How to keep my child from grabbing my pocket knife out of my pocket

D

davidrip

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Oct 20, 2015
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This morning, my 2 year old son sneaked my pocket knife out of my pocket without me noticing right away. It isn't the first time it has happened, but this time he opened it and tried to use it on his head to cut his hair, all within about 5 seconds. Luckily, he was only pressing the spine against his head when I took it back. I gave him a stern lecturing, but I'm worried he might do it again without me noticing.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? How should I deal with it? I know it will be significantly safer if I put it all the way in my pocket instead of using the clip, but if there is a more convenient way to carry it while being safe from this happening, I'd like to find out.
 
Teach him? I've raised my daughter around knives her entire life. They're everywhere. If she's curious about one, she knows all she has to do is ask and it'll be given to her, under supervision. She's never done anything dangerous or even alarming with them.
 
We're your pants off? If not how dose your child get their hand in your pocket without you knowing? I know how the Internet can be with tone this in no way was being mean just asking.
 
As young as he is, I don't think talking to him will have much effect, yet. If you spank, then I'd swat him for that and make sure he can clearly understand that that is a problem. If you don't, then the only idea I can tell you is just find a place to lock up your knives.

Also, what kind of traditional is it? Because it's kinda strange that your two year old can open a traditional. I know many grown people who can't even open em:thumbup:
 
That being said I think you might want to start like putting your knife in say your back pocket. Untill he's old enough to really understand the seriousness of a knife. I have 2 year old twins and they see me use my knife and when I see them watching I tell them sharp will hurt you. But do I truly believe they understand the outcome if they got ahold of it no. They are so young they are learning from everything good or bad. Hope it works out for you I know it can be scary.
 
Kids will try to grab anything they see that interests them (which is almost everything for a 2-year old). At the risk of being blunt, this is a matter of training the parent not to let the child even see it in the first place, unless it's done under laser-focused supervision. Putting and keeping the knife deep in-pocket (not clipped) is the minimum I'd think. And even then, I'd minimize the times & opportunities that the child would even see Dad (or Mom) handling & using the knife.

I recently heard a quote which said something to the effect, "Kids may not always do as their parents say, but they'll ALWAYS try to imitate what their parents do." For a 2-year old, that can be pretty dangerous.


David
 
You might try carrying a knife with a significantly heavier pull. Toddlers do not have much in the way of fingernails and don't have much hand strength. The light pull on a liner lock or lock back they can easily handle but a good stout traditional pull of 6 (1-10) or more should stymie most kids until they get to a place where they are more teachable. If you are using a clip at the edge of your pocket then start putting it all the way into your pocket where it is out of sight.
 
Since you mention a clip I'll move this to the General Knife Discussion forum. We don't do clips in the Traditional forum.
 
You!

This is your responsibility. Pay attention. Teach him not to do it. Install punishment if he tries to do it again. This should be treated the exact same way you teach your child to do or not do just about anything. It is not magic. Its called parenting.
 
If your two year old can get a knife out of your pocket, and have it open, without you knowing it, you really need to start paying more attention
to what your child is doing. Even worse that you claim this isn't the first time it has happened...

I'm calling BS on this. I seriously doubt a two year old can sneak a knife out of your pocket, open it, and be in the act of trying to cut his hair in less than 5 seconds.
Posts like this are just one reason I rarely venture into "General"...
 
davidrip said:
This morning, my 2 year old son sneaked my pocket knife out of my pocket without me noticing right away. It isn't the first time it has happened, but this time he opened it and tried to use it on his head to cut his hair, all within about 5 seconds. Luckily, he was only pressing the spine against his head when I took it back. I gave him a stern lecturing, but I'm worried he might do it again without me noticing.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? How should I deal with it? I know it will be significantly safer if I put it all the way in my pocket instead of using the clip, but if there is a more convenient way to carry it while being safe from this happening, I'd like to find out.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you already have a potential solution for an ongoing problem. Out of sight, out of mind.

Good luck, OP! :)

-Brett
 
Get a knife that locks closed. I would actually avoid heavy pull slipjoints or lockbacks as those will happily snap shut with significant force if the kid can get them partway open. Quite a few assisted open Kershaws can be locked closed, some SOGs, the Buck Spinlock does it as does the Paul Axial lock (though these are becoming fairly rare and expensive).
 
craytab said:
You!

This is your responsibility. Pay attention. Teach him not to do it. Install punishment if he tries to do it again. This should be treated the exact same way you teach your child to do or not do just about anything. It is not magic. Its called parenting.
Click to expand...

Yep. It's like running in a busy parking lot or wondering off without Mom or Dad.
 
Pretty much what craytab said above. You catch him doing it, you give him a smack on the hand an say "NO" in a firm voice. Repeat as necessary.
 
Deep carry slip joints with strong springs, education, and inaccessible storage. Pay close attention to your kids and set clear boundaries.
 
I think the problem you describe has nothing to do with a knife.:disturbed: But I would explain the dangers that are in their surroundings when they are old enough to understand. and either eliminate All of them or watch your children.
 
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Halfneck said:
Pretty much what craytab said above. You catch him doing it, you give him a smack on the hand an say "NO" in a firm voice. Repeat as necessary.
Click to expand...

I never suggested hitting the child. Just like asking for common sense parenting advice on the internet, hitting a child as a form of discipline is the easy way out.

This has nothing to do with the knife and everything to do with parenting. I don't think we are a parenting forum are we?
 
I've had a close call. I gave my younger boy a #6 Opinel with the edge and point ground off.

My older son and I were breaking down a huge pile of cardboard (with our sharp Opinels).

Younger son asks if he can get his.

I tell him yes, it's on the shelf.

He comes running back out with the knife open. Only he had not grabbed his. He went up stairs and grabbed another of my Opinels off my dresser in my bed room.

That knife was hair whittling sharp.

I had a conversation with him about how my knives could snip his little fingers off, or kill him if he fell.

He is careful about knives now. Both of my boys are. They have seen me get cut. The older saw me sever a nerve, and get stitches.

Children of 2 or 3 can't really be reasoned with. You have to keep the knives and guns where they can't get them.



The younger, at 5, is about ready for me to give him a knife with an edge on it, under close supervision.
 
Mittens.
A child wearing mittens isn't likely to pick your pocket, and is even less likely to open a knife.
Keep your child in mittens until you can be trusted to keep your knives out of their hands.
 
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