Retractable sheath knife for cutting thin plastic

[JK200sx]

Hello All,

This is the my first time on this forum so I hope I'm on the right one and that someone may be able to help me.

I work in a plastic manufacturing plant were we have workers that need to trim plastic product. They currently use your typical "stanley knife" that has a fixed blade (we use the curved type blades as the straight edge lades have a tendencey to slide out of the work piece vertically upwards as they are pulling the knife through the plastic to cut the profile. There have been a number of instances were the workers have slipped with the knife and have ended up cutting themselves in the process. We have tried knives which have a retractable blade, however, whats happened here is that when the person slips, the knife is still in the outward position and injury results again.

What we are after is ideally a knife with a retractable/ spring loaded sheath, such that when they push down oin the workpiece the sheath retracts and pierces through the plastic and then they can pull it through. If they were to slip with the knife, upon exiting the workpiece the sheath will then cover the blade again, minimising the effect of getting cut.

Does such a knife exist? If so can anyone direct me as to where to purchase several to try? Ideally if anyone knows of suppliers in Australia it would be appreciated.

Thank You.

 

[Normark]

Hi JK..

not trying to be a smart ass here,, but might be easier to train the workers on the proper use of a knife..
I know accidents happen,, I cut myself all the time with my job,, however I've found that alot of non knife people don't have a clue how to handle a knife properly..

As for yuor retacting sheath knife...
Haven't ever seen anything like that..

ttyle

Eric...

 

[JK200sx]

Thanks for your reply eric. We have gone down the path of training and training and taking disciplinary action and it has failed. Management still believe there must be something on the market that is safer than what we have here.

 

[Normark]

Hi JK...

Yaa no matter what you do to people,, they are still going to F up..
Training is the answer..

Tell me,,where are they cutting themselves ??
All over the place,, or roughly in the same areas of the body ??

ttyle

Eric...

 

[Ascoe]

You should invest in these:
http://www.1sks.com/store/kershaw-folding-utility-knife.html

Keep sharp blades avaliable so thy don't get a chance to slip.

And tell people to always cut AWAY from their bodies.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

JK200sx, welcome to Bladeforums!

I don't know if you're familiar with Olfa. They have a website at http://www.olfablades.com/

I've seen cheap versions of these knives but none come close to their quality. The replaceable blades can be snapped off in small scored increments to keep a sharp cutting tip. Take a look especially at their Safety Cutters and Rotary Cutters.

I understand the kind of work you do. It's not always possible to cut properly away from the body and the material you're cutting induces slipping. If the rotary blades can get into the place you need to cut, they would solve a lot of the problems.

I don't know if they have an Australian distributor, but the home company is Japanese, although the site I linked to is American.

Edit: hunting through their website, I found this example you might like:

Olfa Safety Knife / Cutter - # SK-4

Olfa introduces a revolutionary spring-retractable safety cutter / knife featuring right or left handed operation, powerful return spring, stainless steel blade channel and ergonomic grip. Eliminates injuries because blade remains extended while cutting and automatically retracts the instant the blade loses contact with the cutting surface.

 

[JK200sx]

Thanks for your help so far guys. Does anyone have any more info?

 

[Yahmanin]

Where are they getting cut? Statistically, do you have more cuts to hands, torso, forearms? If you have a definite pattern, safety gear like heavy aprons, or cut resistant gloves might be part of the solution. Sorry, no help on sourcing the knife end.

 

[spyder8]

what about using a retractable utility knife with a hook blade?

 

[MelancholyMutt]

any gutting blade should do...

Frosts of Sweden makes this nice one.

 

[VampyreWolf]

look at the benchmade rescue hook as well.
around 40usd gets the knife, kydex sheath and metal belt clip.

I was using mine to cut 1/2" wide nylon banding, up to 1/4" poly rope, and trimming sheets of material down...

gonna send mine in to BM for the sharpening service, can't get it sharp to my satisfaction myself.

 

[nelsonmc]

Just give them bigger sharper knives, that'll weed em out! Then replace those who lose fingers with new guys, and so on. Actually I'm sick, think I got the Flu, so I'm kinda out of it, don't mind me... What about little wire cutters? Never heard of anyone cutting themselves on those.