Thumb Guard

[schaf]

Hi,

To use a knife when carving I have a cut proof glove for my left hand. What do carvers use as a thumb guard on the right hand.
Do you just cut a leather thumb off a old pair of gloves, or is there some thing specific for the job.

Thanks

Terry

[Merle Rice]

Hi Terry, That's what I do. I bought a heavy leather work glove, and cut off the fingers as I need them. I don't just use the thumb for my thumb,I found the fingers work better because they fit tight and stay on. I have been using them for about 3years and are just fine. Price is right also. Merle

[GaDoug]

Duct Tape!

Wrap the first piece around your thumb with the sticky side out. Then place another half piece sticky side out over the top of your thumb. After that sticky side in around and over the top until it is thick enough to protect you, three or four layers.

[xsailer]

I use a rubber tip bought at an Office Supply store. The kind used by office workers to help shuffle and sort paper.
Fit it to my thumb and then loose wrap the rubber while it's on my thumb with the typical cloth tape we carvers use. Don't know what you call it. That and a glove on my left hand works just fine.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Don't put too much faith in that glove. You can still get cut.

[MelNM]

I use the thumb guard in my knife hand, it comes in handy when your pulling your knife towards your thumb. I've also wrapped that stretchy tape around my thumb, this helps protect it from getting small cuts that can get infected.
Last year I cut my thumb bad and decided that a thumb guard was a good idea. Bottom line for me when I carve I use a glove and a thumb guard when I'm using a knife.
Experience seems to be my best teacher
Mel

[xsailer]

Ed, I appreciate your message but you can still get injured wearing a seat belt. My input is take all the precations you can.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

.I didn't mean not to wear it, I meant don't put too much trust in it. It is not cut proof.

[Eddy-Smiles]

I buy the pre-made thumb guards and then wrap them a couple of times with safety tape. They get a little bulky but I've gotten used to wearing them this way and since doing so have yet (knock on wood!) to re-injure my thumb!

[GaDoug]

One of my carving mentors, Mr. Ed, preachers using a thumb guard but also reminds me I don't need to test it with every cut.