How to Use a Pocketknife

In this Instructable I'm going to show you how to safely use a pocketknife to whittle. I have a friend that was a Boy Scout and he taught me some of the safety stuff included in this Instructable.

Step 1: Your Knife

There as several different types of knives. You can buy a Swiss Army knife, which has many different utilities. You can buy a locked knife, which is generally safer, as there is no risk of it closing accidentally on your fingers.

Step 2: The Blood Circle

The first thing you need to know about is the blood circle. You should always make sure that there is no people or animals in the "blood circle" when whittling. This means that you should be able to stretch out your arm and not touch anyone while turning in a full circle. I generally try and double this. For example, if my arm is 2 1/2 feet long, I need to make sure people are at least five feet away in all directions.

Step 3: The Triangle of Death

Another thing you should know about safety is the triangle of death. When sitting cross-legged and whittling, NEVER carve directly over your legs. There are main blood vessels on the inside of your legs and you don't want to cut yourself there.

Step 4: How to Carve

When carving, always carve away from your body in case you slip. A dull blade, believe it or not, is actually more dangerous than a sharp one because it takes more force to make a cut, thus making you more likely to slip. When carving, it's generally better to make small cuts than big ones, since you're more controlled when making smaller cuts. The first picture is how to hold it, the second one is how NOT to hold it.

Step 5: Have Fun!

Have fun carving! You can make all kinds of things with your pocketknife, such as eggs, dice, wooden knives, figures, etc. Use your imagination! Please vote for my Instructable and if you have questions, comments, or concerns please leave them in the comment box below.