Thumb Guard

[STAR]

Seeing the other thread on Knife safety made me have a rethink. I did not want to hijack that important thread so I will put my question here.

Because I am in Australia we have some problems getting access to some carving supplies. I have purchased a Kevlar glove here from an industrial safety shop here and it is perfect for me. But no thumb guards, so looks like I will have to purchase overseas.

I have recently ordered three books on carving from ' The woodcraft Shop" but I did not see any thumb guards in their on line catalog either. If I am going to order a thumb guard I would also order some other carving gear to build up the order and to spread the postage of a few items not have it just loaded on to the guard.

So, I would be pleased if you can suggest a few places where the thumb guard might be available that ship to Australia. I think I saw that " Little Shavers ' do not.

Pete

[bob easton]

..........

[Claude]

Pete:
Easiest way is to get an old leather glove and cut off a thumb or finger (one that fits your thumb). I have a thumb guard I bought at Woodcraft and finally cut through it today. 18 inches (45cm) of Duct Tape later, I had a thumb guard that protected me again. I usually end up doing this three or four times before I buy another new one. The duct tape works fine... I suppose that in a pinch, you could wrap a couple layers of duct tape on your thumb (sticky side out), and then add several more layers sticky side in to create your own thumb guard.

Claude

[twymanok]

I just buy a decent pair of leather gloves, that gives me 10 thumb guards, alot cheaper than the thumb guards you buy online, as far as carving glove, try a kitchen store looking for a fillet glove

[STAR]

Thanks, as ffor the wrap that goes around your thumb, I think I have a rolls of it here. of it here.

I used it when my greyhound was racing and then later lure coursing. I also used it when I was playing Polo so looks like I wlll be recycling some of tit into a new use. The product here is called Vet Wrap

Thanks, now to dig into all my horse gear.

Pete

[sashadoc]

Originally Posted by Claude

Pete:
Easiest way is to get an old leather glove and cut off a thumb or finger (one that fits your thumb). I have a thumb guard I bought at Woodcraft and finally cut through it today. 18 inches (45cm) of Duct Tape later, I had a thumb guard that protected me again. I usually end up doing this three or four times before I buy another new one. The duct tape works fine... I suppose that in a pinch, you could wrap a couple layers of duct tape on your thumb (sticky side out), and then add several more layers sticky side in to create your own thumb guard.

Claude

Claude; You saved me a lot of writing. I use this also, with the addition of another refinement. I have a couple of pairs of military wool glove liners. After the first two layers of duct tape I cut off one of the fingers (the gloves,not mine) and pull it over the tape. I tape the bottom of this to hold it in place and ,voila, a thumb guard. Why the glove finger? You know when you're pushing the blade with your thumb, the tender spot at the tip......?
Tim

[jmischel]

Be careful with the "vet wrap." Although it's some protection, it's not all that great. I've sliced through it numerous times. I thought the leather glove wrapped in duct tape worked okay, but I much prefer using that carver's tape to make my own thumb guard.

See Lynn Doughty's info on carving gloves and finger protection: Carving Gloves & Finger Protection

Here's a link to the tape at Wood Carvers Supply: FINGER PRO SAFETY TAPE-Wood Carvers Supply

[carverken]

Pete,
I use the rubber finger tips that are sold at the office suppy place. They are sold to sort papers. They protect well and last a long time. A whole box (12) is just a $1.50 USD. so I dont mind throwing them out when they get to nicked up. The best thing is that they give you more grip than the leather, duct tape, or vet wrap. JMHO
Ken

[Eddy-Smiles]

Pete... I take a thumb guard and then wrap the Vet tape around it. When the vet tape gets so cut up that it's not providing protection anymore I replace it. That makes the thumb guard last a lot longer.