Well, with all due respect, we're talking about a first-grader here. Most of them would lose their own feet if they weren't stuck on the ends of their legs.

A perfectly serviceable blade can be had for $10. The big investment is the time an adult spends teaching them how to use it properly. These are important life lessons and are beyond price.

When a child demonstrates the maturity to use a blade safely and responsibly, by all means get 'em a better one. No objections from me.

(EDIT: Whoops, I goofed, I was intending to respond to Tom_L's post further up the page.)