X-Acto Knife – When Precision Is A Necessity, Count On X-Acto To Deliver
Written: Aug 06 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Allows for precision cuts in tight areas.
Cons: Can be extremely dangerous if handled incorrectly.
The Bottom Line: An artist’s essential and the perfect tool to use when cutting foam core, pressed cardboard, photo mats and more.
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| Freak369's Full Review: X-acto Light-Duty Knife with Aluminum Handle #11 B... |
I can't remember exactly when I started using X-Acto knives but I can't imagine life without one. When you make a list of 'essentials' for an artist, this is at the top of the list. With proper care it can last for years without needing replaced. There are so many different things that this tool can be used for and if you never thought you needed one, chances are you’ll want one when you are done reading this review. I won’t say that owning one of these will change your life, but it will make it a little easier. If you can hold a pencil or pen, you can use this knife – yes – it’s that simple and easy to use. But there are some precautions that you need to take before you start using this, common sense being one of the most important.
X-Acto Knife With #11 Blade
This is the basic model of the series however it should be reserved for those that have experience with these types of cutting tools. This one does not come with a protective cover or sleeve and is often purchased as a replacement tool for a cutting set. This features a textured tip near the cutting blade to give you added control when making exact cuts. If you don’t like the slick feel of the barrel or just need a little more of the textured area for gripping and security, you can purchase grit tape that can be applied to the body of the knife. The blade on this particular knife does not require any turning to expose the cutting edge, this means it is always exposed and should be kept in a safe spot when not in use. Using the knife is simple but it will take a little bit of time for you to get used to distributing the correct amount of pressure to get through different types of surfaces. You might want to have scraps on hand to practice with and always have a solid surface under your cutting area. I use an old wooden cutting board with a self-healing cutting pad on top of it. If I were to just use the wooden cutting board, eventually the cuts would interfere with the design I was working on – essentially trapping the blade in the grooves.
For crafters this can be used for cutting cloth, cording, wires, cross stick fabric, stretched canvas and thick sheets of cardboard. I have several versions of this X-Acto knife and consider all of them worthwhile investments. Anyone that works with miniatures or train sets ups can benefit from this knife when making alterations or trimming down accessory pieces. Scrapbookers will love using this to make cuts or for cutting out die sections, even more so if you use a T-square or angles. And unless you have a professional set up for trimming photos, this is the next best option – and it costs a lot less, takes up virtually no space and doesn’t cost a fortune for replacement cutting wheels. One thing to keep in mind is that the blade is extremely sharp and will cut through several layers of paper, photos or articles. If you are using this to cut out images from magazines or catalogs you should use a self healing cutting board or pad to eliminate the chance of ruining underlying pages.
Safety
Even after the blades have started to dull a little, they are still extremely sharp and should never be left unattended in the presence of children. I have cut myself many times with blades that I assumed were ‘dead’. I won’t go so far as to say that the edge of the blade is of surgical grade, but it will slice through skin quicker than you can blink. Old blades should be properly disposed of inside a X-Acto blade disposal system or if that isn’t available, several layers of tape can be wrapped around the blade in a criss-cross fashion. I can not stress this enough - these are not to be used by children. In fact, I’d go so far as to say don’t even use them in front of children – all it takes is a little curiosity and being told “don’t touch this” for them to seize the moment when you aren’t looking to give it a try. This can and will slice through skin, puncture skin and could severely injury if handled the wrong way.
As an added precaution, you can remove the blade from the knife and store it in a small container. Placing a piece of tape over the blade might seem like a good idea but it will reduce the amount of use you can get from it. Sticking an eraser on the end will prevent it from stabbing or jabbing you but, again, it will greatly reduce the life of the blade.
Price
This version cost about $2.50 and can be purchased at art or office supply stores. These are usually sold carded and on hang tags near the paint and poster board supplies. Stores that sell only art supplies might carry these loose without the blade; those are usually priced from $1.00 to $1.50. Replacement blades can be purchased in quantities as small as give blades up to bulk packs of 100. The price is the real attraction, the body of the knife is solid metal and will last a long time and refills are inexpensive. The small investment you make initially will pay off when you purchase your first set of refills – no more disposable box cutters or working with scissors that can’t give you the exact shape or contour you want or need.
Other Versions
If you are looking for something a few steps up from this version, there are a few options available. There are a few that come with covers and sleeves that cover the blade so it doesn’t need to be removed when you are done using it. The top of the line model comes with a triangular grip at the end that prevents it from rolling around and posing a hazard in busy work areas. If you want to spend a few dollars more, there is also a retractable version that allows you to pull the blade back into the body of the knife for added protection. This works just like a box cutter only you are working with a smaller blade and a rounded knife instead of a flat knife.
Bottom Line
Regardless of your artistic level or crafting skills, this is a great tool to have on hand. I’ve used it for everything from cutting wallpaper to creating my own stencils from thick plastic sheets. This is the perfect tool for working in small, tight or confined spaces or when a larger knife isn’t suitable. Some of the stranger things that I’ve used this knife for include but are not limited to – trimming wall boarders, cutting foam core for models, carving balsa wood, creating smooth edges on designs, trimming off excess material from blueprints, removing exact sections from artwork and more. As you can see, this isn’t something that only artists can benefit from having around the house. If you have the need to make accurate and precise cuts, are having trouble cutting images with scissors or don’t want to invest in an industrial, table mounted cutter, this is a great option to keep in mind.
For more information about the X-Acto series of knives and tools, please visit their official website at www.hunt-corp.com/office/xacto/officeframe.html.
As always, thanks for the visit …
^V^ Freak ^V^
© 2003 Freak369
Other artists essentials…
Bic Shake 'N Squeeze Correction Pen
Pilot P500 Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen
Pentel Clic Eraser
Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen
PaperMate DryLine Refillable Correction Film
Pentel EnerGel Liquid Gel Roller
Recommended:
Yes
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