A boy's first knife

[David LaPell]

Well, my son is getting older and while his new .22 will most likely be for his birthday, he is spending a lot of time outdoors, especially fishing, and it's about time he got a good pocket knife. So for Christmas I got him one. It's got the spear points which are good for him and of course he'll get plenty of adult supervision and it's in his favorite color.

 

[nekvermont]

I bet your little man was excited about receiving his first knife.

 

[Mike J]

I would imagine that made him very happy.

 

[CGDustDevil]

That sort of thing was a REALLY big deal to me when I was a little shaver!

 

[Big Old Boy]

As a youngster I remember my first knife a hunting knife for Christmas I was so happy I wore that knife all day at the neighbors farm got home with an empty sheath that is the only knife I ever lost.

 

[gramps]

As a youngster I remember my first knife a hunting knife for Christmas I was so happy I wore that knife all day at the neighbors farm got home with an empty sheath that is the only knife I ever lost.

I hate when that happens. Same thing with me at my grandparents farm. Found it years later, and made a sheath from blue jean material, that enclosed it half up the handle. Still have the knife and sheath. David your young fellow will cherish that knife, and will fuel his outdoor adventures. 8)
gramps

 

[caryc]

YOU'LL POKE YOUR EYE OUT KID !!!!

Sorry, I couldn't help it. Just watched ol' Ralphie again today.

 

[volshooter]

I have given a young fellers first knife many times. Always with the parents permission and it's usually a Buck 110 that I'm carrying. I always give them a lecture and show them it will shave, and make them promise they will never take it to school. I tell them it is a tool to be respected, used when needed and kept clean and sharp.
I reckon I have given over 15 of them away and have no ill reports of misuse.

 

[Tremors]

That's cool. I like it. I keep finding a boy first NEW knife about every 6 months. LOL. The old EDC needs to updated as often as I change my EDC pistol.

 

[muzzleloader]

Hey volshooter, that promise to not take it to school made me grin. Times do change don't they. I can remember wearing my scout uniform to school with a folding scout knife dangling in plan view off my belt. Of course nobody said a thing. I think Jeff Cooper may have penned a short essay called "Same knife, different boy" that just about nails it. And yes it is a fine thing to give a boy a first knife or gun or hunt or training course. Particularly with your own child, boy or girl.

 

[Rook]

Things like that were a big deal when I was growing up. Getting a hunting license for the first time was a high point in my life at that time also.

If I was going to be hunting with my Grandpa and Uncle early in the morning I couldn't sleep the night before I would be so excited.

When my uncle gave me a Lee Loader and taught me how to load my own shotgun shells that was another high point in my 12 year old life.

My Grandpa retired when he was 45 years old and later opened up a boat dock/restaurant on his property at the forks of the Holston, French Broad and Tennessee River. He did some commercial fishing so I got to spend a lot of my young years with him on the rivers running fishing nets and limb lines and hunting. Ah those are fond memories.

 

[contender]

First knife,,, first BB gun,,, & other such things help a young boy feel like he is transforming into a man. Very important to them at the time. It makes for very special memories. Kudos!

 

[PAShooter]

Back in the 50's when I was in grade school, every boy in my class carried a pocket knife. There was never a problem. We farmer boys also put chains on our teacher's 1947 Plymouth whenever snow arrived. That was in the 5th grade.

 

[RSIno1]

Bought the grandson a Cub Scout Tinker Swiss Army Knife and had his name engraved on the blade. He's been having a great time in scouts hiking, camping, projects - hope it keeps his interest all the way to Eagle.

 

[Rumrunner]

He should enjoy that very much. Back in the day every kid I knew carried a knife. Endless uses for one.

We moved to the country when I was 5. I bought my first knive then, a Barlow. Think it was $5. Had that for many years. Also got a 22 single shot rifle that Christmas. Now, 59 years later, I still carry at least one knife every waking moment unless I'm flying somewhere.

 

[Tensaw]

He should enjoy that very much. Back in the day every kid I knew carried a knife. Endless uses for one.

I still carry at least one knife every waking moment unless I'm flying somewhere.

I use to fly a lot. I always felt naked without my knife in my pocket. One trip, just before going through security, I remembered having a knife on me. I knew security would just dump it the big collection bin. I saw a maintenance worker doing some repair work. I asked him if he would like to have a good knife since I couldn't take it with me. He gave me a curious look and said that he could not take it but if he found it that would be different. So I left it in an obvious place and went on with my travels.

Sorry if I hijacked the tread... Every young man should have a good knife.

 

[ElToro]

I'm 42. I got my first knife the Cristmas I was 8 in 3rd grade as a Cub Scout I still have it, an official BSA 4 blade knife. I gave my son his first knife to him for Christmas last week. He's in cub scouts and in 3rd grade as well. It's a buck bantam folder with his name engraved on the blade. He earned his whittlin' chip in Cubs which means with adult supervision he's allowed to whittle wood and also knows the basic knife safety rules. He also knows if he ever takes it to school he will have his ass tanned. Sadly even in the 80's I had a pocket knife on me in school and it wasn't a problem. I also never pulled it anybody though.

 

[smoke-eater]

Back in 1970, my Dad handed down his Western brand sheath knife to me, a momentous occasion for a 12 year old boy. The snap on the keeper strap was broken and, you guessed it, the knife was soon lost. I never told Dad because, oh boy, did he have a temper(!), but for years, I was constantly searching for that knife. I assumed I lost it in the woods behind the house where I spent a lot of my time after school, climbing trees and such.
Amazingly, in 2001, my son found it in the yard! Badly pitted after 31 years, and unusable, but the distinctive red plastic grip panels were there. It will always occupy a place of honor in my safe. Josh, my son, was rewarded with a new Buck #102 Woodsman.
I only wish Dad was still alive, so I could confess my sin and tell him this story.

Jeff

 

[volshooter]

If I recall rightly, my first knife was a Barlow given to me by my Papaw. He took it out of his pocket and showed me how sharp it was, it was his personal knife. I reckon that's the reason I have given away so many of my own personal carry knives. I wasn't even wearing long britches then. About a year later he gave me a Hawkbill. He told me the Barlow was an everyday knife but the Hawkbill was for cutting folk that needed it. He was a mean old cuss, but he was right about folks.
Dang shame for today's boys. They ain't treated like boys and I fear they won't become men like they should.

It's a good thing to be a man teaching youngns the right way. Them little fellers ain't got many good role models. I reckon I'm older than the calendar says. With permission, I have given away many .410 or 20ga shotguns to youngns. As well as fishin poles. If we don't teach em......

Boy scout..... troop 123 Nuremburg Germany. 74

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Back in the 50's when I was in grade school, every boy in my class carried a pocket knife. There was never a problem.

Yes.

Yes, indeed!

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[georogray]

I just gave my 2 son's each a case pocket knife for Christmas but certainly not their first I have given them, one is 46 and other is 42.

 

[sfhogman]

My first knife was a "Campbuddy" 4 blade knife given to me by my Dad when I became a Cub Scout in 1955. Kept it for years although even back then I thought it was a doofy kind of thing. For the past 30 years or so I have carried a Case...

My stepson's first knife was a USA made Uncle Henry. He was about 5 or 6: he lost it within hours after I gave it to him. He'll be graduating from engineering school next year and carries a beautiful Case pocket knife with him everywhere he goes. Gave it to him for high school graduation years ago...all is forgiven.

Jeff

 

[markallen]

My Dad bought me my first knife. A Barlow, still have it.
He picked it up while at our local hardware store. He picked it up, and handed it down to me while we were standing at the register.
No fuss just "here". It may have been an after thought to him, but it meant the world to me.
When all they other guys had their Boy Scout knifes, which I always wanted too, I had my Barlow.

 

[mistermills357]

I gave my nephew a 3" hunter, sheath knife when he was 10 or 12; and a Buck Special when he was 21 or so.
His dad snagged the 3" and put it under his front seat; and my nephew uses the Buck in the NG,as a field knife.
I suppose that is what he does with it, but he may keep it under the front seat too.