Hi All,

My daughter completed a 2 week basic summer camp training course and I wanted to give her something to remember the accomplishment.

So I ordered her this Pink SAK Classic from Smokey Mountain Knife Works. It has a small knife blade, scissors, fingernail file/cleaner, key-ring, toothpick and tweezers, just what every teenage girl needs. Her friends thought it was "Soooo Cute"; Dad's gift is a hit (very important or it would not be carried) and I will have her packing a PSK in he purse before you know it.

Her older brother completed an 8 week Adventure Expedition Course and received this Grohman #3 CF "Jump" Knife from me, with his name and the year inscribed on it (he needed a new fixed-blade and is already a outdoor junkie). He keeps this new knife in his "Adventure Drawer" beside his bed along with the rest of his critial outdoor gear. If your present makes "The Drawer" you know your gift quest has been successful.

What is the forums opinion on giving knives to responsible kids (no taking them to school, of course)? I grew up with a knife in my pocket or on my belt from a very early age; EDC'ing a knife was normal then and I still do it now.

Mike

I prefer that kids start with a knife with a blade that positively locks, while being easy to unlock as well. For a first knife, I would prefer just a blade, nothing more. However, the SAK classic is one of my favorites.

For a more experienced youth, I might suggest upgrading to a multi-tool.

I like that Grohman a lot. It'd make a fine skinner.

Doublecheck the carry rules at the kid's schools.

Definitely check the school rules. My son is just out of school so now he can carry the Swiss Champ SAK I gave him. But any knife at all is not allowed at the school he went to.

I agree with Chris. This is definitely not your era of school and zero tolerance policies suspend kids for making pretend guns out of their index finger and thumb.

SAK's are more than common in the real world and a Super Tinker or Adventurer would pass muster with any authority figure or adult that would find it on her.

Smart thinking to give such a great gift to your daughter.

My first knife was a buck, a tiny red one that locked back

I still have it to this day.

-Todd

I carried a sak as a small child. Even at school, but that was before the paranoia started overhere in Europe.

If your kids are responsible, I see not a problem, infact it could make their life a bit easier.

Never have I used my gear that I carry with me to prevent / solve a major incident, but it sure has saved me time and made my (and people around me) easier.

If they're old enough for a fork, they're old enough for a SAK. Unfortunately, I have to second the concern regarding public reaction.

Maybe give them a wire saw? :P

I think it's great that your kids have that much responsibility and you have that much trust....it is a 'milestone'.....for their independence. It 'shows' (to others [especially their friends]) that they are 'trusted' by you....nice work on the parenting (to all involved)

I agree with Rodion, if they are old enough a knife isn't a problem and should be given/carried. Not at school, where even a simple Vic classic could end up in a suspension or expulsion due to "zero tolerance" or as I like to call it "zero common sense". But otherwise, if its legal to carry a knife there then do it. I always have, and I always do.

-Bill Liptak