Have just recently tried my hand at carving, using Mr Frosts clipper and crook knives, really enjoyable and pleased with results but my left thumb is suffering. I am right handed and use the left thumb against the back of the blade to either push while the workpiece is being pulled or use it as a pivot while the knife cuts across the grain.
Am I doing it completely wrong or do others wear a glove or some other protection for the thumb.
I think I'm developing a calouse on the ball of my thumb as the feeling is going and its as sore as hell.
Any advice at all would be most welcome.
The numbness is nothing unusual but it's also your body telling you to ease up a bit! I still get sore hands when i get carried away with various new projects but, as I say; just ease up a bit.
I highly recommend the use of a kevlar glove on the "other" hand, the one you hold the job with. They wont stop you stabbing your self but will protect against accidental slashes, especially when "hooking out" a kuksa or deeper bowl type spoon e.g. a ladle.
I tend only to use the glove these days, when I'm doing this type of work as they can tend to get in the way for normal everyday knife use.
Of course when I first started off (away in the mists of time) I didn't use anything and carry numerous scars to prove it!.
That said; I've no doubt there are folk on here who might well disagree with a glove but for beginners,it can save a lot of work carving/sanding off blood stained wood from your latest project
You will find that the more you carve the more comfortable it gets but you will always experience a bit of soreness etc when you over do it.
The other thing to remember, is that you will, inevitably, cut your self from time to time.
Always have a first aid kit handy, especially if out and about.
hope this is of help
good luck
R.B.
