After a year or so, you learn to think a step or two ahead, and plan accordingly. "if the tool slips or the block (or tool) breaks, is the natural path into your hand, or away?" It's amazing how 2nd nature it becomes to work all that out without it ever REALLY coming a concious action. Like riding a bike without thinking about balance. All the sudden you start seeing the predicted failures and clean misses (I love it when a plan comes together) where your precautions just become part of the flow. I fear wearing a Kevlar glove may interfere with the process, where you end up relying on it to 'take care of you' and (no surprise here) only YOU can do that.
That being said, I recommend a glove for all new carvers (and anybody that prefers one) - at least until it drives the owner mad. The glove becomes part of (or NOT part of) your "system" which encompasses everything. Decisions like what tool to use, how to create a particular feature, wood type (does this block feel a bit different?), when to sharpen and your general attentiveness (too tired to do this right?). Don't blow the "easy stuff" - easy stuff will getcha every time if ignored.
You WILL decide glove or no glove, but don't keep switching, both times I was cut bad enough to remember it well were in my "remember to wear the glove - even if you are beginning to hate it" phase. A week or so after the 2nd (and last) cut, it had healed up enough I was ready to have another go at it, and I knew something had to change or I was going to get hurt. Years of racing, climbing and working in a hazardous locations has made my little voice LOUD.
Finally I had "The talk" with myself and decided that: #1 - I hate getting cut, and #2 - I am the only thing that can stop me from getting cut, and #3 - I could be injured in a life altering manner if I screw up - the last cut was a block that gave away under more pressure than I ever should been exerting. 100% ME! the list is long (it's almost never one error that gets you) Some examples of my arrogance a here are - I should have backed off and made the cut in 2 or 3 stages, but I had all my gear on and a top shelf knife as sharp as a laserbeam, good basswood, and a couple of years carving under my belt (Not to mention 30+ years of industrial work with much more dangerous stuff). The master link in the chain was the glove, sure makes you feel safe, safety gear does, which isn't the safety gears fault, it's mine all the way. Somehow is just doesn't seem so obvious at the time.
I was lucky as the knife went through a mostly less important part of my hand. but it went THROUGH. Nothing stopped the blade but air. If it had taken even a slightly different path, I probably wouldn't by typing this fast. I easily could have cut through bone. THAT kind of knowledge lets YOU set the rules every time you sit down to carve. I pick up that knife with the same respect I pick up a chainsaw. NO fear, but respect. Tools carry inherent risks that must be be dealt with. So, while I'm getting my art mode on, I'm also getting my "plan your moves, don't get casual" mindset engaged. For me there is no mechanical safety "protector" that can keep you safe. In the end, it's all you, just like it's 100% you that is represented in your carvings, it's 100% you that there is no blood on the wood 5 hours later. You can and should be proud of both outcomes. Pros walk away clean, and make it look easy!
This works for me, sorry to ramble on here, but I feel this is an important subject. Get fully comfortable with your sharp stuff, and the process, if the process has a Kevlar glove in it or not, or any other safety devices, physical or mental, fully own and refine it until YOU are the safety device. Now go carve something cool!
PS. One safety device anyone carving should have with no questions asked (No negatives here) is a job specific FIRST AID KIT! Make your own or add to a good commercial kit. Things to add are electrical tape (stretches and holds pressure on a wound), 4 x 4" sponges (gauze), Styptic powder or "No Clot" compresses. Buy a small HF toolbag or equal and add whatever you think will help. Make it your own. Besides having NO downside to having this at arms reach wherever you carve, it may help someone else. Throw in a Narcan injector, these instantly strip narcotics from the nervous system, potentially saving the victims life from an overdose. They're free at drugstores and hospitals, Keep one in the car, one in the 1st aid kit and learn how to use (Put nozzle in victims nose and push button, call 911).
Be safe out there!
and
Happy Carving!
