Search Results: Need an explanation

My boyfriend went through a short phase of mild self-harm around a couple of years ago. He scratched his hand with a kitchen knife. Two years later, recently, I noticed his hand was slightly bleeding. It was only a small cut. I asked him how he got it and he said he had cut his hand with a blade. He was in the same room as me when he did it. I had my back turned as he did. I asked him why, and he said it was to feel the "texture" of the blade.

A few days later, he had done it again, and had the same excuse, or an "I don't know" answer. While we were laying in bed, he started crying, saying he had felt worthless last week (while he was at camp) and so he cut his arm with a kitchen knife when he got back. He showed me where, and I couldn't see anything, so again, it was only scratching. Of course, I comforted him and he didn't do it since.

Weeks later, again, he'll randomly stick his finger on the point of a knife to "see if it's sharp" or again for "texture". I don't know what to do. This isn't typical self-harm, and he isn't upset when he does this (not since his camping incident) - He'll just injure himself for the sake of it. Punching walls is also what he'll do if he's upset. He gets frustrated and stressed for silly reasons, and I'm then worried it'll lean him toward injuring himself again.

Does anyone know how to explain this to me? It's not even like a release for him, or maybe it is? He'll just injure himself and have no valid explanation. He also has a fascination with knives. He'll take them out of drawers, holders, and say they are cool. Along with attempting to prod his finger with it, before I take it away from him. I have to quickly react when I notice him pick one up, and take it away from him because I'm paranoid he'll be "testing" the blade on himself.

Especially to the males, do you have any explanations? Have any of you had any experience with this type of behaviour? Please, I need advice. Thanks! xx