knife safety?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I was carving a santa head and needed a long line cut and doing so was thinking about where the knife would go if it slipped...it takes a good bit of pressure to cut a line like this even with a sharp razor knife....especially where it comes off the end of the wood, good chance to get cut......sooo I took my chip knife I use just for carving and cut the line with it, does a better job, easier and much more control. You can see at the end of the cut with the chip knife, I can also roll the knife down making the last bit of cut instead of going off the wood completely! Some of you probably figured this out a long time ago, but .....

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I don't know why the site will not let me post two pictures? it keeps saying I have 5 images? anyway here is the picture of the chip knife versus the straight blade.

[Bartster]

i have also found when doing a long cut like this if you can choke up on the blade and use just the tip it helps.or as you have said using a short bladed knife also helps.

bart

[Irish]

Hi_Ho, Great photos!

The one excellent technique I notice you doing is that the side of your hand is not rested or secured to the wood but instead you have your hand balanced with your thumb.

When we get the side of our hand down on the wood it anchors the hand and limits the movement to just the wrist. That means your cut can only go an inch or two in a smooth movement.

The way you are showing the cut you have total control over the knife tip, carving stroke and movement! Very Very nice photo there .... !

Susan

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Yes Susan, its actually a chipcarving stroke but is much safer, at least I feel better when I know the blade is not going to fly off somewhere , in fact the few times I have cut myself, it has been under those same conditions...I just recently started using the chip knife for other than chip carving and is really a very useful knife....in fact I got a large version made by Harold Woods that is outstanding and not far from Lynn's utility blade for size and use. different story

[MelNM]

Great tip Hi Ho, I too have started using the chip carving knife. I noticed it on a few of the carving books I have bought. I gives you a better control on your cuts.
Mel