keeping fingers safe during thinning

[boblob]

i have had multiple times where i thinned knifes and the finger that is on the spine was almost rubbing on the stone i think 1 time it was rubbing on the stone...
my question is what is your grip when you thin compared to when sharpening and how do you not grind the finger that is controling the angle (the thumb or index finger) when grinding at very low angles ?
note i hold the knife like john


look how close his finger is to the stone , i find it is very easy to accidentally scrape it with this grip, what is the alternative ?

 

[stringer]

I would avoid rubbing the stone with your finger. This will abrade your skin resulting in blood loss, please don't asked how I know. I also find that putting my finger on the spine like that video is uncomfortable and gives me less control than other methods. Try putting your finger somewhere else other than on the stone and it won't hurt you. I find the handle of the knife to be pretty useful for this task.

If I need a little more angle control, then I will use my thumb on the blade so that I can try lock in a balance between the downward pushing force of my thumb and the opposite upward pulling force from my fingers.

 

[Nemo]

When thinning, angle control is less important. The angle (and the location where the metal is removed) is mostly maintained by where you put the pressure on the side of the blade.

As in, the metal is removed from under where you put pressure and the blade automatically adjusts its orientation so suit this.

This is quite different to when you are adding an edge bevel, where you need to control the angle to cut a consistent edge angle.

 

[Pie]

This isn’t usually where I lose finger bits.

During thinning I’d say you can scrap the finger on the spine, most of the time. Not sure how to fix the issue otherwise, maybe extra mindfulness and some tape on the index finger?

 

[labor of love]

Yeah I don’t have that problem with the finger in the spine placement. I think I usually position my finger to where it’s not overhanging over the spine between knife and stone. Just try and keep the your fingertip closer to you and away from the stone side of the stone.

 

[boblob]

I would avoid rubbing the stone with your finger. This will abrade your skin resulting in blood loss, please don't asked how I know. I also find that putting my finger on the spine like that video is uncomfortable and gives me less control than other methods. Try putting your finger somewhere else other than on the stone and it won't hurt you. I find the handle of the knife to be pretty useful for this task.

View attachment 220540

If I need a little more angle control, then I will use my thumb on the blade so that I can try lock in a balance between the downward pushing force of my thumb and the opposite upward pulling force from my fingers.

View attachment 220541

thank you @stringer i will use your grip from now on...
@stringer you use the same grip even when you flip the blade i presume ? if i flip sides i can use the same grip ?

 

[stringer]

thank you @stringer i will use your grip from now on...
@stringer you use the same grip even when you flip the blade i presume ? if i flip sides i can use the same grip ?

Sure. I am mainly a switcher not a flipper, but it should work.

 

[wcothran]

Blue painters tape lol

 

[boblob]

I would avoid rubbing the stone with your finger. This will abrade your skin resulting in blood loss, please don't asked how I know. I also find that putting my finger on the spine like that video is uncomfortable and gives me less control than other methods. Try putting your finger somewhere else other than on the stone and it won't hurt you. I find the handle of the knife to be pretty useful for this task.

View attachment 220540

If I need a little more angle control, then I will use my thumb on the blade so that I can try lock in a balance between the downward pushing force of my thumb and the opposite upward pulling force from my fingers.

View attachment 220541

i did your method worked like a charm

 

[Naftoor]

Thinning is funnily enough the one time I’ve gotten bit sharpening. Happened a few weeks ago and it was pretty bad, not stitches but took a few hours of pressure to stop bleeding.

Had my finger near the tip applying pressure, slipped forward on the edge leading stroke and got pulled between the blade and stone.

Respect the edge, so it while alert and you should be fine though. My mistake was getting complacent since sharpening is a repetitive task, and bored because I’d been doing it for awhile. Also slow down if you aren’t feeling safe, put on a good pod cast or audiobook and take your time. Going slow will give you more time to react if your finger slips out of position

 

[boblob]

another question how would you go about protecting the area that you pinch grip the knife from getting scratches ?
some masking tape ?
@stringer do you ever find it a necesity to cover the knife you are thinning where you are pinch gripping it during cutting usage ?

 

[ian]

(playing @stringer) Scratches? Who cares about scratches?

More seriously, if you are worried about scratching part of the blade, put masking tape over it. Then, when you thin the knife, you can see if you actually screw up the masking tape. Eventually, you will be able to hold a better angle and you won’t need to use tape as much, although you still may want to from time to time.

 

[boblob]

(playing @stringer) Scratches? Who cares about scratches?

More seriously, if you are worried about scratching part of the blade, put masking tape over it. Then, when you thin the knife, you can see if you actually screw up the masking tape. Eventually, you will be able to hold a better angle and you won’t need to use tape as much, although you still may want to from time to time.

I DONT CARE ABOUT SCRATCHES!!!!
i only want that when i use the knife and pinch grip it that it wont scuff my fingers if that makes sense ....

 

[ian]

I'm confused. You're worried about scratches on the blade face irritating your fingers when you hold the knife? If so, don't worry. You'll have to create some really deep scratches to feel them.

 

[blokey]

The scratches on my new 1 grit stone is really irritating.
https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/New-1-Grit-Sharpening-Stone-W105.aspx

 

[ian]

I guess to be fair, it doesn't feel quite as nice to hold a blade with a 60 grit belt finish. But @boblob, it'll be fine. A few stray scratches from a 400 grit stone or whatever won't bother you.

 

[Delat]

The scratches on my new 1 grit stone is really irritating.
https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/New-1-Grit-Sharpening-Stone-W105.aspx

Is there a diamond version of this?

 

[Delat]

I DONT CARE ABOUT SCRATCHES!!!!
i only want that when i use the knife and pinch grip it that it wont scuff my fingers if that makes sense ....

Shouldn’t be an issue as long your knife spine isn’t like a horse rasp or something…..

 

[blokey]

Is there a diamond version of this?

In your local Tiffany, just need some assembly.

 

[Delat]

In your local Tiffany, just need some assembly.

Luckily my wife has been gathering ingredients for years. Just need some glue now.

 

[boblob]

I'm confused. You're worried about scratches on the blade face irritating your fingers when you hold the knife?

yes exactly this is what i am worried about
i use a 100/200 stone to thinn with

 

[boblob]

You're worried about scratches on the blade face irritating your fingers when you hold the knife?

yes exactly this is what i an worried about
i use a 120/240 combi stone to thinn