Use this SOP any time one person must hand a knife to another person. The goal is handle-first transfer with positive control and no sudden movement. If either person is distracted or moving, do not pass hand-to-hand: place the knife down and have the other person pick it up.

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1. Stop all cutting and stabilize your stance.
2. Confirm the receiver is attentive and stationary.
3. Make eye contact.
4. Ask, "Ready?" and wait for a clear yes.
5. Orient the blade away from both bodies and hands.
6. Grip the handle firmly with fingers clear of the edge.
7. Present the handle to the receiver, never the blade.
8. Maintain your grip until the receiver has full control.
9. Have the receiver say, "Got it" when they have control.
10. Release only after the verbal control confirmation.
11. Step back and re-establish safe distance.

Note: If either person is moving, talking over others, or distracted, do not pass hand-to-hand. Place the knife down instead.

• Stop if the receiver is not ready, not looking, or is distracted.
• Stop if blade orientation points toward hands or body.
• Stop if your grip shifts, weakens, or you lose positive control.
• Stop if release occurs before the receiver has full control.
• Stop if either person is moving during the hand-off.

Immediate correction: Freeze the hand-off, pull the knife back to your control, re-orient the blade away, confirm readiness, then restart.

• [ ] Receiver was attentive and confirmed ready.
• [ ] Blade stayed oriented away from both bodies and hands.
• [ ] Handle was presented first.
• [ ] Receiver confirmed full control before release.
• [ ] Knife was secured or placed safely after transfer.

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