Rotary Cutter Injury Protection
 

A little over a year ago, I cut a nice slice into the end of my index finger with my rotary cutter. I went to the doctor for stitches, which he told me weren't going to help. He gave me a tentanus shot, sent me home with a bandage, and told me I would have been better off if I had cut the flesh completely off. It took forever to heal and I have a really nice scar for my efforts. I admonished myself and vowed to be more careful. Well, that didn't work. I sliced the end of my OTHER index finger completely off yesterday.

So as I sit here with my finger pounding away in pain, I'm wondering if I can buy chain-mail gloves to protect myself in the future. What do other folks do? Obviously "being very careful" didn't work out for me so I need to so something else.

Fons an porter has a safety gove i need to get one of then i believe jo anns carry them

Fon's and Porter sell a glove for that purpose, I have never used it but have heard it is good. After reading what you did I think I will buy some as I am always doing things like that to myself.

OOOOH! OUCH! I am SO sorry that happened! No solutions for you except that there are some sort of "almost" chain-mail gloves out there, but I don't know what they're called. I'm sure someone on the Board can give you the name.
I have to make a conscious effort to stay out of my rotary cutter's "line of fire" or I surely would do the same thing! The worst thing I've done so far is sew my finger-on the longarm! That hurt, too! Good luck.

I've not used these, but I've seen decent reviews on them:

http://www.guidelines4quilting.com/FingerGuards.html

Yes, I'm sure Fons and Porter has them. In each episode I've seen, whoever
is using the rotary cutter takes the time to put on and then remove the glove. I've kind of laughed at it, just because it has seemed so "unnecessary".... guess you've proved that I'm wrong!

You might also check food service places if you have them nearby. Most commercial kitchens have similar gloves for those who use slicers and do other cutting. Or if you know someone in that industry they might be able to help you.

I cut down the side of my forefinger about three years ago and had 8 stitches. There was a quilt shop at a show a couple months later that was selling some sort of guard that went on the ruler. My aunt was determined I needed it but I held out. I am very careful now and have not cut my fingers while moving but have managed to touch my knuckle to the blade a couple of times recently.

i am positive there is some sort of protective handwear. You just need to try some and see what works best for you.

OMG! I'm so sorry to hear that you cut yourself so badly! I hope you heal quickly. It's not something I've done or even thought about before, but you sure brought it to my attention. I think I'll get gloves, now.

i thought the same while watching :(

Checking out other posts on Board and came across site Sew Easy Ruler Cutter - 27 1/2 inches long. It might be what you're looking for.

I sliced my index finger a month ago. Thought about getting stitches, but used super glue instead with a bandage. In no time it was healed and there is no scar. I was surprised at not having a scar. Since then I've been more careful. But know when I'm in a hurry to cut 'just this one piece' it may happen again.
Those gloves sound like a good idea.
Hope you get to feeling better and healing fast.

Phyllis

I have the Fons and Porter's "Klutz Glove. I remember to use it about half of the times that I am rotary cutting. Or else I can't find it in the mess on my cutting table.

I don't really know if the glove would save your finger from being cut into. A while ago I asked on the board here if anyone had ever actually run their rotary cutter into their finger while wearing their klutz glove, and if it really protected their finger from getting cut. No one responded that it had protected them.

If nothing else, the process of putting the glove on reminds me to be a little more careful.

I am so sorry. But at least this time you followed doctor's orders - and cut the slice completely off! Ooh, I'm sorry I said that, but I couldn't help myself. Please be more careful. I know I will be thinking about your pain next time I'm using the rotary cutter.

been there done that. I took off the end of my finger. The girl next door going to school to be a dr. super glued the edge of the cut off piece back on and bandaged it real well and you can't even see it.
they have a guard you can get to put on your ruler. or a handle with suction cups that go in the ruler as well. They use them in quilt shops all the time.
good luck. Bet you don't do that again huh?

I'm in the same club! I have a guard on my ruler that my friend bought me. It takes a bit to get used to and isn't on every ruler but it does help remind me to be careful. I still do not have feeling in the left index finger tip and it has been a year.

I haveseveral cutting helpers that I would not be without! They are really gret and my fingers are never near the blade!!
You can check them out at quiltersslide lock.com and rule steady by keepquilting.au They are a bit pricy but I swear by them.

I bought one of those gloves. I use it sometimes. I've had near misses enough that I try to use it when I remember. I am so sorry you were hurt so badly. Scares all of us.

This is what you need:
http://thegypsyquilter.com/thegypsygripper.htm

I have 2 Klutz gloves! I am afraid that I might take another hunk of finger off. I did the same on Thanksgiving day 14 years ago! My sister did it the middle of Feb. She just had one short cut to make and didn't put on her glove! Big mistake. Get a the glove, IT WORKS!

I am so sorry for you. I worry about that so try to slowdown and take some time. Prayers and heal fast.

Before you purchase any gloves, make sure you read the reviews! I cut my finger about a month ago, 5 stitches. Checked out the gloves, but didn't like the reviews!

I did exactly the same thing. I went to Harbor Freight and bought glass suction cup handles. These are the handles that they use to move panes of glass. I have them on all my rulers now. It keeps my hands away from the rotary cutter and my ruler doesn't move as much with the handles. I wouldn't cut without them now.

I hate the gloves because I have very small hands. The gloves are always too big and they get in my way.

how did you do that? I assume the first time you were using your dominant hand for the rotary cutter. Were you cutting with your non-dominant this time? Anyway - yes, you need those safety gloves.

I used to have a cutting ruler with a guard on it which protected your fingers. Not sure if they still make them or not, but if they do, that might be an option. So sorry about your injuries, that sure was a double whammy! Hope you heal quickly. God bless!

Sorry to hear about your injury. I would say get a glove or ruler guard.

Ouch!!
 

I have done this. Once on my left index finger. No stitches, just throbbing pain for about 4 days. I now keep the gauze pads that DO NOT stick to the wound around. I used regular gauze pads that I had and everytime I would try to change the gauze pad, it would start bleeding all over again. *If it's got a shiny side then it's the one you need. Check into Kevlar gloves. They may be what your looking for. Yes, I do have the gloves, but no I don't use them when I cut fabric. STUPID, mindless and you'd think I'd learn....

Sorry to hear that you hurt yourself again. I am surprised at how many of the board members have hurt themselves. I avoid injury by using a dull blade. It still cuts fabric, but not me. I get pretty nervous when I have a new blade in my cutter. So far I've been lucky, I hope I'm not jinxing myself.
Sue

A dull blade will cut you, too. It just doesn't make a clean cut.

I used a rotary cutter for over 25 years before I had the first injury. I think that is pretty good odds!

I have done it too. Moral: BE MORE CAREFUL!!!! Caution doesn't cost a thing. Gloves do. There are rulers that have a ridge along the edge to protect your fingers. I just keep mine back from the edge. It took me 6 months to get the feeling back in the tip of my finger.

I cut off a chunck of my index finger last year while using a rotary cutter and shape cutter. Wouldn't stop bleeding and had to go to the doctor. I purchased a Fons and Porter glove and try to be good about using it. Finger tip is still sensitive. Hope I have learned my lesson.

Fons and Porter has them, bought mine on ebay for less, and they do work.

Rotary cutter injury
 

I too, have seen protective gloves & thought I didn't need any but since I am accident prone, now, I am thinking I had better get some. Better safe than sorry. Tks for the reminder. So sorry you got hurt.

To answer some of the questions...
I am ambidextrous, so I really don't have a dominant hand. I can cut with a cutter set up either way.
I cut into the index finger of my left hand last year and still don't have feeling in the edge that was cut. This morning, I noticed that the right hand index finger (cut Sunday) is actually looking really good with tons of new skin growing. Guess the doctor was right: cutting it completely off is better LOL

Thanks for all of the input. I will check out all of the ruler guides and the gloves and see what seems to "fit."

I have that fear too, I'm not very good at using the rotary cutter yet and try very hard not to cut myself. Might have to look into those gloves.

I don't like the constraints of gloves or even thimbles. I cut myself once with a rotary cutter...don't remember name just that it was blue. Got rid of it and now use a Fiskar cutter that is better designed for safety. Hope you heal quickly.

I cut the end of my finger awhile ago and went to the Dr. and HE used superglue and a bandage!! If it happens again, I can do that myself!!

Hi, Go to WorkGloves.net and look at the Kevlar Perfect Fit uncoated lightweight cut resistant 100% Kevlar gloves. They are $3.49 a pair. They fit really nice and work great. I have never run my rotary cutter over it, but a lady that works at a quilt shop uses them since she cut her finger years ago and swears by them. Her hubby brings them home for her from the plant he works in. She gave me one and that is what I use. A lot cheaper than Fons and Porter.......

I use one of the handles that I bought at the drug store, it has suckion cups and stays attached to the ruler . Now fingers and hand are away from the cutting edge. at the hardware store I found a smaller one that fits my smaller templates.