Help Persuading Dad

C

ConBon

Joined
Jan 17, 2012
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I need help! :( My dad thinks I have too many knives, which I only have 4 pocket knives, and one small cleaver for cutting squirrels' legs off that he won't let me use anymore. I want to buy a Bk2 for ~$60, and told him it was for skinning deer (I am taking hunters safety this weekend). Please note that my father does not hunt, and the reason I have been skinning squirrels is because my friend takes me with him deer and squirrel hunting to go plinking. I want to know what ammo I can use in our upcoming battle of wits. I am planning on bringing up the fact that my older brother has spent more than $800 on bmx bike parts this year, and I will use as an example his seat, which costs ~$40. I think that telling him I can use it for a lot more things might help, but he really is stubborn and not a fan of the amount of time and money I have spent on my knives and sharpening (~$200 at the very most over the past two or three years). Help me Beckerheads, you're my only hope!
 
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Well when it comes to weapons of any kind, parents want to see responsibility. Usually bartering works pretty good, If I can have BK-? I will do this and that and if I screw up you can have all my knives.
That being said, skinning a squirrel with a BK-2 is like using a sledgehammer to build a house, Get a BK-15,16 or 17. More useful, less big knife scary looking for dad.
 
plan to move out :) then buy a lot of knives :>
 
Im gonna go with sky on this one, Or you could just buy it and explain later ;). Out of curiosity how old are you?
 
+2 what Sky said, and maybe even consider smaller for squirrels/happy parent factor, like an 11 or 14. What if you made a bargain; something like gifting one of your pocketknives to your brother or dad in return for him allowing you to order a new one? Or just gift it/them first and then ask. They stay in the family, and if your dad does not carry a small pocketknife with him every day, he might come to see the value, and realize that you're not simply going mallninja on him...?
 
Believe me dude I grew up with a hovering liberal washed out hippie mother, parents can be rough (and still are in my case, just because you turn 18 don't count on complete autonomy they still got college on you if that's your plan). Best way I overcame this issue was a lot of groveling, hammering knife knowledge (the more technical you get within reason tells parents this is something you care about and isn't a toy or passing fad) and buying it with your own money

Oh and I agree with Sky, a smaller Becker would serve you well, unless you "need" a sharpened pry bar more power to ya :)
 
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The one thing Sky was wrong about is calling them "weapons"... They are TOOLS, and it is important that you educate your Dad about them. Everything else Sky said is dead on! Good luck.
 
There will be plenty of time in life to buy blades. Prove that you are responsible with the ones you have, show your dad what you use them for, and why you need them, or that you just want them, and that you know the difference. Let out dad know that you are looking, if you mention a particular knife a number of times, maybe it will end up in your hands as a gift. When I was younger, my job was keeping the kitchen knives sharp (my mom appreciates a sharp knife) if I couldn't keep the knives sharp, it must have meant I had too many of my own. I had very few nice knives as a kid, more than a few crappy ones.
work hard, save your money, and you'll have an easier time convincing your folks.

Also, if your parents don't trust your friend, for whatever reason, that will hurt your cause. Lots of people are worried about their kids influences, and if they think your friend is a bunker building survivalist, it might freak them out a bit.

Be patient, it won't be a quick process.
 
First your age so we can get to know what kind of barter you can do.

But if squirrel poking is what you want you might wanna try the BK-11 it's my second favorite on the becker line and will give you some quality time if you want a full size blade, go all the way 16 it will better suit your age the becker full size handle doenst fit most small hands, and unless your puberty hit you like a sledgehammer with steroids your hands wont be the size you need for the bk2 and 3 until you hit your 17eens. Has the blade thickness help make it bulky.

Also if you go tweener 15 16 17 please go 16 so you have a better chance in the future to get more knifes. Has it has a less scary look.
 
I smell a load.....
{EDITED} How old are you really?
 
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I'm seeing a lot of really good parental advice here....it's all about being responsible with all aspects of your life and demonstrating that responsibility on a consistent basis.

CD
 
I was into knives at a very young age also. My parents minds were made up & that was final ! See post # 3. Good advise. :D
 
ConBon said:
I need help! ...and one small cleaver for skinning squirrels that he won't let me use anymore.
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Cleaver for skinning squirrels? Are you one of those guys about which, when he gets arrested for mutilating a dorm full of girls, the neighbors say, "Well, he always WAS a strange kid. You know, he once skinned squirrels with a CLEAVER! I knew he would come to no good!"

We're keeping an eye on you, Boy...
 
Compromise. It's like what Sky said, give a little to get a little. I would also suggest going the smaller route and getting a tweener, or Necker/Eskabar. Tweeners would be good general purpose skinners especially if you go with a two grind system.
 
Kinda hard to say one way or another on this point without knowing some of the relevant details: in other words, have you stopped to consider that your dad might have a very good reason that he wants you to save your money? What is his argument? You might do well to take a step back from what you want, and consider if he's got a good reason for his opinion, or if he's just one of those people who doesn't understand the value of a good knife. Give his argument a good faith attempt at understanding before you decide he's just being ornery.

I certainly remember that when I was of the age that my parents were telling me to stay away from knives, they actually had my best interests in mind. There's a reasonable chance I would have been foolish enough to bring a knife to school, for instance, and potentially gotten myself expelled. I do still think the knife rules for schools are stupid, particularly considering how many of my classmates had firearms, but that doesn't change the fact that as a teenager, I didn't necessarily make 100% good decisions. Particularly about knives.

Other things to consider: Money is about to become VERY scarce for you if you're anywhere close to the age at which you might get a car, a girlfriend, or go to college, and you'll probably thank yourself later for saving your money.

Ultimately, I guess it comes down to how badly you want it, if it's your own money you're spending, and whether your dad has a good reason for wanting you to save your money that you can recognize. A BK2 is a pretty worthy investment, and not overly expensive as knives go (although I'd go with a 16, personally, in your position). If he just doesn't appreciate knives, start by getting him one that will work well with whatever his interests are, and see if you can get him hooked too.
 
Karda said:
I smell a load.....
{Edited} How old are you really?
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He could be living in there basement..If you are by any chance then dont take that as offensive...
 
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K9-Handler said:
Cleaver for skinning squirrels? Are you one of those guys about which, when he gets arrested for mutilating a dorm full of girls, the neighbors say, "Well, he always WAS a strange kid. You know, he once skinned squirrels with a CLEAVER! I knew he would come to no good!"

We're keeping an eye on you, Boy...
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I use a real small one for shopping the legs off with. And I am not the only one.
 
Hold on a minute, I am NOT going to be using it for skinning squirrels, I had the cleaver and now use an old Buck. I AM going to use the Bk2 for anything I need done that my Uncle Henry can't handle. I will also use it for skinning deer, because I really liked it when I borrowed my friend's when we were skinning his buck.

Karda said:
I smell a load.....
{Edited} How old are you really?
Click to expand...

I am **, I always do the 19** for year to keep away the predators (which happened once and was not a fun thing to deal with).
 
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ConBon said:
I am **, I always do the 19** for year to keep away the predators (which happened once and was not a fun thing to deal with).
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Well..

Try the 16 it's less menancing looking and will do every task you are saying better than the 2. Execpt for chopping squirrel legs off but you can live with that.
 
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