PaperModelers.com

Go Back   PaperModelers.com > General Information and News > HOWTO: Use the forums

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-08-2018, 02:03 PM
MurielS MurielS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
Total Downloaded: 2.50 MB
Question Blade Angles -- 30 degrees vs 45 degrees

Hello all,

I recently discovered the NT Cutter line of "art knives" (similar to X-Acto, I guess) and I really like them for the kinds of papercrafts I make.

NT Cutter offers replacement blades of 30 degree and 45 degree angles (see: I'd post links, but apparently not allowed to.)

When is it best to use the 30 degree blade and when to use the 45 degree one? Or alternatively, when/why/where should the 30 degree vs 45 degree blade be used when making papercrafts?
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
  #2  
Old 08-09-2018, 05:53 AM
MurielS MurielS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
Total Downloaded: 2.50 MB
LOL. I guess this question either stumped many people or wasn't that interesting to answer?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-09-2018, 06:20 AM
cfuruti cfuruti is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 487
Total Downloaded: 451.36 MB
Quote:
Originally Posted by MurielS View Post
When is it best to use the 30 degree blade and when to use the 45 degree one? Or alternatively, when/why/where should the 30 degree vs 45 degree blade be used when making papercrafts?
I'd guess it depends on personal preference, because the angle at which you comfortably hold the handle depends on the blade's angle.
In my own experience, the 30-degree tip is better for detailed work in tiny parts, tight angles and small arcs; on the other hand, its tip breaks much more easily, therefore I avoid it for thick cardboard formers.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-09-2018, 08:48 AM
MurielS MurielS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
Total Downloaded: 2.50 MB
Thumbs up

Thanks for the knowledge! This is helpful.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-09-2018, 05:22 PM
Lighter's Avatar
Lighter Lighter is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 264
Total Downloaded: 23.32 MB
Quote:
Originally Posted by MurielS View Post
LOL. I guess this question either stumped many people or wasn't that interesting to answer?
Or the wrong time of day.

In craft blades - Olfa, Mascot and so forth this is a stiffer blade than the traditional #11. In snap-off blades - Olfa, etc - this is a precision blade.

I use Olfa handles and blades. I keep a 30 degree and a #11 mounted. The 30 to rough in with straight cuts and the #11 for tiny or wavy cuts. The photo below is from a review I did elsewhere. The yellow knife to the left is the 30 degree. Yellow to the right is a #11.

__________________
Christian
Bristow

Last edited by Lighter; 08-09-2018 at 05:41 PM.
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
  #6  
Old 08-09-2018, 05:30 PM
airdave's Avatar
airdave airdave is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 14,246
Total Downloaded: 257.44 MB
They make different angles on these blades?

Wouldn't that be for some sort of fixed cutter, like a Mat Cutter?
Where the blade is held in a fixed vertical position?
I can't see it makes much difference with a hand knife tool.

45 degree would be like a chisel.

Unless the angle refers to the shape of the point?
ahh I just got it.
My #11 having a 30 degree point. (long and pointy tip)

yeah, I like the long pointy tip to be more precise.
That stubby 45 degree point is like whats on the snap off cutters.

okay...I get it now. see, ya learn something new every.....never mind

__________________
SUPPORT ME PLEASE: PaperModelShop
Or, my models at ecardmodels: Dave'sCardCreations

Last edited by airdave; 08-09-2018 at 05:41 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-10-2018, 07:18 AM
MurielS MurielS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
Total Downloaded: 2.50 MB
I'm finding that it's a little easier for me to use the NT-cutter blades because they are smaller. With the #11 blades (either with the X-Acto or Fiskars handle) I find that the blades sometimes bend too much when used with cardstock and it can make cutting straight lines without a ruler rather difficult.

Thanks for all this info and commenting! Very helpful!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-10-2018, 07:46 AM
Lighter's Avatar
Lighter Lighter is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 264
Total Downloaded: 23.32 MB
Quote:
Originally Posted by airdave View Post
My #11 having a 30 degree point. (long and pointy tip)
A #11 blade is about 22 degrees.

The NT Cutter blades and knives are 30 and 45 degrees. And much smaller than the blades most of us seem to use. Back in the olden days we would call these "stencil" knives.

I'd forgotten all about them. I've now got one in my Amazon cart. You can never have too many knives!
__________________
Christian
Bristow
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-10-2018, 07:51 AM
MurielS MurielS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
Total Downloaded: 2.50 MB
I also love the NT Cutter's swivel knife.

I do have a stencil knife from X-Acto but was never able to successfully use it. Somehow, I always end up just scoring the paper and not cutting through unless I made another pass. I am using cardstock most of the time although having read a blog post from another papercraft maker, I think I'll have my stuff printed on paper that's heavier than regular copy paper but lighter than cardstock for most stuff.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-10-2018, 03:35 PM
cfuruti cfuruti is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 487
Total Downloaded: 451.36 MB
Quote:
Originally Posted by MurielS View Post
...I always end up just scoring the paper and not cutting through unless I made another pass...
Scoring with blades and multi-pass cutting are no sins. In fact, multi-pass is often essential.
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:54 AM.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

Parts of this site powered by vBulletin Mods & Addons from DragonByte Technologies Ltd. (Details)
Copyright © 2007-2023, PaperModelers.com