The Tenets of Knife Safety

[DocJD]

I'm sick of hearing this a sharp knife is saFer than a dull knife

Sharp knives are awesome. I much prefer having a sharp knife

But

I've cut myself many a time with a very sharp knife

I've never cut myself with a dull knife. Anf i have a few! Specifically cheap kitchen knives.. I've had many close calls where I've thought oh thank God that knife was dull....

Might apply better to axes though...

Generally , for experienced user , IMO sharp is safer because much less force and movement is needed .

But for people who have become habituated to using only very dull knives , sharp is indeed dangerous for awhile .

So , be careful to warn and instruct such persons if you sharpen their knives or let them use yours .

It might not help , but at least you can say "...told you so ! " .

 

[Owen K.]

Generally , for experienced user , IMO sharp is safer because much less force and movement is needed .

But for people who have become habituated to using only very dull knives , sharp is indeed dangerous for awhile .

So , be careful to warn and instruct such persons if you sharpen their knives or let them use yours .

It might not help , but at least you can say "...told you so ! " .

Either keep em sharp or keep em dull. Consistency is key. Got it.

 

[knarfeng]

I just had a thought, a rare phenomenon. You all know the three rules of gun safety, that are recapped when instructing beginners. What is the knife equivilant? If I were trying to concisely instruct someone on knife use what 3, 5, 10 core rules should I lay down?

My Example:
1) Don't cut towards yourself and anticipate slippage.
2) Don't try to catch a falling knife.

3) When the blade is exposed, stay focused on what you are doing with it.
4) Leave the blade exposed only for the time needed to perform the cutting chore. Then close or sheath the knife.

 

[Gradle]

I just had a thought, a rare phenomenon. You all know the three rules of gun safety, that are recapped when instructing beginners. What is the knife equivilant? If I were trying to concisely instruct someone on knife use what 3, 5, 10 core rules should I lay down?

My Example:
1) Don't cut towards yourself and anticipate slippage.
2) Don't try to catch a falling knife.
3) Always treat your edge with respect.
4) Don't pry with your knife.
5) Dont play with your knife in public.

Don't use a dull knife.

 

[afishhunter]

1 Don't stab with a folding knife.

2 Never try to cut with the blade spine.

3 Trust no blade lock.

4 You are more likely to get cut with a dull knife than a sharp one.

5 Most times, once you have your edge set, stropping with a dry strop is all that is needed to restore a working edge. Constant use of a sharpening stone wears the blade away years faster than necessary.

6 Never sharpen your knife on/with a grinder.

7 Use the right tool for the job/task at hand. A knife is to cut and slice. It ain't a screwdriver, pry bar, hammer, screwdriver, axe/hatchet or froe.

8 If you value you knife, never loan it to someone. Find out what they want to cut, and offer to cut it for them. (Presuming it is legal to cut)

Use common sense.

Unfortunately, "common sense" seems to be a rare commodity since the 1980's.

 

[eveled]

Lol. I’d have gone back about 2 more decades.

 

[Herma]

wisdom acquired through experience over time, that includes learning from others. we are not born with common sense.

 

[DocJD]

Don't stab with a folding knife.

Never try to cut with the blade spine.

Trust no blade lock.

Unless made for it, example = Cold Steel Tri-ad Lock .

Except spine not made to cut , but can withstand considerable abuse without failing /closing .

 

[Herma]

would like to get one of those, whilst convenient i find folding knives always a little unnerving for anything other than very light use on smallish tasks. i will concede however that there exist very well made folders that are likely much stronger than many cheap and not so cheap fixed blade knives

 

[kobold]

All folders are fixed blades broken in half by design. Every lock can be defeated, all it takes is a better idiot.

 

[Mister Coffee]

Combination survival/chefs knives can only be found in Sweden….just to keep you safe.

Let me see if I have this straight. They invented the combination survival/chef's knife in case you are a chef in, let's say Sweden, and someone complains about the steak. Instead of firing you, they kick you out into the snow and force you to survive for two weeks with nothing but your knife. Is that about right?

 

[Bob Denman]

At least in "Judge Dredd": they gave the guy a shotgun...

 

[TC]

Instead of firing you, they kick you out into the snow and force you to survive for two weeks with nothing but your knife. Is that about right?

Not only that, they send you on a MISSION.

 

[comis]

I have four:

1) Treat every folding knife like it is a slip joint

2) Don't ever point the knife or place the edge on something you are not willing to destroy

3) Keep the edge away(in sheath or back in handle) unless you are ready to cut

4) Know what you are cutting and what's behind it

 

[willc]

When placing knives in the drying tray, Tip Down.
When we first started living together my wife was a fan of tip up in the tray and I got bit more than once cause of it.

 

[kobold]

Don't bring a knife to a gunfight.