I tried a graft yesterday. After taking care of the blood spewing everywhere from slicing the thumb, I finished the job. My piece of grafting tape didn't seem that long but when I wrapped the union it went at least 15 x's around the union. Is this too much? In hindsight, maybe the tape would have worked well on my thumb.

By the way, this knife is super sharp and quite affordable if you don't count any trips to the ER. Here is a link for the knife:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004GAVOUU/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1360333405&sr=8-2&pi=SL75

I collect Mora knives. If I may suggest an alternative source http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html, the owners name is Ragnar.

That looks like a big knife for grafting.  I've maybe cut myself about once for every 500 grafts or so, usually when getting tired.

What sort of grafting tape did you use?  Even if you used Parafilm, 15 times is probably more than the swelling union can tear so it will require that you cut through it or just remove it in a few months as the graft union swells.

Sorry to hear that you got cut. But it seems to come with the territory. I've found that I cut myself less after awhile but mistakes are bound to happen when working a lot with very sharp blades. Just keep the crazy glue handy :-) .

I agree with Harvey. 15 wraps is probably more than you need. Won't hurt anything for now. But I would just keep an eye on the graft. As it starts to grow you'll be able to see if the tape is constricting the union. When this happens it'll be time to remove it.

I like the look of those Mora knives Brent. I'd need to get the one with the orange handle. I need all the help I can get to keep track of my tools ;) .

You don't need any sort of special knife for grafting though. Something smallish is easier to handle for such small work. A very sharp blade is of utmost importance. If it's not sharp enough to cut you then you probably need to sharpen it. 

Personally, I've found a utility knife to be perfect for the job. No big investment and it's easily replaced if I lose it. When the blade gets dull just turn it around or replace it. The one I use is red just like the one in the picture in this link (got mine from Lowes):

http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-40972/stock-photo-red-box-cutter-utility-knife

When I graft, I use 1/2" green nursery tape. I start below the scion, wrap up over the graft site, until it is covered. That hold the scion in place. Then I wrap back downward, pulling it very tight, to press the two pieces into good contact with one another, and then tie the two ends together. That is enough.

The number of layers you have is too much, but if it is only over the graft point and the buds where growth will come from are not under the tape (just under the parafilm), you will be fine.

Yes, first rule of grafting is to know where the knife will go when it slips (and it will), and to make sure that you skin is not in the path. If the knife is sharp enough to cut the wood, it is definitely sharp enough to cut you.

For softer wood, and if you are not doing a lot of grafts, you can use an x-acto knife with a fresh blade. Otherwise get a knife made for grafting. It makes life simpler. There is a reason why grafting knives have been developed - because they have the right characteristics and simplify the process by their design and shape.

Yeah, I use the Moras for wood carving. Not much of a grafter. I usually cut myself with power tools and not knives though. When you are working with a knife you should keep your elbows back and close to your sides if you can help it so you have good control.

Yeah, usually I'm pretty good with a knife as far as not cutting myself when cooking.   I was so careful and telling myself I was not going to cut myself,s but it happened so fast.   Next time, I'm going to have the bandages ready!  If you look at some of the videos, they are making cuts with an inward motion.  That's what I was trying to do.   

The other issue is I didn't put parafilm over the entire scion so I suspect it's going to dry up now since I can't get back to it for a week.   Darn.   

Sorry to hear about the little accident. That is always a danger. I should have warned you!

Regarding the tape I go around quite a few times but I stretch out the parafilm so that it is tight and thin.

I think as long as you don't have a heater blowing hot air it should be fine without having to wrap the whole stem. I cover mine overnight just because of the heater. During the day they are exposed to a south facing window with no cover.

Regarding the knife the advantage with a grafting knife is that it has a very thin blade that allows for controlled and precise cuts. Both surfaces are also concave which also helps.

Never tried grafting figs but have done hundreds of citrus grafts?buds. Always use wide rubber bands overlapped.Take them off in 10 days with good unions. If I don't get to them within 10 days the bands rot off in a few more days. This is with growing trees. Don't know what would happen with a dormant tree. Citrus are evergreens.

I use teflon plumber's tape for grafting all my fruit trees. It stretches
nicely. If a bud is covered, it never dries out and grows right through
the tape which is great.

Same with the Parafilm, the new bud growth through it and the rest disintegrates with time. I bought mine on eBay, 1/2 inch wide.  

I have tried Jon's method of using 1/2" green tie tape and it works well...I have been experimenting with with some other products recently that also work well...they are called grafting rubbers(sold on line), and are simply soft, 3/8"wide rubber bands that have been cut to form a straight line, and are coated with a fine white powder(maybe 7 dust ?)...the initial graft union is wrapped with the rubbers,using the technique similar to wrapping with Parafilm (turn and stretch, turn and stretch)...they give a nice tight seal between the scion and the root stock....finally, one layer of Parafilm to keep the graft union from drying out, and your done...as the plant is exposed to sunlight and the elements, the grafting rubbers and the parafilm deteriorate over time and fall off, leaving a nice 'healed' graft union.

That's a great idea TahomaGuy2 especially since no one near me sells parafilm.  Regular grafting tape I have, but maybe that will work better, especially since the Teflon tape is usually white and with it being so hot, maybe I don't need to wrap over the parafilm with foil. Thanks for the tip. 

Read this topic from the beginning (when originally posted), had already decided to do a few grafts and decided to follow Jon V's recommendations on grafting tape, because I had some already. The plastic 1/2 inch plant ties are available everywhere (almost), works great, is strong and is very inexpensive (150ft for $1.50). Here are some of my 1st ever attempts.




<edit> I have a phobia of folding knives, so I researched and purchased a Victorinox fixed blade knife ($6.00 including shipping) that is used for bench grafting... It is one of the sharpest knifes that I have ever handled and its razor thin (its sharper than a new utility knife blade). I did purchase the Victorinox folding grafting knife, but have only used it once.