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Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 15, 2015 13:31:01 GMT
I want to share what I think is a really great program by a company known for it's superb products and customer service... Knives for Kids by Knives Ship Free. IMHO, it's a really great and useful tool to help parents discuss and educate their kids about the importance of safety when using a knife, especailly if it's the child's first one. Not only that, but your child will get his/her knife for free (actually, only about .05 cents) - what's not to love about this. Sure, there might be some people who will try to game the system by ordering when they don't have kids themselves, but I sincerely think this is an awesome opportunity for parents to share something valuable, both as a physical object and as a resource with their kids.
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Post by William Swiger on Feb 15, 2015 17:13:02 GMT
Got my first knife when about 6-years old. Was one of those Barlow folding knives.
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Feb 15, 2015 17:21:19 GMT
My first knife was when i was about 5 years old. one of these
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Mikeeman
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Post by Mikeeman on Feb 15, 2015 17:30:46 GMT
For as long as I can remember I always had a knife on me as a kid. It was just butter knives until I realized there were sharper knives in the drawer than what my parents were giving me. Then it was just a small paring knife. Never hurt myself. Probably a lot to do with luck, but I was scared of cutting myself so I tried to be careful. I remember a time when I was really confused as to why I couldn't take a knife to kindergarten. It didn't even occur to me to use it as a weapon, I just wanted to dig up stuff in the dirt on the school playground.
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ShooterMike
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I like swords, and my snowman did too!
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Post by ShooterMike on Feb 15, 2015 18:06:33 GMT
As a long-time customer of Knives Ship Free I applaud this effort and will support them any way I can. I have always had nothing but great experiences from them and that's usually the first place I look when planning a new knife purchase. Huzzah for the them!
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 15, 2015 19:26:35 GMT
My first knife was when i was about 5 years old. one of these Cool! I hope you didn't get a pink bunny suit for Christmas though In all seriousness though, that's a nice little knife for a kid. I kind of remember getting either a Case or Shrade for my first knife.
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Feb 15, 2015 19:51:24 GMT
my dad got me the bb gun and the matching knife for my birthday ^__^
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Post by justin520 on Feb 15, 2015 21:55:27 GMT
Honestly I'd rather give my child a fixed blade as opposed to a folder. It's for reasons of safety, sure they can get cut no matter what but I see folders increasing that chance. Most instances of me cutting myself are with a folder and I own many swords. So fixed blades for the kids.
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Post by randomnobody on Feb 15, 2015 22:43:07 GMT
I always had a pocketknife as a kid, far back as I can remember. Had a bunch of them, each with a bad habit of getting lost. Never really cut myself badly as a kid, waited until I was a bit more grown to do that. Still had my share of bloodletting while "playing" with my knives.
One thing I worry about with fixed blades for kids is having to carry them around. The average fixed blade runs 7-8" overall, and depending on the age (and size) of the child in question, that's a lot of knife to strap to their belt. It'll probably get in the way pretty often. Folders are more convenient in this regard, but I definitely advise a secure, but simple lock. No frame or liner locks, but a lock back should keep fingers clear of closing blades. Slipjoints are just asking for trouble. Something that requires two hands to open and close would be better, I think, for the intro period. More hands means more control, and generally more attention.
I think Victorinox has a couple newer models with locking main blades, but they tend to be liner-locks and have thumb assists which might lead to mischief. Blade not actually deploying fully or otherwise not locking, what have you.
Were it my kid, they'd be getting something like what I carry, which is a very old-fashioned piece with multiple locking points and a back spring release. At least, until I was sure they were ready for anything else. Wouldn't want them seeing how I handle any other type of knife and trying to mimic me before having enough practice with a more involved method...
All that aside, cool program. My nephews haven't mentioned anything about wanting knives in a while, but they all already have one or two (even the four-year-old, but his mother keeps it tucked away until she feels better about him having it) but if they do, I might see what my sister thinks about this.
Edit: think I got all the typos...
Edit 2: Nope, missed one.
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Post by justin520 on Feb 15, 2015 23:07:00 GMT
I'd say about a 3 inch blade fixed would be good for the youth, something a bit utilitarian or bushcrafty. Nothing super tactical.
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Post by randomnobody on Feb 15, 2015 23:25:21 GMT
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Post by justin520 on Feb 16, 2015 0:09:27 GMT
Search their neck knife section, you'll get more results than you think.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 16, 2015 0:23:04 GMT
I'd personally prefer that my daughter have a folder than a fixed blade... much easier to EDC (once she's old enough). Slip joints, not so much... I think the best bet would be a lockback with easy opening features, since kid's fingers/hands aren't too strong at that age
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Post by randomnobody on Feb 16, 2015 0:30:53 GMT
Yeah, I don't know how I feel about neck knives. I've looked at a good many but never found one I could say I'd be comfortable with for my own use, never mind to hand over to a kid and hope for the best.
Still, definitely an option if fixed is a must. I'd still absolutely stick with a trustworthy folder, myself. A lot easier to carry around and more versatile.
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Post by chrisperoni on Feb 16, 2015 2:48:04 GMT
Just tried placing an order for 2 - one for each girl of mine. I'll have to wait until they're older to give the knives to them though. Also, not sure if they'll let me order two free knives at one time but we'll see I guess
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Post by Arthur Dayne on Feb 16, 2015 3:25:15 GMT
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 16, 2015 18:36:16 GMT
Derrick Bohn, owner of Knives Ship Free mentioned that he had 1,000 knives in stock for the kid's program - also said they ran out on the 1st day. He stated he was ordering an additional 1,500 knives and would see how those took off. Seems like a great success to me!
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Post by chrisperoni on Feb 16, 2015 18:51:05 GMT
Derrick Bohn, owner of Knives Ship Free mentioned that he had 1,000 knives in stock for the kid's program - also said they ran out on the 1st day. He stated he was ordering an additional 1,500 knives and would see how those took off. Seems like a great success to me! Fantastic gesture and quality move on his part
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 16, 2015 19:04:33 GMT
Derrick Bohn just sent out a revised email stating he's ordered 3,000 additional knives. In essence, this program is a LOT bigger than what they were expecting, but are happy with the results nonetheless. Btw, the name you entered when ordering a knife will be laser etched onto it, which means that the orders are back logged for the time being. Derrick stated about 1 week to get the 1st batch of knives etched, the next after that.
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Mikeeman
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Post by Mikeeman on Feb 16, 2015 19:43:20 GMT
That was the first ACTUAL pocket knife I owned. My great grandpa gave it to me before he died. Man, that picture sure brought back memories... I remember being ULTRA-TURBO upset when I lost the tweasers out of it.
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