How old were your kids when they started using the steak knives at the table?

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 04:51 pm:

My kids are 9 & 11 and I still don't give them steak knives. Sharper butter knives, yes, but not steak knives.

By Kaye on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 06:25 pm:

hmmm tough one, it really depends on the age.

I only give sharp knives if they are needed. My 11 almost 12 year old can use one if he has too. My 13 year old is very good with one. I may never let my 9 year old have one!

By Vicki on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 06:53 pm:

I too think it depends on the child. Dd is 12 and I would say she has been cutting her own meat for a couple of years now. She is almost 13, so I would guess she started with a sharp knife at about 11ish??

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 07:47 pm:

Vicki, both my kids cut their own meat. I have quite an assortment of silverware. Some of my regular place setting knives are more serated and sharper than others. I'm OK with the kids using those, but not our very sharp steak knives. Not yet, anyway. LOL!

By Tink on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 04:27 pm:

My oldest is 10 and she's been cutting her own meat for a year or so now. Keep in mind that she's pretty responsible and has always had great fine motor skills. Like Kaye, I may never let my ds have one!