x-acto vs Revell Blades

**Maltedfalcon** · #1 11-06-2010, 12:56 PM

Quality Warning!!!
I went to Michaels craft store to buy some x-acto type blades
Normally they have a good selection of x-acto blades
specifically number 11s and some generic blades, which actually can be better than the x-acto's
Well they had nothing X-acto or generic
all the X-acto stuff had been replaced by Revell blades, They looked exactly like x-acto products but the name had been changed to Revell
I figured no big deal.
I bought the little black plastic dispenser (10) type 11 blades, (at least thats what comes in the x-acto pack,
They were similar to the x-acto blades in shape (slightly different tip)
but the blades were made of much weaker metal and flexed horribly
The edge lasted possibly through about 2 linear inches of cardstock then dulled beyond use.
Perhaps these would be good for slicing marshmallows not much else
dont waste your money.
Somebody please tell me x-acto hasnt been bought out by revell

**wag** · #2 11-06-2010, 01:33 PM

I checked X-acto's and Revell's (Germany and USA) websites and I could find no mention of X-acto being taken over by Revell. I have a feeling your local Micheal's got a deal on the Revell blades. One thing I did notice was Revell had "light duty" and "medium duty" blades listed. The last time I was at the local hobby shop I invested in a 100 pack of X-acto blades.
Wayne

**Isaac** · #3 11-06-2010, 01:57 PM

Guys

Last year I purchased a pack of 100 number 11 blades. The company is Excel blades of New Jersy USA. Well, they also do not last long and the tip do break off as soon as I try to curve cut. The only good news is that I paid about $20 for the pack ( so it is 20 cents a blade ). Not sure what is the Xacto brand cost, but if the "bang for the buck " is the same, then stick with the Xacto brand.

Yes, it is weaker steel and I bet it is brought over because it is super cheap for the importer.

Isaac

**cgutzmer** · #4 11-06-2010, 05:03 PM

both suck - I use surgical scalpels

just my preference though. Good enough for human surgery, good enough for card modeling!

**richkat** · #5 11-06-2010, 05:47 PM

I started an other thread about X-ACTO blades. Lot's of people having the same problems with blades on market today, just a lot of junk out there,if you find a supply of good blades by some up!!.............Rich

**rewalston** · #6 11-06-2010, 07:18 PM

where do you purchase surgical scalpels from?

**Phil** · #7 11-06-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgutzmer

both suck

I would disagree. Maybe for the x-acto #11 blade but not for the #24 blade used with the #2 handle. The #24 blade does not chip the tip and I have used the same blade under heavy cutting for longer than 6 months.

**B-Manic** · #8 11-07-2010, 12:31 AM

I use Excel #11s bought on E-Bay. Xacto, the generic brands and the chinese fakes dull quickly and the tips break off all the time. I tried #11 scalpel blades, they stay sharp and have strong tips but I found the blades too flexible.

Excel Hobby Blades Standard #11 Blade 100 Pack 22611 on eBay.ca (item 390227321337 end time 15-Nov-10 16:55:11 EST)

**Ron40** · #9 11-07-2010, 06:50 AM

B-Manic
Thanks for the link. I purchased some. The
Exacto blades are becoming unreliable..Ron

**strikeness** · #10 11-07-2010, 07:07 AM

I use scalpel blades. in fact they stay sharp AND are too flexible too (this is a problem when we have to cut thicker papers). But the official X-acto blades here in Brazil is too expensive! We pay R$ 32,00 for a pack of 5 blades (more or less U$ 19), while I can have a R$ 20,00 for a pack of 100 scalpel blades (U$ 12). Do I have a choice?

So I use the scalpel blades for the major part of work and the X-acto only for special issues. :-)