Another Knife Tip! (No pun Intended)

When whittlin or carvin with your knife, you should learn to manipulate BOTH knife and the piece of wood, to achieve the desired cut. This learned technique will go a long way in preventing knife slips and finger cuts. If you don't believe me, get a box of band aids, sutures, compresses, etc., your knife and a piece of wood. Hold the piece of wood steady in one hand, and make a stop cut all the way around the piece, by only moving the knife. To really illustrate this point (hee hee; point-get it) make this stop cut with the tip/point of the knife, without moving the wood. Next try it by holding the knife steady against the wood, and turn the wood into the knife blade. You can even make this stop cut around the wood safely, with the tip of your knife; when you move the wood instead of the knife. By learning to manipulate both the knife and the wood, you'll prevent the knife from slipping off the edge of the wood, and probably into your hand. Practice this technique on a piece of 1 x 1 x 12. Make some stop cuts all the way around the piece. You can also make spiral cuts in this manner. By practicing, you'll see how useful this technique can be.