hahah same here man i was six too. Had a cheap swiss army knife . I still remeber cutting my finger with it. I was always into knives and guns at a early age. I remeber when i was 12 my mom told me that my dad told her he was affraid i would grow up to be a assasian hahahahah.

As much as i hate to admit it i realy didnt have any supervision with my knife even at that early of an age. I never stabed or did anything bad with a knife i guess cause i was realy affraid of my dad. All and all i didnt grow up to be a contract killer lol.

There is a lot of good advice here. I believe that it really depends on the child and parental guidance - guidance being the main factor!
My son got his first knife - an easy-opening lockback - when he joined the Cub Scouts. My daughter got hers when she joined the Brownies. I spent a LOT of time teaching them safety and supervising them when they had their knives. They loved carrying and using them when we went on camping and fishing vacations, and always behaved responsibly. They are now 36 and 35 years old, but they still fondly remember their first knife I got them. They also understood why I was so excited when I got word that I won the DogFather! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Tom <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Well, I’m not a parent but I can tell you about my own background. I was fascinated with knives from a very early age. I was begging my Dad for one about since I could talk just about. When I was 4, he gave me a Barlow knife that was my Grandpa’s, but he snapped all the blades off. I didn’t care though, I proudly carried it everywhere, even though it was pretty much useless. It was my first knife, and I still have it.

My 2nd knife I also have, it too Dad snapped off the blade. It was my Dad’s knife, and I really wanted it and finally begged him out of it. I thought it was really cool, and it had a removable lighter built into the knife. I’ve never seen another one like it. The lighter used zippo fuel. I didn’t use the lighter part when I was younger, but my parents let me EDC a lighter since I was 6. (I helped burn the trash in the yard when I was younger)

I got my first pocket knife with a blade when I was 5 or 6. Dad always dulled them like a butter knife though, because he didn’t want me to get cut. I always tried to argue with him that I read that a dull knife was more dangerous than a sharp knife, because it could cause you to slip and injure yourself, but he didn’t listen to me. I later read that children should be given dull knives, and when they’re old enough to learn how to sharpen them, they’re responsible enough to be given a sharp knife.

I got my first sheath knife when I was 7. I begged my Grandma into buying me one of those Pakistan brass and wood handled boot knives from a vendor at a city festival. My Dad wasn’t very happy with her when I got home. They let me keep it though. I still have it too. I EDCed it for protection for many years when I was a youth. I always thought that if a “bad guy” ever tried to kidnap me, he’d be in for a hell of a surprise. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> And due to our Indiana knife friendly laws, is was perfectly legal for me to carry it too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Good story Andy, thanks

Here's a link to a place that sells a toy model 3 years of age plus and also the, My First Swiss Army model, just a thought. e.blade

My daughters first knives are CRK&T fixed blades MPD's to be exact, they can look at and handle them when ever they want in my presence. I like a fixed blade for a starter, less for me to worry about.

As a rule in the Helle house you can use a table knife at the age of 5 if your using it responsibly, which is like mommy and daddy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

I have always told my girls if they ask I will let them hold any of my knives, but they are NEVER to touch any knife without daddy around.

When ever I'm using a knife in there presence I explain why I hold it this way, cut that way etc.

Unfortunately for me they have seen cut fingers, mine <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> and unfortunately for there mother they have watched grandpa and I skin and quarter whitetail. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I felt this was a good way for them to understand what a sharp edge can do to flesh, this was not a forced exercise and amount of questions they asked was, I'll just say a lot.

When they get to the ages of 9 I will let them carry the MPD's on camping trips and the like with the understanding that if not used with respect daddy will be carrying them.

At this time since we live in the suburbs I don't think I'll let them personally posses any knives until after high school, with the exception of weekends and after school as long as they won't be at a school sponsored activity.

It's a crock of crap in my opinion but any knife will get you expelled period from school around here, not suspended but expelled <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> and I just can't see taking the risk but my daughters are only 6 and 4 now so I have time to change my mind I guess.

This is just the way I have been doing it with my kids, if any of it helps you out great.

Helle

That's a pretty reasonable policy Helle. Good job.

my first victorinox. i've seen some pretty nice mods on those. dremel a notch into the round point and you can open it one armed similar to a wave folder. thus, the kid'll never grow out of it.

I was given my first knife (a Case stockman type knife) when I was six. (It was sharp, too... It whittled very well.) I'm not sure whether that's an appropriate age, but I survived with no major cuts.

Right when I got that knife, I took it to school for show and tell. Times have changed....

my sak may have been dull when i was little but i never got cuts then. these days though....

I believe I was seven or eight when I got my first pocket knive. It was a Barrow.

Cheers guys
Me and the little fella spent some time with a wedge of birch last night no cuts as yet but i am sure it will be a matter of time.Wife has worried look but what the hell