Which knife for my children?

[Uncle Timbo]

Southwest Virginia/Southern WV native for 36 years. This was the same thing me and my brother got, an old timer first, and a case next. I was 5 or 6 when I got the first one. Good ol’ days when you could still carry a pocketknife to school without facing a prison sentence.

I was born waay down thar in West Virginny back up a hollar. (that's 100% true) Dad taught me how to work up a burr (wire edge) when I was 9 or 10.

 

[Bob Denman]

She knows her kids, and I trust her judgement...

 

[JWright214]

I was born waay down thar in West Virginny back up a hollar. (that's 100% true) Dad taught me how to work up a burr (wire edge) when I was 9 or 10.

Same here my friend!

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Same here my friend!

Brown beans and cornbread fer supper?

 

[Mossyhorn]

Flexcut make a variety of carving and whittling knives and tools.

 

[bikerector]

Hi, I'm looking to buy my children their first pocket knife. (They are 3 & 6 - of course they will be supervised!).
I am debating between the victorinox junior 09 and the victorinox walker. I definitely want them to have a saw, they'll think it's the best bit!

I like that the walker is simpler, the knife and the saw is all they'll really use for awhile. But I don't know whether I ought to buy them the version with the rounded edge? I was originally thinking getting them a junior one and around their 10th birthday upgrade them to whichever victorinox I think they'd enjoy at the time. But I'm wondering if it is really necessary to have the rounded tip?

Or is there another pocket knife you'd recommend?

Memorial Day Give Away 2022

In honor of those who have helped make this country great, I'm doing another give away this year. This time, I want it to be for the next generation of young men and women. Instead of one or two knives, I have a bunch of test pieces and R&D pieces, or just things I picked up at a bargain and...

www.bladeforums.com

I'm running a GAW aimed at the younger generations if you might want something additional to go with the SAK. They're not special but they're free.

 

[JWright214]

Brown beans and cornbread fer supper?

Yes sir, and if it’s payday, fried taters and a pork chop to go with it. Hell I still eat that as often as possible. Fried bologna sammiches were a delicacy

 

[tinfoil hat timmy]

Because they use knives at their homeschool group to whittle, they have made various things and love it. The 3 year old needs a lot of help but the 6 year old does a pretty good job. At the homeschool group, they use the childrens opinel, but are desperate for a pocket knife like I have. They sometimes use my pocket knife.

is there a curriculum that you follow or is it specifically through a co op?

I have children that will be homeschooled for the foreseeable future and would like to get some knife work on the schedule. they are 7 and 5

 

[GIRLYmann]

Hi, I'm looking to buy my children their first pocket knife. (They are 3 & 6 - of course they will be supervised!).
... is there another pocket knife you'd recommend?

errr, i would suggest
for greenhorns stay clear
of back spring blades.
as they normally do not grasp
the opening and closings firmly.
flinching and letting go at the wrong moment.
which is why i would rather
have them get a hang of things with
a fixed blade before moving on to a backspring folder.
just my 2 cents.

 

[scdub]

Hey Vicky!

I fully agree that kids can use knives at a young age - my son started at around 3-4. That said, PLEASE don’t get a non-locker for the 3yo.

Having made mistakes myself even as a 10-12 year old, in my mind it’s almost certain if they use the knife enough it’ll close on them eventually and might put them off of knives entirely.

Here’s another locking Victorinox with a saw called the Forester. Let us know what you end up deciding on.

 

[DangerZone98]

If fixed blades are an option, something like a Mora Companion would be great too.

 

[herisson]

Mulling over your request, I came up with this :

https://imgur.com/78rw2Dy

 

[Vickyandherbiscuits]

Thank you everyone, there are lots of options and thoughts for me to consider. I'll need to have a think deciding which one to go for. I didn't realize the Junior 09 had a blade lock or those safety features, perhaps that or one of the larger ones suggested would be better. Although I'm not so worried about it frightening or alarming anyone. I can't imagine someone seeing them whittling with a little pocket knife and feel intimidated! If they did, I think them getting a grip would be the solution there.

Fair point RE if they use it safely, it doesn't matter if lockable. Perhaps I should just get them the walker. Too many options! Really will need to have a think!

And yes RE knives for a 3 year old, she can already use a knife safely to just whittle away at a stick. If there is a particular project in mind, she needs help... But she can use a knife safely.

My children know to always cut away from themselves. They know knives are tools and not toys. They know the sword they make is the toy, not the knife. Of course will continue to drill in that message.

With a pocket knife, yes my 3 year old would need help opening and closing it, I don't think she'd feel left out because she'd get to do the whittling and sawing. She'd be happy for me to do this. She will only be able to use it supervised and not in reach for her to grab whenever she wants.

is there a curriculum that you follow or is it specifically through a co op?

I have children that will be homeschooled for the foreseeable future and would like to get some knife work on the schedule. they are 7 and 5

Homeschool forest school where parents stay, as far as I'm aware she doesn't follow a book or curriculum. She's from a country that does this from 3 in preschools/ kindergartens, so quite good at coming up with ideas. Although I do I plan on ordering this book to go with our own knives for us to do 'Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Whittling Book: 43 Easy Projects'. Looks like fun, although I haven't bought it yet, but good reviews on Amazon. Might be of interest to you!

Three years is a little long in the tooth. My daughter got this Spyderco at 5 weeks.

Adorable baby!

 

[tinfoil hat timmy]

Mulling over your request, I came up with this :

https://imgur.com/78rw2Dy

what is is to I can buy 3?

 

[ferider]

V Vickyandherbiscuits - the most important question is which stone you'll buy for the 6 year old, so (s)he can start sharpening your kitchen knives as part of her/his monthly chores (happened to me )

 

[Guy McVer]

it’s not a matter of if you cut yourself, it’s when and how badly.

Absolutely. It doesn't matter how old you are. You will do it at some point.

Last year I accidentally stabbed myself with a screwdriver. I was using it as a pry tool for something that I was holding in my other hand. The screwdriver slipped and went straight into the meat of my palm, with all of the force I had been applying. There was so much blood! The lesson here is that it pays to practice basic knife safety even when you're not using an actual knife. You can still poke yourself pretty good with non-knife things.

But anyway, definitely don't let the kids use their knife unsupervised until they get older.

 

[King of the Cheese]

what is is to I can buy 3?

Looks like Opinel getting into the “cream cheese knife for bagels” game.

 

[Kiah]

what is is to I can buy 3?

Mora Rookie.

 

[tinfoil hat timmy]

Mora Rookie.

Thanks!

 

[Lee D]

Memorial Day Give Away 2022

In honor of those who have helped make this country great, I'm doing another give away this year. This time, I want it to be for the next generation of young men and women. Instead of one or two knives, I have a bunch of test pieces and R&D pieces, or just things I picked up at a bargain and...

www.bladeforums.com

I'm running a GAW aimed at the younger generations if you might want something additional to go with the SAK. They're not special but they're free.

Good man