.

Definitely reinforce safe handling and use.
Click to expand...

However please remember a dull knife is much more dangerous.
 
bladeflana said:
However please remember a dull knife is much more dangerous.
Click to expand...

In this case I respectfully disagree.
I just received a 3.5.... it is without a doubt more dangerous then a "dull" knife.
It is scarier then scary sharp, it is the sharpest knife I own, sharper then anything sharpened on a 'Wicked Edge' system.
I personally would not give one to a child a.k.a. a "kid".
 
chambelona59 said:
In this case I respectfully disagree.
I just received a 3.5.... it is without a doubt more dangerous then a "dull" knife.
It is scarier then scary sharp, it is the sharpest knife I own, sharper then anything sharpened on a 'Wicked Edge' system.
I personally would not give one to a child a.k.a. a "kid".
Click to expand...

I think in use a dull blade can be more difficult and then more dangerous.

For a child, a laser-like blade has the potential to be more dangerous when not in use. A butter knife won't do much damage if dropped on your foot or accidently swiped across your leg. I can't say the same for a GSO.

I can't really say if a GSO 3.5 would be more or less dangerous for a young person compared to an ESEE 3 or bk16 though.

To summarize... I'm not really much help.
 
I think it would be my helpful to understand what the actual age for the "kid" a.k.a. child in question is.
I looked back in this thread, but don't see an age.

There's no doubt in my mind that if a child or for that matter an adult whether on purpose or by accident lightly ran the edge of a "dull" knife across the thigh/finger/forearm/foot/toe the result would be nothing compared to a brand new GSO 3.5 which would seriously slice skin/flesh open with BARELY ANY PRESSURE.
I not only shaved an inch of hair off my forearm, but sliced the flesh a piece of Salmon without "pressure", simply by pulling the edge across the surfaces.

The 3.5 I just received is insanely sharp, sharper then several knives that I own that were sharpened on a 'Wicked Edge' system.... and that is sharp!

Accidents happen when they are completely unexpected, as happened to me July, 2013 after I received my first S!K 4.1 M390.... I purchased a spare pair of orange G10 scales with it and five days later I decided to change the scales to see how they looked, I sat down on a chair in my living room at night and as I held the 4.1 out front of me and started to loosen the first screw, the knife slipped from my grip, went straight downwards from about 2ft up,tip first. I was wearing open slippers and the tip glanced off my toe causing a small slice, I was lucky as it could have been a lot worse.
Should I have been sitting at a desk doing the swap... in hindsight absolutely, but it happened even when I thought I had a good grip on the knife.

The 3.5 is insanely sharp, kudos to Guy's sharpening skill and to the particular equipment he sharpens them with.
I personally would not entrust this knife to a young "kid" a.k.a child.

Sliced Salmon flesh just by pulling the edge the across with no pressure:

DSCN2653_zpsyrfewpcz.jpg



My toe from a 4.1 in 2013:

DSCN1393_zps703baa23.jpg


DSCN1392_zpsbf56c663.jpg
 
We used to teach knife skills as volunteers for the YMCA. Not just commercial culinary skills, but outdoor knifeskills as well. These were kids 5 and up through to curious adults. Properly taught respect for the tool and safety best practices are the best way to avoid injury despite a users age as we've seen above. A kid can cut themselves on a sharp can lid too.
 
B34NS said:
We used to teach knife skills as volunteers for the YMCA. Not just commercial culinary skills, but outdoor knifeskills as well. These were kids 5 and up through to curious adults. Properly taught respect for the tool and safety best practices are the best way to avoid injury despite a users age as we've seen above. A kid can cut themselves on a sharp can lid too.
Click to expand...

I think a five year old would be much too young to give a 3.5 as sharp as this to.
A sharp can lid is no way as sharp as a surgical scalpel, this 3.5 is as sharp as a surgical scalpel or sharper.
A kid cut themselves on just about anything even a paperclip.
 
chambelona59 said:
I think a five year old would be much too young to give a 3.5 as sharp as this to.
A sharp can lid is no way as sharp as a surgical scalpel, this 3.5 is as sharp as a surgical scalpel or sharper.
A kid cut themselves on just about anything even a paperclip.
Click to expand...

I'm more a fan of teaching skills and not fear, whether it be children or adults.

Check it out, it's a great program. Cuts are going to happen with edge tools, but the benefit of learning far outweighs a few knicks and cuts. Same with fire, you're gonna get burned. Bonus first aid training for those with accidents, although in my years there weren't many. 5 years old is pretty young, but I base it on an individual to individual basis, but OP's kids are 6 and 7. To which I think with some appropriate guidance should be a great time!

[video=youtube;_IlTAudmIBw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IlTAudmIBw[/video]

The worst cut I've had in years was last year in the john muir wildnerness when a bottle being opened with a lighter decided to explode in my hand. Sucks for your toe brother! I'd say to wrap that edge up in a little gaffers/gorilla tape when doing mods next time :D.
 
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Awesome video Beans.
Where can I get more info about getting involved in something like this in the NorCal area?
 
Thanks guys for your thoughts and opinions. My boys are actually very good, when it comes to following instructions and safety. My approach to teaching them how to handle knives safely is similar to how I've taught them firearms safety since the ages of 4 and 5. The butter knives are like the airsoft and BB guns. The Buck knives they have are like their .22lr's. Then the GSO's are like the AR's that I built them. They've only tried the AR's once and I'm planning on doing the same with the GSO's. The GSO's are going to be a goal for them to strive for, when they prove to me that they do not violate any safety rules and follow all precautions. I will only allow them to use them under a limited, very controlled, and supervised environment. I spent a year with my oldest and two years with my youngest engraining firearm safety and them handling BB guns before I took them to shoot .22's. The last thing I want is for my kids to get seriously hurt or cause any permanent damage due to accident or negligence. These knives will be keep with the guns and other knives in the safe. When we go camping and hiking I don't allow them to carry any knives yet, but would like too by the time they are 9 or 10 years old.
 
B34NS said:
I'm more a fan of teaching skills and not fear, whether it be children or adults.

Check it out, it's a great program. Cuts are going to happen with edge tools, but the benefit of learning far outweighs a few knicks and cuts. Same with fire, you're gonna get burned. Bonus first aid training for those with accidents, although in my years there weren't many. 5 years old is pretty young, but I base it on an individual to individual basis, but OP's kids are 6 and 7. To which I think with some appropriate guidance should be a great time!

[video=youtube;_IlTAudmIBw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IlTAudmIBw[/video]

The worst cut I've had in years was last year in the john muir wildnerness when a bottle being opened with a lighter decided to explode in my hand. Sucks for your toe brother! I'd say to wrap that edge up in a little gaffers/gorilla tape when doing mods next time :D.
Click to expand...

That's a very cool program. I may have to sign myself and my kids up for it this summer. Thanks for sharing!!
 
Rasco said:
Awesome video Beans.
Where can I get more info about getting involved in something like this in the NorCal area?
Click to expand...

Thanks Rasco! Yea! I'll put together a mini post for those who might want to support as long as the mods are cool with it as soon as they nail down this summers schedule.

Thanks Super! I don't stay the whole summer like I used to, but I wish I could!
 
B34NS said:
Thanks Rasco! Yea! I'll put together a mini post for those who might want to support as long as the mods are cool with it as soon as they nail down this summers schedule.

Thanks Super! I don't stay the whole summer like I used to, but I wish I could!
Click to expand...

Please let me know when you have your next event. I think it would be great for my kids.
 
Buy inexpensive, easily replaceable. Doesn't mean give them junk.
I can't tell you how many things "just happened to break" or "idunno where it went"

I don't have any kids, so I really don't know what its like but I'd be more inclined to give them a Mora over a $100 knife that isn't always in stock ;)
 
chambelona59 said:
I think it would be my helpful to understand what the actual age for the "kid" a.k.a. child in question is.
I looked back in this thread, but don't see an age.

There's no doubt in my mind that if a child or for that matter an adult whether on purpose or by accident lightly ran the edge of a "dull" knife across the thigh/finger/forearm/foot/toe the result would be nothing compared to a brand new GSO 3.5 which would seriously slice skin/flesh open with BARELY ANY PRESSURE.
I not only shaved an inch of hair off my forearm, but sliced the flesh a piece of Salmon without "pressure", simply by pulling the edge across the surfaces.
Click to expand...

It's easier to cut yourself with a sharp knife. It's easier to STAB yourself with a dull knife. I have a scar that I can show you. ;)

In either case. Whether the knife is dull or sharp, a kid shouldn't have a knife outside of adult supervision until they've proven they can handle it safely.


All that said. Yes, the 3.5 would be awesome for a kid. The handle is a little too small for me and I'm in between a medium and large glove size. Wish my dad would have bought me something like that. Nice!
 
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