Okay, I understand that different kids are responsible at different ages. I was given my first knife before I was in third grade. My dad showed me how to carefully handle, use and store it. I was always very, very careful. It was not a nice blade by any means, but it had belonged to my great grandfather. It's the only thing that I still have of his. Actually, it's the only thing anyone has of his.

So to my question. I have a six year old son who, I feel is responsible enough to wear a blade on his belt when we are fishing or hiking. I'm thinking about "giving" him one this summer. When I say giving, I mean handing it to him when it's appropriate to carry, then having him give it back for storage when we're done. So, he won't have it or use it without supervision.

Has anyone given their boy a blade. I was thinking an S5LE would be perfect. It would be fine to clean fish and whittle. He wants my AK or KZ, but, that's not going to happen.

Any thoughts?

I would say something along the lines of the recently released Wiener Dog would be the perfect blade for size, weight and grip. A BDLE or BDSE would also be a great blade since it fills the same role.

I'm in the same boat K. My khukuri came with a small utility knife that I told my son he could have (when we are camping or fishing) but then my daughter got jealous so I gave it to her and gave my son my old Gerber A410. Not special knifes but it's a start. I told them both that if they show RESPONSIBILITY when using them that I would get them NICE blades if they wanted.
As for what to start your son on I'm not sure. I just wanted to relate my similar story.

i say give him the AK! haha jk.

i agree with Sumo. i think either the Weiner Dog or the MPLE would be perfect. the S5 is a good size, might be a little big for his hands, but i wouldnt know. i think a Yard Keeper would be good too.

if you didnt mind giving him a blade that wasnt SYKC, i think either a mora or a RC-3 would do the job.

Its the kids that dont get taught how to responsibly handle knives and firearms that cause all the problems when they do get a hold of em! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I agree Ireash. I plan on teaching my boys proper handling of blades and firearms. Isaac can recite the basic rules of safe handling. Isaac is actually a pretty good shot with both a pellet gun and a .22LR

I was even thinking about the RATchet. It's light and not pointy, yet can cut well. I wonder if I can clean a fish safely with one.

Thanks for the input. Another one on the radar is my benchmade nim cub. Although, it has already been on a lot of adventures and I would be upset if it was lost. Eventhough it's not an expensive blade.

Tonestar, He loves that AK. He'd carry it if I let him. Can you imagine the looks I'd get on the hiking trail or fishing hole? I should clean a fish with it just for fun.


St. Jones, I do like the idea of starting with some less valuable knives and then earning better blades. But, scrapyards and rats are just great values that would give them literally a lifetime of use.

But, I would be disappointed if he lost a dog, rat or busse.

I say the Wiener Dog would be a great knife, it feels great in the hand and seems like you have good blade control with all the contours. I plan on letting my son that's 9yrs carry it on our camping trips. Only if he shows responsibility of coarse.

As to non-SY blade a Mora would be great as mentioned. After a year with it he has shown good usage and responsible move him on into a larger SY blade. The important thing is that you guys are spending time together and he is learning along the way.

+1 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

When i first read through this post...I thought about how cute it would be to watch him "drag" a MOAB around <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I would go with something a little more bulky in the hands...something where it's harder to slip / gouge. I dunno, hard question to think through. Let us know what you come up with.

how bout a HRLM or Warden

The 15000 Bone Collector by BM iS pretty close to the Weiner Dog & Bird Dog with a 4.30" blade of D2.