# Is there something one can do to block the tip of a knife? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 6, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027 "2014-01-06T15:07:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/41 "2014-01-08T00:33:21Z")
Not really trying to be negative, but I learned how to use my knife safely [having worked in a professional kitchen, I sort of had to actually] so it might be wise to actually find some knifework videos and learn to both pay attention and use a knife correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/42 "2014-01-08T00:38:15Z")
> [@Duke\_of\_York](#): > > My wife has more than one knife. Some have points, others do not. I can’t understand why it’s necessary to limit yourself to one knife, or take the trouble to get involved with altering your current knife. I’m not advocating the use of only one knife. ---
**Author:** ![JCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecccb3/32.png) [@JCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JCanary)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/43 "2014-01-08T00:52:14Z")
I had a kitchen “incident” a few years back and as a Christmas gift I was given a blunt tipped knife by Curious chef. What it sounds like you are looking for is a Granton Edge Slicing knife. [http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002Q5YH9C](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002Q5YH9C) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000CFDB9](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000CFDB9) ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/44 "2014-01-08T01:01:07Z")
I would not try to use a slicer as a chefs knife, [however blunt tip chefs knives do exist.](http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Forschner-Chefs-Knife-Handle/dp/B005JHI51A) ---
**Author:** ![randompattern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@randompattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randompattern)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/45 "2014-01-08T01:03:50Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > I lightly moved my left hand into the tip while holding the knife still and talking, and it that was enough to make a cut. Stop talking while you’re using the knife and pay attention.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/46 "2014-01-08T01:23:51Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > This thread reminds me of the British Medical Journal editorial calling for a move away from having long, sharp kitchen knives: > [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk\_news/magazine/7508404.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7508404.stm) [I couldn’t agree more! :eek:](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=692871&highlight=stabbed) ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/47 "2014-01-08T02:46:47Z")
Try [these](http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19945&prodid=39991&catid=9). You get 40 with each kit, so you’re good for a long time . . . especially if you use a good glue. And they come in festive colors, too! ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_York](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_York](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_York)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/48 "2014-01-08T03:37:52Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’m not advocating the use of only one knife. Sorry, I was actually addressing my remarks to the OP, and because you reeled off a list off reasons to use the tip of a knife, I decided to make the point about having more than one knife. Sorry again about the misunderstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/49 "2014-01-08T03:55:36Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > I cut food stuff, onions and such. I have recently acquired a sharp chefs knife. I feel like it is under control while cutting, but I lightly moved my left hand into the tip while holding the knife still and talking, and it that was enough to make a cut. Stop doing that. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/50 "2014-01-08T04:41:04Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > I cut food stuff, onions and such. I have recently acquired a sharp chefs knife. I feel like it is under control while cutting, but I lightly moved my left hand into the tip while holding the knife still and talking, and it that was enough to make a cut. Ok, a chef’s knife is not meant to be manipulated with the left hand anywhere near the tip. But you have your methods so I won’t ask you to change that. I suggest a ceramic chef’s knife with a blunt curved forward end. That will prevent any kind of cut when you touch the spine. For heavier cutting that require pressure on the spine from one’s free hand, get a roller cleaver or a chinese chef knife. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/51 "2014-01-08T05:43:42Z")
> [@Habeed](#): > > This begs the question : what common kitchen tasks needs a pointed knife? Opening tins of instant beverages, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/52 "2014-01-08T08:15:55Z")
> [@Duke\_of\_York](#): > > Sorry, I was actually addressing my remarks to the OP, and because you reeled off a list off reasons to use the tip of a knife, I decided to make the point about having more than one knife. Sorry again about the misunderstanding. Fair enough. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/53 "2014-01-08T08:23:05Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > This thread reminds me of the British Medical Journal editorial calling for a move away from having long, sharp kitchen knives: > [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk\_news/magazine/7508404.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7508404.stm) > [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > [I couldn’t agree more! :eek:](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=692871&highlight=stabbed) I’m sorry you were stabbed, but do you really think a ban on pointy things is a realistic and reasonable solution to the problem? I sort of resent the nerfing of useful tools. I’ve injured myself (but nobody else) with kitchen knives more than once in the past - it was never the fault of the knife. To a certain extent, the vicious pointy-ness of my kitchen knives makes me treat them with greater care. I’m not sure I would have any fewer accidents with a blunt-tipped knife - and I think on balance, it would tend to make me less careful. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/54 "2014-01-08T08:29:21Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > > [@Duke\_of\_York](#): > > > > Sorry, I was actually addressing my remarks to the OP, and because you reeled off a list off reasons to use the tip of a knife, I decided to make the point about having more than one knife. Sorry again about the misunderstanding. > > Fair enough. Having said that, I do personally prefer to use the smallest number of tools necessary to do a job. In practice, I generally only use two sharp knives in the kitchen - a 10-inch Sabatier that does nearly everything, and a little Victorinox tomato knife that has a slim, flexible pointed blade that is great for fiddly stuff such as the finer parts of deboning, de-seeding, etc. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/55 "2014-01-08T11:07:52Z")
Mmmmm, stuffed pork chops. Can’t stuff a chop without a knifepoint. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/56 "2014-01-08T11:13:03Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Coring apples, removing eyes from potatoes, starting cuts for slicing tomatoes… etc etc., I do quite a lot of cooking. My potatoes don’t grow eyes much, and if they do the peeler takes them off. My knife cuts through tomato skins without any trouble at all. I have a nifty apple corer, which I rarely use. Mostly I quarter them and cut the core out. Life is too short to stuff a pork chop. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/57 "2014-01-08T11:22:02Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Having said that, I do personally prefer to use the smallest number of tools necessary to do a job. In practice, I generally only use two sharp knives in the kitchen - a 10-inch Sabatier that does nearly everything, and a little Victorinox tomato knife that has a slim, flexible pointed blade that is great for fiddly stuff such as the finer parts of deboning, de-seeding, etc. Lust wanted to say that a few months ago I picked up this [Sabatier 8-Inch Classic Forged Chef Knife](http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/sabatier-8-inch-classic-forged-chef-knife/1040844961?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_none_&gclid=CK2258m67rsCFcxAMgodRUgAig) for a song thinking I’d use it as a backup, and it’s become one of my favorite knives. Great little workhorse, sharp as all hell, keeps an edge, and the price is just silly cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/58 "2014-01-08T12:29:38Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’m sorry you were stabbed, but do you really think a ban on pointy things is a realistic and reasonable solution to the problem Not really, but I’d like for all the guys out there to consider not keeping a set of knives on the counter in a block where there is easy access to them. At least make her open up a draw; seconds could save a life. 😉 That and I am grateful that she didn’t come at me with a cleaver as the thought of one being buried in my head actually causes me more anxiety than the actual memory of the knife attack. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/59 "2014-01-08T15:42:14Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > How did you hurt yourself with the tip of the knife? Maybe a better knife handling practice is the solution. It can happen, especially with a knife you’re unfamiliar with. The first time I used my Shun chef’s knive, I managed to stab myself with the tip. The shape of the blade is just enough different from my other chef’s knife, and it’s much sharper. I didn’t expect it to glide through that piece of potato so easily, I guess. It was embarrassing. :o ---
**Author:** ![aerophex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@aerophex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerophex)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027/60 "2014-01-08T16:06:30Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > So that I can avoid cutting myself on that (again). Like a cap or something. best thing you can do would be to learn to cut and handle your knife properly Many books and youtube videos give you tutorials on the claw & pinch. Proper knife technique will beat some cheapo solution or forever altering your knife. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-one-can-do-to-block-the-tip-of-a-knife/678027.md?page=4)