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Just to sidetrack a bit here... As a seasoned knife handler, I've got a few cuts myself. Given the years and practise, I'm very comfortable with my knives today, especially when it comes to safety. When it comes to introducing a knife to a newbie, I take plenty of precautions to ensure a smooth handling.. Being cut for the first time can be a real traumatic experience. I take lotsa time by explaining the rudiments of handling a live piece to a newcomer. The introduction of trainer or drones did really help to reduce the risk. My question is simply this : "Do you take the extra mile and put safety in the highest priority when it comes to handling knives?" Thanks as you feedbacks are much appreciated! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>



Sam



have spydies will travel

It depends on the other person. If it's one already used to knives(still can't find one more comfortable than me though), I'll be careful, but not extremely. I grew up handling knives. Just use common sense in this senerio.

If I happen upon a person who is very shaky with knives, I take as much caution as possible with them, as they ould be cut easily with a razor sharp knife["Oh, that doesn't look sharp"].

Normally just use common sense. I've had too many cuts to even worry about rhem, but I've had some injuries that would make others faint(yes I've seen it happen, even on just a small wound by my ratings). I know the papercuts are now left FAR, far behind.

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

Edited by - Vampyrewolf on 8/28/2001 8:44:06 AM

Heck yes. Few people I don't know ever see my knife, and if they do it is back in my pocket before they can comment. I brush off interest by these people with something like, "Yep, that's my letter opener." Most people won't pursue it further.

If someone is really interested and I think they can behave themselves, I carefully explain how to handle it, what the dangers are, and seldom hand someone an open blade. If it needs to be open for some reason, I hand them the handle while I hold the business end.

I like to share my enthusiasm for knives, but it is not for everyone. I think knife safety is often overlooked/discounted.

Take care Samo,

stu

Thanks for sharing dude! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

The extent of my knife safety lessons are usually, "Hey, that's really sharp, so be careful." Sometimes I throw in, "Quit messing around before I have to take you to the hospital." Sad, but true. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

I would be less concerned about lending someone my car than I would one of my knives <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Unless I know someone is reasonable proficient with folders I will demonstrate a two handed open and close before letting them handle it.

Luckily the only bites I have had in recient years have been small nicks through inattentive closing. One decient cut when a small boy was enough to put me straight on the safe way to cut with a knife. Some 25 years later I can still see the reminder everytime I look down at my left thumb.
Another lesson I learnt when a teenager was that say "be careful, it's sharp" is often not very effective. In fact it often has a negative effect as people often run their thumb over it to see HOW sharp it really is <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Luckily this lesson was learnt second hand <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

In 1963, I was into SCUBA diving and had just purchased a diving knife. I was showing off the knife and warned him that the knife was quite sharp. He proceeded to take a strip of newspaper and slice. Fortunately he only lost about a quarter of an inch of his index finger. The bone saved the rest, but it was pretty messy.

From that point on, I watch and am prepared to intercede if it remotely looks like something unsafe is about to occur.

One way or the other, you pay for your tools!

At Friendly's I tell my fellow employies to use my sharpened Delica to cut boxes, fruit, and bags so they dont harm them selfs using to much force with dull knives.

I usually don't let people touch my knives, esp. the Sebenza. In fact, I only trust a certain number of guys that I know, know knives. I just don't want to have anyone get hurt or break something.
MAtt

last week for my brother birthday I gaved him a blue delica just opened and closed it and he was cut, I thought he know how to handle knives, will be more careful I lend him one

I want all of them

I've a couple recent situations that demonstrate that I haven't been careful enough with knives.

I always have knives by my PC. My daughter has never voiced the slightest hint that she's interested in knives. Has expressed significant distaste for them. About 2 weeks ago, I assume somewhat absentmindedly, she picked up the new, quite sharp knife lying by the PC. Managed to cut herself noticeably.

About 2 weeks ago, I wrapped the handles of two of my neck knives. The Camillus ArcLite I wrapped because there is no chamferring of the lightening holes or the edges of the tang/handle. Made it ever so much more comfortable. This morning, as I walked into my house after going to the bank, I bent over to pet my dog. Suddenly, the ArcLite dropped out of its sheath, did a 180 on it's way to the floor, and encountered my ankle before it got there. Didn't stick, but bone just beneath the surface, so it hurt more than the size of the cut would make you expect.

I was given my first jacknife and instructed in it's proper use at the age of 5. Didn't cut myself for many years, until trying to clean rabbits I shot with a dull knife.

Nowadays, I manage to cut myself every week, at least. Always, so far, just little nicks. Have never had stitches in my life. It is almost always when am doing something like reading the PC screen and playing with a knife that I get nicked.

Until my daughter cut herself, had no audience for preaching except you guys.

Stare

Edited by - The Stare on 8/28/2001 4:09:13 PM

Most people don't get to play with my knives, but when they're really interested I just warn "Be careful - It's crazy sharp." Which generally makes them more interested for 5 seconds. They seen enough return it.

Dav

Gee ~ You guys surely have some interesting stories to share <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Proper care and handling -- IMHO ~ Is the very first step. I agree with cautioning the first-timer before letting them handle the piece <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

Pretty much all the time. Usually starts when someone asks why my knives are so sharp....

I am always willing and eager to educate anyone around me about knives, and how they work. And I like to explain and demonstrate the opening and closing action on my Spyderco's before anyone gets to handle them. I think it's important to remain calm and easy going, even when someone is handling the knife in an irresponsible manner, i.e. getting close to cutting themselves. I always keep a close look at 'first timers' for one-hand opening <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. I haven't had anyone cut themselves, yet.

Still, there are many people who don't want to handle my knife, when they see how sharp it is <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. Despite my explanation about sharp knives being safe knives. But recently I've acquired a Delica drone. It has even turned my mother around to see the benefits of a Spyderco knife! The drones can be excellent ambassadors for newbies, as well as the best training tools alive!

Wouter

thanks guys! Great feedbacks!

Sam

have spydies will travel

Anytime I let a fellow worker use one of my knives I warn them to be carefull over and over. Most times it works, sometimes it doesn't. Just recently my friends sister borrowed my knife at work to cut her pants legs off as it was a very hot day. I warned her it was sharp and suggested she should remove her pants to lessen the risk of cutting herself. She went ahead and cut her pants but didn't think the cut was straight enough and borrowed my knife again. This time she let it somehow slip in her hand and cut one of her fingers badly. I wince everytime I think about it. Stories like that make me reluctant to loan a knife. I'd rather stop what I'm doing and go cut whatever they need. I have three kids and I've always tried to stress knife safety to them and their friends. But sooner or later they always end up with a cut. It must be easier to teach gun safety because if gun people shot themselves as much as we knife people cut ourselves we would have a new way of population control.

Thanks for the input br44! And keep up the good work! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

Them: "Hey, cool knife, can I see it?"
Me: "Um, well, er..."
Them: "Thanks!" (Grabs knife out of pocket)
Me: "Hey! That thing is sharp!"
Them: "Uh..whatever(examining my pocket scapel)"-(proceeds to run finger along edge )
"Ow! It cut me! (duh!) That thing is too sharp!" STUPID! I have gotten to the point where I carry a cheap folder to loan out to inexpierinced people after seeing some horrifying things done with my precious (not to mention expensive) blades.

...and i'm fresh out of bubblegum.

Edited by - clipiteer on 9/7/2001 7:09:34 PM

Clipiteer- heard that many a time from people myself. Somehow, an old saying comes to mind-- If you tell the average person there are a billion stars in the heavens, they will believe without a thought. If you tell this same person that paint is wet, they will still touch it to see. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

The way I see it, the edge is the "business end" of the knife. How many people you know would hold a thumb over a gun's muzzle whilst they pull the trigger, just "seeing if it is loaded"?? Yet, these people will run fingers over blades they are informed as to the sharpness of. Odd.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.