Carving gloves

[Tucson Bill]

Hi Bob,

First of all, thanks for all you do for WCI. You folks put out a great magazine!

Now, a question. Most every experienced carver I talk to tells me to wear a carving glove and thumb protector. Great advice! However, when I read the 'how to' articles in WCI (or that other magazine also), I very seldom, if ever, see a glove or protector in use. Is this a case of do as I say, not as I do? Since those type of tutorial articles are aimed at beginning to intermediate carvers, shouldn't the authors lead by example?

[BobD]

Good question Bill,
I usually leave that up to the carver. If they wear a glove, great, if they don't, that is their decision. But if they suggest that a carver wears a glove, they will be wearing one in the article!

I've looked throught the last couple issues...and have found that most of the beginner article where the carving is being held in your hand to carve, the carver WAS wearing protection.

In the newest issue issue, Mike Shippley and Deborah Call (Callyanne here on the board) are the only carvers who hold the carving in their hand and carve. Both are wearing carving gloves.

In the Spring issue, Pat Mikula Moore and Cyndi Joslyn, who held the carvings in their hands, both wore carving gloves.

In the holiday issue, Cyndi was again wearing a glove, and Wayne Cruze was wearing a carving glove for the Celtic Box...and Carol Kent was wearing a thumb guard for the ornament.

Fred Wilbur and a few of the other carvers clamp their work and use mainly chisels, so they don't wear carving gloves.

Lora Irish shows how to make a homemade tool strop, and holds the piece on a non-slip pad and cuts away from herself...so she doesn't wear a glove...

If you are holding a carving in your hand, I'd suggest wearing a glove; if you are clamping your work and cutting away from yourself, then you may not need one.

Bob

[BobD]

And I'll be honest with you; I seldom do any carving where I hold the work in my hand, so I don't wear a glove. I'd rather clamp it so I can cut away from myself. The only thing I don't clamp is a chip carving, but I'm very cautious when I do that--you have to be careful, otherwise you screw up the precise cuts. I just can't get the hang of wearing a glove when chip carving.

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I think some articles and books, that show someone holding a carving without a glove is just for the photo...imho I would think anyone that has carved anytime at all would figure out, slicing yourself just wastes time, messes up the carving (getting blood on it!) and hurts like the dickens ha ha, mostly later every time to hit the area trying to do something!

[BobD]

That is true, too, Dave. I've asked carvers to take off their glove for some shots because it obscures the detail I'm trying to show.

Most of these carvers are pros, and can't afford to take time off work to deal with infections or stitches.

Bob

[Tucson Bill]

Thanks for the quick reply Bob!

Just to fan the fires of controversy, I must disagree with the impression your replies left. Recently I purchased the package deal for all available back issues of WCI. The impression I had about the lack of safety equipment was due to perusing those issues.

I just scanned them again and in every issue, except for one, I found examples of what I was observing. All issues showed examples of hand held carving (either blade or power) without use of gloves. For instance, in the latest issue (Spring, 2006), I would direct your attention to page 66, Steps 11 and 12. Now it is true, the artist in that article does use a glove most of the time, but I find that Step 11 makes me cringe just looking at it!

Anyway, thanks once again for the reply. Personally, I always wear my glove and thumb protection (protects against wifely ridicule). I was just curious.

[BobD]

You're correct Bill...
It's up to you whether you wear a glove or not. The natural consequences of not wearing one are evident!

FYI, I DO NOT support the wearing of a traditional carving glove when power carving! If you hit those cloth gloves with a carving burr, it will wrap up tight FAST! At best, you'll be cutting your glove apart to extract your hand--at worst, the docs at the ER will be extracting your smashed fingers from the glove! If you must wear a glove when power carving, wear a leather one!

BTW, I'm moving these threads to a different post...this doesn't really have anything to do with the redesign!

Bob

[Tucson Bill]

Oops, guess I should have said that about power carving! I have leather welders gloves (the ones with the gauntlets) that I use. Only way to go.

[Kenny_S]

Knife hand held pieces use a carving glove,

Power carving hand held pieces use leather gloves.

But been told by many that is you place your hand right on the piece you are carving, the knife will never cut you. Now I believe that to be true but there are the first timers . Sort of an accident waiting to happen, if you will.

JMHO.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Anybody that holds the piece they are carving in one hand and holds a knife in the other without wearing a carving glove and a thumb protector would not be allowed to carve in my shop! I have worn a carving glove and thumb protector for the past 15 years and have yet to cut myself. Even when doing the limited amount of power-carving that I do I take the time to slip on a leather glove and put on a leather apron.