Beware of plastic straps

E

El Jay

Joined
Mar 29, 2022
Messages
178
Today I was in need of cutting a plastic strap around some lumber for a project. Whatever Home Depot is using is very hard to cut. My Stockman wouldn't make a dent,nor my Spyderco military's serrations. I had to get shears
I examined the strap and it is of a hard plastic that is slippery to knife edges and dangerous to knife users . Both of my knives are shaving sharp. Be careful out there!
 
Put strap between hammer claws and push down? Works on metal. Give yer chisel a tap.
 
I put my knife thru the zip tie then twist it around. Half the time it strips the teeth out of the zip tie sometimes it cuts.
 
I think that E El Jay is referring to polyester strapping, not zip ties.

  • What is the proper way to remove plastic strapping? Because plastic strapping is applied under tension and retained tension, it must be removed with caution. Eye protection is required even though plastic strapping may not be perceived to be as sharp as steel strapping, it still can cause serious cuts or even blindness. Place one hand on one side of the poly strapping to be cut. With solid footing, also place your body in front of your hand holding down the strap and away from the free side of the strapping material. When the poly strapping is cut, the free side will fall away from you.
https://www.strappingtoolsandparts.com/Poly-Strapping-Frequently-Asked-Questions-kb-16141.html

https://idlpack.com/all-catalog/strapping-tools/strapping-cutters/
 
You also have to be careful about metal straps that are coated with plastic and zip ties with a strand of metal in the middle. That’s why I don’t use a knife to cut bands or some zip ties.
 
Another Shepherd said:
I think that E El Jay is referring to polyester strapping, not zip ties.

  • What is the proper way to remove plastic strapping? Because plastic strapping is applied under tension and retained tension, it must be removed with caution. Eye protection is required even though plastic strapping may not be perceived to be as sharp as steel strapping, it still can cause serious cuts or even blindness. Place one hand on one side of the poly strapping to be cut. With solid footing, also place your body in front of your hand holding down the strap and away from the free side of the strapping material. When the poly strapping is cut, the free side will fall away from you.
https://www.strappingtoolsandparts.com/Poly-Strapping-Frequently-Asked-Questions-kb-16141.html

https://idlpack.com/all-catalog/strapping-tools/strapping-cutters/
Click to expand...
You work for OSHA huh ?
 
If you havent cut what he's talking about it isn't a knife task. It's why I carried an axe in my work my truck. I'd stop superiors to say wait I got a tool for that and pull out the axe. One of the only times I got a chuckle out of the one...
 
Yes, this must be about the plastic straps used to secure cargo/product shipments,
Can't be about zip-ties cause I just cut one this morning with my bugout.
 
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