A precision knife is a small, handheld cutting tool with a replaceable, razor-sharp blade, designed to make controlled, detailed cuts in paper and other thin materials. Unlike a box cutter meant for corrugate, a craft or hobby precision knife prioritizes maneuverability and accuracy over brute force.
On Printing Supplies Direct, you’ll find a variety of X‑ACTO knives and replacement blades ideal for print shops, hobbyists, and crafters.
Typical Paper And Craft Use Cases
- Trimming card fronts, photo mats, and sticker sheets
- Fussy cutting illustrations and die-cut prototypes
- Weeding vinyl decals and heat-transfer designs
- Cutting windows, tabs, and slots in mockups or packaging comps
- Scoring fold lines for crisp, crack-free creases
If you need clean edges, tiny radii, or tight inside corners, a precision knife like the X‑ACTO Precision Utility Knife Metal Silver is the right tool.
Precision Versus Scissors And Rotary Cutters
Scissors are fast for long, loose shapes but distort paper fibers. Rotary cutters excel at straight, long cuts, especially on fabric, but struggle with complex curves and inside corners. A precision knife slices vertically, minimizing fiber crush, and can pivot on a dime, they´re perfect for card makers, paper modelers, and pre-press applications.
Blade Types And Sizes For Paper Projects
Standard Point (#11)
The #11 is the classic triangular blade with a fine tip and long cutting edge. Ideal for:
- General-purpose cutting in copy paper to 100 lb cover
- Tight inside corners and acute angles
- Trimming vinyl, washi, and photo borders
Available from PSD as #11 Stainless Steel Classic Blades – 100/Box to pair with any X‑ACTO handle.
Chisel, Micro, And Scoring Blades
- Chisel blades: paring edges, flush trimming against rulers, laminates
- Micro blades: ultra-fine tips for intricate paper art
- Scoring blades (#16): press fibers without cutting, for fold lines on coated and heavy cover stocks
Find scoring and chisel blades in the X‑ACTO Blade selection on PSD.
Swivel Blades
Swivel blades rotate 360° in a tiny bearing, perfect for curves, flourishes, and script lettering. They require practice but excel where standard blades feel bulky. Check out the Gripster Knife with Safety Cap for a swivel-capable handle that pairs with a variety of blades.
Precision Knife FAQs
