Using a mandoline without the hand guard or a kevlar glove is asking for something very bad to happen to you.
Though the only time I ever SERIOUSLY cut myself was in college, before I knew better about keeping my knives sharp, and I nearly sliced off the tip of my finger while cutting raw chicken. And what did I do? Wrapped it in a paper towel and finished cutting, made dinner, ate, and by midnight, when the bleeding would not stop no matter how much pressure I used, I ended up at student services with 4 stiches to hold it together.
Shockingly, I did not suffer a massive avian flu episode.
Keep your knives sharp. Way safer.
