*****”Not too many years ago, I was stunned to learn that a number of my younger cousins and “nephews” (sons of close friends) had no prospects of receiving their “right of passage” knives. So I took on the elder male responsibility of presenting them their appropriate knives at the appropriate times.”******
So as not to offend my young neighbors Parents (not that they would mind) I gave my lil buds Whetstones and Knife Sharpening Books, Rope, Line and Knot Tying Books for Christmas.
They come visit to show me the knots that they have learned and to show me how sharp their “Whittlin” knives are.
Now we are “Whittlin” Slingshots and Bows and Arrows out of stuff we can find right here in the neighborhood.
TT
When I take my sons for walks in the woods, I stop at the tree line and have them show me their pocket knives. If they don’t have knives they have to go back to the house and get it.
You don’t go into the woods without at least a knife on you.
Nice way to introduce, pass & preserve those skills!