Snap-off Knives

[Marie]

We have always kept a bucket of snap-off, disposable knives on-hand. The last batch or 2 of these knives have not been good. The blades seem thinner and wavy. They are great for messing up a piece of foamboard. We don't like a heavy metal knife-blade holder. Anyone have a brand of knife that they rely on and have had good results with?? Thanks!

 

[gabagoo]

I use the heavy duty Olfa knives for cutting coro and pvc and also scoring composite aluminum. Never have an issue although you do have to snap the blades fairly frequently when cutting magnetic material and styrene of all things. I find the regular Olfa knives seem to cut under the straight edge and miss the mark and sometimes can be wavy. I basically use them for cutting up vinyl for in house use. I have a rotary cutter but that thing just plain scares me lol

 

[d fleming]

Utility knife or xacto. I am hell on wheels with a large purple safety ruler and utility knife. If I'm not at the shop where I can use my fletcher terry wall mount

 

[GaSouthpaw]

Second the OLFA. I use the "heavier" blades. Can't remember the part number, but they're available pretty much everywhere.
EDIT: If I'm doing detail work or weeding, I prefer using a hobby knife. I feel like the fine point gives me better control.

 

[oksigns]

2nd fletcher cutter

if I don't have access to one, then I use my big blue ruler and xacto for foam core board

 

[d fleming]

Once you get used to a utility knife (which uses the same blade as a wall mount) you'll wonder why you used anything different for foamcore. The big purple safety ruler is pricey but worth every penny. I have a nice olfa or two, good for some things but not everything.

 

[printhog]

I've had to pinch the gap on the olfa light weight blade holders often. They make them with a broad tolerance and that gives the tip a lot of wiggle. A quick pinch with pliers while there's a blade in the knife will correct the flaw and prevent the blade undercutting from shifting.

A lot of cut issues are a combination of the blade angle in your hand, the straight edge being above the surface, the media, and the table surface. Old cutting mats, plywood table tops or plastic table tops get grooves cut into them with time. Those grooves act as channels to mis direct your knife tip.

For accurate cutting rotary knife trimmers are so worth it. They range from $200 to $900 for manual models. Guillotine cutters are best for gang cutting lots of identical sheets.


its only a freaking sign!

 

[bannertime]

I've always used a simple Stanley utility knife for cutting foam board or expanded pvc. Some times I'll use the purple sooper ruler w/ the cutting tool, and some times my old Saw Trax. Never an X-acto or snap off knife.