"The Perils of Sharp Blades" Topic

They say that dull blades cause hobby injuries, but I always disagree, sharp blades are much more dangerous!

I was working on a conversion, trimming away some excess plastic, the knife slipped, and I hurt my finger… running cold water, disinfectant, Band-Aid, good to go. It was a very minor injury, but it did bleed a little.

See what I get for retiring my old blade and putting a nice, shiny new blade into service!

I still have the 5/8" scar on my index finger from attempting a conversion of an airplane model using a dull scout knife-- I was about 12 at the time so didn't know my limitations. Always use the right tool for the job.

A new blade must taste blood! I know from experience.

Before I start work with a blade, I ask myself where the blade will go if it slips. If the answer is something that bleeds, I change the angle of my attack.

there should be a poll on which is more dangerous, sharp or dull blades?

The most dangerous for me is a long scalpel blade. I keep trying to use it in the same way as I would a short scalpel blade, for some delicate work that requires a grip close to the point. The back end of the blade then slices my ring finger. That has happened more than once. But I have now removed it from the scalpel, and put a short blade in.

Bobspruster for the win!

An 18 month old daughter sleeping upstairs,
The Wife at work
Cleaning up some GW Boar Boyz, knife slipped..

One phone call to parents later to look after my daughter and I'm at A&E getting 4 stitches to my knuckle..

Still can't work out how the knife managed to contact my finger…. :(

bobspruster+1

All of your body behind all of the blade all of the time.

Cooking, modeling, woodworking, home repairs, so many chances to hurt yourself. It's a nuisance to get the right tool, the right clamp, the right holder, move to the right position, get the eye protection out, whatever. It took over fifty years for me to discipline myself to to do things right but now I almost never cut myself or hurt my hands, and it's worth the extra hassle.

Andrew Walters + 1
My hands do take a beating when I'm playing tug-of-war with my 125 pound St. Bernard puppy. But no broken bones yet!

Sharp blades, dull blades but don't fall off a ladder!