Stropping Mishap

This will perhaps be the most embarassing post I will ever make; however, I am amking it in hopes of helping someone learn from my mistakes to avoid the pain I suffered this afternoon. No , I did NOT trash a razor, only skin. A finger, the little or "pinky" on the left hand to be more precise. I'll attach the pictures after I finish typing.
This accident is a perfect example of what happens when one gets distracted, doesn't use proper equipment, or just hasn't established a good routine. I don't want to say it was any of these factors or more a combination of all 3. I can only make a S.W.A.G. as to the true cause of the accident. Regardless the cause, I had to have 8 sutures put in my finger to close the wound, and it wasn't even deep! The cut never got below the fat layer, thank the Lord!
On to the accident. I was using an eye loupe to inspect the edge of my razors after I had finished stropping them. I was holding the razor in my Right hand and the eye loupe was in my right eye. Can anyone tell I'm right-handed and/or right eye dominant? Got off track, sorry.
The loupe began to fall from my eye socket and out of instinct I reached with my Left hand to catch it. Instead of catching the eye loupe, I ran my pinky finger into the razor's edge!
To prevent this from happening again I can only think of a few immediate "fixes:"
1. Use Jeweler's magnifying glasses - the ones worn like like glasses.
2. Use a mini microscope.
3.But most important of all, CONCENTRATE, CONCENTRATE, CONCENTRATE.

Attachment 102865Attachment 102866Attachment 102867

Please excuse the lack of focus, I used my cell phone and I NEVER use the camera on my phone. I think they are clear enough for you to get the general idea.
Luckily It was just the pinky finger. It could have been much worse! Now that I look back, I could very easily have jammed the razor inot my eye or the palm of my hand. Live and learn, I have learned from this one and if even one person benefits from this post it was worth embarrassing myself.
Semper Gumby
Always Flexible!

Will a styptic pencil work on that??

I tried that and crazy glue before going to the emergency room.;)

Ten years from now when you can strop & shave in your sleep you'll have a little laugh every time you see the scar

Happy healing.

I wish I could say I have never done something similar;)

I find the longer I appreciate really sharp things and the deeper my understanding of them becomes, the less familiar the people at the ER are with me (10 years ago, we were on a first bane basis).

I have no intentions of becoming that familiar with the emergency room personnel:) Before my next stropping session I will invest in a headmounted magnifying glass or microscope.
As far as laughing at myself goes, it is already funny. the stiching job is a little jagged so the scar should look fairly interesting!

Nice! I have a good one on my ankle from being run over by a riding lawn mower with the blade engaged. It still gives me a little trouble, but I figure I'm better off with a scar & sore ankle than a stub, which is what should have happened!

Yeah, I did not plan on knowing them well either. Three boys and a dad all obsessed with sharp things...well, learning happens;)

Let's hope neither of us ever needs stitches again:)

FWIW I hold the blade in the left hand, the lens in the right and bring them together at arms length until my wrists meet, then carefully rotate the lens over to the blade and only then bring my eye down to the lens. Also I use a 3 inch lens that allows for a large field and I do not have to get my nose up against the blade to see through it;)

Yow, man that is a fairly epic razor cut! When my sister worked in picture framing, she was taught that if a piece of glass starts to go, just step out of its way and let it go. For me, an open razor trumps everything. Someone watching would think I was doing T'ai Chi, the way my hands travel through the careful space between my shoulders, the sink, and the mirror. Nope, just not-hurting myself.

That really deserves a post at the Cut of the Day thread, along with a pic of your stitches. Thanks for sharing!

And best wishes for good healing.

Since you've already noted your Right dominance I guess it's just as well you didn't try to catch the loupe with your right hand. I don't think the eye would sew up as easily as the finger. :dropjaw:

Unfortunately it is natural instinct to try and catch something you just dropped. We all do it whether the object is sharp or not. Once dropped an 8 inch slitter that I was trying to install on a pulp machine and tried to catch it to save it. Short visit to emergency fixed that. Very hard to break a lifetime habit.

Bob

Oooowowwwowowow!!!!!! That looks like it hurt!

Believe me, it was sheer reaction to grab for the loupe. If my brain had been working, I would have allowed the loupe to fall. When I unwrap this thing tomorrow afternoon I'll get better pictures of the stitches and look for the "Cut Of the Day" thread. thanks for the nomination.

Yikes! Thanks for the word of warning. It's tough to stop those automatic reactions!

They sure are sharp , aren't they . I treat a straight razor with the same respect I have for a loaded gun . Neither one is something you want to get careless , with .

It happens... Once... Then you never forget.. I tried to catch my falliling razor... Once.... My hand looked like yours... Chalk it up to "brain fart"..

Flesh will heal, cracked steel won't.

I once did something similar at the begining of my straight carrier, I didn't pay attention to where I ended and where my razor began so while I was shaving, my razor caught my index finger when I moved my hand up to stretch the wright side of my face. luckily it hit the nail but that split second when I realized what happened was scary.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by parkerskouson

Oooowowwwowowow!!!!!! That looks like it hurt!

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This coming from a guy who regularly fell 10 feet onto his face in gymnastics!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

This coming from a guy who regularly fell 10 feet onto his face in gymnastics!

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Hey! I got used to that after a while:)

Thank you one and all for the advice and comments. One of the things I enjoy about the group of gentle men here is the wit and razor sharp humor! I have finally found people with whom I have something in common; most people I encounter do not appreciate my sense of humor and light-hearted approach toward life.
My outlook on life is simple; after surviving combat, without major physical injury, every day for the rest of your life is a holiday. Today most people are wound too tight. I have several great forms of therapy; riding the Harley, wet shaving, tooling leather and spoiling our grandkids.

Back to the thread; If anyone is interested in updated pictures, I posted the stitches picture in the Cut of The Day thread. If you liked the out of focus open wound shots you should really enjoy the in focus needle work.

I've never tried to inspect the edge with a magnifying glass or a loupe. I thought it would be too hard to see anyway, and the real test is on my face, so after I strop I just start in shaving. But I agree with the earlier comment that a straight deserves the same respect as a loaded gun. Thanks for sharing, BTW, it's much to your credit and a good reminder to all of us to be careful. "Beginner's mind," it's called, in another context.

auw..thats one thats hurts, hope its heals quick. good luck whit this scar.