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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NAPSI)-Keeping blades sharp may be one of the best ways to avoid cutting yourself when working with utility knives. While that may seem counterintuitive, experts say dull or sticky blades can break or cut unevenly, causing do-it-yourselfers to injure themselves.
The news is significant, because statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission indicate that 39 percent of the 330,000 medically treated injuries attributed to manual workshop tools in the U.S. involved knives with retractable blades. Try these tips for keeping safe:
Know Your Blades
Most blades are made from carbon, which can dull quickly and is prone to shattering when cutting through certain materials. That's one reason a company called Lenox developed a blade with bi-metal construction that is shatter-resistant. Unlike standard utility blades made from carbon steel, these bi-metal blades can bend without breaking during normal use. The edge of the blades are also coated with titanium nitride that reinforces the cutting edge, helping to keep it sharper longer, making for a safer, more accurate cut. Because the blade is shatter-resistant, it can extend farther from the knife to cut through all types of thick, tough materials.
Safe Technique
It's a good idea to get a good pair of safety glasses and wear them every time you work on a job. Also, change knife blades as soon as the blade you are using becomes dull. In addition, position your body to the side of the cut to help keep limbs a safe distance away from the knife. This is also an optimum position for cutting toward the body. Cutting toward the body as opposed to pushing the knife away gives the user more control, and positioning the body to the side of the cut while doing so can help reduce the risk of body injury.
Storage And Disposal
Many utility blade dispensers are part of a 50 or 100 pack of blades. These types of dispensers can be convenient and help promote safety because they keep blades packed and contained until they're ready to be loaded into the utility knife. If a blade dispenser is not available, duct tape or an old coffee can can house used blades until they are thrown away.
For more information and to register to receive a free Lenox Gold blade, visit the Web site www.lenoxsaw.com/bladeoffer.
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