Last week I was slicing tiny purple potatoes with a brand-new mandoline—one of those tools I’d been overly excited about because slicing things can be oddly satisfying (as long as you’re not slicing your own skin). I got a little too enthusiastic and ended up removing a decent chunk from the back of my middle finger. It wasn’t a flap of skin that could be tucked back—it was gone.
I was in the middle of developing a recipe for homemade potato chips, which I still plan to share—after all, I bled for that recipe, so I owe it to the world to publish it.
There’s a certain dark humor in the fact that I injured my middle finger—now I can gesturally express how I feel at maximum effect. 🙂 Still, it’s surprising and a little unnerving that this happened because of such a common kitchen gadget.
I always assumed that if I ever hurt myself while working, it would be with a power tool. In fact, almost every time I use my saw (like when I tackled that cutting board IKEA hack), I jokingly ask Amelia if she remembers where the nearest hospital is—just in case.
Instead, I’m now struggling to put my contact lenses in each morning because of a fruit-and-vegetable slicer. Not the cool “war story” I imagined sharing here today.
That said, I’m not sharing this solely for the laughs—though I’ll take those too. I didn’t sever my entire finger, so I can still appreciate the irony. The main reason I’m telling the story is as a reminder: be careful when you work on projects, especially those involving sharp tools.
It’s easy to become complacent and choose the faster or lazier option because it seems to get the job done more quickly. Bloggers and creators are particularly guilty—standing on the top step of a ladder (the one labeled “this is not a step”) to get a shot, skipping safety goggles while working with sawdust-producing tools because they don’t look “cool,” or slicing vegetables without the protective guard that comes with a mandoline because it feels quicker. These shortcuts add up.
Consider this my public service announcement: take the time to do things safely, not just quickly. Use the guards, wear the goggles, and follow the instructions on the tools you use—even if it looks inconvenient in the moment.
Okay?
Now that I’ve aired my mortifying experience, I want to hear from you.
Have any crafting or DIY mishaps of your own? I’d love to hear them—share your stories in the comments below.