10 Hobby Knife Upgrades

Tools:

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....

[rogerdodger]

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!

[Warshipmodelsunderway]

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!

[Yonni]

I've been using #3 and #4 scalpel handles. Dental scalpels are often rounded and knurled. For me, these work better because they let me get close to the work and see better than the larger X-ACTO handles. But each tool has it's "best application" depending on the job. GREAT Video! Thank you for posting this.

[MrsRemi]

Never thought they were that many options, especially for people who have difficulties with gripping! Thanks for the video.

[AndrevwZA]

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.

[thepassionofthegoose]

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.

[NNITRED]

Video: "Drop $4 and call it a day"
Me: Grabs $4 to drop
Amazon: $11.25

[Perspectologist]

I appreciate how thorough your reviews are. Thanks.

[firstmkb]

If the ceramic blade was supposed to be so sharp, why was it tearing the paper instead of cutting it cleanly?

[johnsokolowski]

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.

[hawaiirealmedia]

Perfect review video. Well done!! I didn't know I needed a circle cutter, but not I want one, for no reason.

[BeatlesFanSonia]

I have the Martha Stewart one and I love it!

[GHohn]

I use a made in USA Techni-edge. Machined aluminum with knurling. Never loose, nice and light, affordable.

[wolfCatworkshop]

I like the fiskars finger tip knife myself and might have to try that excell. Really nice video, thanks!

[caskwith]

Nothing beats a Swan Morton Scapel holder and size 10A blades. Far superior to any exacto blades.

[lulubunmellow]

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

[edithkinsey]

Best comparison video ever, thank you!!

[leslieprice]

Extremely informative and well done comparison!

[nickiboyle]

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

[calvinshaferiii]

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.