To be horrified at knife in this survival kit

[MissFaversham]

DS (14) goes to Explorers/Cadets etc. and is just about to do his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze.

He was raving about the Bear Grylls "basic" survival kit, so I sent for one.

Well there's a flipping knife in there that is sooo ruddy dangerous! It's nasty looking too and could do more harm than a stanley knife.

This is being sold to kids and in the wrong hands or even the right hands (just childrens) is immensley worrying.

Sorry, don't know how to link (hopefully a skilled MN linker could help me out?)

Take a peek and see what you think?

Have now thrown this in the bin and bought the recommended DofE ROUND topped penknife.

I bought it for a friend (adult) and didn't assume it was for children. Bought it online so maybe it is being marketed to children elsewhere.

It's not being sold to kids though is it?

No YANBU unless there are age restrictions that you ignored when you bought it. It's illegal to sell any blade to anyone under the age of 18 and illegal for ANYONE regardless of age to carry one.

Is this the one OP?

It isn't being marketed for children, tbh, and I think that when you bought it it will have said something about the law being that knives can't be bought by under 18 year olds.

Not quite sure why you're horrified, tbh. It does show the knife clearly on the website.

Maybe not Worra but the "bear grylls" thing seems to target teens. ie. scouts etc?

I was just about to post the same thing Debsbear. You beat me to it

YABU, a knife is important in a survival kit. I don't see how that is more dangerous than the pen knife. They both fold. He is 14, and as long as he only carries it for d of e stuff what is the issue?

Oh and Bear Grylls is rubbish, Ray Mears all the way!

yabu

a decent knife is very important in a survival kit, and at 14 your son should be more than able to handle it safely.

a sharp decent knife will be safer than a dull "safe" one IMO

But surely the point of a survival kit is it needs a sharp knife to do what ever outdoors things people do with them?

Ds1 (12) has a massive knife and folding wood saw as part of his camp kit for his youth group. They are taught how to use them and he only uses it when doing outdoorsy things.

Doesn't say anything about age restrictions on Amazon.

i would much rather my child was taught to use a decent knife safely than be told that they're "dangerous" and that you must not use them.
it's a good skill to learn.

your son is 14, it's not like you're giving it to a toddler

did you really throw it in the bin??

How would a round topped knife help in a survival situation?

It really is an awful knife. DS has been using penknifes for ages but this one is somehow different.

Maybe just me then.

Penknives!

I would of thought a knife was standard in a surival kit and im sure a 14 year old should be sensible enough to operate a knife no?

well according to the amazon reviews it's a very good knife.

It's the DofE Worra, he's not really in a "survival" situation.

How would a round topped knife help in a survival situation?

He could butter a grizzly to death

YABU to be 'horrified'. If you don't think it's suitable for your DS, then don't give it to him.

How do you know it is being 'sold to kids'?

YABU being a Bear Grylls kit!! The man is an idiot.
You could have saved a load of money by making up your own survival kit.

YABU about your attitude to a knife. Are you flippin joking about chucking it in the bin?

That sounds mad.
My lads have been taught how to use a knife, axe and chainsaw safely.

Couldn't you have used the knife yourself or passed it on.
Stupid attitude.

xpost with thisisyesterday!

Bonkers!

A sharp knife is safer to use than a blunt one.

My brother left school aged 15 and went straight to work as an apprentice butcher.

My 12yr old DS sometimes uses a stanley knife to help his Dad cut carpet tiles.

All knives are dangerous, even dinner knives...especially if they're having steak for tea!

YANCO.

(You Are Not Convincable Otherwise.)

So I won't bother.