First of all, I want to apologize for all the questions- I know I shouldn't, but I've been throwing a lot on you all, and I get the feeling I'm tiring you out. On the other hand, you all have amazing answers, which I'm sure help others who read the topics as well!!
With that being said, I have a question/discussion: What are the diseases of knifemaking you can get, and how to prevent them? I talked to a guy who said that:
1. Heating metal to a red color and up makes the metal give up cancerous gases.
2. You can get lung cancer from metal dust, and cannot get MRI's because of it. (would rip your chest to pieces?)
3. Parkinsons, Cancer, and Lung diseases are common in knifemakers, shortening their life.
I don't like the sound of this at all. I mean, maybe if I was 50 I wouldn't care, because I only would have maybe another 40 years left anyways. But at 16, is this going to shorten my life drastically? Im sure this is a good topic for others reading this too. Are the things listed above true, and do any of you have anything similar due to bladesmithing? Obviously, if I did this in my spare time, I wouldn't worry- I'll just buy a jump suit and mask and look like a clone trooper to try and block it all out of my body. But I was hoping to turn this into a profession.
Thoughts/words of comfort? I really hope this is all an urban legend!!! I would think that such a manly craft such as bladesmithing would be promoting health, and not deteriorating it. Thank you for all councel!!
Joseph
Joseph
We are knife makers and not physicians and not in a position to answer these questions or offer medical advice. You should consult your doctor or heath care professional about your medical questions. It is always recommended that everyone strictly follow all safety precautions when involved in bladesmithing work and consult their doctor if they have any health issues or questions.
There is an extensive discussion about safety in the shop on the ABS Forum at, Click: Shop Safety - September 2012 Topic of the Month.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Joseph, the majority of the things we do as bladesmiths are inherently dangerous. The thing is that we need to take the appropriate precautions, such as respirators, gloves, aprons, etc. There is a topic of the month on the forum posted in September 2012 that deals with shop safety. Definitely worth reading.
As far as heating metal to red and above and the steel emitting gases. Not true in most cases. The steel we use for blades is not a problem, however any steel that is galvanized should not be heated in a forge. Galvanized steel can give off poisonous gases, there are other metals that can do the same thing. Blade steels such as 1084 and 5160 are not an issue. Other things like woods, micarta, carbon fiber, produce dust that is not good to breathe. So a quality respirator is a must. Add hearing protection. Eye protection for IR emitted from the forge and particles. Skin protection with gloves, etc. You get the idea.
I have no idea concerning the occurence of those diseases in blacksmiths/bladesmiths comoared to the general population, you would have to ask your doctor.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
For what it is worth, I have been told some of the same regarding metal particles, I had friends tell me my eyes would be shredded in an MRI, however, I have been at this for over 30 years and have no problems receiving an MRI. The doctor/radiologist should go over this concern before the procedure, mine did. Due to many similar cancer concerns I don't hesitate going to the doctor whenever anything suspicious crops up, and am certain to fill them in about all that I am exposed to in what I do.
"One test is worth 1000 'expert' opinions" Riehle Testing Machines Co.
