Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel Howland on June 11, 2012 at 7:12

Pete,

Good advice!!

Thanks for sharing.

This applies with all tools, while working,  if you get tired or get distracted STOP working!

Accidents do happen. I always  keep a roll of electrical tape near by for emergencies.

I had a similar accident. While folding the blade of my Leatherman back into the handle with one hand like I have done hundreds of times before, not watching and doing 2 things at once. I did not get my thumb completely out of the way. My multitool was now a  guillotine.

Thankfully no nerve dammage, I just hacked off the fatty tip and have since healed 100%.

It has been 4 years since the accident and everytime I close my Leatherman blade I look at it to be sure I am clear.

Frightfull reminder.

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 11, 2012 at 7:49

Good advise on both parts! Glad to know everyone got medical attention, hope this heal well for you Pete 

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Alexander Noot on June 11, 2012 at 8:01

Dude! Be more carefull! DOn't worry....I don't think I've made two knives yet that I didn't stab myself with yet.

Permalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 11, 2012 at 8:13

Pete, thats a bad but I guess it could be worse, you could have lost a big part of your finger. Let me tell you and who ever how I was taught to test the sharpness of a knife. Take the knife and try to slide it across the top of your finger nail at about a 20 dagree angle. Very softly, if it slides smooth, its not sharp. If it wants to cut and dig in the finger nail then its sharp. The easier it bites in the sharper it is. This is to be done very softly so not to cut into your finger nail. This works great for me. I was shown this by an old timer 50 years ago.

ModeratorPermalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on June 11, 2012 at 8:26

"Ouch"

Permalink Reply by stephen tungate on June 11, 2012 at 12:18

THAT SMART'S...wow guy's i know it is easy to say be careful but the fact is any time you are using a sharp tool or tool's there is that chance the you will get bit sooner or later.always make sure that you have a small first aid kit .it has come in handy for me a few times. i learned the same way you guys did . when i pulled my knife out to cut a hay bale string i was not paying 100 present to the task at hand buy talking to the person next to me.i cut the string holdin the knife backwards it was not a lock blade. when i cut with a upwards stroke the blade witch was very very sharp snaped down on my index finger.it cut it all the way to the bone.was lucky to save the finger.from then on i pay close attention when i mess with the sharp tools.i hope this story will help people realize and your guys story that it is easy to lose a finger if you do not pay 100 present to what your doing when working with knives....

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Pete Schmidt on June 12, 2012 at 3:54

Thanks Robert,

That is a much better way then, the finger test I used. lol  I just thank God it was just the tip and not the whole finger or the wrist.

Robert Burris said:

Pete, thats a bad but I guess it could be worse, you could have lost a big part of your finger. Let me tell you and who ever how I was taught to test the sharpness of a knife. Take the knife and try to slide it across the top of your finger nail at about a 20 dagree angle. Very softly, if it slides smooth, its not sharp. If it wants to cut and dig in the finger nail then its sharp. The easier it bites in the sharper it is. This is to be done very softly so not to cut into your finger nail. This works great for me. I was shown this by an old timer 50 years ago.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 12, 2012 at 19:10

Stephen,

Donnie did the same thing while cutting carpet one day and it also went clear to the bone before he even felt it

stephen tungate said:

THAT SMART'S...wow guy's i know it is easy to say be careful but the fact is any time you are using a sharp tool or tool's there is that chance the you will get bit sooner or later.always make sure that you have a small first aid kit .it has come in handy for me a few times. i learned the same way you guys did . when i pulled my knife out to cut a hay bale string i was not paying 100 present to the task at hand buy talking to the person next to me.i cut the string holdin the knife backwards it was not a lock blade. when i cut with a upwards stroke the blade witch was very very sharp snaped down on my index finger.it cut it all the way to the bone.was lucky to save the finger.from then on i pay close attention when i mess with the sharp tools.i hope this story will help people realize and your guys story that it is easy to lose a finger if you do not pay 100 present to what your doing when working with knives....

Permalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 12, 2012 at 19:57

Pete, the more you try the knife sharpness system, I explained, and the more you get use to it. You can check the sharpness of a knife blade in just a few seconds. It takes practice to get it just right, but keep trying it, softly, you will see one day how well this works.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on November 12, 2012 at 6:37

Peter,

Hope that healed up well.  How is the nail test working out for you?

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Pete Schmidt on November 13, 2012 at 19:14

Hello, Mr. Carter

The finger healed up very nicely! The finger nail test is working great, and a lot more painless then the finger cutting method. LOL  It took me a little bit of practicing, to get the feel for it. but it is almost second nature now., I highly recommend it to any new or experienced knife makers. even to collectors and anyone, sharpening a knife. 

Jan Carter said:

Peter,

Hope that healed up well.  How is the nail test working out for you?