10 Hobby Knife Upgrades
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.ย. 2024
- Tools:
X-Acto Gripster Knife, amzn.to/2TQ24uD
Soft Grip Hobby Knife, amzn.to/2D8HJvp
Fiskars Craft Knife, amzn.to/2ANKa4G
Fiskars Easy Change Knife, amzn.to/2Dac5gX
Fiskars Heavy-Duty Knife, No. 2 Blade, amzn.to/2ST1RXN
Excel Blades K47 Hobby Knife, amzn.to/2M8YCc2
Replacement Excel Blades, amzn.to/2M8YE3E
PenBlade, amzn.to/2TRLxGR
Slice Precision Cutter, amzn.to/2D9kAZH
Fiskars Fingertip Craft Knife, amzn.to/2M9Uk4e
Fiskars Circle Cutter, amzn.to/2AKA6t8
Transcript:
... Let’s start off by quickly going over the pros and cons of a classic X-Acto brand hobby knife. These are easy to find, inexpensive, and they use a standardized system of replacement blades.
What stinks is that they roll around, they get loose because you’re constantly gripping the element that tightens and loosens it, and even when it’s fully clamped down, the blade can still slip out. The hard, slick design can also hurt your hands after awhile.
X-Acto has their own answer to these complaints. This is called the Gripster, it’s around $6. It has a soft rubber coating on the barrel, and the tensioner is moved to the top, along with a flat-sided nut that prevents it from rolling too much.
It’s alright, but again, no matter how tight I make this thing, I can still just pull the blade right out. For both safety and precision, that’s a deal-breaker.
Fortunately, there’s a better version of this design that’s cheaper and even made in the USA. This soft-grip hobby knife from Excel is just $3.50, and you can see why it does a better job. The gripper for the blade comes at it from four directions. The blades on the X-Acto models I have only squeeze from two directions.
You’ve got the tensioner in the back where it’s out of the way, and the flat-sided hex nut has more surface area to keep it from rolling around.
If you do nothing else, stop this video here, drop $4 on this option and call it a day.
But, here’s one from Fiskars that surprisingly got it wrong. It’s the Fiskars Softgrip. It sells for around $7. Same idea with the adjustment at the top and a four-point grip on the blade. And arguably a better barrel design with this ergonomic rubber grip.
Problem is, on mine at least, the adjustment is really tough and twists inside the barrel. I can get it to release the blade by gripping near the blade, but it doesn’t feel safe.
Fortunately, there’s a better version of this from Fiskars called the Easy Change Detail Craft Knife. It sells for $8 and has a nearly identical shape that’s very comfortable to hold and doesn’t roll on your table.
This is my favorite craft knife. I probably should have saved it for the end. Here’s why it’s so cool. To change the blade, you pull pull the end back until it clicks, bend it down, and you can gently remove the blade.
Despite the fact that the blade is only gripped from two sides, it is really stuck in there. I don’t know what they’re doing to get such a great fit, but it works and hopefully won’t loosen up over time.
While we’re at it, here’s another Fiskars quick release design, but for a heavy duty No 2. Blade. This one is around $6. It has a bigger, chunkier handle, and one side is somewhat flattened out and uses a grey rubber that’s got a little give to it.
Overall, it feels more like using a big Sharpie. I imagine if you’ve got a little arthritis this might be less painful to hold, but I can’t say for certain.
The balance is unusual for this, because the back of the knife is not only bigger, but also has the easy-change hardware. I can’t say that’s good or bad, but you notice it.
I also noticed that the blade grip on here isn’t quite as tight as the smaller detail knife. It’s good, but without a way to do any fine adjustment on it, you either have to live with it or look for another option. I also thought the blade cover for this was insufficient. It’s kinda hard to put on without stabbing yourself.
Now here’s a really unique option. This one’s from Excel, who also made that great, cheap option I showed at the beginning. This is a retractable blade, in a metal, clip-on pen design. It’s $10, but feels very James Bond.
There’s a fine knurled grip on the tip of the barrel. A button above the clip retracts the knife with a very satisfying click. As you’d imagine, the blade itself is about half the size of a standard #11 blade. This also makes them a specialty to reorder. A 2-pack of replacement blades on Amazon runs around $7 -- almost as much as the knife.
Still, it’s a cool design, and neat that it completely retracts into the barrel for safety. That said, there’s nothing to prevent it from accidentally getting engaged if anything pushes up against the plunger. So, I wouldn’t keep this in a pocket....
My index finger hurts like hell from my exacto. I decided to see what I could do about it. You already did 98% of the research for me. All I have to do now is view the video again and place my order. Thanks!
Video: "Drop $4 and call it a day"
Me: Grabs $4 to drop
Amazon: $11.25
NNITRED with "free" delivery, right?
$25 dollars now how ridiculous
I found a video about using surgical knife blades for hobbies by Paul Budzik. In it, he explained the advantages of using a #6 scalpel handle with a #25A blade (Both the handle and the blades are more stout than the usual surgical knives) I tried it, using blades and a holder I found on eBay, and like it so much I bit the bullet and purchased a full on, Swann/Morton metal handle for those blades. Now the plastic handles you can get are comfortable, and, at around $ 4.00, affordable. The metal handle is about 10X that, but the feel of it in my hand is better than anything else I have tried in 40 years of modeling.
That said, I will be getting one of those little Fiskers finger knives to try out as well. Thanks for the review!
Yeah, I've been meaning to try something like that as well. I forgot where I found it but these N.24 blades were recommended as hobby knives too, and $8 is not bad for 100 blades plus handle smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UWSJSB2?pf_rd_p=c2945051-950f-485c-b4df-15aac5223b10&pf_rd_r=2YDACNWD89W8DB2VRKQ8
I've been using it and damn those blades are too sharp.. I usually end up having cuts..xD
Olfa has a great range. Comfortable to hold and easy blade changes and they hold the blades very tight. Only a bit on the expensive side.
I have the Citadel (first better version imo), many X-actos, Fiskars, and the Olfa is by far my favorite hobby knife. The blades Olfa (Japan) makes is superb (absolute best quality).
Thank you for the recommendation. A precision cutting tool is necessary in my line of work so I am always looking for the best options possible. Cheers.
@@thepassionofthegoose5472 the 360 swivel blade is great for small curved lines
Never thought they were that many options, especially for people who have difficulties with gripping! Thanks for the video.
Quick question what are they used for in drawings?
Thank you. I work in vinyl for a living and cutting is a necessary last step in the installation process. I have been looking for a variety of blade designs to accommodate different situations and your video was helpful in my search. Cheers.
If the ceramic blade was supposed to be so sharp, why was it tearing the paper instead of cutting it cleanly?
I appreciate how thorough your reviews are. Thanks.
Perfect review video. Well done!! I didn't know I needed a circle cutter, but not I want one, for no reason.
They’re a great tool to have. For tiny circles, I searched for and found an OLFA CMP-1 circle cutter. Down to 4.75 mm. Use it for scale models and other things. None of the retail “hobby/craft stores” had anything close to that. Hoping this helps someone.
Stanley also makes one with four-sided grip on the blade. Same as exacto except it really grips the blade and doesn't come loose. Home Depot sells it for less than $4.
I have the Martha Stewart one and I love it!
I like the fiskars finger tip knife myself and might have to try that excell. Really nice video, thanks!
Ah! cool. I've seen those Fiskars at the craft store and was curious about how good they were.
The "Fingertip" knife looks like it is a play on the classic Swivel Knife used in leathercraft. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swivel_knife) Don't be fooled! While I'm not dissatisfied with it, it does not swivel at all. It does completely change where pressure is applied when making firm cuts. Way up at the base of the finger. I find it to be less tiring than pressing firmly with a standard pencil-style hobby knife when cutting on large flat surfaces.
I own three different exacto knife models, have them for more than 45 years.. great condition
Nothing beats a Swan Morton Scapel holder and size 10A blades. Far superior to any exacto blades.
Or a no 11 blade on a foldable scalpel holder.
I use a made in USA Techni-edge. Machined aluminum with knurling. Never loose, nice and light, affordable.
I found for the heavy duty quick change knife, you just need to tighten it. To do that, unlock it, and then spin the orange lever - one way tightens it, the other way loosens it. This may make it very hard to lock it again - but the blade definitely won't slip out
But you didn't mention swivel knives.
I like the traditional Fiskars exacto knife, but the cap is the most unsafe cap you could possibly have. I have to keep the knife in a cup for pens and pencils because it's just an accident waiting to happen if you have it in a tool bag.
Best comparison video ever, thank you!!
Excel has always made better knifes
Extremely informative and well done comparison!
The Fiskars knife you said should have been left for last has been my daily for a couple years now. Unfortunately, the blade locking mechanism does loosen up over time to the point where I need to replace mine right now. The blade hardly stays put anymore, so long term it will need replacing.
You forgot to add the link to the Excel K18 blade. Also, you don’t mention the blade’s model number in the video...could you add it to the text description instead? Many thanks!
no
@@rohilx9771 why not he was just asking
Great Job! Thank you!
Love these videos and totally getting the excel
The problem with all of these except the x acto is u can get them sterilized as well as the all metal body of the x acto that’s why it’s still the best for lab work. X acto still wins in that department
I would love to see a video just on #2 handles. Looking for a better solution to cut leather.
I need one that cuts plastic like transparency film pls
Thank you for posting. Gives some more knowledge on whats out there. The only thing is, I’m looking for a pen type that has a Circle ⭕️ around it? I’m wanting it for scrapbook to outline letters and shapes with control of a 1/2 or 1/4 inch all around. I haven’t seen anything like that. Yet
Swann Morton Scalpel, best blades by far
What surgeon is using that pen blade.... How is that remotely sanitary?
That's what I was thinking!
Oh hey, I also first heard about the circle cutter from Eric Strebel's videos!
Same here! I was wondering where I recognized that strange contraption from.
i love you 4 this video im new to the tshirt business & you have save my life 😂😂🤗🤗
I like the blade at 4:00 but it can be activated too easily which is dangerous for such a sharp blade, also the downside are propriatery blades. Whoever will invent a retractable blade that's safe in your pocket and takes classic blades could potentially win the market. Maybe that's a good product design waiting to be discovered.
Thank you.
Great video but I disagree about EXACTO. I have the x2000 and I can't pull a blade out with pliers after engagement. Just sayin
With regards to the Fiskars Heavy Duty knife, you state, "It’s good, but without a way to do any fine adjustment on it (the blade lock), you either have to live with it or look for another option." If I understand your statement properly, this isn't correct. If the blade is too lose when you close the cam lock, just open the cam lock again, rotate it 360 degrees and close it again. There is an internal screw mechanism that shortens the shaft when you do this, which in turn, puts more pressure on the cam and therefore tightens the grip on the blade. If the blade is still too lose after this, just repeat the process until the blade is fully locked in place.
I just got a stainless steel scalpel handle and a pack of 100 blades for like 10 bucks, not as strong as xacto blades but does the work
With the big Fiskars you have to turn the orange thing to tighten the blade . Not just flip open, that’s how throw you tube demos it .
I've been hearing you talk about the Cool Tools for about a year now, but it wasn't until I subscribed to your email newsletter and clicked the link that I realized it was a separate channel. I just assumed TH-cam wasn't feeding the links to me. I'll have to check out your back catalog now.
I have the fiskers circle cutter and the thing that make it not worth the purchase is its very hard to see the arrow that you align to get your circle diameter. And with the padded foot you can't get a reading on a ruler unless you take the foot off and then you need a third hand to tighten it. All they needed to do is make the alignment arrow darkened so you could see it better
I love Fiskar's products, high quality at affordable prices.
I have the Fiskars and it works great
There seem to be 2 versions of the Fiskars Easy Change Knife. I bought two from the link amzn.to/2Dac5gX and they both have no grip on the blade. I contacted Fiskars and they sent me replacements that are awesome! The replacements are Fiskars Easy Change Fabric Knife (3 blades) 164010-1001. The only visible difference is that the handle's cap is gray tinted translucent (rather than untinted). I hesitate to provide a product link as none that I found show the packaging. If you do find a package image it should look like goo.gl/Wgq8CE.
Nothing beats OLFA either on these here o on snap off ones which they invented!!
I dropped X-acto blade for no 11 scalpel blade with a no 3 handle or my foldable one.
Fiskars Softgrip Heavy Duty Detail Knife is the best one I have ever used.
Its cylidrical. It has bigger radius closer to No2 knives but its actually a No1 knife as it takes No11 Blades and not No2. Bigger body is so easier to use.
The softgrip is great.
The knife looks and feels great.
It has a 4 Jaw Chuck.
Very informative video thank you very much..
Blimey, UK prices over twice yours when these are available!
thank you, helpful
Hey what does that mean when you say that the barrel becomes it’s own sharps deisign or how ever you said that on the surgical three pack throw away knifes please ?! Very awesome video as I’ve been wanting to get some good Kraft knives but didn’t know which way to go ! Ty so much again !
I wish you showed the covers. I don’t like xacto because of their tiny, useless knife cover.
NT cutter model D400GP sounds and looks promising its perfect for someone who needs a smaller blade like me
and now afert 1,5 year dus the Fiskars Easy Change Knife still hold the blades well????
Need to review NT Cutter SW-G600 Made in Japan - it swivels for cutting curves but I can't figure out how to use it!
Thumb up for you
Fantastic video. Keep up the great work.
The korcraft everyday blade is the best x acto knife in the world probably
why would a four way grip matter when the blade is flat?!?
Mine is like that too. Maybe so you can use the other slot when one wears out.
It pushes in four directions towards the middle of the blade, increasing grip strength. This is my guess at least 😅
I have a excel, I use it for trimming Tesla parts as a tool. It is better than the Xactos.
I got a great one here in the UK from Amazon - The Model Craf Collection Retractable Hobby Knife. Vibrant yellow and blue plastic handle with contoured shape, blue rubber grip, and blades are replaceable. The blade can be extended and locked in 2 different positions - standard and extended.
Kertas untuk buat sticker
Sorry, but you state right at the beginning that these knives use a standardized system of replacement blades, however if you look at the slot in the base of that first x-acto "#11" blade that you show right at the beginning of your video, you can see that it is longer than the slot of several (maybe most) of the other knives you show. So, they are not standardized in this respect, and if you have a tool that uses blades with one slot size, they may not work properly at all with a "#11" blade with a different slot. I have pocket utility knives that use these blades, and the blades are not necessarily interchangeable in all the knives. In fact, if you go to a hardware store or arts/crafts store to buy replacement blades, you'd better take an old blade along to make sure you get the blade with the correct slot. Many of the newer "#11" blades are made in China and have smaller slots, and even on the same exact peg of the same exact brand of knives, you may find packs of knives with different slots. It seems as though the more recent blades are coming with the shorter slots, so for whatever reason (hopefully not greed), you may find that you have to buy new blade holders in order to use newer models of blades. :-|
My Excel blade is going to ****ing kill me. Those are sharp.
I've come to love my Dewalt brand all metal knife with the snap off blades. Also check out the This Old Tony channel to learn about an ultrasonic oscillating knife.
Fiskars have the best scissors too
I’m currently cutting a stencil from an old NatGeo cover, which is sturdier than the new magazine covers. But cutting 1/4” circles is impossible. The cheapest Slice (the one you recommended) I’ve found is $15 shipping included. I would hate to spend that kind of $$ and find it doesn’t work for tiny circles. You did say it’s hard to tell where you’re cutting 😱 Any thoughts would be welcome.
This might be a stupid suggestion, but how about using a standard hole punch? I’m pretty sure they are 1/4”.
Hey man. Is there a blade that can cut a small consistent groove by hand?
Best for gunpla?
wow!! thank you.
Just stumbled across this video. I have the slice ceramic cutter, and the criticisms are valid. However, it works great on tough packaging. If you did a cricle cutter, why not the EK Success Circle Scissor or the Martha Stewart circle cutter?
@ J. Adams I’m trying to cut 1/4” to 1/2” circles in a stencil I’m making with a sturdy old NatGeo cover. Would the circle scissor work for that? Martha may be too expensive; she usually is. Just found EK tool doesn’t cut circles small enough. I’m wondering if the Slice tool might work best for such small circles. Only 8 circles in the stencil but they’re what give the stencil its impact.
@@63artemisia63 Are you talking Nat Geo magazine or a hardbound collection? I'm guessing magazine, since you are talking about a stencil. Yes, both the slice tool and the circle cutter would work. You could also try die-cutting on a hand-crank or digital cutter.
@@lyllydd Thanks. I appreciate the response. Since I read a couple Amazon reviews saying Slice isn’t great for curves - and circles are curves - I decided to circumvent the, yes, magazine cover problem by using Tyvek for the stencil, even though I’m afraid it’s at least partly some kind of plastic and I was hoping to avoid plastic. O, just discovered it’s 100% recyclable! 🎈🤸♂️🎈
Had my Exacto for yrs, no problems, so why do I want another one?
suspicious that there is so much of one brand there and they are getting all the good hype...
For less than a dollar, I got a precision knife with EVERY ONE of the features you describe as being the best: tightener at back, four-way grip of blade, hex nut so doesn't roll on the table. Has a great cap, too. Why pay more? Oh, and I cannot pull the blade out no matter how hard I try unless I loosen the grip. Perfect.
That why I use the medical ones
have the same x-acto gripster and the blade isn't loose. Either this guy has a defective knife or is just plain putting the blade wrong.
You are obviously not tighten the original xacto enough I never had a blade loosen on me
The only reason I can imagine for not including Olfa would be that there wasn't an Amazon incentive.
I had to chuckle. Your excel knife doesn't even have a point.
My old Xacto appears to have been thrown away by a hired handy-man. Looking to replace it, I noticed that the newer ones all have much smaller red handles. Why do they have to cheapen things so much? How much $ do they save on 1 oz of plastic handle?
I'll buy a Fiskar's instead.
Really cool tools. I'm also a papercutting artist and know how important is to have a good cutting knife. Very informative. You you will like my art work.
Which one can cut transparency film good like the thin plastic type
I never understood why the x-acto brand is still synonymous with crafts. Their knives are so godawful designed for no good reason. It'd be so easy for them to add a little knob or flat face to prevent the knife from rolling off. And those damn safety caps never stay on.
5:00 sharpening isnt an option?
There is no replacement for the Japanese NT Cutter and Olfa brand... all the rest are toys.
If only I had seen this before! My partner and I started ErgoKiwi as a kickstarter 3 years ago. the Kiwi is essentially a complete redesign of the conventional hobby knife. We started making handles for ourselves in architecture school, something ergonomic to make model-building more bearable. Over two years we made started making them for our peers too, giving us the chance to study how everyone uses a knife and how the form relates to the human hand. It took about 200 iterations to find the design we have today and all it turned out so well we brought it Kickstarter and now we're bringing Kiwis to the world! We've only been selling for a year, but already we've got some of the top designers and creatives in the world become supporters of Kiwi. Also, we work closely with Excel blades, they're our favorites! :-) Anyway, you should check us out! www.ergokiwi.com
I actually ordered one of those about a week ago from District Leather Supply. Do you know if the Olfa blades are compatible?
@@reallunacy Awesome! I love those guys, some of our favorite people to work with! We haven't been able to get a retrofit for Olfa just yet but we'd love to figure out a design that works with the snap blades and we plan to design something in the future. For now though it's designed for the standard #2 blades. We've always found them to be superior in terms of durability, particularly Excel's, which we always ship alongside our orders.
@@cameronchateauneuf5333 so Olfa makes the hobby blade style that X-acto is known for. I'll probably buy some soon and email you the results.
Tried to order one of these knives but could not order replacement blades. Not good. Does not bode well for the future.
@@judywyatt4790 Hi Judy! We're running a bit low on our blade inventory since we've been locked down at home, but you can get any #2 or #11 blades, they are a universal size. I would recommend Excel blades, you can get them on Amazon or your preferred art supply store!
when you drop the scalpel 💀
Review misleading. My authentic Exactos work great and don't lose like he says.
AKA “craft” knives.
Too much plastic. The X-ACTO 1 or 2 are all you will ever need.
From my experience, X-Acto knife are horrible. I love my Excel knifes. Way sharper than your typical X-Acto