10 Tips For Knife Safety
July 12, 2012, 12:19 pm / Categories: Camping
This article is a part of GearJunkie’s “Day of the Knife” project, which includes content about knives as well as giveaways and a reader-submission contest for a chance to win $5k in gear! Go to the site here for more info and to sign up for a chance to win.
By JEFF FREEMAN
This post is not quite a “10 Commandants of the knife,” but you get the picture. Here are 10 do’s and do-not’s any knife owner should respect and follow. We especially like tip No. 4, shaving off arm hairs for show included in this particular caveat!
#1 – Full Attention to the Blade!
When working with a knife, give the job and knife 100% of your attention. Don’t allow distractions!
#2 – Sharp Knives are Safe Knives
Always keep your knife sharp — dull knives require more force to cut and are more likely to slip.
#3 – 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.
#4 – Anatomy Off Limits!
Don’t check the sharpness of a knife with any of your body parts.
#5 – Cut Away, Never Toward
Always cut away from yourself whether using, sharpening or cleaning your knife.
#6 – Not a Pry Bar!
Don’t use a knife for unintended purposes (it’s not a screwdriver, hammer, ice pick or pry bar!).
#7 – Dishwasher Safe?
Do not wash your camping knife in a dishwasher.
#8 – You Are not a Ninja
Do not throw any knife unless it is designed to be thrown. Even then, beware of “springback” from a bad throw.
#9 – Let it Fall. . .
Never try to catch a falling knife, no matter how instinctive it is. Just move out of the way.
#10 – Right Tool for the Job
Learn how to use the different types of knives safely and don’t be tempted to cheat. Use the right tool for the job.
—Jeff Freeman is Knife Innovation Manager at Gerber.
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This is great advice! Number 10 is obviously the best. Just like in the kitchen, a lot can’t even tell a paring knife from a potato peeler, much more outdoors. I’ve seen guys with false bravado bigger than their heads try to open a beer bottle with a jungle machete. Once, the blade slipped and badly nicked his thumb. There’s the Swiss knife, dummy.
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They are all good points although I especially agree with number 6 and 10. It’s important to use knives for their intended purpose. I recommend a small one piece multi-tool (like the Gerber Shard) if you want something small, cheap, and with great prying and screw driving capabilities. And I wouldn’t put ANY knives in the dishwasher, including chef’s knives and pocket knives.
A little common sense and respect goes a long way imo, but these are lessons you can never hear too many times.
Dan @ BladeReviews