Starting the grandson

Grandpa ,I was wood carving at 7 , then on to chicken, veggies etc,etc.And on the way learned to cook ! Don't hold him back .Challenge him, under supervision .When it comes to chicken for example teach anatomy, Ways to cook, the whole picture !
 
I would be a bit more aggressive in my teaching but I have to operate under the limitations of his parents. Mom, my daughter, stood right next to him all the time he was using the knife. It is a wonder that she allows me to take him to the shooting range and teach him how to shoot both a rifle and pistol in .22 call
 
My grandson will turn 7 around the end of July. Last year, I started him off with my old Opinel no.7 when he showed an interest in whittling. Then for his birthday I gave him a Marttiini Little Classic very similar to the one his mom was going to give him. Then I swapped him an inox No.6 when he was having trouble caring for a carbon steel blade.

He is only allowed to use his knives under supervision. When I come over there, he will ask if I want to whittle, and bring out his knives.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a Victorinox Recruit for six bucks on closeout at a big box store, and gave it to him. The springs are still a bit much for him. Am I spoiling him? Of course. That's what Grandpa is supposed to do.
 
I learned when I was five. Nothing teaches you first aid and knife safety better than having a knife you'll get in trouble for having and cutting yourself. Learned to keep fingers out of the way and how to use guaze somewhat effectively


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blade dude said:
I learned when I was five. Nothing teaches you first aid and knife safety better than having a knife you'll get in trouble for having and cutting yourself. Learned to keep fingers out of the way and how to use guaze somewhat effectively


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Very true. One of my earliest memories is being spanked by my grandmother for sneaking one of my grandfather's pocket knives out of their house.

She caught me in the process of making a "spear" out of a small twig in the yard. I was a whopping 3 years old. Had my first set of stitches when I was 6 with plenty of bandaids between.

I'm no worse for wear though. Better to teach kids to use dangerous tools safely than to simply label them BAD!! and have them grow up useless and afraid.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
Very true. One of my earliest memories is being spanked by my grandmother for sneaking one of my grandfather's pocket knives out of their house.

She caught me in the process of making a "spear" out of a small twig in the yard. I was a whopping 3 years old. Had my first set of stitches when I was 6 with plenty of bandaids between.

I'm no worse for wear though. Better to teach kids to use dangerous tools safely than to simply label them BAD!! and have them grow up useless and afraid.
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Parents found my stash when I was like seven and took em. Didn't think I should have em at that age. Arrows we sharpened on the curb for our rubber band bows gave us more injuries than attempting to whittle


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I'm afraid that if I let him learn the hard way about being careful with his pocket knife it would be the last time he got to use it. His mom would freak out if he cut himself, to say she is a protective mom is to understate the situation. His little brother tripped over his own feet right in from of everyone and knocked out one of his front baby teeth, boy did she have a meltdown.

As a grandparent you do what you can to teach your grandsons things that they should know, however, they still belong to their parents and you have to keep peace within the family.
 
You're doing it right Grandpa. The things you're teaching him will be cherished forever. Especially the things that might not be obvious right now like your respect for his Mom. You're helping build a fine gentleman for the future.
 
I got my first one at age 5 it was an Imperial Jack. This thread brings back precious memories.
 
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