"My very own knife!"

kamagong

kamagong

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Jan 13, 2001
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It was a very beautiful day. Too beautiful actually for this time of year; at 72 °F already it looks like it's going to be a long, dry summer. Still, a lazy day with this type of weather doesn't come along all that often and shouldn't be wasted. With that in mind my wife, daughter, and I all headed to the backyard to do...nothing.

We all had our little diversions. My daughter had a bottle of bubbles. My wife brought my daughter's guitar along with her tablet set to a YouTube channel showing her how to play "Stand By Me." Being the knifenut that I am I brought some steel along with a block of basswood destined to become a ball-in-cage.

As my daughter alternated between blowing and chasing bubbles, I settled in for a little carving session. The sloyd knife was tuned up perfectly, carving little curls of wood with a minimum of effort. After a few minutes I realized that I had forgotten to bring a strop. Upon sheathing my knife I noticed my daughter watching me.

"Daddy, when can I have a knife?"

:triumphant:

My daughter has asked me about knives in the past, but it's only recently that she has started learning about proper knife technique. To be honest, she just wasn't mature enough to use knives, much less own one. But I think her time has come.

I already knew which knife I wanted to give her, an old Queen that didn't quite work for me. Smaller than I like it should be a good size for small hands. It has a nice pull, not too stiff and walks and talks like a well-made pocketknife should. The wharncliffe blade will simplify her learning curve when it comes to sharpening, and the stainless steel will be more forgiving when she is less than fastidious with maintenance.



I presented it to my daughter when I went back outside. Her eyes went wide with surprise, I don't think she expected to get a knife so soon. She tentatively took it from my hands, unsure of herself. When I assured her that it was indeed her own, she took the knife and clutched it to her chest in appreciation. As if to prove her worthiness she then proceeded to open her prize. I felt very proud, almost like Merlin watching Arthur pull Excalibur from the stone.

By this time my wife was paying attention. Apparently the thought of her baby with a sharp knife was more than she could stand, for she took the knife away. Just like that my daughter was knifeless again. My little girl looked at me, but I could only shrug. There is no disobeying SWMBO, whose prounouncements are law.

It looks like my daughter's status as one of the enlightened has been delayed, but I will always treasure the look on her face when she received her first knife.

- Christian
 
SUCH a great read my friend- to see a young Traditionalist come up.
Thank you for sharing- be great to see some shots in the future!
 
I can't beleive your wife did that, it's like taking candy from a baby. By th way how old is your daughter?
 
Well the fix is to do what I did with my kids when they were young. I got them a single blade spear point knife. And let them "borrow" it in my presence only. It was soon enough theirs, but Daddy was the keeper of the knives. It satisfied the kids and the wife.
 
Thanks guys. She just turned four. Here's an old picture from a couple of years ago.



That's an Imperial cattleman in her hands. At the time I considered slipjoints to be toddler-safe knives. They may very well be, but that means nothing when your kid is no longer a toddler.

:eek:

Codger, the Queen is hers, but I agree with you. Though she has ownership she has not yet been granted full control and possession.
 
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Great story! May your daughter's wish be fulfilled soon, but not until Mama says so.

If Mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy. :D
 
Thanks for sharing. When the time comes and Mom approves she'll fall in love with it even more. As a mom of a 4 year old I understand your wife's hesitation. But until mom feels more comfortable, hold that image of her today close to your heart. It'll be a special one for you for many years to come. Thanks for sharing your love with knives with your little girl. That's a wonderful gift no one will ever be able to take away.
 
Christian,
This made my evening, Great Story, with a wonderful, gracefull looking folder.
You made a good decision to give Your Daughter shared responsibilty.
 
Well done sir. My son is 4 and just getting into studying Daddy's whittling sessions and asking questions. When he was born I bought him a Case copperlock, and he'll get it in time. Until then, I have enjoyed that same kind of look you describe, from then just holding the knives even.
 
I gave my 4 year old son a Case Texas jack but we keep it in the tray that holds my EDC rotation, I only let him use it when I am with him. He was very pleased to have one he could claim as his own. He is able to get the blades open on it but I make sure he has a firm grip and keeps his fingers well clear when opening and closing it, don't want the knife to bite him.
 
What a great moment you will remember for the rest of your days. This really put a smile on my face. Not to mention the picture of your daughter with the knife and the look of excitement. To cute.
 
My two sons are 30 and 27 now. They still get a big grin on their faces when they are given a new knife.
Nice going, Christian. Mom will come around in due time.
 
My two sons are 30 and 27 now. They still get a big grin on their faces when they are given a new knife.
Nice going, Christian. Mom will come around in due time.
 
That's nice story Christian!
May be as she grows old you like to buy her ETLINES Pocket Knife, a cute knife just like your baby :)
 
Beautiful story. My daughter is 5 and she sends people (her friends and family) to me all the time when they need something cut because she knows Daddy always has a knife. I personally feel that she is a little too young for a knife of her own, but I can't wait for the day when i get to give her one. She asks questions about them all the time and she knows one day she will be old enough. I hope the interest will still be there when the care and coordination is. What I do know is it will probably be pink, beyond that the sky is currently the limit.
 
That is nice Christian, the next generation stood up for his (her) rights. Soon she would have full control of it, in the meantime you will act as the faithful keeper.
Mike
 
Great story, allthough I can understand your wife :) My son's got their first knives at about age of 8 when they went to boy scouts. Puukko's, of course. They had handled knives before that. Their first knives were Marttiini children's knives that had no sharp tip.
 
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