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I have a bit of a newbie question, sorry if it's a silly one.
The sides of my chisels are very sharp and every time I use them in a way that involves holding the blade (paring etc), I end up with cuts on my index fingers.
Is this a technique issue, or should I dull the corners slightly?
Just dull them a bit with fine sandpaper
Gonty, as with all bladed tools/weaponry, keep your body away from the sharp bits. To hold a paring chisel, grip the handle with your dominant hand and your other hand like a pen behind the cutting edge to guide the chisel.
So push from behind and guide the blade.
gonty
I've had the same problem, after you flatten the back of a chisel, the 90° edge between the back and side is sharp enough to cut skin
as kiwi advised, use some fine wet & dry to rond the edges a little bit
ian
Can honestly say I've never had that happen :)
However, if you're going to round them, be careful not to round too much or you wont get sharp corners as your bevel moves up the blade.
Thanks for the responses folks, I'll take some sandpaper gently to the corners and se how that goes.
I might try to observe my technique a bit too & see what I'm actually doing. I don;t usually notice the cuts until I see blodd on the chisel or my hands.
I was taught never to place your finger anywhere but on the top (beveled face) of a chisel for any reason. Though I break this rule when chopping dovetails, i usually hold the blade between thumb and fingers on the flat surfaces. I think it's a technique thing. That said, I'd be the first to take an abrasive to the offending edge in your case. :)
Your avatar picture is somewhat appropriate :)
If you'd seen the scars on my hands you'd realise it's no coincidence. :(
toughen up! :)
they are like deep paper cuts... after your 99th cut you will be like superman and your finger will not bleed. I'm serious.
I once worked for a roofer and the first week my hands were shreded (sharp edges of roofing iron etc, after a while, you get calasus (sp) and all the dead skin doesn't bleed... (long way round.)
If you are going to sand the edges. two or three swipes with 400grit should do. you just want to remove the wire edge. not round it too much.
Good Luck
I had thought that maybe my fingers will just toughen up.
Problem is, my woodwork is very much an occasional weekend pursuit so I may go weeks without handling a chisel. That gives my fingers time to get all soft on me again before having a chance to get gnarly & crusty like a roofer's :-)