Violating Knife Making Rules

[skullworks]

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!  
Rule #2-Make sure blade is VERY securely clamped before drilling the tang!    
Rule #3-If bit hangs up in metal do NOT reverse drill!      
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.    The result was 31 stitches to close me up. Oh well...live and learn.



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!

[brettlandon]

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.    

-Brett

[skullworks]

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

[kbaknife]

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!

[varmint]

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.

[el oso]

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.

[JEFF B]

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

[LC]

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!

[Lin Rhea]

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

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

[OconeeDan]

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

[ber643]

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!

[gregg dudley]

What did the noise sound like?  Buuu  Bing  UH!

Maybe you should use Bubinga!

Just a thought!

Glad it wasn't worse.

[el oso]

LOL buu bing uh! That's classic.

[Leftieshot]

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?

[skullworks]

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

[4runr]

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

Heal up soon!