How old do you have to be to edc a folder?

I was 7 when I got my first knife, a Wenger Nomad Swiss army knife. I carried it everywhere. But that was 1986.

Many places (here in Illinois is one) you have to be 18 to buy a one hand opener pocket knife. I'm guessing it's now discouraged to have one at school, if not illegal.

It depends on where you live I guess. I was 17 when I got my first modern EDC folder.
 
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I was allowed to have a folding knife somewhere around the size of a Spyderco Delica when I wasn't in school from the time I was 7.
I always thought age 7-12 a Swiss Army knife would be appropriate with larger knives being kept to cleaning game, fish, and cooking in the kitchen.
Age 12 on seems like a good time to learn to use just about any cutting implement out there.
Granted, that's with adult supervision until they're around 14 or 15, depending on the kid...
By the time they're 16 I'd be underwhelmed by someone that wasn't proficient with knives, axes, machetes, etc.
 
Luke Scrase said:
How old do you have to be to edc a folder? Where can you carry one? What is the best first edc folder for a first tie knife carrier?
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When my parents said I could carry a knife and laid down the law to me on what would happen if I was stupid. I think I was somewhere in the 10-12 year old range.
Times were different back then.
 
I started carrying a knife when I was 8 - that was more than a few years ago. (I'm 50something)
These days, though, a kid being found with a knife at school is grounds for suspension (or worse). There may be some places that haven't gotten to that point; but, as was already said, best to learn the state & local laws... and school policies, regarding knives.
 
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I was in kindergarten and my mom took me out of school and made a day of letting my brother and I pick our first knives. We also camped alot and were cub scouts. Taught us to respect them at a young age. My daughter is 5 and loves knives, she has 3 i got her. We hike alot and she carries her Kershaw dune neck knife. I like starting them young because they learn how to handle them. She also has 2 folders that I let her carry at times when we're working outside. She knows not to open them without me there and asking first though, does really good with it
 
Luke Scrase said:
How old do you have to be to edc a folder? Where can you carry one? What is the best first edc folder for a first tie knife carrier?
Click to expand...
1. When you're responsible enough that your parents trust you with one or 18, whichever comes first.
2. Depends on where you live. Around my parts, just about anywhere except airports and government buildings.
3. A Swiss Army Knife or Opinel is an excellent choice, but if you feel the need for a modern folder it's hard to go wrong with an Ontario Rat 1 or 2. AUS-8 is a good steel to learn to sharpen with and those knives aren't wildly expensive and have a proven track record.
 
I was 8 when my dad gave me a Case to carry, but I wasn't allowed to take it to school. My 12 year old daughter carries a Bugout, but of course, not to school.
 
Don't remember how old I was, but id guess in the 8-10 area. It was a broken buck 110. I opened my finger up good with it, still carry the scar. My son has some small pocket knives, but he doesn't edc because I dont want him to accidentally bring one to school (again). Luckily it was a minichamp and people were rational. I trust him to carry, but its just not socially acceptable, so he doesn't. Its a shame really.
 
As early as you decide, as the parent, within legal limits. Obviously not at school. I carried a knife in highschool ,both clipped or in the pocket. Things probably changed soon after. I went to highschool in Colorado and the year after I graduated the Columbine massacre happened.
 
I can echo others by saying that every boy I knew in high school and most in Junior high had a folder on them. It wasn't a big deal, these were country schools and boys would actually disarm themselves and hand knives off to friends prior to a fight. You didn't take an unfair advantage, period. I wouldn't advise any kid, no matter what the circumstances, to bring anything more weapon-like than a tactical pen to school these days because it will be a felony and it can and likely would interfere with future things like getting a good job and owning a gun. They might charge a 16 year old as an adult for this just to make an example and trust me- you do NOT want to be that example.
 
I didn't ask permission when I bought my first knife at 9 years old. I selected a two-blade jack knife from the case in the drugstore and gave the clerk the $1.49 plus tax. My father was not amused. He remained greatly concerned about my knives right up to the last time I saw him when I was 27.
 
By the 4th-5th grade almost all the boys had what we called a jack knife. We played games with them at recess at school. Neither of my parents cared whether I had a knife or not. Never said a word about it one way or the other. I never got in trouble or caused trouble with a knife either.
We have turned into a country full of pussies. I am 76 yrs. old.
 
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