Grandson's First "pocket knife"

[SF VET]

My son has two of his own, a newly 7 year old, and a younger lad. My son just loves to spend time outside with his boys, working on their bikes, yard work, sports things, cars and such. They don't have a TV and don't let the boys sit with I phones and I pads and such. In fact the older one got a small buckle fracture of his forearm when he and dad were competing in a trail ride, and after two weeks, he had to have his cast replaced beaus it had lots of twigs and dirt and debris in it. His mom told the ortho doc, "...what do you expect, he lives outside..."

The 7 year old keeps saying he wants a "pocket knife", but I and his mom and dad don't feel he is quite old enough yet for a sharp blade. "....what could possibly go wrong..." When I was in second grade, I about wacked off my left index finger with my hatchet. I have a nice, perfect scar on that finger from that exuberance. Shortly after that adventure, I cut my foot with that hatchet, and there was so much blood my mom passed out. My dad put the hatchet away for awhile.

He told his mom and dad yesterday that he remembers when we had him out to CO recently, and we let him use a steak knife at a restaurant.

For the past few years, I have given a number of my own sheath and folders to my son, with the intent that he will present them to his lads when he feels they are old enough.

I remember when I was a Scout that before I could carry a blade I had to earn a certificate called a "Toten Chip". My grandson told me his scout troop, something called Tigers, has something similar he wants to earn.

I can't recall when I first had my own blade, and have the scars from that learning experience. But when it is right, he and his younger sibling will receive their first blades from their mom and dad. And no doubt will proudly carry and use them.

When you are a father, or a grandfather, there is almost nothing more fulfilling that watching them pass thru the phases of growing up that we once did. And I want to be there when Ollie gets his first "pocket knife."

All the best... SF VET

 

[Kalashnikov]

Great write up, glad your grandchildren are embracing the outdoors and loving life. I'm sure whichever knife/multitool he ends up with will see plenty of use. My first knife was a basic Swiss Army (check out the new Alox collection).
Thank you for sharing and be well,
Lou

 

[jbtrucker]

I have my Grand Pa's CASE Whittler , he tried to show me how to sharpen with wet rock but I couldn't stay still enough to pay attention and he wasn't very patient. My dad worked at a Hardware store gave me my first knife maybe 14 years old . It was a CASE medium stockman sadly lost it fishing

 

[Donn]

Depends on the kid. I've carried a pocket knife since I was 10, but it was with the clear understanding if I ever used it in a careless or dangerous manner, it was gone till I was old enough to buy my own. I've got a couple Swiss Army knives for my grandsons, when their folks think they're old and responsible enough for them.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Also bought my only Grandson a SAK.
Now he's into cars, and wants tools.
So this year he's getting a new Tool-bag of used tools.

 

[mikerjf]

Given my experiences, I'd be inclined to only give fixed blade or locking folders. One less thing to happen. It takes experience to stop and think about potential injuries before making the move. Like learning to cut AWAY from yourself.

 

[growr]

Why not look into an Official Scout folding knife? Got mine in 1964, still have it, made by Camillus.

Randy

 

[tops]

I don't remember hold old my son was when I gave him his first knife but I rounded the point and dulled the blade. I told him when he got old enough to sharpen the blade he would be old enough to carry a sharp knife. Larry

 

[30-30remchester]

My oldest grandson informed me that at age 7 his grandpa is REQUIRED to by him his first pocketknife. Mom and dad were skeptical and finally relented, after firmly advising me to shop wisely. Took him to a large farm store and his knife of choice was an18" machete. We settled on the smallest SAK.

 

[Golddollar]

Given my experiences, I'd be inclined to only give fixed blade or locking folders. One less thing to happen. It takes experience to stop and think about potential injuries before making the move. Like learning to cut AWAY from yourself.

Good idea. When I was thinking about giving my one nephew a pocket knife, my sister said it OK so long as the blade would lock. She didn't want the blade to accidently close on his hand.

 

[kamloops67]

I was 7 when I was given my first pocket knife
Yes, first knife drew blood , as it should .
This is how we learn
My next 3-4 drew their share as well
I'm a slow learner lol
I am thankful for lessons my father taught me , just gave me the basics and turned me loose

 

[dwh]

I was 10years old when I got my first knife a buck 110 knock off. I won it at the county fair. My parents only let me use it when we were camping or fishing. I received my first stitches at 10years old as well. I just had to see what's inside a baseball. I'm a slow learner I've had 27 stitches in my left index finger from knife cuts. My rental kids nieces and nephews have all received knives around 10-13. Ironically none of the girls have ever cut themselves. The boys??? Well you better buy him a box of bandaids too.

 

[Mule Packer]

My grandfather gave me my first pocket knife for my sixth birthday. He taught me how to sharpen my knife when I was eight years old, and yes, I cut my thumb that very day. But I've always kept my knives sharp since then.

I have given each of our grandchildren a pocket knife (usually a Case medium stockman of the color of their choice) on their seventh birthday. So far, I have presented 15 pocket knives to 15 of our 16 grandkids. I have one more left to present...to Charlotte who turns seven next September. She continues to remind me that she will be seven on her next birthday and that means a pocket knife.

Along with the knife comes a lengthy discussion on how to care for it and how to be responsible. However, with the anticipation he or she will be receiving a pocket knife on his or her seventh birthday, their parents have instructed them weeks and months prior on safety issues.

Do they occasionally cut themselves? A few have, but the cuts heal and the kids learn.

Personally, I can't think of a better way of telling a young person "I trust you."

 

[sipowicz]

I got my kid a Swiss army Camper when he was 10. He's not too keen on camping and not really sure how he feels about the Swiss but he likes the knife. He's into sailing now so it's a good accessory to have in his pocket.

 

[Grayfox]

I got my first knife when I was about 6. My Grand Daddy bought me one out the $1 each display at the General Store. I went through a number of those knives as I was bad about losing them. But as soon as I could scrounge up another dollar, I'd buy a new one.
Yep, there were many teachable moments, but I did learn.
My Dad taught me how to sharpen it on a square rock that came out of a creek bed. He had used it most of his life and passed it on to me. I'm not sure what its made of, but it still works.

I can't remember exactly when my sons got their first knife. I believe it was when they were Cub Scouts so that would be about 8 years old. I taught them as I had been taught, but they still had their own teachable moments as well. But that's to be expected. Experience is the best teacher.

I don't have any grand kids yet, but I am hopeful. I look forward to giving them their first knife.

Time was when every kid had a pocket knife. Now days it could get them arrested.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Yes, we had the "Totin Chip" when i was in Scouts. Looking back, of the various Boy Scout knives I had it seems the can openers and the screw drivers got the most use. Hence I consider a Boy Scout/SAK knife a better first choice.

 

[Echo40]

My first pocket knife was some sort of cheap Chinese knock-off of a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife which I purchased at a Dollar Store when I was about 8 or 9 years old.

I never cut myself with it, despite having watched plenty of Television and played no shortage of Video Games which apparently by all accounts should have rotted my brain and rendered me utterly disinterested in the outdoors. I mostly just whittled with it, stripping bark from tree branches, tying yarn to each end, and attempting to craft them into crude bows. They never worked, but I had fun doing it.

I think that a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife is just about the best first Pocket Knife that one could give a young boy. They're small, not too sharp out of the box, and are functional multitools which can be used for a number of tasks. Plus, since they aren't very threatening-looking and tend to be thought of more as multitools than strictly as knives, most folks won't react so strongly towards a kid who carries one.

 

[tops]

Good idea. When I was thinking about giving my one nephew a pocket knife, my sister said it OK so long as the blade would lock. She didn't want the blade to accidently close on his hand.

A friend and his 8-10 yr. old son was at the house one day and the boy kept stabbing stuff with his knife. I told him and his dad that if he didn't quit his hand was going down the blade or it would close on his hand. They both acted like I was stupid. Several hours later the boy hollered like a wild person. The blade had closed on his hand. Several stitches but no permanent damage. Larry

 

[lihpster]

In my family at 8 you got a Scout knife. At 10 you got a Daisy. At 12 you got a .22 rifle. I still have the .22. Wish I still had the others.

 

[SF VET]

Toten Chip

I was a Cub Scout as a kid, for several years, then graduated to then what was the intermediate step to being a Boy Scout, the Webelos. Or something like that. Then when I was maybe 10 or so, I can't recall, became a Boy Scout. Camping trips, hikes, scout meetings, where I poured hot coffee onto the lap of the Newport, Rhode Island Naval Base Commander's wife. I could be trusted with many things, even shooting rifles then, but not pouring coffee for a distinguished guest of our Troop.

I liked scouts, and looked up to the Explorer's who were above us regular scouts. I was diligent in earning my merit badges, and ended up as a Life Scout, about the 7th grade. I have all my cards and certificates and badges and the like, and here is my own Toten Chip, earned about 1957 or so.

The Scout Motto, "Be Prepared", was certainly important in my military career. One thing Scouts impressed upon us lads, was being responsible for our actions and decisions, and guidance in how to make good ones. I have my Scout Handbook, about 1958,
and my first grade grandson is enjoying reading it, slowly, about how to build a shelter. He is practicing in the woods in his back yard.

Here, my Toten Chip.

Stay safe, and Be Prepared! SF VET