Hey everyone! I'm looking to start wood sculpting as a new hobby and want to keep my hands safe. I've picked up some gloves with an A3 ANSI cut level for protection. I know the usual recommendation is A5, but they just didn't have my size available in stores (the struggle of having small hands!). So, I'm wondering, should I search for A5 gloves that fit me better, or will these A3 gloves be sufficient for a newbie like me?
2 Answers
Any gloves are definitely better than nothing at all when it comes to protecting against accidental slips. Just keep in mind that no glove can entirely prevent injuries from poor carving technique—using too much force can lead to accidents. A tip from the past is to always think, 'when it slips, where’s it gonna go?'. That’s crucial!
Great point about using force! If you find yourself pushing too hard, take a moment to reassess. Maybe your knife needs sharpening, or you could be going against the wood grain. If you're hitting a knot, it's best to back off and carve a smaller section.
In my opinion, A3 gloves are better than nothing if you’re eager to start, but I still think you should look for A5s that fit properly. Just a heads up, I’ve still managed to cut myself even with A5 gloves a couple of times. What's more important is mastering your carving technique. Check out Johnny Layton's Whittling 101 on YouTube; he covers all the basics that are super helpful for newcomers. Good luck and happy carving!
Also, be mindful of how you hold your work. If you're holding it in your lap, your knees could accidentally get in the way of your knife's path; trust me, it can be a near miss! It’s a good idea to stay aware of your body position while carving.