[Lynn O. Doughty]

I really don't understand why we're 'still kicking this can down the road'. Here is the essence of the problem:

Beginning Carver: "Should I wear a Carving Glove and a Thumb Protector?"

Experienced Carver I: "You bet! They could prevent you from having a bad accident!"

Experienced Carver II: "It's up to you. I don't use one!"

Which answer is the most responsible?

If you want to carve without a glove that's okay by me. You are a grown person and intelligent enough to realize the risk. However, please don't do it in front of a six or seven year old boy who is just showing an interest in the craft.

I was ask once to demonstrate carving in front of a group of Cub Scouts. I declined. I do not consider them mature enough to handle carving equipment. Sure..maybe some are but most aren't. And I don't want to be blamed when some 9 or 10 year old slashes himself because he's to young to handle a knife. Boy Scouts? You bet! They're of an age where they should be able to handle a knife. But when I'm showing them how I do it I'll be wearing a glove and thumb protector and I will have first explained to them the necessity of taking such precautions.

[AlArchie]

This sort of goes along with Bob's interpretation, but has more to do with the perception of terminology.

I also instructed in firearm safety for several years, and one of the first things that MOST instructors stress is to "treat EVERY firearm AS IF it is loaded".

My presentation was to teach that "Every firearm IS LOADED!"

"As if" implies that it is not loaded, but to treat it as if it is. If every firearm is assumed to BE loaded, there is no room for error.

Similarly it is prudent to favor the assumption that you "WILL get cut", not "you will get cut if you don't wear a glove". It just make you constantly aware of the risk.

Complacency is an easy state to fall into.

Better get a bit more into this. I NEVER advocated NOT using safety equipment. When instructing I ALWAYS wear a glove and thumb protector! PERIOD! and insist on everyone else doing the same.

There is a reason that I don't care for gloves.......my hand is a size 14 in a ski glove, and even that restricts the use of my thumb. I have 4" between my forefinger base joint and my thumb base joint, which pivots directly off my wrist. With a glove on, I can't extend my thumb for a proper grip on anything, and eventually every pair of gloves I own, tears out across the web of my thumb. That's the reason I don't wear a glove in MY shop, not because it's a bad idea.

Seems this whole discussion got started over advertising strategies (or lack of same) by some ad agency. I made a mistake by adding a paragraph concerning my personal dislike of the carving glove, thereby sprouting a divergence in the discussion from advertising policies, and giving the impression that I am against the promotion of safety equipment. That is just not the case, and I will appologize for giving that impression, or for implying that safety measures are not important. My original comments were directed only toward my personal assessment of the ad's nostalgic effectiveness.

New carvers should always be encouraged to persue this hobby in the safest manner possible. I'm sorry if I ever gave any other impression.


Al

[Irish]

Lynn,

I posted this thread because I felt that the subject is worthy of discussion, worthy of consideration, worthy of our time. Many members do not read the Admin area of this forum. I made a choice and posted this topic above the green line.

Please re-read my original posting. At no time did I take anyone else's inventory. At no time did I say that the way anyone else does their carving was wrong or incorrect or even irresponsible.

I spoke strickly about what I do, why I do it and how I do it. Please note that my posting has 9 ... count them ... 9 safety suggestions! Which clearly leaves 8 more ideas beyond gloves.

At no time and in no way was my posting meant as an attack against you or anyone else on this forum.

Please let BobD know when you have read this ...

BobD, please remove - destroy - trash this thread once Lynn has contacted you.

My apologizes to everyone on this forum

L. S. Irish

[BobD]

Susan,
You have no reason to apologize!

Lynn you bring up a good point, and like most things, there are two sides to the issue.

Frankly, I don't believe there is any ONE safety method. If you are using a full- sized chisel in your hand, working on a large sculpture or relief carving, wearing a carving glove can be dangerous. Likewise, wearing a traditional carving glove while power carving can be dangerous.

Holding a carving in your hand, you should use some sort of protection; whether it is a thick terry-cloth towel, a kevlar glove, a leather glove, a leather apron wrapped around your hand, or whatever! At the same time, you need to be aware that the tools are sharp, and your skin is a lot softer than wood.

Should carvers take safety precautions? YES

That includes eye protection when power carving or sharpening; ear protection when power carving or chainsaw carving, dust protection when power carving, sanding and finishing; hand protection of some sort when holding a carving in your hand.

In a demonstration, you are responsible for teaching good safety habits to the people you are teaching. There is no one way to teach these habits, each of us has their own method. If you do as Susan does and hold it in a towel, that's one method; a carving glove is another method! But teach safety!

As for kicking the same can down the road...that does happen from time to time here, since we are all creative people and want to get our intellectual points across using the imperfect method of the written language!

i've closed this thread for a while so people can cool off <grin>

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

BobD....what do you carve with a machete? ha ha