Thoughts on child owning a trainer balisong?

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Dec 10, 2015
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Hey, my 11 year old son has just discovered balisongs. he wants a trainer one. Pros and cons?
 
I dont see any issue with a well behaved 11 year old owning a balisong trainer. My only concern would be said 11 year old deciding to 'upgrade' to a real balisong without his parents knowledge.

Do you believe he will be satisfied with a trainer and not seek to expand his collection so to speak by purchasing a live blade? If your child is determined to do so, he will have little difficulty finding a way to get a live bladed balisong despite his age. As his parent your in the best position to judge whether this is a valid concern or not.
 
Flipping it in public, in particular in front of his buds at school, will get him in an epic heap o' trouble.

Other than that, why not?

I'd get him a Swiss Army Knife instead, so he can learn that knives are tools, not toys, and learn how to use them properly, but that's just me.
 
My youngest son got into them around that time. It's a good time for balisong training, as their young minds soak up so much and they benefit from the hand-eye coordination development.

Pros of the trainer? He won't hurt himself, and he won't get busted for carrying a "knife" so to speak... especially if you are in an area where balis are illegal. He can drop it on the floor and not hack a sizeable chunk out of your new expensive hardwood flooring.

Cons? A good one is still expensive, and taping the blade on a bali makes it just as safe for a trainer in my book. In my entire time of owning a BM42, I think the only time I took the tape off the edge was to put a new piece on. :eek:

My son gets great enjoyment from showing me how he can perform manipulations that I just never could get.

The little rat. I should spank him, really.
 
Get him the real thing, teach him responsibility and safety. My two cents. Dull the edge at first if he insists on being Bruce Lee with it. Once he gets the hang of it, and the kid shows responsibility and safety, sharpen it up for him.
 
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