Kids and Ka Bars

[rkmoore]

What is the right age for a kid to get their first fixed blade knife? I've been thinking about this a lot lately because I've got nieces and a nephew that are between 6 & 10. So I'm thinking that they are getting close. At least the 10 year old is. And then comes the question of which knife. Maybe a BK14 or a Game Stalker. Any help is appreciated.

 

[winterveil]

Honestly, I think it depends on the kid and how mature they are. I'd probably wait until at least 11, and it goes without saying - make sure their parents are cool with it.

As far as which knife, I'm thinking the 14 is probably a bit big for a kid. The ESEE Candiru might be better bet. It's more manageable, but performs WAY above it's weight class.

Hope that helps!

 

[abrasion]

My son is 3...highly supervised.

He's so good about never taking it out of the sheath without permission. He loves knives as much as I do...

 

[rkmoore]

WOW! Three is way younger than I would have imagined possible. At least with the knuckleheads in my gene pool. LOL!
Winterveil - thanks for the suggestion but I prefer the BK 14 to the Candiru.

The oldest of the three is my niece. She's 10 and very responsible. I will absolutely talk this over with my brother first. He's a single dad so at least I don't have to convince mom. :thumbup:

 

[abrasion]

WOW! Three is way younger than I would have imagined possible. At least with the knuckleheads in my gene pool. LOL!
Winterveil - thanks for the suggestion but I prefer the BK 14 to the Candiru.

The oldest of the three is my niece. She's 10 and very responsible. I will absolutely talk this over with my brother first. He's a single dad so at least I don't have to convince mom. :thumbup:

He's my third boy and fourth child. I've progressively let them use a fixed blade younger and younger. I do however wait till they are a little older, 7 or 8 to use a folder. Folders cut uncoordinated little kids, I still remember the first time I cut myself on a Swiss Army knife, 4 years old.

 

[TBL]

Like abrasion,

My highly supervised children. My son is 4 and has been using knives for about a year with my supervision. My daughter is 2, and I still do my hands over hers to show her the proper techniques. Both of them are using a BK13

I think as far as 'giving them a knife' that is theirs and the responsibility that goes along with it 8+ is a great age (with the right guidance and use restrictions). In order to curtail ambitions to touch when I'm not around, I let my son handle every knife that I get, then remind him that he can only 'see' them when I am around.

I've been watching many Jerry Fisk youtube video's on hand sharpening lately. My son came over with an old hat of mine and said he 'was the guy from the computer', I had to put a BK5 in his hands.

I'm guessing the first knife my boy will get will be a Ka-Bar :thumbup:

 

[abrasion]

Like abrasion,

My highly supervised children. My son is 4 and has been using knives for about a year with my supervision. My daughter is 2, and I still do my hands over hers to show her the proper techniques. Both of them are using a BK13

I think as far as 'giving them a knife' that is theirs and the responsibility that goes along with it 8+ is a great age (with the right guidance and use restrictions). In order to curtail ambitions to touch when I'm not around, I let my son handle every knife that I get, then remind him that he can only 'see' them when I am around.

I've been watching many Jerry Fisk youtube video's on hand sharpening lately. My son came over with an old hat of mine and said he 'was the guy from the computer', I had to put a BK5 in his hands.

I'm guessing the first knife my boy will get will be a Ka-Bar :thumbup:

Awesome!!!

 

[rkmoore]

TBL - That really is great. Your kids look like they are having a great time and learning about proper use and technique from their dad makes it just about perfect. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Aikiguy]

Yeah it really depends on the child - hyperactivity level, ability to listen, blah, blah, I'm sure you know the rest. That said, by daughter was gifted a BK14 when she was 6 years old. Loves it. I'd highly highly recommend it - the blade is small enough for her to control now, with a handle large enough for her to grow into for the rest of her life. Under strict supervision, she's been practicing her whittling and fire making skills. She's a real sponge at this age, so giving her lessons on proper knife safety and technique now will go a long way on her skills in the future.

 

[winterveil]

Wow. Y'all have waaaay more faith in kids than I do. But then, most of the kids I know are little hellions.

If you're able to trust them with a knife at 3, you're definitely doing something right in the parenting department. I am duly impressed.

 

[Moosez45]

Yeah, like others have said, depends on the kids. My daughters started with knives around 6 or so.

A pile of cedar 1x1's, a good knife and some porch time is all it takes. Some of the best times I've ever spent on the Earth.

Moose

 

[zzyzzogeton]

The age of first knife use AND first knife ownership is going to be dependent on the maturity and dependability of the child. Every kid will be different. I've seen some adults that I wouldn't want to have a ball bearing, much less a knife.

I was allowed to start using knives under supervision at about 4 or 5. My grandfather started me with whittling and feather stick making to learn control. My first "learned knife task" was pencil sharpening. My first knife usage was a fixed blade - a late 50s-early 60s Kabar 1232. My grandfather told me "A pocket knife is fine for quick cutting, but a fixed blade is always safer."

When I started first grade (age 6), I was given my first folder, a small, used but well taken care of Imperial. My grandfather said "Every boy needs his own knife at school. Can't have you borrowing someone else's knife." It was a "Mark your calendar day." when the pencil sharpener in my classroom broke and I was the only one who could sharpen pencils for everyone, including the teacher.

He gave me my first fixed blade, a Western L46-5, at age 10. The story is already out there in a couple of threads (involves his 1232), but his comment when he gave the Western to me was "If you're smart enough to come up with that question, you're old enough to have your own fixed blade."

Early exposure and training are the key.

 

[Noswad0208]

My dad probably gave me my first folder when I was about 5/6. The tip was broken, and I'm pretty sure he dulled it, but then the next Christmas he gave me a small Schrade traditional with three blades. Now I'm 15 and he's given me a few more aince then. I'm pretty sure my first fixed blade was a BK9 about 2 or 3 years ago. I could have handled one and he would have given me one sooner, but the little schrade and a couple cheapo county fair folders did me well enough, so I didn't need one. Last year sometime I bought an Izula and a Leek and started really apreciating knives, but the 9 is what got me started on fixed blades.

Edit to say this, before the 9 I had used fixed blades, but none were my own, and none were exactly what I would call quality.

 

[Aikiguy]

...When I started first grade (age 6), I was given my first folder, a small, used but well taken care of Imperial. My grandfather said "Every boy needs his own knife at school. Can't have you borrowing someone else's knife."..

What a great little memory of your grandfather; my how times have changed. And definitely not all for the better

 

[Endel]

Hi Abrasion!

My son is 3...highly supervised.
He's so good about never taking it out of the sheath without permission. He loves knives as much as I do...

My son turned three today as well, but for now i get him Thomas the Train and not Machax.

But i must agree that super supervision is the key and this way it will work out well.

Endel

 

[abrasion]

Hi Abrasion!



My son turned three today as well, but for now i get him Thomas the Train and not Machax.

But i must agree that super supervision is the key and this way it will work out well.

Endel

Start them young so they obtain the skills they need to be independent in the bush. My 7 year old has more skill than most high school kids.