I had to ask his momma first, but since Paula is really close to me she had to say yes.
Needless to say John Jr. was tickled exstatically, as was grandpa for starting out a new knife and khukuri knut.
I also gave him the 1st prototype of the model I started for the YCS. I was real proud of John as he asked me for it in a real nice way, gotta say I'm quite proud of momma and daddy as well for the upbringing the kids are getting.
The reason I say that, besides the obvious points, is because when John asked me for it I told him I would have to think about it as it was the 1st prototype for the YCS and I explained to John just what that means and he never asked me again or bugged me about it like so many kids would've done.
John was asleep when his momma was packing the night before and since I had his khukuri put up I retrieved it and the uncompleted wood model and gave them to Paula to pack.
The next morning as they were getting ready to leave John came over and asked me about his Khukuri and I told him that I had it taken care of.
He didn't question that which also made me proud.
I aked Paula what John's reaction was when she gave him the wood model after they got home. She said his eyes got real big and he said, "That model means a lot to grandpa and because of that it means a lot to me."
I guess we all know who the 1st YCS and my using YCS will go to when I walk West.
John's also quite the "Cock of the Walk" so to speak in his neighborhood because there's not another 8 year old that has anything near like a khukuri!!!!!!!!!
I'm thinking of next X-mas or John's b'day that a subscription to Blade may be just the ticket.