[Accident or planned self mutilation? Probability of accidental injuries during chopping]

The results of 200 chopping experiments with a big axe and a smaller cleaver on two different chopping-block levels were presented. Objects were beech-billets with relatively big cross-section areas. In 66 per cent of all experiments the holding hand was put partially or completely upon the surface of the billet, in a principally endangering position. The lateral deviations from the intended impact place were in 62 per cent not more than +/- 1.5 cm; 7.5 per cent hit closer to the holding hand, in the utmost case 3.7 cm, the angle with the aspired sagittal impact plane in most cases not transgressing 5 degrees in the direction of the holding hand and never more than 15 degrees. It can be deduced, that unwilled forefinger injuries from axe stroke are not to be expected on the base phalanx very probably; those in a right angle to the finger axis are not possible, however. For the thumb these rules do not hold in like manner.