| is the right age to buy your son his first pocket knife? If | | | | self-acceptance. Your acceptance and trust in him will |
| you’re expecting a simple answer, you have | | | | help instill that sense of awareness in him. If you make |
| not come to the right place. However, the answer to a | | | | him feel powerless because you are in charge all the |
| question like this should not be simple! It should vary on | | | | time, he will not find his own independence when the |
| a case by case basis. | | | | age comes! |
| There is definitely an age where a child is too young to | | | | Your son will be happy when he first gets the chance |
| handle knives. If you or your spouse or another | | | | to own his own tool or pocket knife. An all-in-one |
| responsible adult family member is concerned and | | | | multi-tool kit is usually a good start, instead of a |
| unsure if your son is the right age to have a pocket | | | | full-fledged knife. It is also important to teach him when |
| knife, then it’s probably not time yet. | | | | and where to carry and use the knife (and when and |
| A knife is a handy tool, and if your boy is in boy scouts | | | | where NOT to carry and use it). You must teach him |
| he will undoubtedly learn how to use certain tools for | | | | that it is not intended as a weapon against human |
| survival in the wild. He should not be afraid of tools | | | | beings. It is also not appropriate in most public places |
| because they are heavy and dangerous. So even if | | | | such as schools or businesses. |
| you do not want your son to have his own pocket | | | | But let’s return to the original question about |
| knife just yet, that does not mean that he should fear | | | | age. The age when your son is old enough to have his |
| knives. | | | | first pocket knife is going to vary depending on when |
| A good start is to take your son hunting and camping | | | | you start teaching him how to hunt, fish and camp. It |
| with you, and let him help you and use your pocket | | | | will also depend on his maturity level at the particular |
| knife until he becomes accustomed to using a knife | | | | age. Some would say that age 12 is a good age to |
| properly in a safe way. Always keep a first aid kit on | | | | allow a son to start using a knife independently; others |
| hand whenever you are outdoors. If a cut occurs, | | | | might say this is too young, while others still would say |
| it’s important to bandage it up and disinfect. If | | | | to start before this. It’s up to you. |
| you are teaching your boy responsibly, this is less likely, | | | | Just remember that if any accidents do happen, you |
| but accidents still happen. | | | | as the parent are responsible. So do teach your son |
| Do not scold your son if he does not get the hang of | | | | knife safety. And do spend some time teaching him |
| using the pocket knife or other tool right away. He will | | | | the appropriate uses of a knife for at least a year or |
| learn in time with more practice and experience. A child | | | | two before you allow him to have his own. |
| needs to have a sense of independence and | | | | |