Glove

[Whittled Thumb]

Can I use a fish filet glove to carve with. Since my injury I'm kinda gun shy and I need to get a better glove. I was only using a leather work glove, and I ended up with 6 stitches because of it. That and the fact I didn't change blades (i use the same kinda knife that lynn uses) I'm thinking I can pick up a steel woven filet glove to do the trick?

[hhersh]

Yep, a fillet glove will do it. Best deal around is a fillet glove from Harbor Freight around $ 6-7.

[jimmy joe]

I've had good luck with the rapala one. A little more money but I haven't been cut when I wear it . You still have to watch the stabs . Just keeping your hand out of the line of fire will help also .

[bigEd_H]

I use a glove from The Carving Glove Guy and it works great. He's a real nice guy to deal with too. He includes finger and thumb guards he make by cutting fingers off some of the gloves he gets. With a little vetrap tape to keep the guards tight, they work great also. The gloves are kevlar with leather palms.

[Claude]

Glove should work.

The best thing you could do is to train yourself for each knife stroke to visualize exactly where the blade will go when the wood breaks, and if a part of your anatomy is in the way of that blade, then move it before cutting.

The second best thing you could do is train yourself to stop using shoulder and elbow muscles; use only the wrist muscles to carve the wood. Best explanation of exactly what I mean is to view one of Gene's videos Woodcarving Illustrated - How To Magazine for Carvers - Carving a Mini Hobo or Lynn's Carving A Cowboy Head - Part 2A - The Ears on Vimeo, or Arleen's YouTube - #2 first wood carving for the beginner what you will need rMarch 26, 2009, 10:28 AM - they use their hand and wrist muscles, not their shoulder muscles. If you have to use your shoulder muscles, you're trying to cut too deep too fast and all you'll do is hurt yourself.

I do pretty well with this, but I still wear a carving glove and thumb guard anyway.

Claude

[E George]

Hi Whittled Thumb,

Any device that holds the carving secure will reduce hand injuries. For example,there are bench hooks, carving screws and carving arms. There are several articles on the WCI site that explains some of these devices:
Shop-Made Holding Device
Building a Carving Arm
Jerry-Rig Work Positioner

These devices do not eliminate gloves and thumb protectors; however, most of the time the hand normally used to hold the work is away from the work. These devices also reduce stress to the gripping hand and that reduces future joint degeneration. The disadvantage of these devices is loss of mobility. They are not handy if you are carving on vacation or in the family room while watching the ball game on TV.

So, consider buying or making one of these devices that will fit your budget in addition to better gloves. They will improve your carving technic, improve hand safety and are cheaper than doctor visits.