Earlier in the week I read about a tragedy, some of you might have read this on Facebook, but a fellow knife maker has died in his shop, I didn't know Mr Dempsey, but there is a kinship with others that follow a similar path, and he was quite obviously a brother of the blade.
The report is that a knife he was working on caught on a buffer and was thrown into his chest were it pierced his heart, he was found dead in his shop.
Anyone that has taken classes with me knows I say the buffer is the Most dangerous tool in the shop. I have known many who have been hurt using one, and I have heard many stories of folks narrowly averting death after an accident with one.(IE suck in leg and missed femorial artery by 1/4" etc) this is the first confirmed case of a death I have heard.
Many of the tools we use and the equipment in our shops can easily kill or maim it is not just buffers. This is a tragic and awful accident and my thoughts are with his Family but it is also reminder to take great care in what we do.. always .. listen to the little voice in your head, don't get complacent, keep the fear of the tool,, it is healthy,,, but don't let the fear rule you... be aware in the shop, know the safe use of any tool you use, and don't take stupid risks! just BE SAFE!
Matthew,
I had not heard this terrible news. Haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else on the internet. Where did you find this information?
Who is Mr. Dempsey? What is his first name? I don't want to jump to conclusions about who it is.
Thank you!
Mr. Culver-
I hope it's not out of line to paste the post from BF. It was shared by Adam DeRosiers:
I have just received the tragic news that long time Alaskan knife maker Gordon Dempsey has been killed in a shop accident. Apparently he lost control of a blade he was buffing and it pierced his heart.
This tragedy has left Gordon's wife, who is suffering from MS, in a terrible position. His friends are working on putting together a fund for his widow. We will post details for the fund when available.
Please keep Gordon's family in your thoughts and prayers, and if you are able, help support his widow in this time of her loss.
Very sad news and a huge reminder to remain focused in the shop. Thankfully, my lapses have only ended in minor injuries and nothing significant.
Jeremy
Jeremy Lindley, Apprentice Smith
Matthew Parkinson just sent me the link to the obituay for Gordon Dempsey and it is printed below. It is very sad news and a lesson to us all.
Gordon Sayward Dempsey passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 24, 2014, in his shop in Pleasant Grove, Utah when a knife that he was working on pierced his heart.
He was born in Peabody, Massachusetts on May 10, 1947 to Myron and Bertha Dempsey. He married Karen Michele Orange and had six children. They were sealed in the DC Temple and just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.
While in the military he was stationed in Kenai at Wildwood in 1971. They bought 10 acres in Nikiski. He retired in 1985 from the military and moved back to Alaska calling the Kenai Peninsula home.
He enjoyed blacksmithing, guns, fishing, hunting, and learning new things. A very generous man, he also loved to share his knowledge with others. He had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh.
He is survived by his wife, Karen; his 6 children, Kristy Helton, Gordon (Ward) Dempsey II, Jacob Dempsey, Mark Dempsey, Stephen Dempsey, Stephanie Persinger; 13 grandchildren; his mother Bertha Dempsey; his sister Arlene Kevitz; and his aunt Arlene Nelson.
He was preceded by his father, Myron Dempsey.
The Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, October 29 at 1 p.m. Mountain time (11 a.m. Alaska time) at Oplin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062.
Friends and family that are unable to attend can join us via live stream on the internet www.Jacobschaos.com for the link.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
I heard about this on Facebook popped up on my feed from anouther knife maker, stuck with me as I have a personal fear of being hurt in the shop working by myself. felt I should share.
MP
Learn the things one can do safely - and learn the ones which are dangerous.
Treat them accordingly.
And because of this, my buffer mostly collects dust.
Karl B. Andersen
Journeyman Smith
Agreed, treat all power machines in your shop with respect. You should not be afraid of them, just be very aware. Like Karl, the buffer collects a lot of dust. RIP Gordon. My sympathies to his family and friends.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
This is tragic news. My condolences and prayers to Gordon's family and friends.
Thanks to all who added information here.
Gordon will be missed. He would always stop by for a visit when he was traveling from AK in the spring, and again in the fall. It's a shame that it takes a tragidy to make us sit up and take notice of the dangers we face each day in our shops.
I've had close calls from the buffer, and even taken some stitches because of it, but this should serve as a warning to EVERYONE.
I'm gona crawl up on my soapbox a bit too.....don't just think of the things you can see! I've had two lung surgeries since 2009, and continue "treatments" in part due to the dusts and fumes that fly around a knife shop. We all think we are "10 feet tall and bullet proof", until something comes our way. Of course we take chances every day, but PLEASE, just take a few seconds to think about what you're doing, and how to protect yourself. As I preach to students in my shop..... I'd rather be talking to you....then about you!"
Ed Caffrey, ABS MS
"The Montana Bladesmith"
www.CaffreyKnives.net
I agree with Ed. I have been using the RESP-O-Rator for 2 years now and find it to be the best by far.
