What is your opinion on kids and knives?

Our Boy Scout troop allows carry of folders (lockable only) as soon as they take the Whittlin' Chip class. This is Weblos @ about 10-11 years of age. Once they are a little older (maybe @ 14 years?), the Totin' Chip allows them to carry fixed blades and hatchets.

I've sat around a camp-fire with 15 or so 11-12 year olds who each had a folder and a stick, while telling ghost stories. Great times.

Of course, it's all based on the individual. I've had to take a couple knives away for safety reasons. (at least temporarily)

(Although not an official Boys Scout leader, I regularly participate in camp-outs and other activities, and have helped teach the knife classes, based on my "expertise":D )
 
By 5th grade I was very actively trading knives, comics, yo-yos (they were big back then), candy and pens in school. So much so that my teacher suggested that I would grow up to be an excellent businessman. I was insulted, I wanted be a scientist; he was right though, I ended up in business. That was over 40 years ago in the middle of New York City.

As far as I am concerned a kid with any kind of tool in hand, is a kid who is ready and willing to put down his toys and lend a helping hand.

n2s
 
I'm also 14!
Yeah, got the same thing here,
If someone needs something and I whip my knife out, everybody looks like : He's Crazy!
It's just ridiculous, If you know how to handle and respect a knife I think It's a nice thing:D
 
I went from tiger cub through eagle scout, so I got my first knife as a Weblo (5th grade) once I earned by safety card, which I think is a great idea, if a parent or leader sees you doing something stupid or unsafe you lose at least a corner or more depending including things like cutting towards your hand, whittling while someone is within 5ft of you etc, once you lose all four corners you aren't allowed to carry a knife until you redo the 1 hour safety training again, you also have to redo it if you accidentally wash your card (that's why I had to redo the training three times, never lost a corner though). If/when I have a kid, whether they're a scout or not, I'll probably make them do the same thing, at least for the first few years.
 
I've had a knife since I was about 6 years old. My grandfather gave them to me. Of course they were old Case knives that he had worn out and/or were duller than a rock. That being said, he and my parents did a great job of parenting and making me understand that though fun, they can be very dangerous. Same applies to guns, slingshots, sticks, fireworks, go-carts, dirt bikes, etc. If you have people that care around and take the time to inform and raise you properly to be responsible, then I see no problem. I wouldn't give a kid a ripping sharp Spyderco Military and send them out to play in the streets.. but a good ol' dulled slip joint around the campsite is a'OK by me.

Part of growing up is making mistakes and leaning from them. As responsible adults, it's our job to let them make those mistakes and learn, but try to minimize the possible damage of those mistakes.
Putting helmets on kids, coating them in bubble wrap and sheltering them from the world will not allow them to make realizations as they make mistakes, only to fool them into thinking they are invincible, while keeping them out of reality and thus harming them.
 
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JoepReinen said:
If someone needs something and I whip my knife out, everybody looks like : He's Crazy!
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With all due respect, that's becuase you whip your knife out, acting like a 14 year old! :) You just happen to be 14.

If one acts like an adult and handles a knife like it is a tool, I don't care what age they are, then a knife is appropriate for them.

But if one is "deploying" one's knife when someone asks for something to be cut, 14 or 74, maybe not so much.
 
JoepReinen said:
I'm also 14!
Yeah, got the same thing here,
If someone needs something and I whip my knife out, everybody looks like : He's Crazy!
It's just ridiculous, If you know how to handle and respect a knife I think It's a nice thing:D
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I'm 16, I've been carrying a knife with me everywhere since I was 11 or 12 (I'm home schooled so I can even carry one in school lol) . I do get some looks, and the occasional "Why do you have a knife? Thats weird" but as long as you are responsible, they can think what ever they want
 
My eight-yr-old grandson has at least five or six folders. I gave him a mini-Lawman, with his dad's permission.
 
I know a kid who carries knives.
He's a complete idiot, and probably the worst example of a knife owner ever.
He takes them to school, threatens people in public, and has had the police called on him for that several times.

However, I'm sure kids like him are the minority. :)
 
Mikael W said:
Yes I agree with this!
It's about attitude.

Carrying a 4-5" blade of non tacticool style, when camping, fishing or on a hike shouldn't be a problem.
At least as long as You use it with common sense.


Regards
Mikael
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What brand/model of knife is that Mikael? It looks like a really nice blade for all-around use.

Personally, I don't see a problem with kids carrying a sensible folder around town or a fixed blade while hiking or camping so long as they're being responsible with them. My own kids (11 & 13) both have Spyderco folders they carry everywhere except school and large public gatherings (as per the law here). They also have fixed blades for camping and have been extremely responsible with them. My son will not pull out or even show his knife to friends without a parents permission first, which is more self-control than I had at his age.
 
Caleb M. said:
....What would you think if you saw a young man walking around the campsite with a five inch blade on his hip?
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nothing of it, i got my own personal knife when i was 5. when i was 7 i got my first fixed blade for camping and hunting. I personally believe that the sooner you get kids aware and affiliated with knives (or guns) the better. those people who give you weird and dirty looks are probably the RV campers, brand new never been used gear, and have technology out their ______. I say good for you for carrying a knife and being proud of it, just be responsible and safe with your knives and you will never have a problem.

Take the advice from someone who had to learn this the hard way :rolleyes:
 
Daniel Dorn said:
Our Boy Scout troop allows carry of folders (lockable only) as soon as they take the Whittlin' Chip class. This is Weblos @ about 10-11 years of age. Once they are a little older (maybe @ 14 years?), the Totin' Chip allows them to carry fixed blades and hatchets.

I've sat around a camp-fire with 15 or so 11-12 year olds who each had a folder and a stick, while telling ghost stories. Great times.

Of course, it's all based on the individual. I've had to take a couple knives away for safety reasons. (at least temporarily)

(Although not an official Boys Scout leader, I regularly participate in camp-outs and other activities, and have helped teach the knife classes, based on my "expertise":D )
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Im technically no longer part of my old troop, but every chance i get I participate in the camp outs and help them with their woods, fire and knife skills. heck our troop allows fixed blades (no more than 5'') on camp outs and hikes, only when we are doing a solo troop cam or hike. We don't fully follow the BSA rules when we are camping by ourselves when it comes to equipment but at BSA camp sites or events we gladly abide
 
You go girl !!

487597_531421276879605_1403682601_n.jpg
 
If I saw a knife in a pouch on a belt, on a kid, I'd think nothing of it.

But say a 16 year wannabe gangster with XXXL shirt and baggy pants, you might expect a knife but, yeah I'm thinking of it.

I'd say it's ok if kids have them, but consequences should be very harsh for the ones not responsible.
 
It all comes down to demeanor. When you carry a knife, you have the chance to defy the stereotype of the mouthy, unteachable, teenage guy. You also have the chance to prove that you're growing up, and a responsible, mature person that can handle a tool like a knife. I guess what I'm trying to say is that how you carry yourself is the single most important factor in how other people perceive you.

PS_ I'm a teen guy as well, and I tend to think along the lines of "how small a knife can I carry, that will still get the job done?"
 
People don't carry knives for no reason. If I saw a 14 year old with a fixed blade on his belt while camping I'd assume he's got some amount of work ethic and interest in material exploration of the world around him. As someone else said, it's refreshing in light of all the electronics and phones.
 
I wish I did see more resposable young men and women with knives on them using them for a purpose rather than they're eyes glued to a 2 inch screen. Also it'd be nice to see less of those jackwagons in general James Terrio mentioned.
 
Torm said:
What brand/model of knife is that Mikael? It looks like a really nice blade for all-around use.

Personally, I don't see a problem with kids carrying a sensible folder around town or a fixed blade while hiking or camping so long as they're being responsible with them. My own kids (11 & 13) both have Spyderco folders they carry everywhere except school and large public gatherings (as per the law here). They also have fixed blades for camping and have been extremely responsible with them. My son will not pull out or even show his knife to friends without a parents permission first, which is more self-control than I had at his age.
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This looks like Your kids has got the proper guidance in "Knifemanship"!

The knife in my pics is a 5" Fällkniven PHK in laminated powdersteel.
The original rubberhandle has been replaced by Sambar Stag and Nickelsilver.
If I'm informed correctly, the PHK has become very popular among hunters in Your country.

IMGP5172.jpg

Regards
Mikael
 
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