MY SWICK bit me!

J

J.Davey

Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
1,620
5 Stitches in the joint-crease of my middle finger on my left hand. Hit an artery, and might have nerve damage. Complete stupidity on my part. I was trying (for the first time) to cord wrap a handle. Needless to say, I slipped up and butchered myself. The thing that sucks is that I have no insurance (as I just lost my job...not that they paid benefits anyway). But, I can say this: It is a true testament of the SWICK's sharpness. I didn't even realize I was cut until I the blood began to, literally, spray. Actually, it didn't even hurt. I easily lost a pint of blood by the time I actually got stitched. I have to see a specialist next week to see about nerve damage (which would totally suck, since I play guitar, and more money to pay out on top of it all). In the end, the cord wrap turned out looking like shit, to top it all off. Oh well. You play with knives for 20 years and you're bound to cut yourself eventually. BUT, 20 YEARS! Good track record, eh????
 
Sorry to hear about your injury. I hope it heals quickly without any nerve damage. I sort of doubt there will be. Usually the hand heals quite successfully.

Ever since slicing my thumb open on a new Benchmade that I was admiring and playing with, I now take every precaution when handling my knives. The blades today are extremely sharp, even from the factory. They are not very forgiving.

Best of luck with your employment situation. It can be tough out there especially in some locations.
 
Wow, that's not cool. I know how sharp that SWICK is, no wonder you didn't feel it. Glad to hear you got stitched up ok(though paying for it will be a b****) I'm hoping there's no nerve damage, keep us posted on that.

J.Davey said:
I was trying (for the first time) to cord wrap a handle.
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Send it to me, I'll do it for you for free. I just did the same thing for mine, and it's quite tight. Not bad at all for my first try, but I'm obsessive compulsive, so yanking the cord tight was quite fun for me. It's quite therapeutic.
 
J.Davey said:
This is what did me in, SMC! Popped out of the sheath and right across my finger.:(
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I put the tip of the sheath against the inside of my leg, and held the handle with my left hand, while yanking the cord with my right. The knife didn't go anywhere, but my fingers did get tired about halfway through.
 
I have a failproof system for cord wrapping my knives (lanyards too):

I make university girls do it. Where they learn how to cord wrap FBs, beats the hell out of me, but they're pretty good at it.

Sorry to hear about the injury though.
 
J. Davey,

Is the finger numb at all, or did it go numb when you hit it? If not, then I'm thinking there's a pretty good chance you missed the nerves. I wish you a speedy recovery.
 
got a new Spyderco Military recently. It bit me on the first day. Happened so quick and easily. Scary how it can cut the flesh like a hot knife through butter.
 
I'm really sorry to hear about your injury, I will pray for your quick recovery.
 
Just because this thread needs pics.

Cord wrapped SWICK:cool:

Seriously, if this is good enough for you(I'm not good, but it'll suffice) let me know and I'll wrap yours too.

000_0075.jpg
 
Well, I saw the specialist yesterday. I may have minor nerve damage, but it will not affect the use or strength of my finger (thank God). She told me that the area where I cut it (right across the joint crease on my middle finger) is often referred to as 'no man's land' and is one of the worst places to be lacerated, because if the tendon or nerves are cut there, it is very difficult to repair. Anywho, thanks to all for the well-wishes!:thumbup:
 
Hi J.Davey,

Sorry to hear of your incident. Hope all heals well.

I believe that "excess force" in using a knife is usually what causes accidental cuts. In an effort to reduce that force, we make our knives very sharp so a lesser amount of force is applied to controlled cutting.

Yet, we still cut ourselves. Me included :rolleyes:

The combination of a "very sharp edge" and "accidental excessive force" proves to be even worse, such as in J.Davey's case.

I would be interested in opinions regarding how we can make very sharp knives safer. Push the envelope.

sal
 
Probably the only way to make a knife safer if to make the user smarter. No dig on J., his was an unfortunate accident. A stupid move would have been to try the wrap with the knife unsheathed. Perhaps anyone else who plans on doing this should take a bit of the 550 and put it through the hole in the SWICK and tie it to the sheath first, so it can't pull out.
 
Hardheart, the 'tying it to the sheath' idea is a great one! I wish I had thought of that:eek: .
 
Sal Glesser said:
I would be interested in opinions regarding how we can make very sharp knives safer. Push the envelope.

sal
Click to expand...

An enclosed booklet with common accident scenarios and their results in color?:D
 
The first time I ordered from NGK I got the band aid holder. I thought that was funny. I cut my finger not 5 minutes later. Not funny. These things happen, even to people who "never" get cut. I hope you get some good news.

Richard
 
ancient thread, but the whole swick experience is one of my greatest accomplishments. I still have the ConceptSWICK locked away. Thank you Sal for including me in the project. Frankly, I don't get why it didn't sell better. Maybe add SPOT-like g10 scales, an extra inch or two to the handle and 3 1/2 inch SPOT blade. Multi-carry sheath.
 
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