Safety

[SamuraiDave]

I have been embarrassed to share this with you all, but I figure that all of our safety is the first priority around here.

Friday afternoon while cutting an apple my phone distracted me. I did not pay attention to what I was doing and I almost sliced the last 1/4” of my right index finger off (I am left handed). I did not realize how fast or deep a 3” paring knife could cut into you. While having 4 stitches put into my finger I thought of how much damage a kuk of any size could do if one was to be distracted.

I had almost lost a portion of my finger in a slow draw stroke after passing through an apple with a 3” paring knife from Wal-Mart. I figured that a 12”AK could easily sever an arm, and with the right technique maybe a leg (if you have no luck what so ever). My injury serves as a reminder to respect our shiny toys. One distraction and you may be swinging a kuk from a wheel chair, or worse from a prosthetic leg. I will not even speak of what could happen if the proper medical attention is not around to help you out if you do anchor yourself with a full swing.

I have not cut myself to the point that I need stitches since I was 12. This came as a real shock, I was the guy that it could never happen to. I have collected knives since I could remember. I just thank god that it was something that can heal itself.

I thought that I haven’t seen any good safety threads in a while, and mine has brought me many hours of contemplation. I know I should share these thoughts with all of you cause you never can be too careful.

 

[Matt B]

One time I almost dropped the blade of a Janawar Katne onto someone's hand. Almost at the last second I turned the blade so he was struck by the flat of the blade instead of the edge. As I turned it the edge scraped his finger and he got a small laceration.

The JK scares the crap out of everyone. When people see my pieces they ususally like to handle them and get a closer look...but with the Janawar they're like "oh man, put that away!" within a few seconds.

regards
Matt

 

[Bill Martino]

Thanks, Dave. It happens to all of us, even old timers like me who really should know better.

 

[wolvesclaw]

I am the manager of a retail flooring business where we use 4 sided razor knives to cut carpet. These blades are much sharper than most knife blades can be sharpened to. They will go thru you like soft butter. When one of the installers gets cut (which happens weekly to somebody) they all get together to compare stories. One of the first things I tell new warehouse men are a couple of these stories to impress upon them how dangerous these knives can be. Of course to really learn you have to get cut the first time. It happens to everybody, no matter how careful or experienced. The really tough ones just wrap duct tape around the wound and carry on with the job. Everybody else goes to the hospital for stitches. By the way I highly recommend duct tape for a good wound, it works great.

My personal most stupid cut was when I first started working with carpet. I was on my knees cutting a runner and threw the knife straight down instead of setting it. It bounced up off the runner and slit my palm open. Haven't done that again.

 

[SamuraiDave]

I have found superglue works well also. I have heard that superglue was designed as a quick fix for soldiers in the field during Vietnam, but have never found a source for the information.

Anybody know anything on that one?

However, I suggest stitches on deep cuts to important parts of your body. (tips of fingers included) Minor cuts that require a gause patch or band-aid I just glue.

 

[Will Kwan]

It is best to get deep cuts looked at. There is always a possible chance of muscle and nerve damage. As well infection is a possiblity. The blood does tend to wash the wound out.

Will

 

[Will Kwan]

Forgot to mention. Dave, did you see Terry Sisko's khukuri injury.

Will

 

[Walosi]

I was entirely focused on chasing the carved lines on the handle of my new UBE this afternoon. The blade was wrapped with two old T shirts, bound by rubber bands, and tucked between my elbow and my ribs. A first coat of Tru Oil had loosened an entire new layer of rouge compacted into the deeper grooves, and I had my bifocals off, and a loupe over one eye, zeroed in on the last little bit.

I didn't feel the rubber band go (double wrapped around the T shirts), I didn't feel any rip or tearing of the T shirts, or the shirt I was wearing. I felt a cold spot along my ribs, and froze. Nothing running down my side. I reached inside my shirt with the other hand, and felt my side. Dry. WHEEEW!! The blade had sliced through about eight thicknesses of cotton Tshirt material, the rubber band, and was about 1" through the shirt I was wearing in two places (it had cut a wrinkle), and I didn't feel anything until the blade was on my skin - thankfully, at a flat angle. All of this from the slight sawing motion it made inside the wrap when I worked with the pick, and buffed of the results with another rag. The little Chepus on the sheath really must work, even against concentrated stupidity. Much as I hated to, the blade ow wears a hard cardboard sheath, duct tape, and the remainder of the T shirts. Finn, I agree with everything you have to say about the UBE, but you never said they like to cuddle.

 

[Bill Martino]

Good stories, all, and I'm sure much appreciated by our safety officer. I know they are appreciated by me! I harp a lot on safety and NOT getting yourself cut.