My dad owned a garden centre and for a long time I thought that he didn’t stock these most essential gardeners’ knives. Then one day, one very memorable day, browsing the shelves in his shop I spotted the Holy Grail. There, on a shelf, encased within a shiny plastic packet, was my grandfather’s penknife. I was 10 years old and desperate for the heavenly tool I saw before me. Thinking quickly, I debated whether this would be my first robbery. It was my dad’s shop, I spent most of my weekends there and it was like my home. Surely, I reasoned, it wasn’t too bad taking something you really wanted from your own home. I’d taken the odd Calippo ice lolly from the freezer when no one was looking, but somehow this felt different, much more serious. I put the packet back on the shelf and walked sadly away. Of course I wouldn’t steal a penknife.
It was a long couple of months after discovering that dad stocked that knife that I was given one of my very own. I must have pestered him relentlessly, every day going to that part of the shop and looking dreamily at the packet. Dad eventually relented and gave me my first knife lesson with my own penknife. His lesson was simple: always cut away from you. That was it. That was all I needed to know. Naturally, I’ve had to learn the hard way, but when you make your first mistake with your knife you learn pretty quickly.
Having my own penknife, tied to my belt on a lanyard gave me a feeling of responsibility, one I valued very much, and I felt that it was a big step in my parents trusting me with something important. I couldn’t wait to show it to my grandfather. As soon as the summer holidays came we drove down to Devon to his farm and we were soon comparing knives. His was well used – for real reasons, unlike mine, which had been used to cut a bit of paper just to check it was still sharp as hell, or to pierce the tiniest of holes in my T-shirt, again, just to check. We quickly got to work whittling sticks, cutting rope, buttering our bread. I still have that knife today.
As a 10-year-old boy it’s not exactly practical to carry a penknife attached to the belt of your trousers. Teachers at school don’t look altogether favourably on that. Children shouldn’t carry knives unless they are properly and sensibly supervised at all times by an adult. For Jasper’s eighth birthday I bought him his first penknife and he was thrilled. It’s a special kids’ one with a rounded end to avoid any unwanted accidents, but the blade itself is just as sharp as any adult knife. We’re starting to use it together for tasks we do outside, like carving a spoon to use to eat outdoors, cut some chopsticks, make a whistle, gather tinder for a fire and create sparks to light it, and so many other things. It’s really important to show a young child, within reason, the values and dangers of a knife. I learnt its value as a tool from observing my grandfather over the years. Using a knife is fun, but it’s definitely not a toy. A knife really must be respected.
Make a walking stick
One of the quickest things you can do in the countryside is make a walking stick, a simple item that can be treasured and used for years to come. There’s no point finding a rotten old branch that will snap as soon as it’s used as a pole to vault across a puddle or stream. No, you need to be making walking sticks that can withstand the rigours of a life outdoors. If you’re lucky enough to live in the countryside a short distance from some woods or a hedgerow then it’ll be easy to find the materials you need. Alternatively, there are resources online that can provide suitable natural materials. Failing that, a perfect walking stick, if cut to size, can be made from a broom handle bought from any hardware store. OK, you won’t be finding the raw materials yourself, but you can still adapt, adjust and alter as desired.
When you and your child spend time preparing this stick, they will care. They’ll become attached to it, and, in turn, they’ll want to use it. They’ll start asking to go out for a walk with their stick. Hopefully, they’ll remind you to bring it to the school pick-up so that after school they have their adventure equipment ready. Making the stick is an adventure in itself.
What you need
A stick that’s taller than your child
A saw/pair of secateurs
A penknife
What to do
1 It’s important to get permission from whoever’s land your stick is growing on.
2 Keep your eyes peeled for long, straight poles growing up from the ground.
3 Hazel is the best species of tree to look for, but ash, blackthorn and holly are all suitable too.
4 Coppicing is a method of woodland management employed by woodsmen who require long, straight poles. When tree stems attain a certain diameter – an inch or two – they are cut at ground level and used for hedging or charcoal production. The tree stump then sprouts again, sending up new, straight poles. Woodsmen can choose the thickness of the pole, depending on the requirements they have, leaving some to grow for many years while others can be cut after just a few.
5 Hazel is the most commonly coppiced tree. Coppicing is a sustainable method of producing wood. Hazel can easily be found in woodland or hedges, and usually provides a range of diameters to fit any size of hand. Hazel is easily cut and carved, and is very flexible, making it ideal for walking sticks.
6 Depending on the age of your child, adjust the size of stick you choose. Thinner lengths for younger children will be lighter and more easily handled; slightly thicker, more robust sticks will be better for older children, who will be more likely to put their weight on the wood.
7 Once you’ve found the perfect-sized piece of wood carefully cut the pole from the base. The leaves and any twigs growing off can be removed to create a beautifully smooth, straight stick.
Cutting their own walking stick can be a wonderful lesson for your child. Give them the saw and show them trust, but it’s vital that you show them how to use any tools safely. If they are involved in every aspect of this process they’ll appreciate, learn and remember so much more. When the final draw of the saw cuts through the stick it’s an incredibly satisfying achievement for a young child and one that should be celebrated.
Now you have your walking stick – poking stick, wizard’s staff, pole-vault pole or whatever else it is you’ve decided to use it for – you can head out into the world with a tool that you have sourced, made into something useful and worked on together.
Ladybird walking stick
You now have a simple walking stick that your child is already hopefully pleased with. Walking has suddenly become easier and more enjoyable. Now it’s time to create something really fun using a number of different skills.
What you need
A cut walking stick
A penknife
Acrylic paints (red and black)
What to do
1 With a penknife, start carving the top of the walking stick into the shape of a ball.
2 Depending on the type of wood you’ve found, the shaving of the end should be fairly easy with a sharp penknife. Again, fresh hazel is ideal.
3 This is the perfect activity for you to teach your child safe-knife technique (see ‘Use a penknife’, see here). You’re not making anything complicated, so the cutting of the wood can be done all in the same direction, making this an ideal exercise with a knife.
4 Once you have a smooth,