Can Children Use Box Cutters Safely?

Box cutters are very useful cutting tools and can be used for many purposes. But the age limit of using box cutters is something very important and must be known to people who plan to use them in their home or office.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Use Box Cutters?

Box cutters can be used by anyone capable of holding them. However, box cutters are not recommended for young children to use. It is important to keep in mind that box cutters are sharp objects and can easily cause injuries if mishandled.

Box Cutters Age Limit

There is no set age limit for using box cutters. However, since they are so sharp, they can easily cut the fingers and hands of small children. They can also be dropped onto toes and feet while the blade is extended.

It is a good idea for parents to not allow their very small children access to box cutters, along with other types of knives.

Can Minors Use Box Cutters?

Yes, minors can use box cutters if they understand how to use knives safely. It might be a good idea for a parent or adult to monitor the useage of box cutters as they are very sharp.

Do You Need To Be 18 To Buy A Box Cutter?

No, you do not need to be 18 to buy box cutters. As long as the blade is under 3.5 inches, which box cutters are. They are not officially considered a weapon and will not be hidden behind glass cases in most stores.

Box Cutters Selection

Can A 16 Year Old Buy A Box Cutter?

Yes, a 16 year old can buy a box cutter in most cases. This depends primarily on that person’s size and the type of box cutter he or she wishes to purchase. Box cutters, also known as Stanley knives, are utility blades with a sharp edge allowing them to cut through material such as cardboard, paper and even thin metal sheets. These can be dangerous for young people to use, and are considered a deadly weapon when used as such.

Child-Safe Box Cutters

Are box cutters child-safe?

No, box cutters are not child-safe. However, the retractable blade means they can be handled by children as long as the blade is not extended, except under supervision.

Box cutters have been a tool that has been used in the past to harm others. Even though box cutters are a very useful tool, it is important to know that they can also be harmful if used in the wrong way to an individual.

Box cutters should not be accessible for kids and younger children because of its sharp blade.

Recommended Safety Box Cutters

Pacific Handy Cutter S5R Safety Cutter, Right Handed Retractable Utility Knife & Ergonomic Film Cutter

Veltec EZ-1000 Safety Box Cutter Utility Knife, 3 Blade Depth Setting, Squeeze Trigger and Dual Side

COSCO 091508 Easycut Cutter Knife w/Self-Retracting Safety-Tipped Blade

Parents And Box Cutters

Should parents allow their children to use box cutters? That is a question that has been debated for years. Some people say that it is never too early to teach children how to use tools, and box cutters are no exception. Others believe that it is too dangerous for children to use box cutters, and that they should be kept away from them until they are older.

Regardless, it is up to the parent or guardian to decide, and if they do allow their children to use box cutters, it is best to monitor them while they use it.

Box Cutters For Students

Students, especially young ones, may not be allowed to use box cutters in school. Although box cutters are very sharp, students can learn how to use them correctly in certain circumstances.

Older students will know how to handle them, but they can be used as a deadly weapon. This is why most adolescents and children do not have access to box cutters in school.

College aged students, however, in certain coursework may use box cutters at some point.

Are Box Cutters Allowed In Elementary School

For more information, see our post Can Children Use Exacto Knives Safely. This covers certain state laws and school rules regarding small knives such as box cutters and exacto knives.

Box Cutters In A Backpack

Box cutters can be carried in a backpack without harming it. If it is retracted, it will not cut the fabric.

If you take a backpack to the airport, the scanner can see the box cutters.

The TSA agents will take the box cutters away. There is no reason to carry box cutters onto a plane. If you need them at your destination you can purchase them when you get there.

For more information, see our post Are Box Cutters Legal?

Box Cutters Are Very Dangerous!

Even though box cutters are a fairly safe tool to use, they can still be very dangerous. The blade is long, rigid and sharp which makes it capable of causing phyiscal damage to a person. Always use caution when using any type of knife, such as box cutters.

Did you find this useful? If yes please share!
Nick Klamecki, Author
About Nick Klamecki, Author

Nick Klamecki is a certified Fire and Workplace Safety expert with 15 years experience in product research and testing. He has a degree from U.C. Davis, is an active outdoorsman and spent years ensuring the safety of special needs children. Nick researches and tests workplace, industrial and safety products and provides advice on their safe use. Learn more about Nick here or connect with him on LinkedIn | Medium