Things not to do.....

[ctom]

.....when sharpening the blade on an exacto knife.

* don't drop it in your lap
* don't attempt to catch or bat the knife away
* don't let anyone see you if you ignore the other two don'ts.

If you have failed at succeeding with the first two don'ts, it may be a good idea to see if you've hit an artery when your pants leg at the point of impact starts getting red and wet.

Yup. Speaking from experience. Ain't fun.

[andrewlamberson]

We'll....at least you missed something that used to be important !

[Denny Welch]

Ok, I couldn't stop laughing at Tom's near death experience until I read Andy's response which gave me what I thought was a stroke.  Now I have a cramp in my typing finger.  Be back later.

[MO QWACK]

Ooooh boy that could be dangerous for everybody involved .  Hope it turns out OK buddy

[ctom]

I was sitting in front of the tv waiting on Ma to join me. She's been sewing lately and had something to finish up on so I thought I'd sharpen my exacto knife because I want to tie some flu-flu jigs tomorrow as Christmas presents for a couple of the grandsons. I don't know what the heck distracted me but I slipped off the stone with the blade and pulled the stone holding hand away in reflex but knocked the knife out of the other hand in doing so. I batted at the knife so it wouldn't land smack on top of the goods which Andy was referring and instead of flipping over to the floor it stuck right in my left knee on the side. So here I am with an exacto knife sticking in my leg....straight out yet. I'm sure happy I had the blade keen otherwise I might have been in serious pain. As it were I was only in moderate pain. Carole, of course, heard a bit of my vernacular and peeked around the corner of her sewing area, saw the situation and just shook her head. She mumbled something about not commenting on what I looked like, something I'm sure she had to work at pretty hard as she's always pretty quick with some verbal assistance at times like this this....stuff like "only you could do something like that", or "what a dip schnit". Of course her assessment would be spot on. The second bandaid got the bleeding in check. Now she gets to patch the jeans after I get the blood out.

[siscojj]

Sorry to hear about your incident but the way you explained it made me laugh pretty good especially about your wife past comments and lack of on this one,your a lucky man because not all of use have a good woman such as you just judging from your past post....hope you heal fast .......Jay

[ctom]

I walk like Festus on Gunsmoke but I'll be fine.

[Brent]

glad to hear your ok, you might want to pick up something like this;
http://www.nitro-pak.com/emergency-surgical-and-suture-kit and then the MRS's can expand her sewing talents

[sim]

I think you should find another way to test your sharpening skills....

[Botanophilia]

Reminds me of a more serious yet still funny story a former coworker told me.  He was cutting wood wit a table saw and cut off his thumb.  It flew straight up in the air; natural reaction: catch it with the good hand.  Off went the other thumb.  Luckily they were in good shape and reattached, both his thumbs work quite well.

[TommySkarlis]

Ctom - Don't they give away exacto knife blades for almost free at the craft stores? 

[ctom]

They're pretty inexpensive, yes. But they are never sharp enough right off the shelves. Used to be, but .....

[TommySkarlis]

They're pretty inexpensive, yes. But they are never sharp enough right off the shelves. Used to be, but .....

Ahhhhh - a perfectionist - no wonder your baits look so good!  Hope you don't mind the ribbing!

[ctom]

Ribbing? I thought that was something they used for sewing.

I'm far from perfectionist but I always was taught that the sharpest tool was the safest tool. And they are. As long as you don't drop it in your lap.

[Denny Welch]

A right out of the box Exacto blade is not sharp.  I learned that a long time ago when carving decoys.