Ladybug Christmas Story

captnvegtble · #1

So I bought my 3 year old boy (almost 4 years old) a purple ladybug for Christmas. He watches me play/use my knives all the time and commented a while ago that he wanted a purple or orange knife. I thought of buying a purple Delica for him, but his hands are still too small, so I elected to go for the purple ladybug instead and it fits his hands really well. He seems excited to use it (only under supervision of course). When I told my brother and sister I was buying my 3 year old a knife, I got some funny looks, but 3 years old isn't too young to have a knife, right? My mother seemed to understand... I thought it was a good way to teach a youngster responsibility and how to use/care for a knife.

Dr. Snubnose · #2

A lot of people will say 3 years old is too young to handle a knife....I don't see a problem with it as long as they are supervised...I got my first folder when I was four....the handle was a 1/2" and the blade 1/2" ...my first fixed blade when I was 6 (3")....but I wasn't allowed to have it to myself till I was 8....I really think it's has to do with the maturity level of the child....I gifted a 14 year old a Ladybug once and he cut up his clothes and his bed sheets....Needless to say his mother was not happy with me....So it's not about age...it's about instruction in proper handling and safety but they have to be smart enough to understand those concepts....and physical age has nothing to do with being smart or understanding stuff....Doc :D

SQSAR · #3

My daughter is four and a half. Very recently I let her hold one of my knives, and started teaching her the parts of a knife, and showed her how to cut some paper. Most importantly, I showed her what and where the edge is. But needless to say, I'd never let her handle a knife by herself. For now, it's enough that she knows what a knife is, what they're for, and how to handle them safely. I don't want there to be a stigma about them that makes her want to play with one so much that she would do it while I (or another responsible adult) wasn't there. I make custom knives (not that I'm extremely talented) and handle my other knives all the time, and no doubt her inquisitive mind is watching this all the time. I want knives to be a very normalized thing for her where she will respect, appreciate, and enjoy them appropriately as she grows up. (I also want her to take my Warrior with her when she has her first date, , , oh, and a Civilian for backup).

Dr. Snubnose · #4

SQSAR wrote:My daughter is four and a half. Very recently I let her hold one of my knives, and started teaching her the parts of a knife, and showed her how to cut some paper. Most importantly, I showed her what and where the edge is. But needless to say, I'd never let her handle a knife by herself. For now, it's enough that she knows what a knife is, what they're for, and how to handle them safely. I don't want there to be a stigma about them that makes her want to play with one so much that she would do it while I (or another responsible adult) wasn't there. I make custom knives (not that I'm extremely talented) and handle my other knives all the time, and no doubt her inquisitive mind is watching this all the time. I want knives to be a very normalized thing for her where she will respect, appreciate, and enjoy them appropriately as she grows up. (I also want her to take my Warrior with her when she has her first date, , , oh, and a Civilian for backup).

Hey you are good!!!...Arming your daughter for her first date... (You must be a LEO) If I had a daughter...I would be on that first date....with her mother as backup...LOL....Doc :D

angusW · #5

I show my 3yr old my knives all the time. We talk about them and how sharp it is. I let her hold them when they are closed and only when I'm right there. Like firearms or hammers or cars, if you make it taboo then they are going to actively "play" with them and could hurt themselves. If it's a normal part of life then no big deal as they know the safety issues and will treat said object with respect.

Jowens · #6

I think that's cool. Personally, I'd never give my 4 yo son a knife, but that's only because I'd never hear the end of it from his mom.

RJNC · #7

My four year old daughter (my avatar pic on the forums) has a purple Ladybug, a Bug and a Honeybee.

Nifty_Nives · #8

captnvegtble wrote:I got some funny looks, but 3 years old isn't too young to have a knife, right?

Not if you do it the right way. Start slow and extremely responsibly.

First show and teach him the parts of a knife. Then have him recite them so that you know that he really knows how the knife works. You shouldn't use what you don't understand. Once he knows all the parts, teach him how to open and close it carefully, such as keeping your fingers away from the opening when trying to close it. Teach him never to use it for what it isn't meant for and etc.

As long as you teach him the highest safety protocol, and make sure that both you and him follow this protocol when using knives together, you can make him a safe knife user.

Like father like son, so don't set a bad example and do foolish things. Teach him to cut away from himself.

I'm sure you know what i mean. Starting young makes him more responsible as he grows up. Glad to see another :spyder: user in the makes.

Merry christmas!