The left hand must be punished

[BigV]

I'm a handy guy. I like to fix things. I got my first Leatherman tool for Christmas some years back and I remember wondering "Oookay. Thanks." Not long after that it became clear to me that the Leatherman was the best gift since my first two wheel bike. I could take care of something right then and there. It beats a Swiss Army Knife, hands down. When I upgraded from their first model to the Supertool I became even happier because the tool/blade locked in place when deployed. Now when I crush my knuckles, I know it's because I was using too much force, and not because the tool collapsed.

Oh yeah. Knuckles are made to be mashed. They're like bumpers for the other more delicate parts of your hands. How do I know the other parts are more delicate? Because I keep stabbing them. And slicing them and skinning them and smashing them. *sigh* I managed to give myself another inch long gash this morning. Right at the hinge of my left thumb. I know better. I swear I do. I must just forget and need to have my memory refreshed or something.

I use knives all the time. At any given moment, I'm carrying at least two or more. Knives, not individual blades. My mom got me a nice Buck Crosslock for my birthday a few years back (this is the carnivore I fed this morning ), the Leatherman, a small Swiss Army Knife for delicate work, etc. I have my heart set on a knife for my next birthday present. A Boddington knife from Anza Knives. I keep them sharp. I have had them Scary Sharp, but practically speaking, only my planes can stay that way. The knives are working tools, not art objects. I strongly recommend reading the Scary Sharp article. It does work, I have used it and the results are UNbelievable.

But my poor left hand, thrust into the line of fire, or steel, again and again. I must be a slow learner. I can still count to ten without taking my shoes off though, I'm happy to say. Watching my dad amputate the last half inch of his thumb one day on the deck keeps me honest about really big motions with sharp tools. Am I the only one with ten times the scars on the left than the right?