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Xacto knife blades and Murphy's law

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  • Member since
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  • From: Christiana, TN
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Posted by CSX Robert on Saturday, February 5, 2022 8:25 PM

selector

I'm deathly afraid....of my own reflexes.  Somewhere along the way I taught myself to quick-as-a-cat grab at anything falling, and if I happen to miss (never do), to put my foot under it so that it won't have a shattering impact.  Either way, soldering iron or blade, with hand or with foot, sumbuddy's gonna get hurt, real baaddd!  Sumbuddy.

 

Yep.  Reflexively tried to catch the soldering iron one time.  That did not feel good.

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Posted by Overmod on Saturday, February 5, 2022 8:16 PM

Always put some kind of grip on the handle, so it doesn't roll and you can control and feel the cut.

I weight the back end of my knives, so at least in theory they fall blunt-end first.  I have not yet tested the amtal rule with my toe... so far.

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Posted by jjdamnit on Saturday, February 5, 2022 1:49 PM

Hello All,

Ablebakercharlie
I'm a baker by trade and I specifially (sic) teach my staff if a knife slips out of your hand DO NOT try to catch it. Please jump away and let it fall!

After retiring as an electrician I went to culinary school.

We were trained to never catch a falling knife.

I have now moved on from working in kitchens but whenever anything sharp or hot falls I jump back and let it go.

When I was working in the production bakery at Universal Studios in Hollywood, I lent my best knife to the sous chef.

He dropped it. When it hit the tile floor it broke the tip.

When he returned it to me he apologized for the damage.

My response was, "I can replace the knife, I'm just glad you didn't get hurt."

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

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Posted by Ablebakercharlie on Friday, February 4, 2022 5:56 PM

selector

I'm deathly afraid....of my own reflexes.  Somewhere along the way I taught myself to quick-as-a-cat grab at anything falling, and if I happen to miss (never do), to put my foot under it so that it won't have a shattering impact.  Either way, soldering iron or blade, with hand or with foot, sumbuddy's gonna get hurt, real baaddd!  Sumbuddy.

 

Good point.  I am the same way - when something is falling my immediate reaction is to reach out fast and try to grab it. 

Except though when the object is a knife.  I'm a baker by trade and I specifially teach my staff if a knife slips out of your hand DO NOT try to catch it.  Please jump away and let it fall!  

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Friday, February 4, 2022 5:21 PM

Scalples do not roll anywhere! Cheaper too.

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

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Posted by Trainman440 on Friday, February 4, 2022 5:05 PM

Wow Im concerned at the number of people who are relating to the act of accidently dropping knives...

I woulda thought the discussion would have been more focused on the danger of being accidentally stabbed in the foot instead of the frustration of loosing a $3 blade haha

Might I recommend in investing in some non-round pencil grips? to atleast prevent the knives from rolling off the table. Its a pretty menial product but might save your foot in the long run. Definitely saved me a few times. 

Charles

 

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Posted by JDawg on Thursday, February 3, 2022 9:18 PM

I dropped one off the table last year. Fell point first dead center on my big toe. Just stupid dumb... luck? I sure didn't feel lucky.

JJF


Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing. Smile, Wink & Grin

Yesterday is History.

Tomorrow is a Mystery.

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Posted by selector on Thursday, February 3, 2022 7:31 PM

I'm deathly afraid....of my own reflexes.  Somewhere along the way I taught myself to quick-as-a-cat grab at anything falling, and if I happen to miss (never do), to put my foot under it so that it won't have a shattering impact.  Either way, soldering iron or blade, with hand or with foot, sumbuddy's gonna get hurt, real baaddd!  Sumbuddy.

  • Member since
    May 2020
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Posted by wrench567 on Thursday, February 3, 2022 7:31 PM

NVSRR

One of these days, it will not miss my foot

 

 Or worse and try to catch it! My biggest problem is setting the knife on the bench and it rolls off with the slightest of bump.

  I have to remove the blades and keep them locked up. My 5 year old grandson loves to help Papa in the shop and has a thing for sharp objects.

    Pete.

 

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Posted by NVSRR on Thursday, February 3, 2022 7:18 PM

One of these days, it will not miss my foot

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

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Posted by RR_Mel on Thursday, February 3, 2022 2:34 PM

I also buy the surgical blades in bulk and I break the tip of those too.


Mel


 
My Model Railroad   
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Turned 84 in July, aging is definitely not for wimps

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Posted by rrebell on Thursday, February 3, 2022 2:22 PM

Never a proublem, bought a bunch in bulk back in my early days and still have a bunch left, same with drill bits and couplers.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, February 3, 2022 2:18 PM

Medina1128
No sooner do I put in the last new #11 blade in my Xacto knife, do I drop it on the floor and it always lands on the point of the blade, breaking it off.

I am too familliar with the phenomenon, and I share in your frustration.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Thursday, February 3, 2022 2:15 PM

LION does not uswe exacto blades. Him uses stainless steel sterile surgical blades. In a bulk pack of 100 blades they are far cheaqper than the exacto blades. Handles for scaple blades are also cheap enough. Besides, I can charge the cost to the infirmary instead of to the train room.

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by jjdamnit on Thursday, February 3, 2022 1:47 PM

Hello All,

When I replace my Hakko soldering irons fine tip- -that to happen to me too!

Through some fault of my own, the iron falls to the floor.

Despite the floor being hardwood, it still damages the tip.

I have learned to buy both #11 blades and Hakko T18-BL tips in bulk.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    January 2009
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Posted by RR_Mel on Thursday, February 3, 2022 1:44 PM

And I never drop any blade except a #11.


Mel


 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
Turned 84 in July, aging is definitely not for wimps.

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  • From: Clinton, MO, US
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Xacto knife blades and Murphy's law
Posted by Medina1128 on Thursday, February 3, 2022 1:31 PM

No sooner do I put in the last new #11 blade in my Xacto knife, do I drop it on the floor and it always lands on the point of the blade, breaking it off.

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