GSO 3.5 for kids?

My 13 YO received his first real knife at about 10. A Mora Companion. Promptly cut himself when I looked the other way. They're sharp! That along with one bad kitchen knife cut (he grabbed it when we were out of the kitchen) and he now has much respect for the blade in general. Thank God the cuts were minor, as in no stitches. I explained as he got into machetes and khukuri that he would be a second away from missing fingers and he seems to have taken it to heart. For me, it's start them young and drive it home hard! Same with firearms. We'll go shooting and my 13 Yo is head and shoulders above the adults "lasering" themselves and others!

I'd start with cheaper knives because kids can find rocks faster than a dog can snatch a chicken strip falling off a table:) But, teaching knife safety, especially young, is so important and admirable, and will stay with them forever. I beam with pride when I see him being extra careful, even when he thinks I'm not watching:) Take care guys.
 
Last edited:
In my experience, kids tend to be unpredictable and clumbsy. I wouldn't trust a knife that cost more than $50 to my 6 year old. I'm not so afraid of her injuring herself as I am of her dropping it somewhere or losing it. I haven't ever used a 3.5, but I would try to find something with a slimmer handle for smaller hands. I like the idea of an izula with colored paracord (easy to find, easy to hold, change colors to their preference). It will handle abuse, small enough for a kid to grip, and not too pricey. That's just my 2 cents. Your kids may not be as clumsy as mine. It's different for everyone. Hope they enjoy what ever they receive.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Here is what generations of working with kids and knives tells us.

When kids try to cut something and it's hard to cut, they typically respond with greater force.

When the knife slips, because it's dull and will not bite, the greater force results in a more violent loss of control.

The knife may be too dull to bite the wood, but when it encounters the kid, driven by the greater force, it tears nicely.

Someone likes to post that knowledge comes from experience and much of the experience if bad experience. Scars are the souvenir that you never misplace.

Your kid.
Click to expand...

Only sharp knives are worth teaching with.
 
Last edited:
I like all the responses so far. There are some very interesting insights. I'm just waiting on a few things from the states then I'll be presenting my 14yo son with a nice little fixed blade (BK11). I feel he is responsible and trustworthy enough to handle it with care, but as you're all aware, anyone can cut themselves. And as it has been stated, edged tools can be great gifts to prompt intrinsic curiosity about the outdoors. I bought him a SAK a while back and he loves it so I reckon he'll dig the BK. He got himself a job as a farm hand and I believe it will be a very handy tool. Once I start getting me some S!knives he'll probably end up with one of them as well :)

Heres something I did to myself a couple of months ago. This was a result of inattention and complacency. I am very aware of the damage a knife can do and hope that my son's step dad will guide him with the correct 'manners' when using his knife (I know he will, he's a good bloke)



If you zoom in and focus on the spot right at the tip of the doctors L forefinger, you can see the severed end of the main artery that runs along the top of my finger. She ended up tying it off to stop it squirting blood everywhere. I was about an hours walk into the bush and another hours drive to the nearest hospital. Thankfully I had a decent first aid kit with me.

Like I said this was caused by inattention and complacency so the more you can drum into your kids that whilst edged tools can be extremely helpful they can be quite dangerous. I LOVE my knives and totally respect them but when your concentration lapses they WILL make you pay.
 
BeeKayNutCase said:
I like all the responses so far. There are some very interesting insights. I'm just waiting on a few things from the states then I'll be presenting my 14yo son with a nice little fixed blade (BK11). I feel he is responsible and trustworthy enough to handle it with care, but as you're all aware, anyone can cut themselves. And as it has been stated, edged tools can be great gifts to prompt intrinsic curiosity about the outdoors. I bought him a SAK a while back and he loves it so I reckon he'll dig the BK. He got himself a job as a farm hand and I believe it will be a very handy tool. Once I start getting me some S!knives he'll probably end up with one of them as well :)

Heres something I did to myself a couple of months ago. This was a result of inattention and complacency. I am very aware of the damage a knife can do and hope that my son's step dad will guide him with the correct 'manners' when using his knife (I know he will, he's a good bloke)



If you zoom in and focus on the spot right at the tip of the doctors L forefinger, you can see the severed end of the main artery that runs along the top of my finger. She ended up tying it off to stop it squirting blood everywhere. I was about an hours walk into the bush and another hours drive to the nearest hospital. Thankfully I had a decent first aid kit with me.

Like I said this was caused by inattention and complacency so the more you can drum into your kids that whilst edged tools can be extremely helpful they can be quite dangerous. I LOVE my knives and totally respect them but when your concentration lapses they WILL make you pay.
Click to expand...

Sh*t happens when you don't expect it to.
Just like it happened to my toe with a S!K 4.1... a "six year old" child with a brand new S!K 3.5?
I know the orig. posters intentions were good, but Guy's knives are sharper then sharp, "6 and 7" years old is too young for a razor/scalpel sharp knife like the 3.5.
 
Supertac did state that he would be giving them constant supervision and would make sure they would adhere to his rules at all times when using said knives. I'm sure with his supervision and guidance his kids will gain a healthy respect for not only these tools but their father as they use them. By no means am I disrespecting your opinion chambelona, as I'm sure you have a deep respect for how sharp these knives are but I'm also sure Supertac will ensure that his children's safety is his primary concern.
 
BeeKayNutCase said:
Supertac did state that he would be giving them constant supervision and would make sure they would adhere to his rules at all times when using said knives. I'm sure with his supervision and guidance his kids will gain a healthy respect for not only these tools but their father as they use them. By no means am I disrespecting your opinion chambelona, as I'm sure you have a deep respect for how sharp these knives are but I'm also sure Supertac will ensure that his children's safety is his primary concern.
Click to expand...

The two children (6 & 7) were shown the 3.5 and exactly how sharp is, quote: "I showed the boys how sharp they were by cutting some paper, they told me they aren't ready for them yet."
So that's it, the 2 children decided on their own, made up their own minds what they wanted to do.
 
IMHO, you have to walk a fine line between the child's age, maturity, and then which knife (or gun, for that matter). Sharp is OK, as long as they know what it can do and are willing to be careful. Anyone who plays with knives will get cut sometime. I wanted to do what I could to ensure it was minor. When I bought my son his first machete I guess he was ten. I so worried about chopping a finger off, but watched him closely and he was great. Now he wields an Ontario khukuri and a USMC copy, or Mora Bushcraft Orange, and I have very high confidence in him. He also wields a .257 Roberts during deer season and has proven deadly on critters and safe as a range nazi otherwise. Evaluate, train, and watch. I prefer to start them with cheap, quality knives, but that's just me. I'm cheap in general:D
 
BeeKayNutCase, Thanks for sharing that. I've become very slow and methodical with blades for that very reason. After hearing you guys, I almost terrified for my 4.1 to arrive:) Hand on one end, cutting on the other! And don't drop it on my foot:D
 
Dang Springy! That's a bad cut alright. I'll bet you've got a numb spot down the top/side of your finger there now. I've been stitched back up a bunch and found that the feeling does (eventually) grow back.
 
Just goes to show that no matter the age one needs to be careful.

For all those saying these knives are too sharp, you can sharpen any knife to be this sharp, and you can dull any sharp knife to the desired level. It's not like there's some magic sitting on your Survive! knife keeping it sharp.

I received an m4 grip the other day, dull and chipped. It now has a mirrored edge and I can shave with it.
My first balisong I bought was a double edged $5 pos. I ripped one edge clean off with 220 grit sandpaper and learned how to flip the thing.
 
Funnily enough guys, the area has total feeling along it. They never did attach the artery, they just kept it tied off as there were plenty of other blood vessels in my finger to supply blood without hindrance. The doctor said because it was such a clean cut (all the way to the bone too, she opened it up and showed me where the blade hit it) that it will heal very well and it did. Now, I almost removed my pinky on the same hand with a set of secateurs about 7yrs ago. They were pretty blunt actually and its that area, believe it or not, that I still can't feel. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you're going to get cut, it probably should be with something sharp as the healing process seems to be quicker/more efficient. That, and I probably shouldn't own sharp things :D
 
Thanks guys for all of your opinions and insights. @Beekaynutcase, that was a nasty little cut you got there.:eek: The last thing I want is for my kids to end up heading to the emergency room or having to see their Grandpa to stitch them up. I still haven't given the 3.5's to my kids and we just got back from a camping trip, where they used their little buck knives. I will keep them set aside with their big boy guns and let them practice with other knives as they do with their .22lr's. I am a avid believer in safety and when my kids are handling anything that could potential harm them or someone else I make sure I don't get distracted. The last thing I want is for my kids to get hurt. Appreciate all of the insights and sharing of your personal stories. It definitely puts things into perspective. I want them to grow up with all of their fingers:)
 
mukwah said:
I agree. I'm helping my 14 year old grandson work on his knife collection which he started when he was 12
and I usually dull his really sharp blades just for safety.
Click to expand...

My dad ran my first knife across a rock to dull it. Ticked me off. It wasn't useable anymore. So, I had a throwing knife. The only good it was after that. That SAK didn't last long. ;) I was about 8. Didn't really learn about knives until I was well into my 20's. A dozen years of NOT being a knife guy. The horror. :eek:

Not telling you what to do. Just sharing my experience on the receiving end. "Dull" is also a relative word.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top