Seriously, I'm a paper crafter, but I can't seem to use a craft knife. And by 'craft knife' I mean one of those
When I try, that blade seems to have a mind of its own. Perhaps I just got a bad batch of blades? Maybe it's because I'm left-handed. Yep, craft knifes are only meant for right-handed folks, so it's not my fault!
I had just about given up when I stumbled upon a solution. In October of 2010, I attended my very first Club Scrap® Retreat. One of the projects was the Photo Butler and we were able to use was a small, folding utility knife to cut a window into a piece of thick book board. From the moment I made my first cut with that knife, I knew I had finally found a tool I could use! I bought that knife right after class, and it is still my 'go-to' craft knife!
I get the best results by using the knife in conjunction with my glass cutting mat. I prep the cutting mat by brushing on a 50-50 mixture of Mount-it Adhesive and water. Once you've applied a thin coat of this mixture, let it dry completely.
The cutting mat is now ever-so-slightly tacky and will grip the paper you want to cut. Place your paper on the mat and press evenly. Now line up your ruler and carefully cut along the edge of the rule with firm, even pressure. It works for me every time!
The knife costs about $5-6, and a 5 pack of blades is around $2. The blades are double-ended, so it's like getting 10 blades! You can find knives and replacement blades like this at your local home improvement store. It's great for cutting paper and card stock as well as cardboard. Plus, it goes through thick book board like buttah if you're patient enough to make several passes with the knife.
So if you find yourself craft knife challenged like I once was, give this solution a try and you might find that the right kind of craft knife is nothing to fear!
Until next time, use your new craft knife skills to create something wonderful!
I remember I was sitting next to you in this workshop and how excited you were to have found this awesome cutting tool. It really cut like butter through all those thick layers of book board. Thanks for reminding me how great this was!
ReplyDeleteMy left hand can't hold the paper steady but with doing the cutting mat that might help. I still like my scissors.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right!! I can't seem to use this knife to do "fussy cutting" like some do with craft knives, but this is my go to!
ReplyDeleteAnd I never thought of watering down mount it but I am thinking this just might be the ticket to refresh my cricut cutting pads. For some reason unless they are really sticky they don't hold my beautiful CS papers.
That sounds like a good idea - I use a fat Zig two-way glue pen to do it right now and that works really well
DeleteThat is such a great tip! Thanks Ron!
DeleteHa, ha, Ron, I hate craft knives too. I'll take scissors over craft knives anytime. I bought a mat cutting thingy ($$$) to be able to cut bookboard and chipboard. I think I have 3-4 unfinished (unstarted, actually) Photo Butlers in my UFL cabinet--because I dread cutting out that hole!
ReplyDeleteRon!!! Thanks for the Mount-it tip...it's genius! (And the knife you have is my absolute favorite, too...no prissy pencil-like knives for me, no sir!)
ReplyDeleteThe mount it is a great idea - I have that knife and must admit, it is underutilized but I am not craft knife phobic so I have a few retractables including the one CS kept having on sale that looks like a pen that are my go to knives.
ReplyDeleteAwesome - I use that little knife more than any of the other scalpels I posess. Thank you Ron
ReplyDeleteAnnetteD
My name is Cher and I'm craft challenged. Thanks for the tips but I'll stick to my quillotine and scissors. I can't cut or draw a straight line with a ruler. Just looking at that knife gives me images of the local Emergency Room. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm relieved to hear that you're crafting safely, Cher! Keep it up!
DeleteI love that heavy duty knife, too! In fact, I just used it the other day to cut some book board. The trick with that is to make a shallow, initial cut with the ruler first. Then you can ditch the ruler and just keep running through the cut until you reach the cutting board. With enough pressure, it only takes about 4-5 passes. Not bad! And Ron, you're not alone on that phobia thing! I see it all the time!
ReplyDeletei also have issues with typical craft knives... they DO have a mind of there own when they're in my hands!!
ReplyDeletecan you please provide a link to where these utility knives can be purchased? is it a standard size or 'mini'??
thanks.
js
Janie, I bought refill blades at Lowe's; they have one made by Kobalt (that was the brand of blades I bought). It's a mini - knife - just a little over 4 inches long when opened (about 3 inches long when closed). I believe Home Depot carries them as well and in WI, I think CS got theirs at Menards (is that the right name?).
Deletethanks ron - i found this one on amazon and checked it out thru the manuf website ... it's housing is all aluminum (can't have any rubber cuz of latex allergy). it's cheaper at ace hardware, so having hubby check it out on his way home from work. it's by sheffield.
Deletehttp://sheffieldhardware.com/products/show/12116
REALLY appreciate your "timely" article! -- can't describe the frustration i've experienced with the standard craft knives and the 'mis-cuts' cuz they "just don't like me!"
Ron, I'm on your team - those swivel blade knives never work for me. I use a snap-blade knife (like the kind sold in the wallpaper department of the home improvement store)and a glass mat. Works for me every time! AND I am totally going to try the Mount-it glue trick!
ReplyDeleteI use a regular utility knife for all of my cutting - a Stanley fat max. I find it easier to grip, and I use Tricia's tip for cutting my bookboard
ReplyDeleteRon - I never realized that craft knives were geared toward righties! Seriously? I can't believe that never occurred to me, I just thought I was challenged. I bought that knife at the same retreat but I have been keeping it stored unless I need to cut bookboard. Maybe I need to pull it out and use it for everyday cutting...
ReplyDeleteRon, I'm as challenged as you are with those x-acto knives. I got a Fiskars, the one that fits on your finger - love it. I have one of those swivel blades, a couple of x-actos regular and the mini blades, I even have a few scalpels (ouch). But that finger grip Fiskars is like writing.
ReplyDeleteI will try your mount it idea - sounds perfect. I usually just put a little tiny strip of removable adhesive from those little glue rollers, but that only works most of the time.
ReplyDelete