Kids and Knives - Collecting, Using, Making?

mwschilling

mwschilling

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Aug 29, 2012
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Do any of your kids use, collect or make knives? What do you do, if anything, to peek their interest in knives? My son received his first knife on the day he was born. A good friend delivered a Duck Unlimited Green Wing knife to the hospital and my son, now age 13, still has it as part of his collection. He has a small collection of production knives along with a couple we made together. I think making knives with him as hobby gives him a greater appreciation for what goes into a good custom knife.

His Collection:
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Him making his own:

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Knives he made (with a little help) He did all the wood, scales, pins, etc and I helped some with the nickle silver grinding/shaping.

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Those are knives your son made?! Even with some help, those are very impressive and actually look better than many customs I've seen around.

My son and daughter have picked up an interest in knives from me over the years but that has gotten much stronger in the past year or so. They both like to whittle with their folders but have been completely amazed with the arrival of first my HI M43 khukuri and then my son's recent birthday gift: an HI Bashpati khukuri. They both are floored by how much can be done by hand forging and their excitement has renewed my interest in trying my hand at making blades and involving them in the learning process sometime in the next couple of years.
 
wow those are wwwwwaaaaaayyyy nice than what i did when i first started making knives, very impressive

i have no kids, but I've gotten the younger scouts in my old troop interested in knives just by teaching them how to properly use and maintain knives

now they are all addicted haha
 
Thanks for the kind remarks. He is very proud of these. I must clarify that he did not make the blades. They came from Texas Knifemakers Supply and he did the handles and guards/bolsters.

Torm: I agree whittling is probably the quickest way to get kids to learn to enjoy and use knives. We also play "pig", a form of mumbly peg when camping, although his mother does not approve of this activity.

RevDevil: He does have a respirator but refused to be photographed with it on. These pics were actually taken to send to his grandmother.
 
mwschilling said:
RevDevil: He does have a respirator but refused to be photographed with it on. These pics were actually taken to send to his grandmother.
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ya, respirator is highly recomended, I learned that the hard way.
cocobolo, and stabilized wood dust is not good for the lungs..... like being a smoker without the Nicotine high
 
My brother introduced me to knives when i discovered a few of cheapos in his room a few years. Since then, i've recently started a nice collection. My father isn't too fond of knives since he and everyone else thinks knives are illegal. But yeah i think introducing knives to your children is a great idea. It's certainly a hobby that people of all ages and enjoy and appreciate.
 
alex1577 said:
My brother introduced me to knives when i discovered a few of cheapos in his room a few years. Since then, i've recently started a nice collection. My father isn't too fond of knives since he and everyone else thinks knives are illegal. But yeah i think introducing knives to your children is a great idea. It's certainly a hobby that people of all ages and enjoy and appreciate.
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Oh completely agreed, the sooner you expose them the better


I'm guessing your father was sheltered from knives, guns and such as a kid
 
mwschilling said:
Torm: I agree whittling is probably the quickest way to get kids to learn to enjoy and use knives. We also play "pig", a form of mumbly peg when camping, although his mother does not approve of this activity.
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You ought to be forced to 'lose' your game by dropping your knife through your foot in front of your boy to show him how stupid throwing knives at your foot is. I think it's cool you and your boy t bond over knives, but you are teaching him really serious irresponsibility playing mumbly peg.

In response to your post, my son, at 5, is allowed to look at, not touch, mind you, but look at my collection, and understands how a knife is to be used, and what you don't do with a knife. We don't talk about the weapon aspect yet, but in due time. He'll inherit my collection down the road. Hopefully he'll inherit the love for them I have as well. When he'll have is own will depend on how responsible he is at what age. Every kid is different. For now, he gets to observe, which makes me think carefully about how I am handling knives around him.
 
I've only been interested in knives for a couple of years, but my two, aged seven and nine are both interested. Gave my son a SAK not long ago along with his three male cousins while we were visiting them on holiday. My daughter has set her heart on a Leatherman Juice S2 after playing with mine a few times, and the son has just in the past week become obsessed with my Spyderco Dragonfly.

@mwschilling - nice work from your son. Much to be proud of at such a young age.
 
Perhaps I should clarify what our game of "pig" involves. I would never teach or allow my son to throw a knife towards anyone. Pig is a game of stick it with everyone clear of the circle. We clear out a patch of dirt and take turns sticking a cheap knife into the ground in various ways. My father and grandfather played it with me and now I play with my son. Like the basketball game of "pig" you get a letter for each time you fail to stick the blade. We play with a small 2" blade. It is actually very safe and fun, unlike real numbly peg.
 
Let me add a question to the mix if u don't mind!! At what age do you introduce children to knives?? I'm 36 and pretty new or just way old and rusty myself but my son is at my side from the time I get home till I go back to work I am superman to him!! I have him a nice collection started but being 3 idk what to do!! Ty ahead of time
 
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One of the foster kids who was with me made this
 

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Regarding the age question. As I said in my OP, my son received his first knife at birth. I think he was about 5-6 when I first showed it to him and told him about the guy who gave it to him. From that age my son was allowed to use his knife to whittle when we were at our cabin or camping and only under my direct supervision. He was finally allowed to keep his knife in his room at age 10. We still keep most knives under our control because we have another younger son who might find them otherwise.
 
I'm 17 and I made my first knife when i was about 11. The only tools i had at the time was a bench grinder and a hacksaw.
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This is my most recent one. It's a 1084 necker.
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I still don't have many tools or much time to practice, but i'm getting there. My parents don't really get my fascination with knives, but they're pretty supportive.
 
I myself(at 44) am trying to get into knife making. always been interested never tried..yet..any sources on doing so how to do so? Ive never seen a lot of things on this. And all the "kits" seem to be either..VERY,VERY basic..or just a blank and hope you know the rest..Id like to try to make one with the kid but do something that at least decent. Id looked into some knife blanks on Ebay and even Texas supply but even if I had one I just dont know where to start. I know the kid would love to help as he seems interested..id like to make this a father/son type project. Im looking mostly at blanks then accessories..I have nothing to "grind" with.
 
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My son got into knives when he was two. He saw me sharpening some of mine and he fell in love. He has a small collection now at 4 years old, I let him hold them in closed position in front of me to look at them. Everytime I go to rehandle or sharpen a knife he's right there. He really got into them though when I rehandled two old pocket knives with orange\green and black\yellow for him because he's such a big Batman and Joker fan. Now all he talks about is when he gets bigger he's gonna make knives. It's a great thing showing your love of knives with your kids and sometimes it becomes their love too.
 
For those that want to start making knives with kids (by that I only mean putting handles on blanks) you can start with a small grinder. I bought my first at harbor freight for $39. It was a 1x30 and I still use it today. That and a drill (or drill press) and you can begin. I suggest buy a couple how to books and take a shot. Many blades can be purchased for under $20.
 
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