Question about folding knives?

[KeithC]

I'm sitting here with a bandaid on my carving hand. The cut did not take stiches. However, it was painful enough for me to pay attention. While carving I folded the knife closed on my finger (Please no comments on my relative intelligence level.) I love the knife and take it with me every where. What special cautions or holding no no's do pocket knife carvers have to make sure this doesn't happen?
KeithC

[pallin]

Some pocket knife carvers have learned to only use knives with locking blades. For me, I just make sure the hand pressure is always in the blade-opening direction.

[AlArchie]

Here come the Boy Scouts again. Actually the Cub Scouts. In the old Cub Scout Bear handbook was a section on the care and feeding of pocket knives. There was a series of illustrations showing how to properly and safely open and close a pocket knife. Sorry I dont have the illustrations or the handbook any more but it's a pretty simple procedure and almost GAURANTEES a safe closing.

If you are right handed hold the open knife with the sharp edge up, your thumb on the front part of the handle, the other four fingers wrapping around the back of the handle gripping the other side of the handle. That puts your thumb, fingers and palm completely out of the way of the blade when it folds.

Now turn your right hand so the sharp edge of the blade is toward the floor. With the palm of your left hand, fingers extended, simply push the back of the blade and fold it into the handle.

Knife closed, fingers safe ,and a good habit to learn.

If ya need pictures I guess I could post the sequence.

Al

[Eddy-Smiles]

Keep your glove on until the blade is closed! That's the safety tip that works for me!

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by KeithC

I'm sitting here with a bandaid on my carving hand. The cut did not take stiches. However, it was painful enough for me to pay attention. While carving I folded the knife closed on my finger (Please no comments on my relative intelligence level.) I love the knife and take it with me every where. What special cautions or holding no no's do pocket knife carvers have to make sure this doesn't happen?
KeithC

Sorry to hear about your injury. There's really no great answer to your question. Wearing a carving glove on your carving hand might be the best solution. I dunno. I've carved with pocket knives all my life and never worn a glove on the carving hand. The main rule I always follow is to be very careful when piercing. I almost always avoid piercing by getting in the habit of slcing with the tip. Also, make sure you use a knife with a strong backspring. If your knife has a weak backspring, it might be a good idea to retire it for whittling. Also, you might look for a knife with a half stop. Much harder to close completely on your fingers.

There are some slipjoints out there that also have locking blades, but they are scarce as hens teeth and most have to be highly modified to make good whittlers. I have seen some commercial lockback whittlers out there but I haven't tried them. Closest I come is my Flexcut Carvin' Jack with is a super whittler.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Speaking of Flexcut Carvin' Jack's ... Woodcraft has them on sale this month for $99.00...What a deal!

[urbansheepdog]

I've looked at the Flecxcut Carving Jack several times and still am strongly tempted!! They're £95.00 over here!! Thats $156.00 ......... ouch!!

[Bill Anderson]

I cant carve with a folding knife,they feel wrong in my hand...!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

My problem with the carving jack is getting the blades out, pull one and they all come out at the same time ?? Either way be carefull.

Dave

[xsailer]

Hello Kieth from afar. Have you tried pillow stuffing? I hear it's fun and realtively safe. I can't wait to get home and hear the story line for this mishap.


Remove finger close, Remove finger close,Remove finger close, close remove finger's....whoops.