Recently I got an email from the folks at X-ACTO asking if I would test out a knife and give a few away. I use a craft knife fairly often in my work and I know you all probably do, too. I thought we all might like a few fresh knives to work with so I agreed.
I was interested to learn from their website that X-ACTO started out in 1917 as a producer of syringes and surgical blades. You all are well aware at this point of my love of hemostats (and if you’re not, you can watch my hemostat video). The craft blade was created by the company’s founder for one of their advertising artists who needed a retouching knife (not sure what a retouching knife is, but I imagine it was something advertising artists used in the days before design software). And this changed their whole product line! I love craft tools that have their roots as medical instruments.
Since then I think it is safe to say that “X-ACTO” has become pseunonymous with “craft knife” the way that Xerox means copy and Vaseline means petroleum jelly. In fact, as I was writing the tools and materials section in my new book last week I had to remember, per the publisher’s style guide, to refer to my knife as a “craft knife.” That just sounds awkward.
To review this knife I decided to make a small cutwork butterfly.
I made a few large butterflies in March for National Nonwovens to display in their booth at spring Quilt Market. This time I thought I’d make a smaller version that could be hung as an ornament or made into a mobile.
First I drew a butterfly shape on freezer paper, ironed it to a double layer of black felt, and cut it out so that I had two black butterflies. I ironed my freezer paper to a piece of brightly colored felt and cut that out, too.
I placed one black butterfly on my cutting mat and I spent last evening cutting out the interior shapes with my new X-ACTO knife. I like to listen to a good podcast while I’m doing this. This one is about the concept of free, which seems appropriate here, and I found it really thought-provoking.
My new X-ACTO designer series knife has a handle with an especially nice grip that I found comfortable to hold. Having a sharp blade makes all the difference in the ease and accuracy of cutting, just like having a sharp machine needle, so that was nice. I like this knife and it is certainly an upgrade from the dull, rusty-handled, off-brand knife I was using before. Why not also try this otf knife for an alternative cutting experience, especially if you’re looking for quick and effortless deployment?
Once I had cut out the interior details on my black butterfly, I used a gluestick to cover the backside of it with glue and then placed it on top of the brightly colored butterly. Then I placed the whole thing on the second black butterfly. I used a zigzag stitch to finish the edges.
I made a little felt body from two layers of black felt, sewed it and turned it right side out, stuffed it firmly, and sewed it in place betweent the wings. Then I threaded a length of wire through its head and glued felted wool balls to the ends to create little antennae. Ta da!
I was interested to learn that there are all different kinds of blades for X-ACTO knives. I’m sure people who do paper crafts or stenciling already know about all the blade options, but I had no idea there were so many choices. There are saw blades and scoring blades, fine point and heavy point blades, heavy duty and contoured blades. My Designer Series handle came with a #11 fine blade which worked perfectly well for this project.
X-ACTO has sent me a few blades to give away. The first is their Designer Series Gripster Knife and the second is their Retract-A-Blade Knife. They both seem to have all-purpose blades that would be appropriate for cutting many different kinds of materials.
If you’d like one of these knives leave me a comment on this post (U.S. residents only) and I’ll choose two winners at random on Wednesday, September 21, at 9 am.
Melissa Haworth says
count me in–I’ve nearly worn out my xacto blade cutting up cardboard for picture frames 😉
Laura says
I’d love a new X-Acto blade! 🙂
dawn says
I don’t usually use an X-acto blade in my work but recently had to cut something really complicated (the Starbucks logo). I was amazed and now it’s my go to for fussy cutting. I’d love a new one!
Susan says
I collect x-Acto knives and buy #11 blades by the box of 40. I think I’ve used them in every medium that I’ve tried. There’s nothing like starting a project with a new x-Acto blade in my knife or a new needle in my sewing machine.
Kathy says
Thanks for the informative post. I would love to win a new blade.
Tasha says
Retractabe X-ACTO blades! This is like the time I finally saw retractable highlighters. Amazing!
(Hope this isn’t too obnoxious, but if you want to know about the craft knife vs. X-ACTO thing: When a trademarked name becomes the default name for a product through common usage (ie, saying “x-acto” instead of “craft knife”) then the company loses their trademark and the protections that provides. This happened to aspirin, escalator and kerosene.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genericized_trademark
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_generic_and_genericized_trademarks)
Ramona says
oooh, how neat! I wonder if there’s a store near me that stocks lots of different X-acto blades… I mean, I know I can get a few, but I’d love to see the whole line….
Wendi Gratz says
Oooh – nice! I always buy X-Acto brand, but I always get the plain metal ones with the small barrel and they really make my hand ache after a lot of cutting. These look a lot more comfortable to hold. And that retractable blade looks great! I buy the ones with the clear caps on them, but the caps have a tendency to fall off in my purse. And yes – I carry an X-acto blade in my purse. You never know when you’ll need to do some precise cutting! 🙂
Melissa Crowe says
I have to admit I’ve never tried cutting felt with a knife. I’d like to!
Tasha says
Ha, sorry — I was totally “that guy”!
colleen says
What great knife!
SewLindaAnn says
I learned to appreciate using sharp blades after cutting my fingers with dull knives in the kitchen. Thanks for the review, it was a good day to see something sweet like a butterfly.
Allison says
I am inspired by your butterflies! I would love to try the new blades!!
susan says
I would love to try out one of these. The grips look great.
Beth Grim says
I’m still using the x-acto knife kit that was my Mom’s (like, 40? years ago!). It would be great to update my craft knife kit!
Gayle says
I would love to use the pink one in my book binding class. It looks really comfortable
Cindy G. says
I love the idea of a retractable X-Acto knife! What a great idea! The cover to my existing X-Acto is forever falling off, so this would make me feel safer about putting an X-Acto in my “on the road” supply kit!
Beanie says
I would like a new X-Acto – I have no clue where my old one went!
Tiffany Harvey says
I really should replace my clay & rust covered set! It’s embarrassing.
kelli says
I need a new one. I hid the old ones when the kids were toddlers, and now I can’t find them!
Mona says
I’m a cutter (of paper) — you can never have enough good craft knives!
Laura Larkin says
Your butterflies are beautiful!
My old X-Acto wandered off with someone else’s craft supplies during a print shop class. Serves me right I guess, for not being wise enough to paint my name on it!
Jasmine Nelson says
I never say “craft knife” either so I would love a new X-acto!!
Laura Allen says
I would love a new x-acto knife. I desperately need one but don’t have the money to invest in one.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Caren Adams says
I tracked down some hemostats just because of your post a while back. They’re my new best friend! And yes, please sign me up for a new X-acto. I have an old off-brand, too, an inherited “craft knife” and it is terrible (the doggone blade keeps falling out)!!!
dina says
would love a new one. the butterflies are great.
thanks
Crunchy Con Mommy says
Beautiful butterflies! I just used my thread scissors to cut a jack O’Lantern out of orange felt for a coaster (with a black felt layer under) because I couldn’t think of a better way, but now I’m feeling sheepish. Obviously I should’ve used an Xacto!
RandomRachel says
I love my craft knifes for paper crafting – I haven’t really had occasion to use them for sewing yet. I would love to win one of these – thanks for the giveaway!
Sara says
That looks like a great knife. Silly me – I’ve only ever tried to cut paper-type things, but now seeing you can use them with felt, well, I just want to cut all sorts of things now!
Liane says
Wow, I’d love to try one of these!
Dhonna says
I can’t wait to try making one (or two 🙂 of these butterflies, I work with felt frequently and I can’t believe I haven’t used an x-acto knife to cut out my patterns before…maybe that is how other folks get such fine details? Thanks for the inspiration!
Deborah Neal says
I have been displaced for some time but have just gotten into a new place to live (still getting settled in) and would like to start crafting again. I have 7 grandchildren including a newborn peanut. I would like to start making things for their rooms and toys and clothes for them. All of my sewing crafting tools were lost when we were uprooted so I could really use this X-ACTO knife. Alexis (Chickie) would love these butterflies for her room.
THANKS,
Grammie Debi
Abby Glassenberg says
Sorry, Grammie Debi, but this post was from 2011.
Lana says
Old post, but it is still nice to read some reviews. When you love paper-crafting, you never have enough craft knives!
There are some new things out there. Specially when you want to do some crafts with children. I recently found ceramic blade craft knives.
https://www.sliceproducts.com/product/craft-knife
It is nearly impossible to cut skin and that is great.
Abby says
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve heard about ceramic blade kitchen knives, but not craft knives.