When I was very young my dad told me you should never cut towards any part of your body when using a lot of force. It’s the “when using a lot of force” but that’s most important.
It's really about where the elbows are. When they are against your body, you have a lot of stability and if you do slip a little bit towards yourself your forearm is against you belly and you don't don't slip very far. Even more so if your hand are touching or interlocked in some way. If your elbows are away from your body you are likely trying to use larger, less deleterious muscle groups in a less stable configuration. This is when you should make sure any slippage paths are clear of body parts. Another big safety thing is only cut with knifes, especially folding knifes. They aren't chisels, pry-bars or scribes.
Right. When I'm using a reciprocating saw or a chain saw, I'll cut away from myself. Using a hobby knife, where I'm being precise, using a blade I'm extremely familiar with, and have total control over what's happening? I'll cut towards myself and save the headache of nicking/re-smoothing the darn thing so many times that I put myself at more risk anyway.
It was an excellent year. The latest Gilbert and Sullivan had just debuted, work had begun on the Statue of Liberty, and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" was published. Oh, and the Derby County Football Club was founded. Score!
@@madcow9421 - You are wrong. She is a doctor or a doctor in training... but I believe that she now a fully registered doctor in the UK. I believe that Guy and Penny have briefly said something about that in some of the earlier videos of the channels life.
This video felt good. Coming from someone who somehow avoided owning clippers for 12 years and started with a tetanus covered Stanley knife, safe cutting is all control. It doesn't matter if its towards you, away from you or upside down, you can only mess up if you're applying more force than you can control. If you need to put more pressure than you're comfortable with its time for a new blade or a more appropriate tool like a hobby saw or rotary tool. Don't sleep on the hobby saw.
Sorry but it is simply not about being in control. The second you believe that you are in control and are acting with all due safety is when you are at most danger.
@@lulzguy2501 This comment just doesn't make sense - in what world does feeling in control actually mean we are in danger? I have worked with sharp tools in the kitchen, at the hobby table, in the wood shop and in the forest for years and it's exactly what Miscast says; it is all about control. You need to know and trust your hands, their muscle-memory and their great ability to precisely apply the correct pressure. It's times when I feel out of control and in danger that I actually am. For example, I don't like powertools like chainsaws because I can't feel the pressue and sharpness in them as keenly as I can with a handsaw. This issue is one about reality and skill, not some philosophical hokey about having a false sense of security.
@@lulzguy2501 I understand what you mean, and I agree with what I think you're saying, but I think you may be interpreting what I describe as control as what I'd otherwise describe as comfort or complacency. When we get comfortable or complacent that is often when we are not in control for sure. I know when I feel comfortable that is when I take more calculated risks, happily work with poorly maintained tools or I'm not contingent to what I'm doing, that's not control and when mistakes happen.
@@dinkledord7026 I'm curious where you think it does come from, then. What I've been taught is that it comes from rust that gets into deep puncture wounds. My doctor, when I talked to him about this and my phobia of needles, wasn't even concerned about it unless I was working with tools that could produce that effect. I agree that a rusty blade probably isn't going to give you tetanus, but what's your perspective?
Some people say you need to be nice to your fanbase. Guy says: "spend the entire intro of your video making fun of them, and then ask them to pay you for it!" Genius!
Properly sharpened knives are less dangerous than somewhat dull ones anyway. you don't have to force a sharp knife to do its job like you would do a dull one that would hurt you (my biggest pet peeve is sharp knives that aren't really sharp so they do their job badly and hurt their owner)
Like he said in the video, best to have a dull and a sharp blade. Use the sharp blade any time you're doing serious cutting, for the reason you said. Use the dull blade for the times you are only using minimal force.
@@henrikandersson2850 Yes, the dull blade is used as a scraper; what the OP is talking about is a cutting/slicing blade. If you are using the blade for slicing/cutting, the only thing more dangerous than a dull blade is building muscle memory with one and finally switching to a fresh blade. I stocked a grocery store for 4 years and new hires would go weeks, sometimes even months with the first blades they were given and they would cut themself and into product, then they would flip the blade to the fresh side or get a new one and would really have problems. I started making a point of teaching them at the very least flip to the fresh side after every shift (I flipped my blade half way through a shift and got a fresh one every night) and the problems almost became non existent.
When cutting fine stuff towards yourself, be it food, plastic, wood or whatever, make sure the knife is sharp. This makes the force needed to cut a lot smaller, so it is easy to control and stop before cutting yourself. A dull knife will need greater force and is much more likely to slip, and it will still be sharp and pointy enough to do some damage to your hand.
That's both true and untrue. If you are respectful of the tool, you will know when you're applying too much force to control the blade. At that point, a different (or sharper) tool becomes necessary. However, there's no need to give yourself a million minor cuts by using the sharpest tool every time. This is fairly soft plastic. A dull knife does the job and nicks you less.
I've been "control" cutting for over 40 years. I'm 55 and I've never had an incident with my hobby knives. I'm a journeyman carpenter and understand all about safety. You couldn't be more correct on how to control your hobby knife even though it may not be for everyone. Great videos Guy :-)
I'm stunned people don't know this. I've been building plastic models of all sorts since I was 10 and I've always cut the way you demonstrate. I assumed this was how everyone trimmed very small things for better control.
Same! I've always had people still tell me I'm doing it wrong. I just found out through trial and error (and a few nicks) that when I did models as a kid, cutting towards me gave me a LOT more control. I just learned to be careful. Now I feel vindicated! Subscribed, just for this video of truth!
THANK YOU! Kids used to tell me how I was being too dangerous when I worked at a GW and cutting towards myself. Meanwhile they were doing their best to glue their models to their elbows and ears 🤦♂️
It's the same logic behind why sharp knives are a lot safer for cooking than blunt ones: You need less force to get through whatever you're cutting therefore you have more control and can stop the blade at every time.
Totally agree, far more control toward you. If for any reason you can't hold the item, an alternative is to place the item on a suitable surface and cut downward toward the surface.
I agree, but for me the issue is that he compare cutting out in a very clumsy technic and cutting in using the proper methods. You can also cut out in an apropiate way, that being said i also cut in a very similar way. I simply find more confortable
I made the mistake of cutting on the bare kitchen counter only once. After my wife expounded at length on my mistake, I made sure to buy a cutting mat.
What he's forgetting to mention: He's using his left thumb to pivot and act as a stopper against his right thumb. Recessing the knife blade will make it so the blade will never hit your other hand before your thumb hits your other thumb. This is safe. He did get one thing wrong, more muscle is not equivalent to more control. Ask any mechanic, they slam their knuckles into surfaces more often when loosening a tight bolt vs a loose one. Your personal reaction speed remains fairly consistent when you're not practicing or expecting. And more muscle = more force. More force = faster acceleration. Faster acceleration = higher top speed in the same amount of reaction time. Higher top speed in the same amount of reaction time = greater distance traveled. Even if you didn't have to overcome momentum from the increased force and speed, you'd still be at a greater risk of cutting yourself, if you didn't use your other thumb as a pivot/stopping point. He is correct though, learn to cut like an adult.
more muscles don't mean more force: on the contrary, the more _muscles_ are working, the less work is done by each muscle, and you get control in more axises of force
There are two ways I know of how to controlled cuts towards yourself, first is what Joe was saying about setting up a stopper finger so you just can't cut yourself. The second is to use opposite muscle pairs in simultaneous tension. This is because if you have one muscle set in tension you get an effect like a rubber band when tension is released like we see with the finger flick. I guess a third way would be to use such little pressure in a cut that even if it springs free it wouldn't go anywhere. But that's not useful in most cases. I find making sure I am using opposite tensed muscle pairs a pain in the ass to properly remember doing at _all_ times. For the materials I work with I find setting up a finger stopper not practical so I just cut away in such a manner that if it ever slips I won't get hit.
I remember picking up a woodcarving class at a Scout summer camp for the first time, and one of the first things the teacher said (paraphrased) was, "you were all taught to whittle sticks by carving away from yourself. If you want to actually make anything useful in this class, you need to stop doing that." It's the same reason sharp knives are safer: you have more control.
Great to see someone actually show how to properly cut towards oneself with the fine motor skills in the hand muscles as opposed to dangerously cutting away from you with the force of the upper arm muscles behind it when you slip. Much needed advice for many, and I would even argue that children should learn to cut this way too. A gold star for you, Guy!
Same here, but I think he missed the key point though. Hobby knives are very sharp and don't require much force to move them. Younger Scouts whittling just try to apply more force to get it done.
I agree whole heartedly with what you said. when I was little my dad introduced me to model building and he taught me the same thing. I'm 34 years old and I have NEVER cut myself when using a hobby knife cutting toward myself.
At 46 years of age I'm still learning, some great points in this vid guy.. Water = Wet.. Knives = Sharp.. Gold, keep them coming. ;-) And I'll give you an extra free one.. cut with a sharp knife, never a blunt one. Blunt ones are good for other stuff.
As a Boy Scout, I heard about how we should always cut away from ourselves constantly. Then a camp counselor once told a group of us who were learning about carving that it's generally better to pull the knife toward you when carving because you get so much more control that way. For whittling, it makes sense to push the knife away, for carving, it makes more sense to pull it in.
I'm so glad you brought this up. Man do I have a story for you. I'm visiting my father when I was 16, hes never been a part of my life growing up and he lives off grid.. I wanted to use a mora I got knife to carve some wood. I've been in air cadets for years, I'm already skilled with using survival tools including knives since they are the most precious tool in any survival arsenal. He attempted to show me "what not to do" Saying very clearly to "never cut towards yourself, always cut away from you." As he was talking he was also demonstrating by doing motions with the knife in his hand. When he showed me how to cut away from myself, he sliced off the top of his hand by his index knuckle with 1 smooth motion. I was so glad he showed me how important it was to cut away from yourself.
I’m a ‘wood worker’ who likes modelling and use sharp tools all the time. I agree cutting towards yourself gives better control. I use a home made craft knife fashioned from an old cut throat razor. And I keep it SHARP. Also I have a more rounded profile on the cutting edge. The blades you use have a flat profile. The rounded profile give you a lot more control on the depth of cut etc.
both methods have their uses, just cause all tools can be used as hammers doesn't mean a hammer can be used for everything but then again if the hammer you are using isn't working then you need a bigger hammer.
I love how Guy just leaves the angry commenters' names in like an absolute don (Edit: I'm aware the comments in general weren't genuinely angry I just used that word to summarise the kind of comments I was referencing)
Yeah none of them comments were angry they were all of fans showing concern you fool this guys a prick for calling them out the way he did. Right or wrong doesn’t matter
Thank you for this! It's infuriating as both a former cook and a blade expert to hear people with no knife skills saying "Never cut towards yourself" These folks also rarely understand that a sharper knife is a safer knife for technical cutting. Bottom line, if you're not well-practiced with something don't comment on someone who is.
These folks also evidently give health and safety training and write directions for knives… may God have mercy on us all for having to deal with these misinformed folks giving us terrible advice.
What’s really funny is that the first time I ever built a warhammer model, when smoothening I realised that doing it towards my hand was way more comfortable and controllable. I thought I was crazy because like what guy said “kids are learnt to do it away from themselves” but I asked my dad and he said the same as guy did which is pretty cool Great vid hope the twins are doing well👌👍😊
Can concur- I still managed to stab myself when cutting away. Now i'm just careful and use the correct tool for the job cutting in the direction that is needed for that particular part - if there is too much resistance I stop and then use cutters or a sanding stick . . . . Much blood was spilled to bring you this wisdom lol
I managed to cut my palm from one side to the other using that quote "cut away method" you show in the video and I agree you should with a hobby knife cut what every way you have the most control. That said as a carpenter who still has all his fingers you want to keep your hands away from any powered cutting devices because while you have a lot of control putting your hands on the object while you cut if the machine kick backs or the material shoots out. Your now applying pressure with your hands in the direction of the saw with no material to stop you from getting maimed.
Yup, that's how my grandpa ended up in the hospital with a piece of wood 2 inches into his thumb....pushing a piece of wood into a saw and not using anything but his hand to push it....kicked back and embedded into his hand...use a piece of.wood or plastic, they make them for a reason.
I completely agree! I started the hobby recently, and got a hobby knife even more recently, and cutting towards yourself using this method to anchor everything, gives you so much more control! Haven't cut myself once.
Meanwhile, cut to me not even knowing there was a “safe“ way to do it and getting absolutely confused at how people don’t annihilate the miniature by cutting outwards.
Do people actually cut outwards with miniatures? I reckon most the commenters had never even used a knife past childhood. It just feels awkward and wrong to cut away when your doing fine work.
I was wondering this too! How are there people who cut away from themselves. I don't think I'd be capable of doing that without messing everything up... including my fingers 😂
The issue with cutting towards yourself is that people use dull knives. A dull knife can't cut effectively, it will get stuck in the material and when that happens people will put more force into it to finish the cut. When the do that the material gives way and the knife jumps forward uncontrolled because reaction times aren't fast enough to stop yourself. Keep your blades sharp and never put excessive force into a cut.
Guy, Im a pastry chef and a painter. Youre cutting method is 100% correct. Especially your point about there not being very much energy left if you slip to really hurt you. Pull slow and steady and you are golden. Like you said. This is the way we cut and prep a lot of different ingredients and food products. Its how i was taught as a kid in cooking classes. And it was something I have been doing for the past 11 years of building and painting models. Ive had exactly 1 knife injury from modelling. I cut away from myself about a year into the hobby when i was 15. I cut most of the nail and tip of my left thumb off while making a looted trukk. Same injury occurred 6 years later in pastry school when cutting candied lemon peel. But this time to my index on my left hand. The trukk was because i was cutting away from myself and used a whole bunch of force. The lemon peel on the other hand. Lol we all have to learn our knife skills somehow. Listen to Guy, he knows what he is talking about. Stop cut shaming him in the damn comments.
I've been cutting towards myself for a couple decades using the exact same knife skills in the kitchen and have never even come close to cutting myself. Keeping your tools sharp, and using your index finger for bracing the back of the blade while using the movement of bringing it towards your thumb (barring any degenerative complications that can come with certain medical conditions) gives an amazing amount of control. For this type of application, you're not leveraging your wrist or arm as the main mechanism for cutting (your knife is not balanced anywhere but your hand, after all) and you really shouldn't be if you can help it.
I would add ( from years of experience of using chisels ) that, the sharper the better. The sharper the blade is, the less force is needed hence more control and less chance to accidentally force a blade into ones hand.
Thank you! I learned from a (quite seasoned) chef to cut towards myself, but (literally) all of the internet had me almost believe that this was wrong. (I also regularly use my thumb as a cutting mat, which might not be the best idea, but until now hasn't resulted in to many serious cuts.)
I love your video, I’m glad you brought that subject up. I’ve been told by so many hobbyist that I was cutting the wrong way. You have so much more control over the knit that way. I’ve been doing the same way for the past 24 years and never cut myself a single time with a hobby knife. Thanks for the videos I love watching them.
That's exactly how I cut things with a hobby knife. Wasn't ever taught to do it that way, I just ended up doing it that way over time because it was easiest to do and least likely for accidents to happen.
I taught myself to cook when i moved out. Over the years i learned two important things: Dull blades are more dangerous than sharp ones, and small knifes are more dangerous than large ones. So, my one go to knife for almost all jobs in the kitchen is a decades old french/german style knife with a 35cm edge that i keep as sharp as possible.
It really seems like most people don't realize that a cutting edge becomes a cutting edge when it is slicing. Your knife would have to be 15 molecules sharp in order to actually cut without a slicing motion. You can take scary sharp knives and just push the edge into something. If you don't pull or push the blade while still in contact, that blade is not going to cut you. Believe it or not, that is actually the logic behind scissors. They're angled because that means as you close the scissors, that energy will make the blades come together. If the blades can't close up, they send some of that energy in a different direction. Because it has an angle, that is the easiest way for the energy to escape which means they will slide against each other. tldr Bush did 9/11
I know people have oldschool relatives peeling apples/potatoes bringing the knife edge to their thumbpad no slicing motion no dice. Thats why it works.
I sliced my thumb open EXACTLY the way you demonstrated. Had been carving a bow drill set for an hour or so, and wasn't even really paying attention anymore, til there was blood everywhere. Good video, can confirm, pulling > pushing.
Thank you for this! I'm a home cook and realized pretty quickly that I had more control over a knife when I was using less force and cutting towards me. My boyfriend has been trying to get me into Warhammer and was horrified to see me tidying up the sprue nubs by cutting towards myself. He's also horrified when I cut open burger buns because I'm cutting right towards my palm. I probably won't be able to stop him from wincing every time I do it, but I'm hoping showing him this video will help. (I also replaced the 10+ year old blade in his hobby knife with one from my stash for my hobby knife, because cutting with a dull blade is way more dangerous than cutting towards yourself.)
Late as hell but 100% agree that it really doesn't matter which way you cut as long as you control it. Same grip/motion you would use to carve something into a surface. Thumb on the spine if you're pushing away, index on the spine or pinch the blade if you're pushing towards.
I always appreciate when someone challenges "common wisdom" and does their due diligence to be a part of the solution instead of perpetuating the bullshit of the masses' thinking. Bless you, sir.
you are absolutely right, my grandfather who was a long time painter and wood carver. He always taught me to pull the knife toward me in a controlled motion for accurate cuts.
Cutting my fingers taught me how to not cut my fingers. Now I handle my knife the same way and havent gotten a cut in over a decade. Pain is learning experience.
Thank you for making this video! People have learned one thing as children and keep thinking that it is true every time for everything they do when the simple fact is - it's a lesson for kids. The same way when you're a kid you're told to stay away from electricity because it will kill you. Yet electricians somehow survive to ripe old age despite being shocked from time to time and a lot of times shocking themselves on purpose just to check if there's current in the wire.
Oh, my gosh! Thank you so much for making this video. I have found lots of painting tutorial videos, but not as many videos for cleaning a model. I didn't realize my technique was ineffective, and possibly less safe.
A big part of why those cuts are so much safe is that you're a) bracing the knife hand against your other hand and b) creating leverage against your thumb. This lets you get insane amounts of precision and control about where the blade is, so you're never at any risk of of it going where you don't want it to. You can do similar cuts away from yourself as well, but generally with such fiddly objects it's easier (and thus safer) to do it towards yourself.
Wait...it's not supposed to??? Why did nobody tell me, now my fingers are hard as a rock and white XD (I joke, but that has sadly happened to me before..really need to reopen the holes in my super glue tubes between usage)
@@phrikaphrak40k ooh, I feel stupid..thats actually a good idea..why didn't I think of that...sigh 😕 I'm usually the person looking at other people making their lives harder and going....um....
Yess!! Ive been cutting like this for years and thought I was being a rebel for cutting towards me, the only time I've ever cut myself with a hobby knife was when it rolled off the table and speared me in the foot.
I agree with you, whole-heartily! When I finally grew-up and developed more control of my motor functions, it greatly increased my dexterity. It became abundantly clear to me that using short, controlled cuts was not only easier, but safer too! Thank you for the validation.
I recall art school where we had to cut out and mount images on hardboard. All these were cut towards because otherwise you have less control over the cut. You can also angle yourself a bit so if you do mess up it doesn't hit your meat body. Nice info!
Having callouses is a big perk too when the knife does brush up against your fingertips and thumb when using a hobby knife. One of the perks of working with your hands outside of modeling, the knife just sort of bounces off the callouses.
as a nursing student, i remember my professor freaking out when i slipped while using a scalpel, and started putting pressure on my thumb, only to find that the blade had indeed cut into me, but my callouses, from a childhood of splitting firewood and hauling hay bales, was so damn thick, the blade never reached deep enough to draw blood. I did still get a lecture about not using scalpels as hobby knives. the blades are with different angles, so they cut differently, at different angles. then he asked if i was still game to DM for him and his buddies the following Saturday. (we had a deal, i DMed for him and his fellow 50+ DnD players, and i could skip classes and have the work assignments sent to me via Email, so i could have a little more time in the mornings, if my kids were being fussy)
Awesome video dude! As a chef myself I couldnt agree with you more! cutting towards your hand is way way way safer and provides a hell of a lot more control than cutting away ( much respect for shouting out old boy Jacques by the way!)
Finally! Someone addresses the ridiculousness of slicing away from your hand always being better. Better control of the blade comes by carefully pulling the blade toward your thumb.
both methods have their uses, just cause all tools can be used as hammers doesn't mean a hammer can be used for everything but then again if the hammer you are using isn't working then you need a bigger hammer.
Hey Guy, I just wanna say how much I enjoy watching your videos for the simple fact you're always smiling when explaining something, that simple love for what you're doing that it reflects makes you the most enjoyable tabletop gaming youtuber to watch. Keep on rocking!
I actually only cut nibs off or down to a recommended level then sand them flat, as I have the finger scars to prove cutting inward can be very dangerous But cutting away can destroy a model, especially if the plastic is thin. So beggars belief which is it, in or away? I even sand in and out to achieve a better finish. Cheers Guy.
I kind of still squick thinking about hobby knives - I cut myself in 7th grade, almost 20 years ago, and haven't touched one since. But I'm going to buy one tomorrow to repair a glued-up model... wish me luck!
Speaking as a professional editor, the pacing of this video is superb! To the point, a clear setup of the challenge, some quick witty bits (living close to London) and then rounding it out with giving us value and information in a coherent way. Great!
Totally agree with the cutting technique, though as a professional model maker, I would say to change your swann morton blades regularly. They tend to work harden then snap and ping off at dangerous speeds in my experience. As always, great video.
I have so much YESSS! for this video. The one knife injury I have sustained from the hobby in fifty years came at the hands of using the wrong, dull, knife for the job. That was forty years ago. I have always pulled the blade towards myself.
Children develop the hand dexterity they will have for the rest of their lives at the age of 2-5. There are many rural and endemic peoples who encourage toddlers to use small knives and they learn how to not cut themselves. The knife-phobia of the developed world is due to adults being expected to use knives but they have never touched one before. Its like living in a place where no one has ever driven before and expecting everyone to drive at top speed.
im so glad someone shares this opinion, i have co workers that constantly get upset when they see me cutting somethign towards myself with an exact-o blade
Cam confirm that the one time i actually gave myself a proper cut while cleaning a model was the exact cut away scenario you mentioned due to a strange grip on a small piece while sprue connection removing. Control and accuracy are king.
Excellent video, I have plenty of scars on my left hand from cutting away and only one from cutting towards (which was mostly from be being stupid). Another great tip is that a dull knife is _much_ more dangerous than a sharp one, it's more likely to get caught and fly weird and any wounds will be much more painful. Also about the intro bit: as long as the room is decently ventilated and you're not using enamels, you don't need a mask for airbrushing. Also gloves for gluing is overkill as long as you clean your hands immediately if you get any on you.
well, thanks for setting the score with those cutting newbs :d Im a woodworker, hobbycook and knife-smith and user. The truth is you have much more control of how much power and pressure you put into your cuts, also more precision.
"not hacking away with abandon" as he cuts away from himself with hacking abandon motions.... and if you cut your thumb then you weren't truely cutting "away" from yourself, you were cutting towards your thumb.
Your opinion is 100% correct and warnings regarding cutting away are just given by video producers or hobby shops in order to avoid being sued by parents for showing clumsy people how to cut into their skin if they dont pay attention. The controlled force you can apply in your hand when cutting towards yourself is the same control as when painting the mini. Normal people do not paint away from themselves, but also towards yourself. The motion is more precise that way. Degressive cutting is the keyword. Apply pressure at the beginning and towards the end of the cut let go and stop pulling the knife. That way you can hardly hurt yourself. If yuu still do: great! You just learned that you put too much force into it.
This IS exactly right, but for anyone still getting the hang of this, pay CLOSE ATTENTION to what he's doing with his thumbS. Cutting-hand-thumb keeps a firm grip on the tool, and off-hand-thumb acts as a bumper. Also, when I'm cutting - and I'm righthanded like Guy - my knife movement is never to pull the blade toward my body, I'm rotating it toward my body. Intentionally not involving my larger muscle groups. And if that's not cutting it... stop. More muscle is never the answer. Use a different tool and come back for the detail work.
3:40 Nearly had a coronary when I saw Guy cutting away from himself like a wretched nooblet
🤣😂🤣
🤩🤣🤣🤣
Yeah, who is this guy and why does he love to cut away?
@@fredwin Peter Griffin, a family guy who's very fond of cutaways ;)
I use a cutting mat to cut away from myself and ensure that I do not have a weak grip. You just use the method tthat is more efficient for you.
When I was very young my dad told me you should never cut towards any part of your body when using a lot of force. It’s the “when using a lot of force” but that’s most important.
It's really about where the elbows are. When they are against your body, you have a lot of stability and if you do slip a little bit towards yourself your forearm is against you belly and you don't don't slip very far. Even more so if your hand are touching or interlocked in some way. If your elbows are away from your body you are likely trying to use larger, less deleterious muscle groups in a less stable configuration. This is when you should make sure any slippage paths are clear of body parts.
Another big safety thing is only cut with knifes, especially folding knifes. They aren't chisels, pry-bars or scribes.
you nailed it, good sir.
a lot of force, yes
Right. When I'm using a reciprocating saw or a chain saw, I'll cut away from myself.
Using a hobby knife, where I'm being precise, using a blade I'm extremely familiar with, and have total control over what's happening? I'll cut towards myself and save the headache of nicking/re-smoothing the darn thing so many times that I put myself at more risk anyway.
Don't think I've heard the phrase "gay abandon" since I was a Victorian schoolboy in the heady summer of 1884
It was an excellent year. The latest Gilbert and Sullivan had just debuted, work had begun on the Statue of Liberty, and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" was published.
Oh, and the Derby County Football Club was founded. Score!
@@Grymbaldknight Thanks Wikipedia!
@@AusGovOfficial shh! don't give away my secrets!
This is actually the first time ive heard someone say it out loud lol
Heady??
My man Guy over here breaking it down. That's what I'm talkin' about.
CrafsMan!!! My man! Good to see you out in the wild.
I actually thought you were going to say 'I live very, very close, to a doctor.' Hi Penny!
Same
Even better: a mum.
Is Penny a doctor?
@@poppyappletree1400 I believe she’s a nurse but might be wrong
@@madcow9421 - You are wrong. She is a doctor or a doctor in training... but I believe that she now a fully registered doctor in the UK.
I believe that Guy and Penny have briefly said something about that in some of the earlier videos of the channels life.
This video felt good. Coming from someone who somehow avoided owning clippers for 12 years and started with a tetanus covered Stanley knife, safe cutting is all control. It doesn't matter if its towards you, away from you or upside down, you can only mess up if you're applying more force than you can control. If you need to put more pressure than you're comfortable with its time for a new blade or a more appropriate tool like a hobby saw or rotary tool. Don't sleep on the hobby saw.
Sorry but it is simply not about being in control. The second you believe that you are in control and are acting with all due safety is when you are at most danger.
@@lulzguy2501 This comment just doesn't make sense - in what world does feeling in control actually mean we are in danger? I have worked with sharp tools in the kitchen, at the hobby table, in the wood shop and in the forest for years and it's exactly what Miscast says; it is all about control. You need to know and trust your hands, their muscle-memory and their great ability to precisely apply the correct pressure.
It's times when I feel out of control and in danger that I actually am. For example, I don't like powertools like chainsaws because I can't feel the pressue and sharpness in them as keenly as I can with a handsaw.
This issue is one about reality and skill, not some philosophical hokey about having a false sense of security.
@@lulzguy2501 I understand what you mean, and I agree with what I think you're saying, but I think you may be interpreting what I describe as control as what I'd otherwise describe as comfort or complacency. When we get comfortable or complacent that is often when we are not in control for sure. I know when I feel comfortable that is when I take more calculated risks, happily work with poorly maintained tools or I'm not contingent to what I'm doing, that's not control and when mistakes happen.
Tetanus covered knife? Bro tetanus doesn't come from rust bro
@@dinkledord7026 I'm curious where you think it does come from, then. What I've been taught is that it comes from rust that gets into deep puncture wounds. My doctor, when I talked to him about this and my phobia of needles, wasn't even concerned about it unless I was working with tools that could produce that effect. I agree that a rusty blade probably isn't going to give you tetanus, but what's your perspective?
Yeahh!!! Show that comment section who's boss!
Some people say you need to be nice to your fanbase. Guy says: "spend the entire intro of your video making fun of them, and then ask them to pay you for it!"
Genius!
Hi Brent
@@chiefteefteefreturns3320 you what? Are you really trying to start a fight in this wholesome sphere of TH-cam? Shame on you.
Properly sharpened knives are less dangerous than somewhat dull ones anyway. you don't have to force a sharp knife to do its job like you would do a dull one that would hurt you (my biggest pet peeve is sharp knives that aren't really sharp so they do their job badly and hurt their owner)
Yea that social justice video of his put a bad taste in my mouth
Looking at my thumbs. “These are cutting boards. For the emperor!”
blood for the blood god!
@@jordanfstop skulls for the skull throne
@@politebadger5049 Milk for the Khorne flakes.
@@PrinsPrygel yeah me too
A sharp blade is the safest kind. If the blade is dull, you need to use more force and you’re more likely to make a mistake.
A dull and sharp blade two different tools.
Like he said in the video, best to have a dull and a sharp blade. Use the sharp blade any time you're doing serious cutting, for the reason you said. Use the dull blade for the times you are only using minimal force.
This was like the first rule I learned when I got a pocket knife in boy scouts
@@henrikandersson2850 Yes, the dull blade is used as a scraper; what the OP is talking about is a cutting/slicing blade.
If you are using the blade for slicing/cutting, the only thing more dangerous than a dull blade is building muscle memory with one and finally switching to a fresh blade. I stocked a grocery store for 4 years and new hires would go weeks, sometimes even months with the first blades they were given and they would cut themself and into product, then they would flip the blade to the fresh side or get a new one and would really have problems. I started making a point of teaching them at the very least flip to the fresh side after every shift (I flipped my blade half way through a shift and got a fresh one every night) and the problems almost became non existent.
Depends on what you're cutting. Cutting a cake with a sharp knife is strictly more dangerous than cutting a cake with a dull knife.
When cutting fine stuff towards yourself, be it food, plastic, wood or whatever, make sure the knife is sharp. This makes the force needed to cut a lot smaller, so it is easy to control and stop before cutting yourself. A dull knife will need greater force and is much more likely to slip, and it will still be sharp and pointy enough to do some damage to your hand.
That's both true and untrue.
If you are respectful of the tool, you will know when you're applying too much force to control the blade. At that point, a different (or sharper) tool becomes necessary.
However, there's no need to give yourself a million minor cuts by using the sharpest tool every time. This is fairly soft plastic. A dull knife does the job and nicks you less.
I've been "control" cutting for over 40 years. I'm 55 and I've never had an incident with my hobby knives. I'm a journeyman carpenter and understand all about safety. You couldn't be more correct on how to control your hobby knife even though it may not be for everyone. Great videos Guy :-)
I sliced my finger open with a scalpel when I was 10 lol.
Nigga you're 55 and still a Journeyman?
I'm stunned people don't know this. I've been building plastic models of all sorts since I was 10 and I've always cut the way you demonstrate. I assumed this was how everyone trimmed very small things for better control.
Same! I've always had people still tell me I'm doing it wrong. I just found out through trial and error (and a few nicks) that when I did models as a kid, cutting towards me gave me a LOT more control. I just learned to be careful. Now I feel vindicated!
Subscribed, just for this video of truth!
THANK YOU! Kids used to tell me how I was being too dangerous when I worked at a GW and cutting towards myself. Meanwhile they were doing their best to glue their models to their elbows and ears 🤦♂️
If they could glue their elbows to their ears, that would be amazing.
😂 I love this comment 😂
It's the same logic behind why sharp knives are a lot safer for cooking than blunt ones: You need less force to get through whatever you're cutting therefore you have more control and can stop the blade at every time.
Even a blunt knife is capable of life changing injury or death due to its edge geometry.
Totally agree, far more control toward you. If for any reason you can't hold the item, an alternative is to place the item on a suitable surface and cut downward toward the surface.
Second.
I agree, but for me the issue is that he compare cutting out in a very clumsy technic and cutting in using the proper methods. You can also cut out in an apropiate way, that being said i also cut in a very similar way. I simply find more confortable
Workholding and keeping blades sharp are the path to safety. Methods to mitigate massively misdirected maiming are not.
I made the mistake of cutting on the bare kitchen counter only once. After my wife expounded at length on my mistake, I made sure to buy a cutting mat.
What he's forgetting to mention:
He's using his left thumb to pivot and act as a stopper against his right thumb.
Recessing the knife blade will make it so the blade will never hit your other hand before your thumb hits your other thumb.
This is safe. He did get one thing wrong, more muscle is not equivalent to more control. Ask any mechanic, they slam their knuckles into surfaces more often when loosening a tight bolt vs a loose one. Your personal reaction speed remains fairly consistent when you're not practicing or expecting. And more muscle = more force. More force = faster acceleration. Faster acceleration = higher top speed in the same amount of reaction time. Higher top speed in the same amount of reaction time = greater distance traveled. Even if you didn't have to overcome momentum from the increased force and speed, you'd still be at a greater risk of cutting yourself, if you didn't use your other thumb as a pivot/stopping point.
He is correct though, learn to cut like an adult.
more muscles don't mean more force: on the contrary, the more _muscles_ are working, the less work is done by each muscle, and you get control in more axises of force
There are two ways I know of how to controlled cuts towards yourself, first is what Joe was saying about setting up a stopper finger so you just can't cut yourself.
The second is to use opposite muscle pairs in simultaneous tension. This is because if you have one muscle set in tension you get an effect like a rubber band when tension is released like we see with the finger flick.
I guess a third way would be to use such little pressure in a cut that even if it springs free it wouldn't go anywhere. But that's not useful in most cases.
I find making sure I am using opposite tensed muscle pairs a pain in the ass to properly remember doing at _all_ times. For the materials I work with I find setting up a finger stopper not practical so I just cut away in such a manner that if it ever slips I won't get hit.
So ya I think the vid poster really should have put more work into talking about different techniques to use and which ones suck.
I remember picking up a woodcarving class at a Scout summer camp for the first time, and one of the first things the teacher said (paraphrased) was, "you were all taught to whittle sticks by carving away from yourself. If you want to actually make anything useful in this class, you need to stop doing that."
It's the same reason sharp knives are safer: you have more control.
Was just thinking none of those commenters ever did widdling lol
It'd probably only get you as far as forming a rough tip.
@@oliverp3545 or even a pretty fine tip, it is the way to sharpen a pencil after all
@@samsowden sharpened go around the side of the pencil not away.
@@oliverp3545 not if you're using a knife
Great to see someone actually show how to properly cut towards oneself with the fine motor skills in the hand muscles as opposed to dangerously cutting away from you with the force of the upper arm muscles behind it when you slip.
Much needed advice for many, and I would even argue that children should learn to cut this way too.
A gold star for you, Guy!
As a eagle scout and someone who has taught the wood carving merit badge this entire video pleases me
as a professional cook at a high end resturaunt i agree
Eagle Scout represent. As another eagle, I agree.
Same here, but I think he missed the key point though. Hobby knives are very sharp and don't require much force to move them. Younger Scouts whittling just try to apply more force to get it done.
you said Eagle Scout and I thought it was a welcome to night vale reference
Another eagle here and i approve mid winter message
"like a responsible adult"
WE PLAY WITH TINY PLASTIC SPACEMEN, GUY! :D
We play with them like a responsible* adults!
*I have responsibility to grow my plastic hoard
Truth be told most kids like myself could not afford this things till I got an adult paying job.
hahahahahahahahaha :D
Adults can do whatever tf they want, including playing with toys.
Plays with tiny plastic spacemen...and probably makes more money in a month than 90% of the people in this channel in a year.
“Midwinter Spawn Must Feed” is my new favorite line from any midwinter minis video
I agree whole heartedly with what you said. when I was little my dad introduced me to model building and he taught me the same thing. I'm 34 years old and I have NEVER cut myself when using a hobby knife cutting toward myself.
At 46 years of age I'm still learning, some great points in this vid guy.. Water = Wet.. Knives = Sharp.. Gold, keep them coming. ;-) And I'll give you an extra free one.. cut with a sharp knife, never a blunt one. Blunt ones are good for other stuff.
As a Boy Scout, I heard about how we should always cut away from ourselves constantly. Then a camp counselor once told a group of us who were learning about carving that it's generally better to pull the knife toward you when carving because you get so much more control that way. For whittling, it makes sense to push the knife away, for carving, it makes more sense to pull it in.
I've trimmed and cut like this for years, I can't do it the kid-safe way haha
Nor should you, it's more dangerous as you maintain less control of the knife.
@@techbeef I use both but I control it thoroughly
I didn't know that anyone cut away from themselves with a hobby knifem
I'm so glad you brought this up.
Man do I have a story for you.
I'm visiting my father when I was 16, hes never been a part of my life growing up and he lives off grid..
I wanted to use a mora I got knife to carve some wood.
I've been in air cadets for years, I'm already skilled with using survival tools including knives since they are the most precious tool in any survival arsenal.
He attempted to show me "what not to do"
Saying very clearly to "never cut towards yourself, always cut away from you."
As he was talking he was also demonstrating by doing motions with the knife in his hand.
When he showed me how to cut away from myself, he sliced off the top of his hand by his index knuckle with 1 smooth motion.
I was so glad he showed me how important it was to cut away from yourself.
Khorne players need to anoint their models with blood though.
I don't want to know how nurgle and slannesh do theirs
@@isaacchirgwin5943 puss/vomit and white sticky liquid respectively. I'm more curious for tzeentch, how do you anoint twist of fate?
@@tx31 glitter? 😂
@@caleb2507 art and craft herpes, I love the idea XD
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!
I’m a ‘wood worker’ who likes modelling and use sharp tools all the time. I agree cutting towards yourself gives better control. I use a home made craft knife fashioned from an old cut throat razor. And I keep it SHARP.
Also I have a more rounded profile on the cutting edge. The blades you use have a flat profile. The rounded profile give you a lot more control on the depth of cut etc.
both methods have their uses, just cause all tools can be used as hammers doesn't mean a hammer can be used for everything but then again if the hammer you are using isn't working then you need a bigger hammer.
I love how Guy just leaves the angry commenters' names in like an absolute don
(Edit: I'm aware the comments in general weren't genuinely angry I just used that word to summarise the kind of comments I was referencing)
TBF they signed up for it when they hit the post button in the comment section. The whole point is it is there for everyone to see.
A lot of them weren't really being mean or angry though :(
Yeah none of them comments were angry they were all of fans showing concern you fool this guys a prick for calling them out the way he did. Right or wrong doesn’t matter
@@Ricksteady8 "the whole point... "
I see what you did there
@@jonnybean3882 lol. Relax
Thank you for this! It's infuriating as both a former cook and a blade expert to hear people with no knife skills saying "Never cut towards yourself" These folks also rarely understand that a sharper knife is a safer knife for technical cutting. Bottom line, if you're not well-practiced with something don't comment on someone who is.
Dunning Kruger is a hell of a drug.
These folks also evidently give health and safety training and write directions for knives… may God have mercy on us all for having to deal with these misinformed folks giving us terrible advice.
My go to response is "Well, *You* shouldn't cut towards yourself."
What’s really funny is that the first time I ever built a warhammer model, when smoothening I realised that doing it towards my hand was way more comfortable and controllable. I thought I was crazy because like what guy said “kids are learnt to do it away from themselves” but I asked my dad and he said the same as guy did which is pretty cool
Great vid hope the twins are doing well👌👍😊
Can concur- I still managed to stab myself when cutting away. Now i'm just careful and use the correct tool for the job cutting in the direction that is needed for that particular part - if there is too much resistance I stop and then use cutters or a sanding stick . . . .
Much blood was spilled to bring you this wisdom lol
I managed to cut my palm from one side to the other using that quote "cut away method" you show in the video and I agree you should with a hobby knife cut what every way you have the most control. That said as a carpenter who still has all his fingers you want to keep your hands away from any powered cutting devices because while you have a lot of control putting your hands on the object while you cut if the machine kick backs or the material shoots out. Your now applying pressure with your hands in the direction of the saw with no material to stop you from getting maimed.
Yup, that's how my grandpa ended up in the hospital with a piece of wood 2 inches into his thumb....pushing a piece of wood into a saw and not using anything but his hand to push it....kicked back and embedded into his hand...use a piece of.wood or plastic, they make them for a reason.
I completely agree! I started the hobby recently, and got a hobby knife even more recently, and cutting towards yourself using this method to anchor everything, gives you so much more control! Haven't cut myself once.
Meanwhile, cut to me not even knowing there was a “safe“ way to do it and getting absolutely confused at how people don’t annihilate the miniature by cutting outwards.
Same
Same. How do those people not chop through loads of detail? I think these folk must be mythical.
Do people actually cut outwards with miniatures? I reckon most the commenters had never even used a knife past childhood. It just feels awkward and wrong to cut away when your doing fine work.
and then theres me who knew the rule but quit simply never followed it to begin with, me and my dad are both very good at working with our hands
I was wondering this too! How are there people who cut away from themselves. I don't think I'd be capable of doing that without messing everything up... including my fingers 😂
Great video. People are all about thinking like children, so well done showing how to use a knife properly.
The issue with cutting towards yourself is that people use dull knives. A dull knife can't cut effectively, it will get stuck in the material and when that happens people will put more force into it to finish the cut. When the do that the material gives way and the knife jumps forward uncontrolled because reaction times aren't fast enough to stop yourself.
Keep your blades sharp and never put excessive force into a cut.
Just like in a kitchen a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one .
Guy, Im a pastry chef and a painter. Youre cutting method is 100% correct. Especially your point about there not being very much energy left if you slip to really hurt you. Pull slow and steady and you are golden. Like you said. This is the way we cut and prep a lot of different ingredients and food products. Its how i was taught as a kid in cooking classes. And it was something I have been doing for the past 11 years of building and painting models.
Ive had exactly 1 knife injury from modelling. I cut away from myself about a year into the hobby when i was 15. I cut most of the nail and tip of my left thumb off while making a looted trukk. Same injury occurred 6 years later in pastry school when cutting candied lemon peel. But this time to my index on my left hand. The trukk was because i was cutting away from myself and used a whole bunch of force. The lemon peel on the other hand. Lol we all have to learn our knife skills somehow.
Listen to Guy, he knows what he is talking about. Stop cut shaming him in the damn comments.
ou could have shown a extract from pete the wargamer too, this guy is a magician with his knife.
Indeed he is.
I've been cutting towards myself for a couple decades using the exact same knife skills in the kitchen and have never even come close to cutting myself.
Keeping your tools sharp, and using your index finger for bracing the back of the blade while using the movement of bringing it towards your thumb (barring any degenerative complications that can come with certain medical conditions) gives an amazing amount of control.
For this type of application, you're not leveraging your wrist or arm as the main mechanism for cutting (your knife is not balanced anywhere but your hand, after all) and you really shouldn't be if you can help it.
I would add ( from years of experience of using chisels ) that, the sharper the better. The sharper the blade is, the less force is needed hence more control and less chance to accidentally force a blade into ones hand.
Thank you! I learned from a (quite seasoned) chef to cut towards myself, but (literally) all of the internet had me almost believe that this was wrong. (I also regularly use my thumb as a cutting mat, which might not be the best idea, but until now hasn't resulted in to many serious cuts.)
I'm always way more worried about cutting detail off the model then myself
I love your video, I’m glad you brought that subject up. I’ve been told by so many hobbyist that I was cutting the wrong way. You have so much more control over the knit that way. I’ve been doing the same way for the past 24 years and never cut myself a single time with a hobby knife.
Thanks for the videos I love watching them.
That's exactly how I cut things with a hobby knife. Wasn't ever taught to do it that way, I just ended up doing it that way over time because it was easiest to do and least likely for accidents to happen.
I taught myself to cook when i moved out. Over the years i learned two important things: Dull blades are more dangerous than sharp ones, and small knifes are more dangerous than large ones.
So, my one go to knife for almost all jobs in the kitchen is a decades old french/german style knife with a 35cm edge that i keep as sharp as possible.
“Literally finger condoms”
He’s out of line, but he’s right.
i usually wrap my thumbs, and sometimes my index fingers, with self adhering athletic tape. It works well to prevent accidents.
It really seems like most people don't realize that a cutting edge becomes a cutting edge when it is slicing. Your knife would have to be 15 molecules sharp in order to actually cut without a slicing motion. You can take scary sharp knives and just push the edge into something. If you don't pull or push the blade while still in contact, that blade is not going to cut you. Believe it or not, that is actually the logic behind scissors. They're angled because that means as you close the scissors, that energy will make the blades come together. If the blades can't close up, they send some of that energy in a different direction. Because it has an angle, that is the easiest way for the energy to escape which means they will slide against each other.
tldr Bush did 9/11
I know people have oldschool relatives peeling apples/potatoes bringing the knife edge to their thumbpad no slicing motion no dice. Thats why it works.
To add some details of why this is. Even the sharpest knife is a saw on the microscopic scale and we use those miniscule saw teeth when cutting.
I sliced my thumb open EXACTLY the way you demonstrated. Had been carving a bow drill set for an hour or so, and wasn't even really paying attention anymore, til there was blood everywhere.
Good video, can confirm, pulling > pushing.
i cook and have made models since i was 5 ish im now 58 and have always pulled the blades towards me and i still have all my digits.
Thank you for this! I'm a home cook and realized pretty quickly that I had more control over a knife when I was using less force and cutting towards me. My boyfriend has been trying to get me into Warhammer and was horrified to see me tidying up the sprue nubs by cutting towards myself. He's also horrified when I cut open burger buns because I'm cutting right towards my palm. I probably won't be able to stop him from wincing every time I do it, but I'm hoping showing him this video will help. (I also replaced the 10+ year old blade in his hobby knife with one from my stash for my hobby knife, because cutting with a dull blade is way more dangerous than cutting towards yourself.)
I'm a chef, the important thing with knives is control, I've worked for 20 years and never cut myself, i also make necromunda models too
Late as hell but 100% agree that it really doesn't matter which way you cut as long as you control it. Same grip/motion you would use to carve something into a surface. Thumb on the spine if you're pushing away, index on the spine or pinch the blade if you're pushing towards.
I naturally do this from peeling potatoes and stuff that’s how I learnt to use a hobby knife because it is the same technique
I always appreciate when someone challenges "common wisdom" and does their due diligence to be a part of the solution instead of perpetuating the bullshit of the masses' thinking. Bless you, sir.
Thank you! Yas! Finally a smart boi in town
you are absolutely right, my grandfather who was a long time painter and wood carver. He always taught me to pull the knife toward me in a controlled motion for accurate cuts.
"unless you collect Blood Angels" my me cry for laughter ! Brilliant!
Cutting my fingers taught me how to not cut my fingers. Now I handle my knife the same way and havent gotten a cut in over a decade.
Pain is learning experience.
Funny enough i never used a knoife for the hobby
Now thats a tutorial for me
What did you use before? Just sandpaper?!
Found the Londoner
Thank you for making this video! People have learned one thing as children and keep thinking that it is true every time for everything they do when the simple fact is - it's a lesson for kids. The same way when you're a kid you're told to stay away from electricity because it will kill you. Yet electricians somehow survive to ripe old age despite being shocked from time to time and a lot of times shocking themselves on purpose just to check if there's current in the wire.
The only thing I got from this video is that Guy should do voice acting
While DMing a 40k roleplaying campaign for Penny!
Totally true!
Finally someone said that.
But comment about "serious hospital trip" after cutting your finger tip cracked me up
YOU'RE GONNA CRUSH YOUR SPINE SITTING IN A CHAIR LIKE THAT
Oh, my gosh! Thank you so much for making this video. I have found lots of painting tutorial videos, but not as many videos for cleaning a model. I didn't realize my technique was ineffective, and possibly less safe.
Speaking as someone with a huge scar on the pad of my index finger, Guy is very correct in his thinking
There is a scar across the top of my left index finger that agrees.
A big part of why those cuts are so much safe is that you're a) bracing the knife hand against your other hand and b) creating leverage against your thumb. This lets you get insane amounts of precision and control about where the blade is, so you're never at any risk of of it going where you don't want it to. You can do similar cuts away from yourself as well, but generally with such fiddly objects it's easier (and thus safer) to do it towards yourself.
Can you do how not to get super glue all over your fingies next?
Wait...it's not supposed to??? Why did nobody tell me, now my fingers are hard as a rock and white XD (I joke, but that has sadly happened to me before..really need to reopen the holes in my super glue tubes between usage)
Gloves. Thick woolly mittens. Only way to be sure.
Answer is: you don't. It's a natural protective layer against knife cuts anyway. Free finger condom!
Unitonically though, wearing surgical gloves. I love the ability to just take the gloves off and not spend eons picking off super glue anymore.
@@phrikaphrak40k ooh, I feel stupid..thats actually a good idea..why didn't I think of that...sigh 😕 I'm usually the person looking at other people making their lives harder and going....um....
Yess!! Ive been cutting like this for years and thought I was being a rebel for cutting towards me, the only time I've ever cut myself with a hobby knife was when it rolled off the table and speared me in the foot.
I've cut/peeled a lot of my veggies like this since I was a child
I agree 100%. Complete control of the blade and the pressure behind it.
Absolutely love the sass
I agree with you, whole-heartily! When I finally grew-up and developed more control of my motor functions, it greatly increased my dexterity. It became abundantly clear to me that using short, controlled cuts was not only easier, but safer too! Thank you for the validation.
This guy (pun intended) makes any topic no matter how simple it is so interesting.
I recall art school where we had to cut out and mount images on hardboard. All these were cut towards because otherwise you have less control over the cut. You can also angle yourself a bit so if you do mess up it doesn't hit your meat body. Nice info!
Having callouses is a big perk too when the knife does brush up against your fingertips and thumb when using a hobby knife. One of the perks of working with your hands outside of modeling, the knife just sort of bounces off the callouses.
as a nursing student, i remember my professor freaking out when i slipped while using a scalpel, and started putting pressure on my thumb, only to find that the blade had indeed cut into me, but my callouses, from a childhood of splitting firewood and hauling hay bales, was so damn thick, the blade never reached deep enough to draw blood.
I did still get a lecture about not using scalpels as hobby knives. the blades are with different angles, so they cut differently, at different angles.
then he asked if i was still game to DM for him and his buddies the following Saturday. (we had a deal, i DMed for him and his fellow 50+ DnD players, and i could skip classes and have the work assignments sent to me via Email, so i could have a little more time in the mornings, if my kids were being fussy)
Awesome video dude! As a chef myself I couldnt agree with you more! cutting towards your hand is way way way safer and provides a hell of a lot more control than cutting away ( much respect for shouting out old boy Jacques by the way!)
Finally! Someone addresses the ridiculousness of slicing away from your hand always being better. Better control of the blade comes by carefully pulling the blade toward your thumb.
both methods have their uses, just cause all tools can be used as hammers doesn't mean a hammer can be used for everything but then again if the hammer you are using isn't working then you need a bigger hammer.
Hey Guy, I just wanna say how much I enjoy watching your videos for the simple fact you're always smiling when explaining something, that simple love for what you're doing that it reflects makes you the most enjoyable tabletop gaming youtuber to watch. Keep on rocking!
I actually only cut nibs off or down to a recommended level then sand them flat, as I have the finger scars to prove cutting inward can be very dangerous But cutting away can destroy a model, especially if the plastic is thin. So beggars belief which is it, in or away? I
even sand in and out to achieve a better finish. Cheers Guy.
No, you have finger scars because you suck at using sharp objects with your hands.
Just use what works for you.
I kind of still squick thinking about hobby knives - I cut myself in 7th grade, almost 20 years ago, and haven't touched one since. But I'm going to buy one tomorrow to repair a glued-up model... wish me luck!
Good luck bro (wear blue just in case)
can't wait to learn ahaha, might be too late for the marines I was chopping up a few days ago, lets see
Speaking as a professional editor, the pacing of this video is superb! To the point, a clear setup of the challenge, some quick witty bits (living close to London) and then rounding it out with giving us value and information in a coherent way. Great!
Totally agree and it’s about time a vid like was released!
Totally agree with the cutting technique, though as a professional model maker, I would say to change your swann morton blades regularly. They tend to work harden then snap and ping off at dangerous speeds in my experience.
As always, great video.
As much as this video teaches me about cutting methods,
I'm just not allowed near pointy things.
I have so much YESSS! for this video. The one knife injury I have sustained from the hobby in fifty years came at the hands of using the wrong, dull, knife for the job. That was forty years ago. I have always pulled the blade towards myself.
Children develop the hand dexterity they will have for the rest of their lives at the age of 2-5. There are many rural and endemic peoples who encourage toddlers to use small knives and they learn how to not cut themselves. The knife-phobia of the developed world is due to adults being expected to use knives but they have never touched one before. Its like living in a place where no one has ever driven before and expecting everyone to drive at top speed.
im so glad someone shares this opinion, i have co workers that constantly get upset when they see me cutting somethign towards myself with an exact-o blade
just build the titan already before the kids start walking
Let's be honest, this should be the top comment 😅
But I think you'll find being a father of twins is probably the top priority right now.
The titan must walk before the spawn mobilize, Brother!
@@DrTittieSprinkles Brooootheeerrrrr!
Cam confirm that the one time i actually gave myself a proper cut while cleaning a model was the exact cut away scenario you mentioned due to a strange grip on a small piece while sprue connection removing.
Control and accuracy are king.
I want your shirt
You can get them from snazz dragon, who also do excellent MWM apparel
Excellent video, I have plenty of scars on my left hand from cutting away and only one from cutting towards (which was mostly from be being stupid). Another great tip is that a dull knife is _much_ more dangerous than a sharp one, it's more likely to get caught and fly weird and any wounds will be much more painful.
Also about the intro bit: as long as the room is decently ventilated and you're not using enamels, you don't need a mask for airbrushing. Also gloves for gluing is overkill as long as you clean your hands immediately if you get any on you.
I can already sense the salty comments, and I love it
well, thanks for setting the score with those cutting newbs :d
Im a woodworker, hobbycook and knife-smith and user. The truth is you have much more control of how much power and pressure you put into your cuts, also more precision.
"not hacking away with abandon" as he cuts away from himself with hacking abandon motions.... and if you cut your thumb then you weren't truely cutting "away" from yourself, you were cutting towards your thumb.
Your opinion is 100% correct and warnings regarding cutting away are just given by video producers or hobby shops in order to avoid being sued by parents for showing clumsy people how to cut into their skin if they dont pay attention.
The controlled force you can apply in your hand when cutting towards yourself is the same control as when painting the mini. Normal people do not paint away from themselves, but also towards yourself. The motion is more precise that way.
Degressive cutting is the keyword. Apply pressure at the beginning and towards the end of the cut let go and stop pulling the knife. That way you can hardly hurt yourself.
If yuu still do: great! You just learned that you put too much force into it.
Guy, you do realize that half the folks watching and commenting aren't smarter than a 5 yo and have ZERO common sense right? ;)
This IS exactly right, but for anyone still getting the hang of this, pay CLOSE ATTENTION to what he's doing with his thumbS. Cutting-hand-thumb keeps a firm grip on the tool, and off-hand-thumb acts as a bumper.
Also, when I'm cutting - and I'm righthanded like Guy - my knife movement is never to pull the blade toward my body, I'm rotating it toward my body. Intentionally not involving my larger muscle groups. And if that's not cutting it... stop. More muscle is never the answer. Use a different tool and come back for the detail work.