Exacto Knife

How to choose the
best exacto knife

What is the Purpose Of An Exacto Knife?

An exacto knife is a type of utility knife designed specifically for cutting paper, cardboard, plastic, leather, foam, etc. Its blade has a serrated edge which cuts into the material being cut while leaving the surrounding material intact. Because of its unique design, an exacto knife is ideal for detailed precision cutting.

Why Do People Use Them?

The main reason why people use an exacto knife is to be able to cut precisely small pieces of materials. For example, if you wanted to trim the edges of a piece of card stock, you could use an exacto knife to cut away unwanted parts of the card stock. Another common usage of an exacto knife is to cut thin strips of tape. Cutting these strips of tape with scissors can sometimes leave behind jagged edges.

How To Hold One Correctly

To hold an exacto knife correctly, grip the handle firmly between your thumb and forefinger. Then press the tip of the blade towards your body. Make sure the point of the blade is facing downwards. Now, slowly slide the blade along the item you wish to cut. As soon as the blade hits the object, release the pressure on the handle and pull the blade straight upwards. Repeat this process until you've finished cutting the desired amount of material.

Types Of Blades Available

There are many different types of blades available for an exacto knife. Some of the most popular include;

Standard - This is the standard blade found on most exacto knives. Standard blades are typically longer than half the length of the handle.

Miniature - Miniature blades are shorter than half the length of the handle. They are useful for smaller jobs where there isn't enough room for a full size blade.

Serrated - Serrated blades are very sharp and allow you to cut through tough objects. However, they are harder to control and require more practice to master.

Utility - Utility blades are perfect for general household uses. They are easy to sharpen and maintain.

The Importance of Purchasing a Quality Exacto Knife

An exacto knife is a multipurpose tool designed specifically for cutting paper, cardboard, plastic, leather, foam, metal, glass, ceramic, etc. An exacto knife has a long blade which is curved slightly towards its tip. This design gives the user greater control while using the knife. Most models include a retractable handle which enables the user to carry the knife around comfortably.

Benefits of Using an Exacto Knife

Easy to Use - An exacto knife is easy to hold and maneuver. It is very simple to cut materials with an exacto knife. There is no need to sharpen the blade since it comes pre sharpened. All you need to do is press the button and start cutting.

Versatile – An exacto knife is versatile enough to be used for many different purposes. For example, you can use it to cut paper, cardboard, plastic, leather, foam, metal, glass, ceramic, etc. It is ideal for making cuts in small areas. It is also useful for opening packages and boxes.

Safe – An exacto knife is safe to use. Unlike scissors, knives cannot accidentally stab someone. Even though there is a risk of injuring oneself, most accidents happen due to poor technique rather than faulty equipment. An exacto knife is safer than a pair of scissors.

Efficient – Cutting material with an exacto knife is efficient. Since the blade is curved, it does not require constant pressure to maintain a steady flow of blood. Therefore, it saves time and effort compared to traditional methods of cutting.

Convenient – An exacto knife is convenient. It is compact and lightweight. It can be carried anywhere and everywhere. It is perfect for camping trips, picnics, school activities, sports events, etc.

Affordable – An exacto knife is affordable. It is available at reasonable prices. You can buy one online or at local stores. However, you must ensure that you buy the right size for your needs.

Hold the knife firmly in your hand. Make sure that the edge faces away from you. Hold the knife parallel to the floor.

Press the button located near the end of the handle. Then, slide the blade along the object being cut. Repeat the process until the entire item is cut into smaller pieces.

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Features To Look For When Buying An Exacto Knife

An exacto knife is a versatile tool that has many uses. Whether you are cutting paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, leather, fabric, foam, etc., an exacto knife can be useful. Here are some features to look for when purchasing an exacto knife.

Blade Length

The length of the blade determines its usefulness. Blades longer than 6 inches are generally too long for most jobs. However, blades shorter than 3 inches are difficult to control and handle. Most knives with blades between 4 and 5 inches are good choices.

Handle Material

Knives with handles made of stainless steel are durable and easy to maintain. Knives with aluminum handles are lightweight and easier to carry around. Some models have replaceable grips which allow you to change the grip size depending on your needs.

Grip Size

Most knives have a fixed grip size. However, there are some models available with interchangeable grips. This gives you the option of changing the grip size according to your hand size.

Weight

Some knives weigh more than others. Heavyweight knifes are harder to hold and maneuver. Lightweight knifes are easier to manipulate and are safer to use.

Ergonomics

Ergonomic designs improve comfort while using the knife. Ergo design includes contoured handles, finger grooves, thumb rest, and textured grips.

Stainless Steel Blade

This type of blade is corrosion resistant and very strong. Stainless steel blades last longer than carbon steel blades. Carbon steel blades rust faster and require frequent sharpening.

Carbon Steel Blade

These blades are inexpensive and easy to sharpen. However, they wear out quicker than stainless steel blades.

Tapered Edge

This edge shape prevents slipping during cuts. Taper edges are ideal for precision cutting.

Serrated Edges

This edge shape is designed to cut through tough materials. Serrations are perfect for slicing through cheese, meat, bread, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Sharpness

Always test the sharpness of your knife before using it. Sharp

Exacto Knives

An Exacto knife is a type of utility knife designed specifically for cutting paper, cardboard, plastic, foam, leather, etc. An Exacto knife has a blade that is curved slightly towards its tip, which gives it greater control while cutting.

Types of Exacto Knives

Standard Exacto knives - Standard Exacto knives are available in different lengths and thicknesses. Some models include blades ranging between 1 inch and 4 inches long. Most standard Exacto knives are sold in sets containing three or four blades.

Folding Exacto knives - Foldable Exacto knives fold into themselves for easy storage. There are many folding Exacto knives available today.

Multi-purpose Exacto knives - Multi-purpose Exacto knives are perfect for general household uses. For example, these knives are ideal for opening boxes, cutting tape, removing staples, etc.

Heavy duty Exacto knives - Heavy duty Exacto knives are designed for heavy duty applications. These knives are typically used for cutting metal, glass, stone, concrete, etc.

How To Use Exacto Knives

To cut anything using an Exacto knife, start by holding the handle firmly in your hand. Then, press the thumb button located near the end of the handle. Next, turn the blade around 90 degrees clockwise and push forward. Finally, release the thumb button and pull the blade away from the object being cut.

Benefits of Using Exacto Knives

Using an Exacto knife is easier than using scissors or a regular straight edge razor. Because of this, most professionals recommend using Exacto knives whenever possible. However, there are times when scissors or a straight edge razor is necessary.

How do I know which type of exacto knife I need?

The best way to determine which type of excto knife you need is by determining the type of work you want to do. If you are using your knife for arts and crafts, then a fine point blade would be ideal. But if you are looking for a precision knife for cutting stencils or paper, you need something with a longer blade.

How do I choose the best blade length?

Blade lengths generally range from 1/8 inch to 5 inches. For most projects, blade lengths between 3-4 inches will work best. However, if you are cutting stencils, then a shorter blade will likely be more efficient for your needs.

What are some features that I should look for?

Features like comfort and grip can vary depending on what works best for you personally. There are different types of grips available, so it is important to think about what feels comfortable in order to avoid hand strain. Other important factors include whether the blade locks open or closed and how sharp the knife is. Some blades also come with built-in safety features like finger guards or touch points that prevent injury while cutting delicate materials like paper or thin fabric.

Does the exacto knife have a retractable blade or a safety cap?

Some people prefer to have a retractable blade instead of a safety cap. The blade retracts into the handle, so it retracts quickly and easily. Obviously, this is safer than having the blade exposed like with a safety cap.

The drawback is that you might not be able to use your knife for very precise cutting. If you need ultimate control over your exacto knife's blade, then this type may not be right for you.

However, if you work in an environment where safety is priority number one, then you should go with a retractable blade because it will protect both yourself and other people around you from being injured by an open blade.

Is it easy to change the blades of exacto knife?

One of the most important factors to consider before purchasing an exacto knife is whether or not it’s easy to change the blades. If you’re constantly changing your blades, you don’t want a difficult-to-operate system. You might be better off with a manual or spring-loaded blade release system. However, if you work with one blade for the duration of a project, a more difficult to operate system might be worth it.

How to clean exacto knife?

In order to continue to get the best use out of your exacto knife, it is just as important to care for and maintain it as you would any other tool.

To clean an exacto knife, we recommend using a piece of sandpaper just like you would on any other blade. With this method, simply lightly sand the blade in a circular motion with the sandpaper until there is no more buildup on the blade. You can also use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide if you don't have sandpaper available

Remember: Never submerge your exacto knife in water or run it under water.

Do exacto knife last long?

The blades on exacto knives tend to last longer than other types of knives, like utility knives. If you're looking to get the most use out of your knife, be sure to keep it clean and dry after each use. To remove dull edges, use a sharpening tool or steel.

How to sharpen my exacto knife?

It is very important to keep your blade sharp. The sharper your blade, the easier it will be to use and the less likely it will be to drag as you cut. To sharpen an exacto knife, you can use a whetstone or a metal rod with sandpaper wrapping around it. First, turn the blade over and run it along the whetstone or sanding rod in one direction at about 20-degree angle. Then turn the knife over and run it along the whetstone or sanding rod in the opposite direction. Repeat this process 10-15 times for each side of the blade.

Are exacto knife worth it?

An exacto knife is a handy tool to have around. You can use it for everything from cutting stencils and paper to crafting arts and crafts like beautiful greeting cards or embellished scrapbooks.

Is an exacto knife worth it? It really depends on your needs. If you work with papers, then yes, an exacto knife is totally worth the investment.

There are many different styles of knives available, including standard, extended blade length, and retractable blade. But when purchasing an exacto knife, you should keep in mind the type of work you plan to do with it—and whether or not you need precision cutting or not—to find the perfect utility tool for your needs.

So what are the best options available? Read on to learn about some of the top picks in order to find the perfect one for your needs!