> The idea that a blunt knife is more dangerous than a sharp one is a total fallacy.

I don't think so. I personally find dull knives more dangerous because I need to apply more pressure and when it starts to cut, the knife becomes uncontrollable.

When the blade is sharp, and you know it's sharp, you respect the blade and give actual thought to what you're doing.

My wife didn't used to sharpen her knives. When I started to sharpen them, she had a couple of minor accidents, but now the accident rate is at 0.0. She even wants me to sharpen the knives when they become dull.

This is exactly what "having a feeling for the machine is". You know and respect it for what it is. It bites back when you don't respect it. Let it be a knife or a space shuttle, it doesn't matter.

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jstanley 2 hours ago | parent [-]

> you respect the blade and give actual thought to what you're doing.

Is this perhaps because you know it to be dangerous?

I'm not opposed to having sharp knives btw. Sharp knives are better because they cut more easily. But for that reason they are also more dangerous.

Would you rather hand a toddler a butter knife or a chef's knife to play with?

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bayindirh 2 hours ago | parent [-]

Depends on the toddler's character and understanding level.

I was using Swiss army knives as early as 5-6 years old. I probably cut myself thrice at most.

However, if the toddler is the reckless kind, they'll start with a plastic butter knife.

	▲	JR1427 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I have cut myself once, and only once with a sharp knife. I was about 7 years old, and my grandfather gave me a new (sharp!) Swiss army knife.