knife safety

[laine]

Good Morning,
I always try to practice good knife safety, wear finger protection,gloves etc,
and try handle the knife with care as to not injury myself,

Well I came across a site the other day while browsing and this saying has really stuck with me:
"if the knife slips - where will it end up"

that made me stop and realize I do not always hold the carving the best way - maybe a little too close to me self especially when first starting a carving or the final little details

so remember --- if the knife slips-where will it end up


just thought I'd share ( I tried to find the site again, but no such luck)

eLaine

[SeaLeveler]

Good saying,lotta truth to it.
Tony

[carver33]

I started carving about 27 years ago, and wasn't aware of gloves and finger guards. After a couple of potentially nasty incidents, I learned to think about the potential path of the blade. This philosophy now comes naturally, and has served me well for many years.

Direction, as well as the potential length of stroke need to be taken into consideration. You can safely carve toward yourself or another body part if a slip will result in a stroke that is well short of a potential cut. For instance, using your fingers to curl the knife toward you or using your thumb for a pivot will only result in a path a couple of inched long in case of a slip, where a pushing slice could potentially travel a couple of feet. I always tell new carvers to be aware of the POTENTIAL path of the tool in case of a slip.

[Tom Perdue]

To quote Nancy Goff "I know that my next knife is going to make a really good carver" Not to disagree with such a noted person, but I feel that its is not so much the knife, rather the hand holding it.

Having taught beginner carving classes for a number of years, I explain to my fellow carvers that cuts happen, and when they do, I hope it is not to a major artery and that they are in good company. If a person says they are a carver and never cut themselves, Do not trust them, they will lie about more important things

[Eddy-Smiles]

Tom! How true....

Another way of lookin' at it is....."you can't cut yourself if you ain't carvin'!"

[chipmunk]

when i use a knife i always carve or cut away from myself that way even if i slip it never go towards my body and not to put 1 hand infront of a other for that hand to be in the way case the blade slips i try to cut downwards and outwards to provent cutting myself