Knife Saftey

Just would like to point out that knife safty is very important in the bush.

Les does injur himself in the Costa rican episode but that could happen to anyone since the branch had lots of tension on it. So it acted like a slingshot and caused the knife to jam into Les's finger.

Now this wasnt too serious, but in the Mountain episode Les makes a sling shot. While he is cutting the wood to size, he is only a few inches above his leg, so if that knife slipped, it would go right into his leg. When you are cutting always cutt away from you to avoid injury. Right now your probably thinking, yeah? No ****. Well sometimes you just dont think of things like that when you do it, so try to remind yourself to do this.

Be careful and you should be good Very Happy

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"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

"Cut towards your buddy not your body"

"Cut towards your chum not your thumb"

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Never explain. Your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyway.

	Daffy wrote:
	"Cut towards your buddy not your body" "Cut towards your chum not your thumb"

* LOL *

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A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Funny it may sound, but its very true. (i'm not saying you should try to stab your friend, that might get to put behind bars), but be carful.

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"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

I've noticed that Les has a habit of cutting towards himself. I can't help but wonder if some day his crew will find his body lying in front of his shelter, a knife sticking into his chest, and an expression on his face something like this: Shocked

It just goes to show that anyone can have moments of carelessness. I've been more mindfull of knife safety since last year when I was standing at my workbench modifying the latch for the carport door. Of all the tools available to trim down a piece of wood, I picked up my Swiss Army knife. Rolling Eyes

As I was using it, I was reminded of why they call it a 'jacknife'. The blade jacknifed into my finger. Not too serious, but deep enough that it would likely have needed a stitch or two had I not been able to get a couple of butterfly bandages onto it.

Well said.

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"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

	Daffy wrote:
	"Cut towards your buddy not your body" "Cut towards your chum not your thumb"

lmfao daffy

eric

Ive notised that too, and i know first hand that little SAK saw can do its sure share of damadge on your hand, it tears through fleash like nothing.

first hand eh doug? lol

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Never explain. Your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyway.

Ya, In almost every episode where he is cutting something he almost always cuts toward himself, like the jungle episode (water vine) and the mountain episode (slingshot). But like you said guys, It's hard in a scenario like that to think of safety like that. He's just thinking: "I want to get this done as easy as possible and as fast as possible." In our situation just on a camping trip,we can remember safety like "not cutting toward you" but in a survival situation, where your life is on the line, safety with knives isn't exactly on the top of the list, at least thats what I think. Wink

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It's not climbing the mountain to get to the top; it's climbing the mountain to enjoy the climb.

Thats very true. I think I mentioned that before on the old forum back a year ago or so. He's worrying about finishing it, food, making the video, movign cameras etc.

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"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

A lot of cuts may require you to cut towards yourself. Believe it or not, but you have more control for fine, delicate cuts by pulling towards you instead of pushing away. Is it safe? Not at all. Not to mention that most people are cut with dull knives than ones with sharp ones. Keep your knife nice and sharp so you can make your cuts easier instead of having to force each cut.

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Where the Eagles fly, and the Caribou lie is where I want to be, the Wolf waits there for me.....
-Les Stroud

>> A DULL KNIFE IS A DANGEROUS KNIFE !! << Shocked

Thats a Fact. Cool

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A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

THANK YOU! I was waiting for someone to post that, that couldnt be more true! A dull knife requires you to use more force and you start putting a lot of your streght into it. The blade will often get stuck and then without warning cut the wood very fast causing you to get hurt.

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"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

No doubt guys, dull knives are extremely dangerous when it comes to knife saftey! Shocked

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It's not climbing the mountain to get to the top; it's climbing the mountain to enjoy the climb.

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	>> A DULL KNIFE IS A DANGEROUS KNIFE !! << Thats a Fact.

No kidding! Shocked

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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. - Psalms 53:1

I have Ray Mears to thank for that dull knife tip he always stresses, he couldn't be more right.

Axe safety is also something to keep in mind, most importantly position your feet out of range, I've had an experience or two where the axe glances off a tree and sinks into the ground an inch from my foot.

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Time passes softly and I'm a day older.
But still I'm living days gone by.
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder.
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I.

	OGTL wrote:
	I have Ray Mears to thank for that dull knife tip he always stresses, he couldn't be more right. Axe safety is also something to keep in mind, most importantly position your feet out of range, I've had an experience or two where the axe glances off a tree and sinks into the ground an inch from my foot.

A Skinner friend of mine has a nickname that has somthing to do with him hitting his foot with an axe while chopping wood, i cant member what it is though Sad

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-Thou may'st break, but shalt not bend me.

-Idleness brings want
To work today is to eat tomorrow
It is best to prepare for the days of necessity

-Till shade is gone, till water is gone, into the Shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath, to spit in Sightblinder's eye on the Last Day.

Survivor Kid 909 wrote:

	OGTL wrote:
	I have Ray Mears to thank for that dull knife tip he always stresses, he couldn't be more right. Axe safety is also something to keep in mind, most importantly position your feet out of range, I've had an experience or two where the axe glances off a tree and sinks into the ground an inch from my foot.

A Skinner friend of mine has a nickname that has somthing to do with him hitting his foot with an axe while chopping wood, i cant member what it is though Sad

Three toes Jack, maybe. Laughing

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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. - Psalms 53:1