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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: skullworks on March 10, 2008, 08:25:00 AM

Title: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: skullworks on March 10, 2008, 08:25:00 AM

Here is what happens when you don't follow rules and get complacent doing something. I was working on my Old Hickory Butcher knife cut up second blade. I heated up the tang area to make it softer for drilling and then sharpened the blade.
Rule #1-Tape ALL blades before working with them!   (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/Sloppy_Snood/smiliespart2/5c14afe4.gif)
Rule #2-Make sure blade is VERY securely clamped before drilling the tang!   (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/Sloppy_Snood/smiliespart2/5c14afe4.gif)   (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/Sloppy_Snood/smiliespart2/5c14afe4.gif)
Rule #3-If bit hangs up in metal do NOT reverse drill!   (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/Sloppy_Snood/smiliespart2/5c14afe4.gif)   (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/Sloppy_Snood/smiliespart2/5c14afe4.gif)   (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/Sloppy_Snood/smiliespart2/5c14afe4.gif)
I didn't tape the blade or secure the blade good and when the drill bit stuck in the metal I hit reverse and the blade spun back with the sharp edge and caught me between my ring finger and small finger on my left hand.  (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/Sloppy_Snood/smiliespart2/slap.gif)  The result was 31 stitches to close me up. Oh well...live and learn.

 (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/Skullworks02/HandCut.jpg)

Now I have to keep the knife because once it draws your blood you have to keep it. I need some help on picking a handle material now.

Blood Wood? Obvious reason.
Snake Wood? Because I got "bit".
or
Purple Heart? Because I got wounded.

LOL!

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: brettlandon on March 10, 2008, 08:46:00 AM

Clarence, I am so sorry about your injury.  I cringed when I saw it.  As a carpenter I've had my hands in similar situations...YUCK!!!  If I remember correctly, this was the necker.?  I would choose the purple heart and make the handle in that shape (heart) so no one 'wonders.'
Good luck healing and remember: every stich is one more story around the campfire.  :bigsmyl:  

-Brett

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: skullworks on March 10, 2008, 08:50:00 AM

Thanks Brett. It was actually the longer blade...more like a roach belly shape. It amazes me how God looks after the stupid. LOL!

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: kbaknife on March 10, 2008, 10:54:00 AM

That kind of stuff happens - even to the smart guys!
A little tip, even when you clamp the blade to the drill table, place an additional small C-clamp on the edge of the table on either side of the knife. That way if anything grabs, it can only spin as far as the C-clamp.
A lot fewer stitches that way.
Hope that heals up before the 3-D season!

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: varmint on March 10, 2008, 12:53:00 PM

OUCH!!!!!

I could probably follow some of those steps a little better myself.I get lazy about taping edges when shaping handles/scales,especially when most of it is in a vise.Already stuck a point in my arm just switching sides while doing some file work................like you said,when you get complacent,it'll bite you good.

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: el oso on March 10, 2008, 03:28:00 PM

Man I hate it when that kind of stuff happens. You cant even get mad or say why me Lord because you know it's your own fault. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: JEFF B on March 10, 2008, 04:02:00 PM

wow!!!! crap not a good look heal quick bro.

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: LC on March 10, 2008, 04:10:00 PM

Ouch! I can still hear my dad telling me " Son you gona be stupid you gotta be tuff"! I heard that alot when I was younger and after telling my wife about it I hear it alot when I'm older too!

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: Lin Rhea on March 10, 2008, 06:38:00 PM

Things like that can happen to anyone,........... but try to be more careful.   :knothead:  

 I am healing up from a much lesser injury from a very similar accident. I keep some good gloves by the drill press and clamp the piece now.

                                     Lin

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: OconeeDan on March 10, 2008, 09:10:00 PM

OUCH!  Sorry you got hurt, hope you heal fast.  Thanks for posting, a reminder for all of us.
I vote for bloodwood!
Take a little time off, don't want that thing to give you problems later.
Dan

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: ber643 on March 10, 2008, 09:20:00 PM

So sorry to see this, sw. I pray for fast healing and no complications for you.

BTW - I (of course) vote for Purple Heart!

Semper Fi!

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: gregg dudley on March 10, 2008, 10:34:00 PM

What did the noise sound like?  Buuu  Bing  UH!

Maybe you should use Bubinga!

Just a thought!

Glad it wasn't worse.

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: el oso on March 10, 2008, 10:46:00 PM

LOL buu bing uh! That's classic.

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: Leftieshot on March 10, 2008, 11:24:00 PM

Man Skull, that sucks.  Don't beat yourself up over it.  Take a break from building for a bit and heal up right!  Do you need any bloodwood or purple heart?

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: skullworks on March 11, 2008, 06:40:00 AM

Thanks for all the well wishes. I have plenty leftie, Thanks though. LOL! I spent some time taping up blades. LOL!

Title: Re: Violating Knife Making Rules
Post by: 4runr on March 11, 2008, 09:57:00 PM

You aughta use snakewood with a purpleheart, heart-shaped inlay. Then do a drop-shaped cap out of bloodwood!  :bigsmyl:  

Heal up soon!