Most boys want a pocket knife before they are old enough; my grandson included. When I was young a Case knife was the one to have. I can’t remember getting my first knife; I probably bought it with money from a paper route. Our grandson will be 10 in Oct. and I think he has been talking pocket knife since he was 8.
I think about 15 years ago I thought I could collect knives and someday make a profit from my hobby. I bought a lot of knives and finally realized there were just too many knives being made and too many collectors for it to be profitable. I bought mostly Case knives; my grandmother Ainsworth’s maiden name was Case, not related to the knife family, so that made them special to me. I have given some away as gifts but must still have 30 left. The grandson knew I would give him his first knife.
He and his Mother were here last week and he was talking knife; she said they would discuss it with Dad first. The next day we had to pick him up from the bus stop. I think the first thing he said was they said I could have a knife Grampa.
So when we got home I got my box of knives out and got all the peanut knives out. It is one of my favorite knives, a small two blade pocket knife, and I told him it was the right size for his first one. He looked them over and together we decided on a red bone handled one. It was one I had given to my Dad for a birthday and after he died Mom gave it back to me.
After a few lessons on how to open and close the blades safely, I said now you have to learn to whittle. He asked what that was; I said I’ll show you. I got a small piece of soft wood and proceeded to show him how to whittle and how to always cut away from his hand. He caught on fast and that boy has made a lot of wood shavings the last few days! He is only allowed to have the knife at home or at Grampas.
I don’t know if he will remember getting his first knife or not but watching him set there and contently whittle away will be a forever memory for me. I am glad I was able to be here and give him his first knife!
Grampa Don
