By Timothy Hales | Updated: September 2, 2021
Each year over 1 million hospital visits are the result of kitchen injuries in the United States alone. 350,000 of these injuries are from kitchen knives. It does not matter if you are a professional chef or a novice in the kitchen; every time you use a knife, you put your fingers at risk. Fortunately, a knife finger guard can help prevent these injuries.
Are you one of those people who are prone to cutting yourself when using a knife? If so, then knife finger guards are about to change your entire slicing game.
What is a Knife Finger Guard?
A knife finger guard is an excellent solution to the problem mentioned above. It is a tool for everyone who wishes to protect their fingers from sharp blades while cutting vegetables and meat.
The finger guard is either hard plastic or stainless steel and allows fast and safe meal preparation. It is ergonomically shaped and designed to fit and protect almost everyone.
Additionally, it is not a cumbersome, gimmicky device to do away with traditional kitchen slicing and chopping procedures, but rather a precision-crafted tool designed to make your kitchen knives safer and more efficient.
Why should you use a Knife Finger Guard?
- These tools are simple to use and don’t have a steep learning curve. But that is what makes them work so well! Their handy, minimalist design ensures maximum efficiency coupled with ease of use.
- They are very effective. It is almost impossible for knife guards not to work for you. Once you put the finger guard on, your whole hand will be protected from danger, so you won’t have to worry about the knife slipping and causing an injury.
- The guards are also very flexible insofar that they can adapt to anyone’s fingers. The shield can be rotated or repositioned to cater to food of any size or type of hold. Versatility is an important reason why these tools work so well and are so popular.
- Finger guards make cutting more efficient. Using only a knife to cut by hand can be pretty time-consuming, especially if you’re scared of hurting yourself. Finger knife guards eliminate all need for fear, helping you to cut faster and with more precision.
Types of Knife Finger Guards
Knife Finger Guard Shield
This product is comparable in appearance and function to a medieval shield as it is a large metal plate that secures your hand and acts as a solid barrier to any knife. The adjustable ring or strap at the back allows you to attach it to any finger.
Once it is properly positioned, it will protect your hand from accidental injury. It also allows you to hold food in any way you prefer. This allows you to slice quickly, thanks to the confidence and protection that this knife guard ensures.
The large plate in the front provides enough coverage to protect a hand of any size. It extends up to save your knuckles that protrude out, and it extends outward to cover all of your fingers at the same time. This combination effectively prevents any part of your hand from coming into contact with the knife.
So, don’t let another accidental slip send you to the hospital for stitches, and don’t shy away from using cutlery like a pro.
Keep this handy tool in your knife drawer and put it on every time you prepare food to ensure yourself a fool-proof safeguard that will make your kitchen experience safer and easier.
Individual Finger Guard/Peeler
As the name suggests, individual finger guards are essentially small covers made of stainless steel or hard plastic for each of your fingers. They are very versatile as you can use them to:
- Avoid getting your fingers injured when cutting something.
- Peel various things such as potatoes without fear of cutting yourself.
- Protect your nail polish from peeling.
Each protector is adjustable according to the size of the finger. Once you put them on, you can tighten or loosen them to your liking.
If you have children interested in cooking or are prone to accidents yourself, these devices are a must-have in your kitchen. Save your fingertips, slice food faster, and end up with better-looking slices when you use these tools to ensure safety and efficiency!
Nobody wants to give up the enjoyment of cutting by hand, but many don’t want to give up a finger either. These simple devices help you grip food and slice it accurately, but they also provide a protective barrier, so cutting yourself is pretty much impossible.
How to Use Different Finger Guards
Knife Finger Guard Shield
Incredibly simple to operate, finger knife guard shields provide you with protection each time you use a knife. Once it is in place, it is almost impossible to injure yourself, which will cause you to cut quickly and precisely without any fear of accidental slippage.
Follow the following steps and tips below to guarantee proper function and maximum efficiency.
- The backside of the shield has a single or double finger holder at the center. It is entirely adjustable to any size, so just bend it in or out to create a perfect fit on your hand. To wear it, slide your index or middle finger through the ring and rotate according to how you plan to hold the food. This causes the knife guard to point out to prevent contact between the knife and your fingers.
- Always make sure to cut on a cutting board or similar hard surface to protect your countertops from harm, as well as to provide you a better grasp on the food.
- Once you put it on, grip the food item you want to chop using a sideways, front-side, or overhand hold. Your fingers will be free to handle the food how you prefer, and the shield can move fingers or rotate to accommodate any type of hold style that you prefer.
- Once you have a firm grip, take your knife in your dominant hand and begin to slice.
- While cutting, the knife can come as close to the guard as you like, and you can even use it as a guide by slightly resting the knife against it.
- The guard moves naturally with your hand motions, so repositioning is just as easy with it on as it would be with it off.
- Continue slicing right up to the last bit without any worry.
Individual Finger Guard/Peeler
This product is similar to the finger knife guard shield, as individual finger protectors are also incredibly easy to use. The following steps can help you get accustomed to using this tool to its maximum potential:
- Slip on the protectors on the fingers of your non-dominant hand.
- Each protector is adjustable, so tighten or loosen them till you are comfortable with the grip on your fingers.
- Firmly hold the item to be cut with the fingers encased in the protectors and then begin cutting away.
It seems simple, right? And the best part is, there are no injuries to worry about – just a great meal to look forward to!
When should you use a Knife finger guard?
Although knife guards can be used by everyone who uses knives, using them is preferred if you are:
A beginner in the kitchen
Using a knife for the first time to cut something can be extremely daunting. Even the thought of causing yourself an injury can scare you off. In this case, a knife guard can prove to be extremely helpful as it removes the fear of cutting yourself. It also helps you practice how to use a knife properly, so once you are comfortable with cutting, you can even let go of the knife finger guard!
The Opinel le Petit Chef Knife for kids comes with a knife finger guard and is perfect for kids. I have put together a quick review of this kid’s knife set.
Someone who has to cook in a fast-paced environment
If you work in a restaurant as a chef, you have to get things ready very quickly. This hastiness often leads to minor or major accidents. To prevent these injuries, a finger guard can prove very helpful. You can simply slip it on and cut away at any speed without the risk of hurting yourself.
Conclusion
These simple and effective devices will allow you to cook without anxiety and will cause an improvement in your finished product as well. When you don’t have to worry about your fingers getting in the way of your razor-sharp blade, you’ll be able to move more swiftly and make more precise cuts.
Impress friends and family with your skills in the kitchen and avoid the awkward conversation that would result from eating in front of them with bandages all over your hands!