To let 10 year old DS have a knife ?

[JugglingWithTangentialOranges]

Well it would be a present from his DGPa and a penknife but I'm still not sure ...

DS was given the "Dangerous book for boys" by DGPa for his last birthday. He's really getting into it and has made a bit of a den at the bottom of the garden between some hazelnut trees - which he and DD are always climbing. In the Easter hols he made a great periscope with Grandpa using the plans in the book.

Trouble is on page one it has a list of essential things to own and these include a penknife. Now, I can see the attraction of owning such a clever and nifty little gadget with say 20 different tools and a hundred different uses.

But would it be asking for trouble ? You hear so much about the dangers of knife crime especially amongst teenage boys - and also I'm sure you could easily do yourself some accidental damage even if using it was kept to the den and at home.

DS is very keen to ask for one from DGPa for his next birthday. And DGPa is almost as keen to get him one WWYD ?

Let him have one, don't let him take it beyond your house and garden, let DGPa teach him to use it properly and safely, and stock up on plasters!

My ds had one from his uncle for Christmas when was 10. We made rules- he had to ask before he took it out, and we often said no if we weren't sure about the people he was going with. We spent quite a while teaching him to use it safely- and he did cut himself several times. But he still loves it and uses it a lot. And the "brilliant uncle" points my brother got will last for years!

agree with treb and seek as long as it is used appropriately etc i would let him x

Thanks Trebles - that sounds like good MN advice !
I wonder if anyone disagrees ?

My ds got one from his Grandparents when he was 10. Rules are -

no taking it to school
can use it at home and in the compound we live in
at home it must be left on the top shelf as dd was only 4 when he got the knife.
Break the rules - you lose the knife.
To reassure you - no accidents to date and he has had it for 2 years.

DS had a penknife from about that age. He managed it fairly well until an 'incident' involving DSS (older) trying to go in DS room.

DSS was v upset, but DS says was just joking???

Anyway we confiscated the knife and four years later he hasn't had it back ( I don't actually know where it is tbh...)

That incident aside I don't think it is a bad thing to own one and use it responsibly.

juggling ..think that is a dead cert... lmfao.. "wonders when posters shout out UNRESPONSIBLE.. lol am gonna time it ..hehe

I wouldn't give my 10 year old one, no.

that was quicker than sex lol

Be very sure that you can trust him not to take it to school. If he tells children he has a knife he will get asked by other children to bring it to school to prove it.

This has happened twice in the time my children have been at school and one of the children involved was expelled.

I'm not saying he shouldn't have it but make sure he is fully aware of the potential consequences.

That is a little alarming supernanny - thanks for sharing and I'm not surprised penknife was confiscated.

Thanks for all other replies too. Seems like strict rules with strong sanctions is the way to go. Also interesting that people suggest getting someone who is familiar with penknives to teach them to use it safely.

A little alarming too to think we might have to stock up on plasters

Ds's 1 & 2 are 16 and 14 and we have not allowed knives. They were very keen to have one but somehow it just doesn't sit well with me. They are past the age of being bothered now. I'm not sure of the legalities of carrying a knife. It would be worth checking it out first.

I had a 9 year old telling me he has a gun the other week, so I wouldn't be too worried about a penknife.

I had a penknife when I was about that age and have never killed anyone.

doormat "that was quicker than sex"

(someone coming along to say YABU)

Knives are tools - I had one at that age, used it to sharpen pencils and whittle and various others things in the garden (we had quite a few knives thinking back) so in itself I don't think it's an OOT idea BUT you're right, things are very different now.

Could you 100% guarantee that he would never take it out of the house? That he wouldn't be tempted to take it to school or a friends house just to show it off? My BFs DS took a tiny, tiny penknife to school (one of those skinny ones you used to get on keyrings) to show someone. Another kid took it off him and used it to threaten a classmate. He was permanently excluded but so was BFs DS for taking it in If he got caught with on the street, he could be in big trouble for possessing an offensive weapon, and at 10 he's hit the age of criminal responsibility.

DH bought DS one when he was 7. From Switzerland when we were on holiday.

I must admit to being a bit at first, but there was a sentimental side to him buying it there and then as grandad had recently died. So I didn't put up any fuss.

SIL had to be scraped off the floor when she found out and said her DS would never have one. Mind you she is a teacher ...

We have never had any issues. DS is sensible and knows the consequences misuse.

I remember my brother discussed it with me before giving ds a knife and I wasn't sure "what's the worst that can happen?" he asked "He could cut himself!" I wailed "So?"

Aknd I thought yes, he might cut himself, but he'll mend.

Ha! DH came home unexpectedly and I xposted with lots of people there

Only kidding about the plasters! (well.....) As long as he's mature enough to accept the rules he'll be fine.

Re taking it to school, maybe keep it somewhere visible so that you know it's where it should be?

Many years ago my DS (now 30) took ex-partner's air pistol to school. It was 2 days after Dunblane. An armed response unit was called. Ex is a twat.

our Scouts are allowed penknives after they have done their "knife and axe" course on summer camp - usually at 10-11. As long as they learn to use them sensibly, theres no problem. I think kids are generally respectful of knives if they are taught.

I'd let him have one but....

I'd make sure his DGPa shows him how to use it properly

I'd keep it in a safe place so he has to come to you, to ask you for it

That way you'll always know when he's using it and that he hasn't taken it out of the house to show his mates.

DS1 had one from his GPs when he was about 12 I think. Now he has a much better Swiss Army knife. Not sure what he does with it but he always takes it when we go for walks - maybe he intends to whittle or chase off bears ....

My 9yo wanted one after a few of the boys on parents and sons cub camp had them. It has been drummed into him that it has to be used safely etcetc, so he has learned from it. It's got to be better to teach safe usage than to keep them away from knives and ignorant of the damage they can do.

BTW he also has BB guns - but he follows the rules and we've had no problems. We did draw the line at throwing knives though

Thanks hattifattner - that's interesting to think that maybe learning respect for knifes and how to make proper use of them could possibly be a good thing ?

A bit worrying to think ownership could lead to being expelled from school or arrested though ... hadn't really thought of that.
But hopefully DS is sensible enough if we are firm that it can't be taken out of home (except possibly to DGPs) that he would listen to that. Especially with threat of confiscation !)