Grinling Whittler, and lessons learned *GRAPHIC-ISH WARNING*

[Habiru]

SO, I'll start by saying that I apologize for typos, and you'll see why.

The night was wearing on, and everyone had gone to bed. I decided to unwind a bit and plopped down in my favorite chair in my workshop, pulled out my newest whittling project, and decided to relax a bit while watching shavings curl and enjoying a nice cup of Earl Grey. I was working an inside cut, and had a good ¾ of an inch of wood between me and my thumb when the stop cut I was making broke the wood free along the grain. I knew it the moment it happened, swore a bit and stuck my thumb in my mouth while trying to figure out which bag had the first aid kit in it. I was searching with my left hand while biting down on the right thumb to keep pressure on it. After a little more swearing I finally found it and made my way to the bathroom, while trying not to wake the family up (they really couldn't help much anyway). Cleaned the thumb and applied a generous helping of what I think might have been salted lava to my thumb, but which the package assured me was in fact the wound seal. 45 seconds of pressure later, and I was applying a non stick pad and some tape.

After this was the fun part. Flashlight in hand I dropped down to my knees while keeping my now bandaged thumb propped on the table above to help stem the throbbing. It's absolutely amazing how much the tip of your thumb looks like bass wood chips, especially on a brown rug. Let me tell you, GEC makes a sharp knife, and I do a pretty good job of keeping it that way. I finally located the tip to see how much I had taken off. The cut was so clean, there wasn't a speck of blood on either the tip, or the knife (probably why it was so hard to locate). Finding the tip I held it in hand. About ⅜ of an inch diameter. Not my finest work...

Finally knowing all of this, I popped a few percocet I had for my back so I can go to bed soon. It's funny, the last thing I did (before posting this) was to check to see if the knife was clean, and if I could still open and close it OK with the remaining 9. It's a good thing I'm a lefty.

Needless to say I learned two things from this. GEC makes a knife that was BETTER than I thought, and I'm NEVER going to whittle again without a cut resistant glove on (of which I have two sitting right here... big dummy that I am). I guess you can call this knife christened...

 

[paulhilborn]

Jay, I feel your pain, literally about two months back my latest Charlie SFO Harness Jack lopped off the tip of my knuckle upon opening...clean as could be!!! The punch was stiff, until broken in now

One time was all I needed...amazing how quickly an injury will take place. Like you, I managed about the house locating the first aid kit. Managed a decent dressing without waking a soul:thumbup:

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I usually squirt a generous dosage of super glue on my finger. It numbs and protects the cut so i can continue to use my finger without pain. And keeps a barrier that can't be penetrated. After a day or two it falls off like a scab and i reapply. The part i like about it really is no matter how deep the cut, it dulls down the pain so if i hit it i can't feel it. Plus, bandaids are for sissies

 

[mike Berkovitch]

This moment when the understanding of the consequences of bad cut hit you along with sharp pain, I know this filling. :thumbup::thumbup:

Mike

 

[btmccutcheon]

I've learned a lesson or two in my life handling knives, and at times knew I was doing something I shouldn't. Time and experience can make one too cocky for their own good, which is how I got the worst self inflicted cut I've ever sustained. Blood went everywhere. Doc said it was a really nice cut and the knife must have been very sharp (it was). I was lucky I missed everything important, but the memory of seeing the inside of my hand stays with me 10 years later. The scar is a daily reminder that hubris is not a substitute for wisdom.

 

[Joe58]

This moment when the understanding of the consequences of bad cut hit you along with sharp pain, I know this filling. :thumbup::thumbup:

Mike

Yeah no lie. Lol. You know you messed up, look at the cut, then it starts to bleed and hurt. There's like a slight pause in there that seems like a long time but is actually a slip second. Followed usually by a curse word or two, then if my wife is around, she walks up with the first aid kit. Been married a long time. She knows my "cut myself again" cursing.

 

[rwc53]

Jay, I'm with you on this one, buddy! Can't count the number of times I've had those "oops!" moments with a sharp blade while whittling or working on a project! I have a GEC #77 Washington Jack headed my way...I'll use your story as a cautionary tale when I start using it to whittle!

Ron

 

[arrowhd]

Yeah no lie. Lol. You know you messed up, look at the cut, then it starts to bleed and hurt. There's like a slight pause in there that seems like a long time but is actually a slip second. Followed usually by a curse word or two, then if my wife is around, she walks up with the first aid kit. Been married a long time. She knows my "cut myself again" cursing.

Boy does this sound familiar. Lol.

 

[Ryouchijtx]

Heal up quick and 'oops' moments make the knife yours~

 

[RDaneel]

Ouch so much! Feel for you. I seem to go weeks without a cut and then do 2 or 3 in a couple days. Worst one was an ER trip and three stitches in my left index finger.

This is the right place to have people understand what you are going through.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Man, I'm sorry about your accident. Heal well sir.

 

[J_Curd]

Super Glue is the best!

 

[cbr1000]

I just stopped by for the graphic pictures and was unimpressed with that little drop of blood on your napkin. After opening your picture I realized that's not a drop of blood... it's your fingertip! That's a sharp knife, cleanly chopped the tip right off.

 

[btmccutcheon]

I just stopped by for the graphic pictures and was unimpressed with that little drop of blood on your napkin. After opening your picture I realized that's not a drop of blood... it's your fingertip! That's a sharp knife, cleanly chopped the tip right off.

Dang, Jay! I didn't realize that was your fingertip! Man, that hurts thinking about it. Heal up soon.

 

[draggat]

I've cut myself many, many times. I install floorcovering so im using a knife at least 4 hours every day. Even with gloves you can nick yourself.

The last bad one took 13 stitches, 7 in my thumb and 6 in my pointer finger. I also sliced off the tip of one once, just like you did. It sure burned like hell fire when I went to rinse it! 12 years later, that part of my finger is still a bit numb because of the severed nerves.

I wish you a speedy recovery!

I also second the super glue bandaid. That's what it was originally designed for!

 

[jrawk]

my middle finger lost it's tip (about 1/4" diameter) when I was wrapping presents two weeks ago. Isn't it just so much easier slicing paper on the carpet with a 47 Viper honed to 30 degrees inclusive than those darn gummed up kitchen scissors? Just gotta remember to keep all digits safely away the path of the blade! Was such a clean cut I didn't know it happened until I saw blood start to appear two heartbeats later. Didn't hurt till I applied the superglue. It is completely healed now.

 

[Will Power]

Nasty business!:barf:

But what really disturbs me is that I don't know what type of 38 this was! Are we talking about Jigged Bone or Wood? Acrylic? Stag? Can't sleep worrying about it, due to the slip-factor

Heal up well.:thumbup:

Regards, Will

 

[Habiru]

This moment when the understanding of the consequences of bad cut hit you along with sharp pain, I know this filling. :thumbup::thumbup:

Mike

Oddly enough, this isn't my first finger I've done this to! One time I was closing the pen blade on an old Keen Kutter after working the pivot. My attention moved to something else and I guillotined the tip of my left pinky clean off. This was years ago, but you think I would have learned! At least I was paying attention this time!

Jay, I'm with you on this one, buddy! Can't count the number of times I've had those "oops!" moments with a sharp blade while whittling or working on a project! I have a GEC #77 Washington Jack headed my way...I'll use your story as a cautionary tale when I start using it to whittle!

Ron

Please DO. Now that I think back on it, I definitely think my finger is worth more than the $10 I spent on the pair of gloves!

Heal up quick and 'oops' moments make the knife yours~

You know, I had started a thread a little while ago and making the knife "mine" was something that was brought up a few times. Now it's official (though I doubt this is what everyone was talking about...)

I just stopped by for the graphic pictures and was unimpressed with that little drop of blood on your napkin. After opening your picture I realized that's not a drop of blood... it's your fingertip! That's a sharp knife, cleanly chopped the tip right off.

In a PUSH CUT nonetheless. Who needs a paper test!!!

Dang, Jay! I didn't realize that was your fingertip! Man, that hurts thinking about it. Heal up soon.

Yeah, no fun taking a picture of a drop of blood Thanks man!

my middle finger lost it's tip (about 1/4" diameter) when I was wrapping presents two weeks ago. Isn't it just so much easier slicing paper on the carpet with a 47 Viper honed to 30 degrees inclusive than those darn gummed up kitchen scissors? Just gotta remember to keep all digits safely away the path of the blade! Was such a clean cut I didn't know it happened until I saw blood start to appear two heartbeats later. Didn't hurt till I applied the superglue. It is completely healed now.

Given the right amount of forethought, I should have gone with super glue. But MAN OH MAN is this stuff impressive! Stopped the bleeding instantly, and made a nice cement scab right over the top. I can leave it on there until it falls off naturally, and it isn't supposed to be effected by water either. Burned like the dickens though. Just as much as when I put it under the faucet. I highly recommend this stuff!

As for wrapping, first off, I commend you for wrapping so early! My wife and I try to each year... never works. I always use my knife on the paper too, and I get the "really?!?" look from my wife each time. I just give her a big grin

Nasty business!:barf:

But what really disturbs me is that I don't know what type of 38 this was! Are we talking about Jigged Bone or Wood? Acrylic? Stag? Can't sleep worrying about it, due to the slip-factor

Heal up well.:thumbup:

Regards, Will

Well, it's a #38 in Gabon Ebony. Tidioute trim. No slippage problem, just overestimated the strength of basswood. Thanks!

 

[totallynotalion]

Isn't it just so much easier slicing paper on the carpet with a 47 Viper honed to 30 degrees inclusive than those darn gummed up kitchen scissors?

Lol, it's comments like this^ that let me know that I'm on the right site.

Wishing you a speedy recovery habiru! On the subject of NOT cutting ourselves, what is your preferred method of keeping your hands safe when whittling? Kevlar glove, leather glove/finger cover, something else?

My worst cut was a year ago, let a coworker borrow my knife to cut a box and cut himself in the process. Just a little cut but no band aids in the first aid kit. So I used the scissors in the kit to cut off some gauze and then the tape and cut halfway through the tip of my my left index finger (nail included). Didn't realize it until I started bleeding on my coworker and I had that frozen in time moment....."what? But how???? And when?????the scissors?!really?!?!). I must have hit a nerve or something because I could feel my pulse in each one of my fingers in the exact same spot.....for a week.

 

[Habiru]

On the subject of NOT cutting ourselves, what is your preferred method of keeping your hands safe when whittling? Kevlar glove, leather glove/finger cover, something else?

Honestly, I've never used anything other than the block of wood in the way of the cutting path before. Probably why even though I bought the gloves, they have sat on my desk. It just didn't occur to me to put it on! Other than the occasional glance (which didn't dot much but draw a little sting and blood) I had been uninjured up to now. I guess I just put too much faith in the wood. Now I think I was just lucky.

If you search online you can find some pretty good level 5 kevlar knit gloves pretty cheap. PM me if you want details on the ones I got. As for the knife hand, I don't use anything. The technique I've developed for backward cuts means even if the blade overpasses, my hand curls away from the meat, and the knife travels out of the way. I think I just have to get used to the idea of that glove. It feels cumbersome, but I've heard it quickly passes after a session or two. For your edification, and because this thread needs a positive picture, here's one of the pieces I did this christmas season. A quick ornament for the tree:

santa2015 by jpolaski, on Flickr