Knives for children- Sharp or not?

jill jackson said:
Now all of a sudden all you hear about is concerned parents.
Click to expand...

Of all the text in this post this one sentence stood out for me. I am thinking about the all of the "concerned parents" that I know (or have known) and I find that hey all have one thing in common:

The parent did not know enough about the subject to educate the child.
So because the parents do not want to be seen unknowable they avoid the subject all together and fake concern.

Back on topic:
I received my first knife around the age of 8. However, before my dad gave me that knife, he taught me how to sharpen his. My parents still have some kitchen knives that I murdered while learning. I would say teach the child how to use, respect, and care for a knife first. If all of those requirements are met... Give the child a sharp knife.

Thanks,
STICF
 
I started my son with a "my first Opinel" when he was 10. On that knife, the point is rounded, but the edge is very sharp (and, it has the usual Opinel lock).

Then I taught him basic knife safety and proper cutting technique; he practiced on a whittling stick with me watching. I had him use a glove on his "work" hand, and safety glasses. He slipped once or twice, but showing him the cut in the surface of the glove was really effective feedback. I kept the knife in my drawer for the first year, then gave him an SAK cybertool (which I tuned up to scary-sharp). 3 years on, he is extremely careful and has better feel for the correct way to use tools than those of his friends who've never been allowed to use them. Looking back, it was better for him to learn prior to being a pre-teen.

I've had the privilege of selling first knives to a number of parent and child "teams." They get a stern lecture on safety and proper use that may have more impact coming from a non-parent adult. Unfortunately, I've also had to suggest other products for older "children" when they obviously shouldn't own anything dangerous.
 
well, my 5 (just turned 6) year old daughter got her first knife this year, PINK SAK, she does not get to carry it. It stays in the case with all of daddy's knives, but I will get it out for her when she asks and wants to open something. I have instructed her how, and watch her very carefully. As soon as she is done, she closes it and gives it back to me to be put away.

She is very responsible with knives, and has chastised me on the few times I've been lazy and left a knife on the computer desk rather than back in my pocket or in the knife case, so I feel she's definitely on her way to the right attitude.

The 2 year old on the other hand, seems fearless, has gotten a hold of a razor knife that was being used around the house and sliced her thumb, didn't cry, didn't say a word, just went on playing and bleeding. She has just finally after MONTHS of trying gotten to the point in restaurants where she will give me the knife in the silverware, even if it's not sharp (her sister did that after only a couple of times telling her no). She will open any knife that gets left around, or if I hand her a closed folder and ask her to take it across the room to mommy, it's open when it gets there, so she no longers even gets to carry them to people.

It will be interesting to see how she does in a couple of years.
 
I got a package deal on a Victorinox Classic and a Tinker. At first I let my 6 year old carry the Classic only when I was with him, and watched carefully and taught him proper usage. Then the rules were relaxed to include his mother. But he kept salivating for the Tinker. I gave him a waiting period of 6 months without losing the Classic or cutting himself, and the Tinker would be his. So far, so good. He'll get the Tinker in May when he turns 7.

I hope I didn't just jinx things.
 
My son is going to be 3 in may, he has his own kitchen knife in the kitchen draw. And he get to help cut fruit and meat with it when we ( both mom and dad ) makes dinner.
I have dulled it up somewhat, because he is so young that he does not always remember where he has his fingers when he is cutting.
Still it's sharp enough that he has cut him self a few times, just small nicks.
He bleeds like a real man:eek::eek::eek:
And he gets to use my edc, with me helping him of cause, when ever we get the chance.

he he when ever we are using my knife, I usually go "Good thing we had had a knife for that huh? " And he usually agrees with me.
I just love it when he walk over to me and ask " Dad can I borrow you knife ? "
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top