Stop Touching My Blade!

[CWL]

Folks,

Am I being rude, or do any of y'all give instructions on proper handling when showing your knives?

I am now in the position of having to clearly instruct anyone who asks to examine my knives: "Don't touch the blade and DO NOT put your fingers on the edge!" I know it is rude, but I have given up on assuming common decency in not messing with another man's tools.

I prefer carbon knives, I don't like when people put their finger oils on the blade.

I also don't understand how anyone can understand the sharpness of a knife by running their thumb against the edge. They only do this because they see it on TV. I doubt that anyone would do this on one of my straight razors.

This has happened again recently when I gave a hand-made Puukko with a carbon damascus blade to my own father (yes it was scary sharp, I made sure of it). He actually rubbed the entire blade with his fingers before 'testing' the sharpness with thumb. I know it is now his knife, but I'd like Dad to keep his fingers.

 

[steeltiger]

Your knives your rules, its only right, thats why for the most part I don't let anyone else use my knives. They dont seem to know, if you pry with them they will break. Ive long since forgot about teaching most people how to handle my knives, they dont listen to me. Iknow, it does seem rude but its their choice.

 

[lionken07]

blades love blood!!


I used to show my knives to friends too, but I stop doing it for the same reason. People just don't understand! Sheeples have years of experience being a sheeples, they can be anything else!

 

[packarat]

Sorry if I'm posting something I could find by searching, but I have a Buck Ranger that has been a constant companion for the last 7 years. There is not a hint of rust and it swings open nice. I actually use my "finger oil" and a quick wipe on my jeans as a preventative. I maybe use actual oil once a year or whenever I sharpen.

I also use my thumb perpendicular to the blade, as well as my thumnail along the blade, to check for sharpness. I would never run flesh along the blade as I have common sense.

I guess I don't understand why finger oil and the flicking of the thumb across the blade are wrong.

 

[hso]

I guess I don't understand why finger oil and the flicking of the thumb across the blade are wrong.

Most people's sweat and skin oils will cause carbon steel to rust. Some will cause them to rust rapidly. As such fondeling someone else's knife blade is extreeeemly rude because of the damage that may be done to it. Your Ranger is not a carbon steel and is not as subjet to rust as carbon steel or ATS-34 or some other "hi-tech" steels.


CWL,

I feel the same. I'll be setting up at a gunshow this weekend with knives ranging from CRKTs to full customs. The customs stay under glass in a case because of all the **** that want to finger #*@$ the blades for some unknown reason. I'll spend the whole weekend wiping down blades on the table with a Tuf-Cloth and some jackass will probably cut theirself.

 

[Byron Quick]

I keep supplies handy to clean the blades and apply first aid to fingers.

Personally, I can look at a blade and tell if it's sharp. And my eyesight isn't the best anymore.

Some of blades are of a quality that I do not touch them and others do not touch them. I do not ask that these blades not be touched. I tell. Bluntly.

Sorry for the folks who get offended but my 400 year old katana is in decent polish and I cannot afford to have it repolished to remove some idjit's fingerprint.

 

[CWL]

OK, I'm feelin a general "Karma" of agreement here.

I used to warn people "careful, this knife is really sharp!" -but that was an invitation for the person to immediately drag their thumb across the edge.

 

[imprezagm4]

I'm not really a knife guy so I didn't know that... hmmmmm

I guess only the really high end knives have this 'carbon' type blade? My $30 gerber has served me well, cuts tape like the best

 

[GRB]

Any knives I have are working blades. I do not really care about anyone handling the blade, or being dumb and running a finger along it to cut themselves. I have carbon steel blades and stainless. If I had a Damascus steel blade I would hang it on the wall for display if it is so darned unforgiving about a little sweat or body oil, then again, I could not see spending my money on one except maybe as a gift for someone. I would just rather have a knifethat I need not worry about, one that can hold an edge fairly well and one that is somewhat easy to sharpen.

If I did have a nice knife, something like a Damascus blade or another expensive show off knife and someone touched the steel with greasy or sweaty fingers, all I would do is wipe it clean when I took it back from them. I would think that would sort of go with showing off a prized knife, but that's jsut my feeling about it.

All the best,
Glenn b

 

[steeltiger]

Whenever someone lets me handle thier knives I usualy check the edge first, thats when most folks say '' carefull its sharp'' and almost always , theyre dead wrong.
I think people who can actually sharpen a knife would just as soon let you find out how sharp it is, than to actually tell you.

 

[hso]

I never understood why anyone would want to touch the edge. If it's sharp you risk getting cut. If it's only so so sharp you still risk getting cut. And on top of that unless cutting your fingers are part of your plan you're playing around with a tool that you can injure yourself with.

 

[MrAcheson]

Look, it's pretty simple. Don't let people handle your blades or be prepared when you do. My swords are all carbon steel and sharp where it counts. I let some of my friends cut with them once. I told them not to touch the edge but if they accidentally handled the blade, eh. I cleaned them afterwards anyway. No problem.

 

[FXR]

I provide decoys for people to handle when I'm concerned about the blade edge.

I shave with a straight razor, and periodically show the technique to others. Invariably, someone will try to drag a thumb across the blade or pick up some cardboard and carve off a chunk.

Geez, it only took me a half hour of honing and stroping to bring that blade to shaving sharpness and now you've ruined it by trying to whack off some chunks of cardboard? That doesn't happen any more, I'll tell you.

I keep a couple of old semi-dull razors handy to pass around for show and tell but when I break out the real thing it doesn't leave my hands until I'm sure the recipient has "got religion."

 

[CWL]

I think people who can actually sharpen a knife would just as soon let you find out how sharp it is, than to actually tell you.

I think that this comment is incredibly irresponsible. Do you feel the same way about loaded firearms and the person who doesn't know not to put finger on trigger?

I have sharp knives. They are tools. I have custom fighters, outdoor knives, Scandinavian, forged Japanese Kitchen knives as well as $9 Moras. All of them are sharp, shaving sharp (yes, I have tried a real full shave with many of my knives). Aside from the damage that can be done to the blade from naive mishandling (yes I have a damaged knife from mishandling), they can and have "bled" the careless. It doesn't really matter whether we are discussing heirlooms or stainless throwaway knives, it is rude to mishandle someone else's tools.

steeltiger, come by my home and run your thumb across one of my staight razors, then one of my fighters, then try a Scandinavian, lastly try one of my Moras. Once we've taped-up your lacerated digits, I'll buy you a beer.

 

[hso]

I think people who can actually sharpen a knife would just as soon let you find out how sharp it is, than to actually tell you.

You'd be wrong. I can only assume from that statement that you don't know how to sharpen nor do you know anyone that does. If I or one of my knife buddies spends several minutes to nearly half an hour unbuggering a blade and then sharpening it and honing it to a hair popping edge the last thing we want is for someone that doesn't have the good sense to keep their booger hooks off the edge to end up cutting themselves with it.

 

[pdowg881]

I've had my dad test out one of those cutco knives across my hand. He goes is it sharp? And I held up my hand with a slice across my palm and said, yea, it is.

 

[Cosmoline]

If the idea of finger oil keeps you up at night, you should consider stop handing out your blades for inspection.

Frankly I don't know what the big deal is. A blade that isn't intended for use and handling is a worthless chunk of steel. It reminds me of these suburbanites who buy massive utility-size trucks and then worry about scratching them.

I never understood why anyone would want to touch the edge.

I always have, and after tens of thousands of times I've never cut my thumb doing it. There's a method to it I was taught in my youth. I don't know any other way to ensure there are no burrs on the edge. In fact I'm doing it to my ultra high carbon puukko right now! SOMEBODY STOP ME!! Lord have mercy, I might actually get OIL on my BLADE!

 

[sixgunner455]

pdowg:

Cosmoline: +1. Well said, sir.

 

[average_shooter]

Out of curriosity, is anyone here using their fingerNAIL? I was taught to run a fingernail across an edge to check for burrs, and I've caught irregularities that way that I didn't notice with callused fingers or eyes alone. And it would seem to be less likely to get body-oil on the blade that way.

Oh, and the blades I've worked that much on and taken such great care with don't get handed to anybody else. I usually like to think if someone else messes it up they fix it or replace it, but that doesn't fly in this instance. Of course, I'm not too worried about showing them off, they're more like "utility" blades, nothing real showy. But I do take great care in getting them ground and honed right. So, I would not consider it out of line to tell someone not to touch the blade.

 

[DragonRider]

The only warning I give is I am not responsible if you cut yourself, and I will expect the knife the way I it is now. One of my students borrowed it to cut some stuff at a paint ball field and dropped it and broke the tip, he bought me a replacement.....

John

 

[SeanSw]

I check for burs with my nail and routinely run my fingers against the edge, not along it, to check for sharpness. I work in a kitchen with dozens of knives and I can guarantee that only 1 knife in 30 is approaching sharpness, and it's probably the same knife I sharpened last week. These knives are abused in a terrible fashion and sometimes the edge damage is obvious while other times it just needs a quick honing. The sharpening steel was long abandoned so I wet the steel prep tables and smooth out the edges against them.

I know that a lot of people frown on the practice or will say that it is the mark of an amatuer. It is an instant method of asessing the sharpness and it has never caused me any bloodshed. True to the addage, the only time I really hurt myself was with a dull chef's knife (cutting a leathery dried tomato)

In my defense as a "blade thumber" I always wipe a knife clean when I am finished. If I'm at work I'll use an apron, if I'm at a knife display or handling a personal knife using my shirt or sleeve will suffice.

More than a few people have cut themselves while handling my pocket knife (a very well worn spydercard that takes a poor edge). Thpse who ask if it is sharp usually take my word and those that thumb the edge improperly are rewarded for their clumsy fingers. I never say a word when they cut themselves. Their mistake is readily apparent and they knew better even if they didn't act better.

I am not very protective of these things and am not offended when someone does this to my knife. Perhaps a feudal samurai could see fit to behead you for the insolence of touching his prized status symbol but you'll get none of that disrespect from me. If I didn't want your paws on it you wouldn't see it, and it wouldn't be riding around in my pocket.

You should ask before touching and be respectful of not causing damage, but as an individual, not a knife dealer, finger oils and corrosion are a moot concern. People give less attention to more valuable gemstones and jewelry that can sit on your hand all day long. Even if the precious metals don't rust they are still susceptible to damage or looseness.

Now.... ask me in a few decades when I own something of value

 

[hso]

Part of the division may be in the folks that have a couple of knives for use and those of that have knives for use, sale and display. If you can "test" it on your hide you can test it on a piece of paper, thumbnail or hair without risking accidentaly cutting yourself or contaminating the blade.

If you cut yourself on the Sebenza that I carry every day I'll look at you like you're from the muddy shallow end of the gene pool, but I won't be worried about my knife except to be sure to clean it as if blood borne pathogens were an issue. If you cut yourself one of the dozen knives that I've got for display or sale at home or a show I'll be concerned for the knife because you've gotten what you deserved for being foolish enough to put meat to metal when you didn't have to.

 

[Mandirigma]

I am in agreement with Glenn Bartley and Cosmoline.

Any knives I have are working blades. I do not really care about anyone handling the blade, or being dumb and running a finger along it to cut themselves.

A blade that isn't intended for use and handling is a worthless chunk of steel.

But then I feel the same way about Guns. If its not something I use regularly, and carry, whats the point in having it. I just don't believe in safe-queens and behind the glass collectibles (I admire them, some downright gorgeous pieces out there, but to me its a waste). I know some people do, but its just not for me.

I hand (select) people my knives. People who know me tend to know me as the "knife guy". The week I got my ringed razel from graham knives, I handed it to a co-worker. All I told him was: Be careful. Anyhow, after he tests the edge I get caught up with something else and look up as I hear "OW!"

Yeah you got it, he cut himself. He was very lucky that he only nicked himself. He took the knife in hand and started spinning it. He nicked himself literally above the vein on the inside of his wrist. A few millimeters deeper and he'd have opened it up. After he told me how it happened I just shook my head and got my blade back and he asked. "Spinning, thats what the ring is for right?" "Nope, rentention. I don't spin my blades."

Later in the week at his MA class they ended up training for/against knives his instructor mentioned that "We don't do anything fancy with them, we don't spin knives." I asked him if he told his instructor about his arm, and he looked at me and sheepishly said "No."

Thanks to hso I have a damacus tanto on order. I will hand that out to these same people as I hand out my other blades with that same simple warning: Be careful.

One thing I do note is how they hand me the knife back. I always hand knives to people handle first. If they hand the blade back to me point first, its the last time I will ever hand them a blade,

 

[Mandirigma]

Part of the division may be in the folks that have a couple of knives for use and those of that have knives for use, sale and display. If you can "test" it on your hide you can test it on a piece of paper, thumbnail or hair without risking accidentaly cutting yourself or contaminating the blade.

If you cut yourself one of the dozen knives that I've got for display or sale at home or a show I'll be concerned for the knife because you've gotten what you deserved for being foolish enough to put meat to metal when you didn't have to.

I actually understand that. But maybe I'm part of a minority, I don't need to handle a tool or weapon to admire it. Especially if its in someone elses display case (home or for sale) Simply viewing it is enough for me. I don't ask to handle a blade. Either its offered, or I don't touch it. I've turned down friends offers of getting something out of a case to handle it.

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I am totally respectful of what the blades owner wishes. If I'm told don't touch the blade/edge/etc. I just simply don't. If I feel they are IMO overly concerned with it, I just decline to handle it. As Steeltiger said "Your blade, your rules."

If its something I plan on carrying everyday and its something that is mass produced(any current production blade), I will try to get a hands on feel for it.

I currently have 3 other blades I'm waiting to get sometime in the near future that I pretty much got only seeing pictures of. But, none of them is mass produced. And I sort of enjoy getting a feel for a new blade anyhow.

 

[Sniper X]

I rarely show my knives to anyone, but when I do I also ask them to not touch the blade and let them know it is because it is razor sharp. Just a nice way to tel them hands off the steel! I only have two knives with carbon blades, but ask them to not touch the stainless blades either.