Knife Safety Rules

[Safarigent]

Hi all,
We have discussed and hammered into each other all the gun safety rules out there.
I own a few blades too and was wondering what are some of the knife safety rules members follow?
Tried searching for the same on ifg, couldnt find a relevant thread.
Thanks in advance.

[Moin.]

Lets see the knives first AB, .. Interesting question actually and difficult to answer as i keep cutting myself so often handling my blades. Maybe Im just clumsy or plain stupid.

For the small folders I edc i make sure they are shaving sharp so i dont have to exert too much force cutting risking hurting myself and i still manage to cut myself

[Kumarnishith]

Hi all,
We have discussed and hammered into each other all the gun safety rules out there.
I own a few blades too and was wondering what are some of the knife safety rules members follow?
Tried searching for the same on ifg, couldnt find a relevant thread.
Thanks in advance.

Well quite an interesting thread I must say Let me add few points that I can recall which I have learned over time..


Always give Full Attention to the Blade!
Be alert and pay attention when you are using a knife. Don’t get distracted or take your eyes off what you are doing!!

Never point a knife at anyone...
Unless of course if you want to play ninja in a self defense situation

Keep your knife folded or sheathed when carrying or storing...
That way you will prevent any unintentional cut or chances of moisture affecting your knife. A word of caution it's not advisable to store your knife in a leather sheath as leather may gather moisture over time.

Sharp Knives are Safe Knives ..
Always keep your knife sharp — dull knives require more force to cut and are more likely to slip and cause injury!

Keep ‘em Clean
On folding knives, always keep the lock and inside of the handle free of debris and dirt. Foreign objects can affect the lock’s integrity...Also in case of unintentional cut a dirty knife can give rise to infection..


Cut Away, Never Toward...
Always cut away from yourself whether using, sharpening or cleaning your knife.

Do not throw your knife...
Do not throw any knife unless it is designed to be thrown.

Let it Fall. . .
Never try to catch a falling knife, no matter how instinctive it is. Just move out of the way.

Right Tool for the Job...
Don't use knife for prying, hammering, hacking or use as screwdriver etc.. The tip may break off and cause damage! There
are better tools suited for these kind of jobs!


I am sure experienced members will chip in and add more points

-Nishith

[brihacharan]

Thanks Nishith,
The "9 Golden Rules of Knife Safety"
Briha

[Lanceman]

One of THE MOST IMPORTANT RULES is NEVER EVER USE A KNIFE ON A JOB BETWEEN THE TRIANGLE FORMED BY YOUR KNEES AND YOUR GROIN.
Apart from the obvious ... endangering your future progeny and singing soprano... Your femoral artery runs along your thighs very close to the surface, cut your femoral and you are dead before you reach the hospital. this means do not sit on the ground and place something on your thigh while cutting or whittling.
Another important rule is before executing a cut check the follow through path of the blade, specially if you miss while chopping or the object cuts through suddenly.

[Lanceman]

Oh yes and one more, don't keep your knife in a belt sheath in a manner that if you fall, the knife goes through your waist or femoral. For this the loose dangling sheaths are better than the fixed belt loop ones.

[TC]

[/quote]

Oh yes and one more, don't keep your knife in a belt sheath in a manner that if you fall, the knife goes through your waist or femoral. For this the loose dangling sheaths are better than the fixed belt loop ones.

One of THE MOST IMPORTANT RULES is NEVER EVER USE A KNIFE ON A JOB BETWEEN THE TRIANGLE FORMED BY YOUR KNEES AND YOUR GROIN.
Apart from the obvious ... endangering your future progeny and singing soprano... Your femoral artery runs along your thighs very close to the surface, cut your femoral and you are dead before you reach the hospital. this means do not sit on the ground and place something on your thigh while cutting or whittling.
Another important rule is before executing a cut check the follow through path of the blade, specially if you miss while chopping or the object cuts through suddenly.

Something to keep in mind....

TC

[Safarigent]

What great tips! This should be made a sticky for newbies!! In todays India, more citizens have access to knives than fire arms!
I am just soaking in the knowledge!
Thank you all and keep 'em coming.

[brihacharan]

One of THE MOST IMPORTANT RULES is NEVER EVER USE A KNIFE ON A JOB BETWEEN THE TRIANGLE FORMED BY YOUR KNEES AND YOUR GROIN.
Apart from the obvious ... endangering your future progeny and singing soprano... Your femoral artery runs along your thighs very close to the surface, cut your femoral and you are dead before you reach the hospital. this means do not sit on the ground and place something on your thigh while cutting or whittling.
Another important rule is before executing a cut check the follow through path of the blade, specially if you miss while chopping or the object cuts through suddenly.

Oh yes and one more, don't keep your knife in a belt sheath in a manner that if you fall, the knife goes through your waist or femoral. For this the loose dangling sheaths are better than the fixed belt loop ones.
It is better to die on one's feet than live on one's knees.

Very - Very practical safety rules -
Thanks Lancemen for sharing
Briha

[Safarigent]

Any particular points to be kept in mind with the different types of blade and edge types?

[Lanceman]

Really I think the only type of edge I'd be careful about is a sharp or pointed one. If it is sharp and pointed, it will go in efficiently, if it goes in to the wrong place, you have a serious problem.
To the above safety rules you could add, always hand over a knife hilt first, better still place it on a flat surface and let the other person pick it up.

Also think about two aspects:
1. Don't get cut or stabbed, specially with a blade you are handling yourself...... Common sense.
2. If you do, think about what you are going to do. There are many ifs and buts here : are you alone, is the wound dirty, is it bleeding profusely, is it deep or wide or both. Each of the above in combination needs a separate approach, read up about treating cuts in the field and be prepared. Essentially I carry a tube of antiseptic, a tube of superglue (very controversial) and a small bottle of sanitizer, the commercial variety, a few band aids. I plan to follow a clean the wound, stop the bleeding if possible and get to hospital approach. Whatever you do, remember sharp objects are designed to cut or stab, it could happen to you or your buddy, hence be prepared.

[TC]

Some safety/ handling rules that came to mind....

1) For knives sheathed in leather which usually has one or both sides stitched and not riveted (this applies especially to blades that do not belong to you or for one you are handling after a long time) be careful while taking it out. Never put your fingers on the side that is stitched or, in case both sides have stitches, grab the sheath with your other hand avoiding the stitches and pull the handle lightly in one single motion. If the blade inside is heavily rusted or stuck for some reason careless handling may cost you a nasty cut if the blade, while the knife is being pulled (or worse, pulled vigorously sideways in an attempt to get it loose) cuts through the stitches while you are grabbing the sheath. Also, it is good to keep in mind that no matter how shiny and polished a leather sheath may appear you will never know what's inside, whether its worn out or the stitches are already gone. Happened to me once when I was in my early teens. Lesson learnt.

Same rules apply to kirpans and swords resting inside wooden sheaths wrapped with all that velvet and strips of brass.

2) This I believe is known to most people. NEVER play with a sharp butterfly (balishong) knife unless you are a master, which is not easy by any means. Those actors on films do all their stunts with trainers that have blunt edges. Its like putting a finger inside a nutcracker.

3) Its best not to carry a switchblade inside your pant pocket even if there is a lock safety (stilettos have them but they are quite flimsy no matter how expensive the blade is). I guess the same goes for folders with assisted openers, especially if you are carrying other objects in the pocket (most males do)...

4) Kitchen, cleaver and butcher knives are more dangerous than what they appear to be in the hands of our better halves. Those who love to play weekend chefs inspired by David Roco its always better not to try chopping vegetable and raw meat at the speed they show on TV Better to be safe than to taste that food with band aids around three fingers..

Cheers

TC

[choombak]

Won't repeat the excellent rules posted by fello IFGians, but would add one (borrowed from CRK, and more philosophical): "think twice, cut once".

And probably, if you feel you are applying more force than necessary on the cutting job, something is wrong - the blade isnt sharp, you are cutting a wrong object, or both. In such case, STOP.

[TC]

Won't repeat the excellent rules posted by fello IFGians, but would add one (borrowed from CRK, and more philosophical): "think twice, cut once".

And probably, if you feel you are applying more force than necessary on the cutting job, something is wrong - the blade isnt sharp, you are cutting a wrong object, or both. In such case, STOP.

Very precise and neat !!

TC

[brihacharan]

Really I think the only type of edge I'd be careful about is a sharp or pointed one. If it is sharp and pointed, it will go in efficiently, if it goes into the wrong place, you have a serious problem.
To the above safety rules you could add, always hand over a knife hilt first, better still place it on a flat surface and let the other person pick it up.

Essentially I carry a tube of antiseptic, a tube of superglue (very controversial) and a small bottle of sanitizer, the commercial variety, a few band aids. I plan to follow a clean the wound, stop the bleeding if possible and get to hospital approach. Whatever you do, remember sharp objects are designed to cut or stab, it could happen to you or your buddy, hence be prepared.

Very useful TIPS Lanceman!
It will be in order I suppose to carry a 'Thin Rope' preferably of cotton or silk to be used as a "Tourniquet" to stop excessive bleeding prior to getting medical attention.
Briha