discussion Craft Knives

[Guest]

I've been recently trying to trim Tamia masking tape from my masked clear items. I am using my Xacto knife with a new No. 11 blade but find that it seems to tare rather than cut sharp edges.


I was wondering what your preferred craft knife body and blades are.

 

[yak face]

I use mainly Swann Morton Alan , ive got three handles and a different shaped blade on each one , the one I use most though is the No 10A shape. I use the No 11 blade shape for canopy masking and always make sure its a sharp one .I have also got several X acto handles but I find it easier to get hold of the blades for the Swann Mortons. cheers tony

 

[stona]

Another for Swann Morton. Also mainly the 10 and 11 blades.


Cheers


Steve


PS I bought 100 of each for not a lot a few years ago, still got loads left.

 

[PaulTRose]

i bought a pack of dissection blades ages ago, i like them


basically its a thin half a razor blade with a spine to give it strength

 

[Guest]

Swan Morton it's definitely the sharpest you will get


Roger


PS use a curved blade and hold it at a very shallow angle I mask canopies with thin strips then I only have to cut where they overlap

 

[zuludog]

I studied biology & botany at school & university, and I have been making model planes for years


I don't think you can find anything much better than Swann Morton scalpels


Surf the Net, there are many types and suppliers, and prices. In fact so many that you can become confused; but a number 3 handle with 10, 10A, and 11 blades is as good as anything


Number 4 handles are slightly bigger, but I can't remember the equivalent blade numbers offhand


You might think that carbon steel, non-sterile blades intended for craft & hobby use would be cheaper than stainless steel, sterile blades for surgery, but 't'ain't necessarily so; shop around.


This supplier offers mixed 'taster packs' which would be a very good start


www.scalpelsandblades.co.uk


The blades are meant to be disposable, but If you're careful you can re-sharpen the blades on a fine stone and use them for general work, keeping new blades for critical stuff like trimming decals & masking tape


The blades are quite strong when you cut in line with the width of the blade, but they are brittle, and will snap under sideways pressure - the broken piece will fly off so be careful


I hold the blades in a small pair of pliers when I'm fitting them, and especially when removing them

 

[Gern]

I use Swann Morton 10 or 11 and get them from John. I could probably shop around and save by buying in boxes of 100 or whatever, but how many blades do you get through in a year? I recycle mine after a fashion. They start in the knife I use for decals and masking. After a couple of uses they go into my general use knife. Again, after a few weeks (depending on how much building I do) they get transferred to an old knife I use for household stuff - opening boxes etc.


One point though. Whatever blade you buy, get a handle which suits you. Your knife is probably the tool you use more than any other so make sure you get one that's comfortable.

 

[Guest]

Xacto isnt the sharpest, and if you have cut any plastic or sprue then they deffo arent sharp!


Mostly xacto sell straight pointed, which are not the best for cutting tape, you need curved blades.


Swan are the best, i also use a single edge razor blade for such work, in a special knife holder.