For the novice do-it-yourselfer who wants to look like a pro when it
comes to handling tools of the trade, a little practice may be in
order. The up side is that there are dozens of tools out there to make
the job easier. The down side is that there are dozens of tools out
there to make the job easier. Before launching into your next ambitious
home project, make yourself familiar with some of the more common DIY
knives and their uses:
Retractable Blade Utility Knife This
general-use tool is designed to cut materials such as drywall,
cardboard cartons, laminates, and plastic. A retractable blade retracts
into the body of the knife for safer operation and storage. Some models
have been designed with up to three blade positions to handle different
cutting depths.
To change the blade, the handle generally
unscrews or swivels open to permit blade changes, and some models have
extra blade storage in the handle itself. For extra safety, some models
feature a spring-loaded blade that automatically retracts when the
knife is released. Also look for higher-end models with rubber grips
and ergonomic designs for better gripping.
Fixed Blade Utility Knife Like
the retractable utility knife, the fixed blade utility knife is ideal
for general-use projects. Fixed blade models lock the blade between the
halves of the knife to provide blade stability. To change the blade,
the handle generally unscrews or swivels open and unlike the
retractable knives, the fixed blade knife accepts larger or
special-purpose blades that do not retract into the handle. For
storage, the blades can be stored inside the handle.
Snap Blade Knife The
snap blade knife is generally used for cutting light- and medium-duty
materials such as wallpaper, rubber, vinyl, and leather, or materials
with adhesive backing that will stick to the blade and prevent sharp,
accurate cutting. The snap blade is designed with typically eight to 13
blade sections that snap off without the user having to open the tool
to change blades. One-inch wide blades are hard and sharp - ideal for
nearly any home improvement project.
Carpet Knife For those
do-it-yourselfers who are going to tackle a carpet removal or
installation, the carpet knife was designed for trimming and cutting
carpet and other floor materials. The carpet knife's angular design
provides easier access to hard-to-reach areas. Many models feature
retractable blades and blade storage in the handle.
Precision Knife Also
refereed to as an X-Acto or hobby knife, the precision knife is used
for precision cutting. The precision knife is a pencil-sized tool ideal
for cutting lightweight materials, such as paper or poster board. The
ultra-sharp blades are made from surgical steel and come in a variety
of triangular and curved shapes. The knife contains a built-in chuck to
hold and secure blades and some models feature blade storage in the
handle.
Utility Knife Safety Tips
1. Always wear safety glasses when using utility knives. Blades can snap off unexpectedly.
2.
Always use sharp blades. Dull blades are a safety hazard that requires
more force to make the cut, which can lead to tool slippage. Change
your blades often.
3. Always pull the knife toward you when cutting, and make several passes when cutting thicker material.
4. Keep your free hand away from the line of cut.
5. When making cuts on a surface below you, stand or kneel to one side of the line.
6. Make sure the blades are secured properly in the knife to prevent slippage.
When
using a straight edge to guide a cut, clamp it down or keep your free
hand away from the cutting path of the knife. Don't bend the blades or
apply side loads.
7. Remain patient when cutting thick materials. Make several passes, cutting a little deeper into the material with each pass.
8. Never leave a utility knife unattended, especially with the blade exposed.
Safecutters
Inc. provides an online store of utility knife box cutters for opening
shipping boxes and shipping packages, as well as safety knives to open
moving boxes and packages. For more information about Klever Kutter
and Klever Koncept and other Safecutters products, visit http://www.safecutters.com.
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