The Right Age For A Knife.

*Photo Credit Darci Larsen

Growing up in the knife world, knives have always been a part of my life.  I still remember the first knife I ever received.  It was an old pocket flipper, passed from my grandpa to my father, then from my father to me.  I have always planned on giving this knife to my child, and hopefully instilling the love of knives that has become a family tradition.  But the question I have come to ask myself is "When"?  What is the right age to begin trusting your child with his or her own knife?  When do you know they are responsible enough for their own EDC?
I received my first knife at the age of 8.  At the time I was so honored to receive something of such importance to my family.  My grandfather passed away in his 40’s, leaving behind a few treasured objects for each of his children.  This knife was one of those things.  My father cherished this knife, so for him to give it to me meant something huge.  I took it as an immense responsibility.  As an 8-year-old, I knew my knife was more of a tool, and definitely not a toy.  It was something I could show my friends, but not something we would play with.
Looking back now, I don’t know that I would trust an 8-year-old with a knife.  How did my father know?  Was there something he saw that I did not?  And what about those who receive a knife with no emotional attachment.  I respected my knife because I knew how much it meant to my family.   Would I have respected any other knife as much?  Would I have cared for, and protected any other knife the same way?  Honestly, I don’t think I would have.   I was only 8 years old.  I was still playing with action figures and trading cards.
After much contemplation I think I have come to realize that there is no specific age.  Each knife lover is different and unique in their own way.  But the most important quality is to teach them that each and every knife is to be respected and cared for.  A knife is not a toy or a plaything.  A knife is a responsibility.
So I guess the question I am posing is, how do you know when to pass on your love of knives?  Do you wait for your child to ask?  Or do you present it to them?    When did you receive your first knife?  Do you plan on passing along your love of knives to your children?  And if so, when?  Please, let us know in the comments below.