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Swivel knife

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Swivel knife
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, July 13, 2017 8:27 AM

Went to hobby lobby last night to buy a swivel knife.  I had seen it a couple of weeks ago when I was in store looking over other sections than the modeling section, to see if there were items there that would be useful for modeling.

In the paper cutting session, where I found the item before, I found the blades but not the knife itself.  A salesperson showed me where the knife would have hung, but they were all out.  She said she thought they sold them in the modeling section, so I went over there to look, though I had not seen them before.

I indeed found what looked like swivel blades (X-acto brand), and finally found the knife- it looked almost like other X-acto handles, but had a hole in the chuck, not the simple x-cut.  And, it was considerably more expensive than the Fiskers knife in the paper crafts section.  Also, it did not come with any blades, while the Fisker item did include a few blades.

I picked up a jar of paint, and as I was approaching the checkout, the salesperson found me and said she found three more Fisker knives.  Bought one, will try it out and report back here on how well it works.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Thursday, July 13, 2017 10:41 AM

I have one of those darn swivel hobby knife. I hardly use them since I can't do anything with them. They're garbage to be honest.

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Chicago area
Posted by modelmaker66 on Thursday, July 13, 2017 10:24 PM

They are to cut fabric. My wife uses it to cut quilting squares with a straight edge guide. That is all it is good for really.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Far Northern CA
Posted by mrmike on Friday, July 14, 2017 1:55 AM

Before computers became the norm in graphic arts, all the work to create printing plates was done by hand. The process involved masking (lots of masking!) to allow various elements to print or not. The swivel knife was a very handy tool for creating broad to medium curves, but not so much for tight radii. The "trick" to using one is the same as any cutting tool; one should look ahead of the cut so that your hand follows your eye.

Looking forward to your report on how your knife helps your work Don, your posts are always informative.

Mike

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Friday, July 14, 2017 7:27 AM

I use one to cut away decal film on circular or curved decals. Works good for that but they take some practice. 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, July 14, 2017 4:29 PM

Nathan T

I use one to cut away decal film on circular or curved decals. Works good for that but they take some practice. 

 

I hope to use it cutting decals, tamiya tape, and frisket film.

 

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Nampa, Idaho
Posted by jelliott523 on Monday, July 17, 2017 9:33 AM

I have one of the Fiskars swivel cutters. I was hoping it would be a better tool than what it has been so far. I find that if you are using a template, how well it works, depends on how thick your template is. I had a circle template from a drafting supply store, it is made of acrylic; however, at 1/16" it seems too thick and the blace catches on the edges. With thinner, metal templates, it works okay. Light pressure and a delicate touch are important items to remember with these, too much pressure and the blade will not swivel, it will tear frisket film and Tamiya tape easily. Light pressure and multiple passes seems to help, but still not perfect.

On the Bench:  Lots of unfinished projects!  Smile

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • From: the redlands Fl
Posted by crown r n7 on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 8:56 AM

I wounder how that would work on BMF. 

 

 

 Nick.

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