Well guys, My story is a little different, didn't involve any fingers! Did involve stitches...By the way this is Audra Draper, I am a knife maker, During my employement at the Willowbow Ranch, in Wyoming. ( For Master Bladesmith Ed Fowler) I was learning how to make knives. Ed' philosophy of making knives is that everything that you cut while making a knife should be cut with a knife ( rather that scissors or cutters or anything like that) Ed had modified an old
western knife, so that it resembled something like a scalpel. about three inches long and maybe a half an inch wide, very sharp!! It was the leather cutter, that is the way we cut all of our sheath out.
My Daughter was only 4 years old at the time so she came to work with me everyday, in general there were enough things to keep her busy creating something, but this day she seemed rather clingy, so I let her.. While I was cutting out the sheath I realized that she was just too close to the knife so I moved my body! Big mistake there is a right way and a wrong way to stand when cutting really thick leather with a knife and needless to say that was the wrong way!!!
Well all I can say is I'm glad she was there cuz I couldn't get to far after I stuck the knife into my thigh. but don't worry it didn't go to far, right after it went through the artery it stuck into the bone and wouldn't go any further!! I was quite suprised that it didn't hurt at all with the knife sticking out of my leg like that!! I know your not supposed to pull them out but You try to stand there with a knife sticking out of your leg! I guess I just couldn't leave it there, so out it came, Ouch!! Well now my leg didn't work!! couldn't walk couldn't even get to the damn phone across the room.. Thank God my girl was there. She got help. The ranch hand John, (Nice
Guy) smells funny after working cows all day. after Melissa ran out to get him, I realized I was in a bit of trouble ( when my boots were filling up ( one full of blood and one full of piss) Knew I had to stop the bleeding, didn't care much about the
piss. So I got my britches down to get a better grip on the situation! I managed to get my thumb down in the cut and shut down some of the bleeding. Now enters John and Melissa , as I standing here with my pants down around my ankles ( Just in case you didn't get it by the name) I'm a Girl! Nedless to day Johns face showed great concern at getting me to the hostpital immeadiatly, so he tries to scoop me up. NOT !!! I'm not going anywhere with my pants around my ankles. He managed to cut a big hole in my pants so that I could keep the presssure on it. Off to the hostpital we go.
Now when a doctor tells you to stay off of your leg to let the artery heal,, My suggestion to you is not to coach your boys wrestling match the the next day! When an artery bleeds out under the skin , it is nasty!!!! black and blue from my hip to my ankle, and hurts. That one took a while to get over. Most of the other cuts and boo- boo's are relatively minor a little alcohol and super glue and I'm back to work!! by the way that is Rubbing Alcohol!! Although the other stuff works if your done working. On a side note, I have since learned that a band saw is great for cutting thick leather, leather scissors for thin stuff.
Don't let distractions cut into your work time!! Your friend in Wyoming Audra Draper
ABS Journeyman smith.
About 20 minutes after take off this blonde bimbo is leaning on the seat in front of mine having a nice long conversation with me, now called " you poor thing", about my finger.Then when I was getting off the plane she stopped me and wanted to talk some more.Finally 5 weeks later my dad has quit giving me a hard time about it.
