- Joined
- Aug 30, 2008
- Messages
- 36,606
I want to confess to all forum members what poor judgement I executed last night. I am just ever so thankful that my step daughter did not get a finger cut off. It would have fully been my fault (of course-duh).
All my kids know that I derive pleasure out of cutting up cardboard from Costco shopping sessions (Wife and I are raising 5 kids), so there is always plenty of recycling to do. In fact, that is probably my #1 task with whatever knife is in my pocket.
So, my step daughter, 10 yrs. old, and I, worked on her math homework til 9 PM. We wrapped it up and I asked her to help me get the recycling items to the bin. Some cardboard, some paper junk mail, and some plastics. I did not turn on the light on the side of the house (bulb needs replacing). Being the dork I am, thanked my daughter for being with me because I was scared of the dark. There was a little light from the street, and the moon, but not enough light to be using a sharp knife. I was slicing the corner of the boxes, flattening them out and throwing them into the bin. She then asked if she could make a slice. I said sure. I handed her the knife carefully, but she switched it upside down in her hand and began attempting to slice the cardboard with the spine.
I did not see her rotate the knife in her hand. I purposely put it in her palm blade side down and positioned her in front of me. I did not think that she would change positions of the knife. I could not see it well enough to tell that she had because of the dark. After her 3rd back and forth motion, I abruptly told her to stop. I grabbed the knife and showed her which side was sharp. I made a bad assumption that she was aware of a sharp side, and a dull side. I got a sick feeling in my stomach to think that knife could have folded up on her fingers. I use the Razor Sharp paper wheels, and have a hair whittling edge on all of my knives. The only reason I knew something was wrong, was because it was obvious that she was applying downward pressure with a sawing motion. My Griptilian will push cut even 2 ply cardboard. Thank you Benchmade! That Axis lock held. It did it's job, and protected my daughter from my stupid moronic self.
The whole event took place under a minute from her asking me to cut, and me handing her the knife. She helps with dishes, and knows how sharp our house knives are. She is careful with them.
I want all my kids to enjoy knives, and percieve them as very useful tools. I almost wrecked that for my daughter. I am posting this, embarassed as I am, just to let you all know how easy it could be to make a big mistake. I am dumber than a bag of hammers for what I did last night, but more importantly, I am thankful she was not injured.
I do not feel I made a mistake in letting her try to cut cardboard, she did that fine. I made a huge mistake not having adequate light. I also failed to pay full attention as to what she was doing. Last, I did not show her which side cuts on a folding knife. All she wanted to do was share in her dad's cutting fun. I will not make this mistake again.
All my kids know that I derive pleasure out of cutting up cardboard from Costco shopping sessions (Wife and I are raising 5 kids), so there is always plenty of recycling to do. In fact, that is probably my #1 task with whatever knife is in my pocket.
So, my step daughter, 10 yrs. old, and I, worked on her math homework til 9 PM. We wrapped it up and I asked her to help me get the recycling items to the bin. Some cardboard, some paper junk mail, and some plastics. I did not turn on the light on the side of the house (bulb needs replacing). Being the dork I am, thanked my daughter for being with me because I was scared of the dark. There was a little light from the street, and the moon, but not enough light to be using a sharp knife. I was slicing the corner of the boxes, flattening them out and throwing them into the bin. She then asked if she could make a slice. I said sure. I handed her the knife carefully, but she switched it upside down in her hand and began attempting to slice the cardboard with the spine.
I did not see her rotate the knife in her hand. I purposely put it in her palm blade side down and positioned her in front of me. I did not think that she would change positions of the knife. I could not see it well enough to tell that she had because of the dark. After her 3rd back and forth motion, I abruptly told her to stop. I grabbed the knife and showed her which side was sharp. I made a bad assumption that she was aware of a sharp side, and a dull side. I got a sick feeling in my stomach to think that knife could have folded up on her fingers. I use the Razor Sharp paper wheels, and have a hair whittling edge on all of my knives. The only reason I knew something was wrong, was because it was obvious that she was applying downward pressure with a sawing motion. My Griptilian will push cut even 2 ply cardboard. Thank you Benchmade! That Axis lock held. It did it's job, and protected my daughter from my stupid moronic self.The whole event took place under a minute from her asking me to cut, and me handing her the knife. She helps with dishes, and knows how sharp our house knives are. She is careful with them.
I want all my kids to enjoy knives, and percieve them as very useful tools. I almost wrecked that for my daughter. I am posting this, embarassed as I am, just to let you all know how easy it could be to make a big mistake. I am dumber than a bag of hammers for what I did last night, but more importantly, I am thankful she was not injured.
I do not feel I made a mistake in letting her try to cut cardboard, she did that fine. I made a huge mistake not having adequate light. I also failed to pay full attention as to what she was doing. Last, I did not show her which side cuts on a folding knife. All she wanted to do was share in her dad's cutting fun. I will not make this mistake again.
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My stepdaughter just loves my Fight'n Rooster end of day stockman. She will get that one. My kids want me dead already. :grumpy: 
I know I am going to get a nice flashlight, Sure Fire, but do not want to derail my own thread.