I want to save you some money and troubles......

300Bucks

300Bucks

Joined
Apr 19, 2005
Messages
5,533
Well,
I thought I was getting older and wiser but don't feel that way today. I write this in an effort to recover some self honor. Traditional knife orriented.

Several of us on the forum have dabbled in home shop knifework. Several have talked about it also. Well today let me say a couple of words that will save you time and money. Use ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT all the time.

I had a old Colonial fish knife that was in my Dad's tackle box, I thought I would carry it in my trout vest so proceeded to get some black micarta to put new handle scales on it. Tech wise all was going OK. Except I ground and sanded on the micarta without a dust mask. And I even stopped to read the little label on the back of slab that said Made in China...... Anyway the next day I was coughing and hacking and today after four days of being crumpled in the recliner, sides of my chest sore from coughing, trip to the doctor, expensive medicine that MAY be helping (not fast enough, still coughing) I feel like I might survive. The cost in time and money I could have bought several of the new folding fish knives from my favored company.....I guess I don't need to tell the pros this, but you homeshop guys........Wear you safety equipment, dust masks, eye protection, cut protection. You may be laughing but if you could hear me hack and see what a sorry piece of work I look like you wouldn't be. I even missed a fishing trip. Here is the offending knife below, still needs work but I will be wearing safety gear .......300Bucks

Fishknife.jpg
 
Last edited:
Good advice! Hope you're back to normal soon.
 
First of all, I hope you get better soon.
That said, Micarta is made with epoxy, which is some really nasty stuff. But basically anything that produces a fine dust when grinding is VERY bad for your respiratory system, some types of wood for example are pretty bad, too.
 
This would be a good candidate as a safety 'Sticky' somewhere, maybe here, or in Maint or Knifemaker's sections, or all areas.

300, I'm hoping you'll be recovering soon, and completely too. I've heard of some of the dangers of grinding & sanding micarta, but haven't heard any first-hand accounts 'til now. Might make some non-believers take more notice, when they've read what you've experienced yourself. I often notice some coughing and/or sinus issues myself, after doing something as simple as stropping with certain dusty compounds. Doesn't take much to get sensitive tissues irritated.

Take care, and get well soon. I wish you the best. :thumbup:
 
Geez!, that's rough. Hope it clears up soon.
 
I had a bad injury in my eye two weeks ago. I can´t still see on that one. I won´t laugh, for sure, when there´s talking about using dust masks and eye protection... I hope you´ll be fine again! My best wishes to your fully recovery, Sir! Sorry to hear about that.
 
Ouch, all the best on your recovery. Just learned this lesson a couple weeks back myself, except it was that even a dust mask isn't enough when kicking up a lot of dust off micarta with a Dremel. 30 minutes exposure was enough to sideline me for a couple days and I used to be a pack-a-day smoker! Felt like I had an angry beetle stuck in the back of my throat. Nasty stuff to work with. Picked up a full face respirator, not going on that ride again.

When it comes to all those inconvenient safety measures, it's better to have slow paced work rather than high speed injuries. Stay safe.
 
Respirator at all times. Don't even get me started on G-10. With that stuff it's Respirator, Baseball Cap (or other head cover), long sleeves and gloves!
 
It's always important to wear the appropriate protective gear to avoid inhalation of dust... even sawdust can have long term affects. If I recall correctly, the dust from Micarta may be especially toxic... according to an MSDS that I read a while ago, Micarta contains formaldehyde.

Take care.
 
300, glad you are okay, but with micarta you should use a respirator. Not just a dust mask. Be careful with buffers too :)

I have an old 3m and a newer 3m I have always used for micarta.

SU1HLTIwMTIxMDExLTAwMTA1LmpwZw.jpg


What is worse is if you do it in your house and it gets in the ventilation system...

Glad you are okay.

Kevin
 
Micarta is some nasty stuff to breath in when working with. The smell alone of it when shaping it should give a good hint..can make you dizzy and light headed. Not to mention breathing in the dust, which I obviously dont have to explain to you. Hope your doing better.
 
BTW, 300, I don't know if you are going to play with micarta again, but I found you can use your dip bucket to wet the micarta to keep dust down and keep a spray bottle for the areas your working. Then clean it up when you are done.

It helped me keep it more isolated.

Kevin
 
richstag said:
BTW, 300, I don't know if you are going to play with micarta again, but I found you can use your dip bucket to wet the micarta to keep dust down and keep a spray bottle for the areas your working. Then clean it up when you are done.

It helped me keep it more isolated.

Kevin
Click to expand...

This is sound advise and works quite well..

Get well soon, 300 Bucks!.

Safety 1st.
 
Wishing you a speedy and full recovery.

I don't know what work conditions are like there now, but only a dozen years ago safety equipment of any kind was practically unknown to most of the small Sheffield cutlers. They worked in places hidden away from the eyes of safety inspectors, covered in dirt and dust, using all sorts of illegal chemicals, with no dust masks, unguarded machinery, terrible lighting, and no first aid kits. Many of them were also self-employed, and for some reason chose to work in such conditions. I doubt some places have changed, safety equipment seems to be regarded as somehow iffeminate by men who are literally killing themselves.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top