Getting What You Pay For

[BeckyLil]

When I first came here, one of the early things I learned was the importance of buying a carving glove. I did buy one from the local Woodcraft store and have used it always.

But then my thumb poked through. If someone can tell me what I am doing wrong to make that happen, I would be grateful.

So, tired of taping up that glove, when I got a "great deal" offer on another glove, I jumped at it. Why do I always forget the adage that says you get what you pay for when confronted with a "great deal"?

I was carving as usual tonight when the wood just popped apart. I never saw that happen before. With no wood to cut, the knife went right for my left index finger. Got it too. Sliced through that glove like it was butter. Unless I am confused, I recall that the kevlar gloves protect against slices but not stabs. Well this one didn't do squat.

I am typing this with seven stitches in my finger and a 5-day course of antibiotics. I won't be carving for a while until things heal up. I sure won't be looking for "great deals" in carving gloves again.

Are there different specs for kevlar? Why does a glove that says it is kevlar cut so easily? It seems like it has to either have different specs or else the company that made it was lying. Or do I have the slice vs. stab thing wrong. It was definitely a slice. A big, horseshoe-shaped chunk of my finger was flapping. Can't do that with a stab.

I bet this is going to sting like a hornet tomorrow.

[cedarshavings]

Ouch! You are right about the slice vs stab, from what I've heard. I've got a kevlar glove and I've caught a few slight stabs but nothing serious but have never sliced through it. Now I will say that I don't seem to be too aggresive with my carving strokes although I have hit the glove a few times but never with enough force to go through it. Did you buy this glove from a reputable place or from someone you could trust? The glove I have is the only one I've ever used so maybe someone else will come on here and tell you some other horror stories of using a bad glove but it sure sounds like you need to find another kind to use.
Take care of that finger, you might need to point it at someone sometime,,,oh yeah and you need to get back to carving as soon as possible to.

Steve

[squbrigg]

Sorry to hear of your cut! Wood does that, will go from hard to split in a hairs breadth. I also have the scars to attest to it.

As for the glove, they do slow down the impact, and most of the time will do the trick, but they are not perfect. Perhaps without the glove on, your finger may have ended up laying there ........ !

I don't know much about great deals on gloves, I buy the standard glove from Little Shavers or KV Woodcarving. They work most of the time, but I still get the odd nick.

Heal well and good luck,

Bob

[Ron Davidson]

I am sure like everything else there are different grades. Maybe that is whaat happened to the glove or there could have been a small flaw there. I have never sliced through mine and its about 6 years old and I bought it from Little Shavers.

Ron

[markken5889]

That's a nasty slice, and I hope it heals well for you. I once read a great line in an ad: "scars are like tatoos but with better stories" wear it well! Woodcraft has a great kevlar glove on sale this month. I bought one several years ago and it's still goin' strong. Never had a cut-through with it. Good luck!

Mark

[AlArchie]

I keep replaying this, but for some reason it DOESN"T seem to get across.....contrary to what the Kevlar glove makers say, Kevlar does NOT stop a slice! I wore a Kevlar protective vest for over 20 years and the Second Chance company that made them warned that they would not stop a knife attack, either stab or slice!!! And that vest was max protection, over 3/8" thick.

They DO offer some degree of protection from slices, though! I got into a bar fight one night and when I got home and took my vest off, I found blood and a 3" slice in my T shirt, just scratching the skin on my back. Checked the vest and there was a corresponding 3" fully penetrating slice in that, and a pretty wide cut inthe vest's nylon cover.

SO, don't be surprised if your razor sharp carving knife finds it's way through that thin Kevlar golve! What Kevlar is designed to do is stop BLUNT FORCE, and it does an excellent job at that. That blunt force would include those "non-slicing" hit's you might take from a straight on slip from a paring cut or any contact that is straight on. And obviously some protection from slices.

From that slice I took on my back, I can honestly say that even if the stuff won't stop a slicing cut, it sure will limit the damage. So wearing a Kevlar golve is still a GREAT SAFETY move, but do not deceive yourself into thinking it's always going to stop a slice!

I agree with Bob, your glove did what it was supposed to....saved your finger! Better a few stitches than a lost digit!

Wear the glove, but don't forget safe carvingt techniques!

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

There are gloves and then there are gloves...I had one I didn't like and experimented with and was able to cut right through it with scissors...figured that was enough proof for me that a knife would do the same......I use Rick's gloves...they have kevlar and stainless steel wire....have never cut myself with a slicing cut! have "poked" myself with a puncture but nothing to holler about.....I have been carving since about 1996 and still have the first one I bought ...and since bought a second one because I wore a small hole in the thumb...but being "frugal" I put that self stick medical tape over the hole and keep right on truckin'! LOL

[RUssL.]

I have found that double gloving with a cut resistant glove under another, thick (even a cheap one) leather work glove will stop most everything.

If not that, a chainmail glove (available from Lee Valley (~$70! But still cheaper than stitches!) under a leather glove (the chainmail stains, or at least dirtys, the wood).

Both of these work for me.

Russ

[catbird]

I'm so sorry to hear about your injury. I know that is going to hurt like a son-of-a-gun today.Hope you heal up really quick!

[Ron T]

Hi BeckyLil,

I'm really sorry to hear about your injury. My last severe cut was also on my left index finger but was due to my own stupidity and carelessness.

I hope you recover use of your hands quickly so you can return to carving.