Thread: Knife training for my daughter

So at 2 years and 10 months it is past time for my daughter to learn to handle knives. With so many sharp knives around the hous I think it is important that she learns to use them properly.

So this morning I was peeling potatoes, and I let her cut them in pieces afterwards with a small paring knife.
That knife has a serrated edge, the the teeth themselves are not sharp at all. It is only when you slice the knife that they cut. For now she will not be allowed to use the razor sharp solingen stainless potatoe peelers.

With each cut I corrected her grip, and made sure that her other hand was safe (i.e. no finger slicing).

She was really paying full attention, and she liked using the knife.
When my wife came in she was at first a bit unsure what to think of it, but since I was watching her every move and she was using the 'dull' knife, my wife didn't object.

it will be a long time before she will be allowed a 'real' knife, but I think it is important that she learns to do it well.

Have you ever noticed that very few people seem to know how to slice properly?
Most people just try to push the knife straight down, while a slice forward and / or backwards is so much better.
And most people's chef knives are as dull as a shovel.

When she is a bit older I will also teach her how to hone knives.
I may not have sons, but I will not let that minor detail get in my way of passing my fascination with hones and knives to at least one of my offspring. She is very interested.
She has already made me promis that I would make her a real straight when she is 12, and that I will teach her how to use it.

Truly my pride and joy.

Nice! I'm of the belief that if you teach children how to use and respect the dangerous things that can be lying around a house, such as knives and guns, you are making those items infinitely safer than if you simply try to hide them.

^ Well put! I learned how to use guns and knives at a very young age. And later in life (teen and pre teen years) I never would have done the "Hey look what I have." and accidentally shot a friend or something.

Teach them and they will respect it more.

Same here,

Both my girls have been trained in the proper handling of a firearm (both handguns and shotguns, I don't own a rifle).

The curiosity has been satisfied and they are aware that these tools need to be treated as carefully as a blender, circular saw, etc.

And I can safely say that if evil were to come knocking at my door, my girls will not meet it armed with a blender... .

Just my two cents.

http://www.korin.com/product.php?pid...um=HMI-685-120 Here is a link to the knife I got my daughter a few years ago. It's small and rounded off in spots but the edge is good. She's now got her own custom knife from LR Harner and loves it... She better keep away from my knives now

She already took one of my T/C Contenders...

Bruno,

I was raised in a house WITH guns. I knew where they were and I was told in no uncertain terms "DON'T bother that!" When I got to be about eight, Dad took me out and started teaching me how to shoot. We made more trips to the Range as I grew. At around ten, or eleven, I got to 'trail along' when he went hunting with friends. By the time I was twelve, I had my own shotgun and I was hunting with him. I have never had a "Gun Accident"...in fact, I am probably the most safety-conscious person I know.
I was around eleven when he bought me my first pocket knife. That was over forty five years ago. I was taught how to clean the gun and sharpen the knife. I keep all my knives sharp and my guns clean! They deserve that level of care. Teaching kids the proper way to handle knives (and guns,) removes the 'allure' and also the fear. In their place it instills respect.

The chef in me is very happy reading this post.

Not only is she learning a great skill(because you're right, most people don't know how to cut) but you're also spending quality time together. What a great combination .

Very nice indeed. One of the first things I did after getting married was teaching my wife that knives are for CUTTING....NOT PUSHING. And she understands and tsks at people that use their knife as a chisel or a log splitter.

My little boy will surely know how to make use of the wonderfull tool that is a knife.

Originally Posted by Brother Jeeter

Bruno,

I was raised in a house WITH guns. I knew where they were and I was told in no uncertain terms "DON'T bother that!" When I got to be about eight, Dad took me out and started teaching me how to shoot. We made more trips to the Range as I grew. At around ten, or eleven, I got to 'trail along' when he went hunting with friends. By the time I was twelve, I had my own shotgun and I was hunting with him. I have never had a "Gun Accident"...in fact, I am probably the most safety-conscious person I know.
I was around eleven when he bought me my first pocket knife. That was over forty five years ago. I was taught how to clean the gun and sharpen the knife. I keep all my knives sharp and my guns clean! They deserve that level of care. Teaching kids the proper way to handle knives (and guns,) removes the 'allure' and also the fear. In their place it instills respect.

I still remember when I was 3 and my dad took me and my brother out to the range for the first time. He set up a block of ice, a gallon of water and a watermelon, and showed us what a 44 magnum would do to them. Then he explained that guns aren't toys, and they could do the same thing to us or our friends. After that we went to the range with him on a regular basis, I'm not sure how old I was when he finally let me shoot the 22's, but the lessons remain to this day. Unfortunately he was disabled in an industrial accident, so I never did get to go on that first hunting trip, but one of these days...

I grew up with firearms, and I learned to respect them. No gun related accidents here, in fact I can credit that experience and knowledge with (probably) saving my life on several occasions. I've never had to fire a shot, the threat of a well armed victim has always prevented the need to actually discharge weapons.

isnt it great to be in america?