Utility knife blade for folding

[SCEtoAUX]

Here is something that I do quite often. I get a used utility knife blade and use it as an aid to folding glue tabs or other small folds.




I line the fold line up on the edge of the utility knife blade and make the fold.


Works good. Sometimes I don't even have to score the fold line.

[RagnarTheTerrible]

Great tip, thanks!

[Kevin WS]

Great idea for the small models Doug.

Have lots of used blades like this around, I am going to give it a crack!

[Philip]

That's a good idea, Doug. I use the edge of a small steel rule in much the same way.

[MacSongLi]

Great idea Doug. Thanks for the tip.


Gary

[Don Boose]

Cheers, Doug. Another useful tip for my Paper Modeler's Vade Mecum.

I see the Catuli are at the top of the National League Central. Phillies, not so much.

Don

[Vinalssergio155]

I do exactly the same. I found that the fold is more closed or precise than with a ruler. It is very effective.

[FRD]

I use the blade of my hobby knife....

[asettico]

I normally use a steel ruler, big or small [1] depending on the part to be folded, but their width sometimes bother the folding.
A blade, maybe a little bit blunt to not hurt the part, is surely more precise.

A question to SCEtoAUX: You told that sometimes you don't even need to score the fold line, but this is equally doable with thick paper (>= 160 gsm)?

[1]: I'm particularly attached to this one, because it's signed by my father, now seriously ill. When he was young, he did dynamic air model making. To avoid to loose the model, they set the maximum flight time, using a clever trick (no RC at the time ): the rudder was held in position by two rubber bands, one on each side, a fuse of measured length was attached near one of these rubber bands, and when the burning fuse would have reached its end, it would have broken the rubbed band, making the rudder to spring, so the airplane stared to flying in circle and finally landing. (I beg your pardon for my terrible english ).

[SCEtoAUX]

asettico, yes I have used this thechnique on 176 gsm and 199 gsm cardstock. The folds have been shorter than or equal to the length of the blade, that way there is support along the length of the fold. The blade is a previously used one so it is not so sharp that it will easily cut the paper (or me).

I use a metal ruler to make longer folds. I set the part on something with a straight length along one side, like a desk top, and position the fold line on the edge. I then lay the ruler on the part along the fold line and fold up. It does leave a less crisp fold as you mentioned so I use what is called a bone folder to flatten out the fold more.