How to choose a stationery knife? And then what to do with it? A stationery knife that will make others respect you How to make a knife from a stationery blade.

If you often work with a clerical knife? Then this guide is for you. Masters with such a knife immediately involuntarily begin to respect. You can easily make such a knife yourself! In addition to excellent appearance, this knife is very convenient to use, it is pleasant and comfortable to hold in your hands. And when the work is over, you can fold the knife and it will be safe. Everything is going to be not difficult, however, the author uses a considerable set of tools, but this does not mean that such work cannot be done with simpler tools.

To make a knife, you need soft wood so that it is convenient to handle. Suitable, for example, alder or birch. As for the knife holder, the author made it from sheet aluminum. Unfortunately, the manufacturing process is not shown, but the design is quite simple. It is made of two aluminum plates, which are pulled together by a screw. So, let's start making a knife!

Materials and tools used

List of materials:
- plank;
- homemade blade clip;
- screws with nuts;
- a metal ruler or other similar piece of metal;
- small wooden blocks or the like;
- glue for wood;
- clamps;
- double sided tape;
- oil for woodworking.

List of tools:
- drilling machine;
- vice;
- ;
- files;
- (manual);
- sandpaper;
- a circular saw;
- ;
- Bulgarian;
- screwdrivers;
- paper, pencil scissors for the template.

The process of making a stationery knife:

Step one. Cut out a rough profile
We take a board that is suitable in size and cut it into two blanks. The author decided to dissolve the board into two halves. Such work can be carried out on a circular saw.

After that, you can begin to cut the rough profile of the blade. For these purposes, we take a template cut out of paper and glue it to one of the blanks. For gluing, the author uses double-sided tape. You can also use glue or just circle the profile with a marker. A rough profile can also be easily cut on a circular saw. The author's wood is quite soft and very easy to process. A jigsaw is also well suited for these purposes.

Finally, clamp the product in a vise between two boards and finish by hand using a round file.

Step two. Significant other
For the manufacture of the second half, the author used a milling machine. We glue the previously made part to the second board on double-sided tape. Well, then along the contour we make an identical soul mate. There is no special need for this machine, you can easily make the second half exactly the same as the first. Or you can just cut one part, and then cut it lengthwise into two parts.

Step three. Internal details
Three parts are installed between the two halves of the handle. Two of them are in the bow, they work as a rest for the blade. The third part is installed at the end of the handle, as a result we get the desired gap between the halves of the handles. The author makes these details by gluing.

Step four. Finalizing the handle
Drill a hole in the handle and mark in what position the “blade” will be and what will need to be removed. One half of the handle is narrower, such a profile is needed for easy access to the blade when opening the knife.

Having made the necessary calculations, we work on a belt grinder. The rest of the elements are cut out by the author with a chisel. At the end, you will need to make a groove under the "spring-stop", this is the only thing to do with the help of a milling cutter.

Step five. We make a "spring-stop"
Inside the handle there is a metal plate, curved upwards. To make such a part, you will need steel that springs. The metal from the ruler is perfect. When the knife is in the closed state, this plate presses the blade and the knife does not open spontaneously. And when the knife is fully opened, the plate rises and fixes the blade so that the knife does not close itself. To fold the knife, you need to press this plate with your finger.

We cut out the desired part and adjust it in size to the cut groove. Fasten the plate with a screw and nut.

Step six. We glue the stops
Previously, we made three stops for the inside of the handle. Now they need to be installed on one of the halves. We use wood glue and tighten everything well with clamps. Epoxy glue works well too.

Step seven. Slots for screw head and nut
The blade is located on the axis, which is used as a screw with a nut. So that the parts do not protrude above the surface of the handle, appropriate recesses must be made under them. Here you will need a bit of a suitable size and a drilling machine. Also do not forget about the bolt that holds the spring.

Step eight. Finishing
Assembling the knife, to do this, glue the two halves together using epoxy glue or wood glue. Now you just have to carefully sand the handle with a belt sander. At the end, the author processes the pen manually using sandpaper. Gradually moving from coarse sandpaper to the smallest, we bring the product to perfect smoothness.

Wood always needs impregnation, as it is very afraid of moisture. In addition, impregnation makes it much more beautiful. Oil is good, you can use a variety. Well suited and linen, and Danish and much more. Most classic version- This is boiled linseed oil, that is, natural drying oil. When the oil is absorbed into the wood, it will dry out and no longer let moisture in.

Saturate the entire handle with oil, all those places where you can only crawl. Let the pen dry, and then you can even polish it.

Step nine. Blade groove
So that the knife can be conveniently opened by holding the blade with a fingernail or finger, you need to make a special recess on the blade. And since instead of a blade we have a blade with a holder, a groove is cut in an aluminum holder. First, the author outlines it with a drill and a cutting wheel. Then a milling machine with a suitable nozzle comes to the rescue. As a result, we get high-quality processing.

Recently, about half a year, I became interested in cardboard. Naturally, it constantly needs to be cut, I work mainly with packaging cardboard, which has many layers, so the knife is constantly needed.

My MK is dedicated to the same "dummies" like me, i.e. beginners to work with paper in large quantities, in different techniques: modular origami(if the modules are cut independently), all types of cutting, modeling, cartoning.

Recently, on the eve of the New Year, many have taken to carving pictures, postcards, making vytananki, paper tunnels, often for the first time. I hope that my master class will help save money and materials, because due to ignorance, you can throw out a lot, as I almost did myself.

Experienced craftswomen probably know all the secrets, but after interviewing my inner circle, I realized that for many, these secrets have become a discovery. So don't throw slippers at me, this MC is for "DUTTIES"!!!

To begin with, I’ll just show you how the knife is disassembled, you also need to know this.
We take a knife, remove the lid from it from above. We pull, we are not afraid.

The lid has been removed. Now we pull the knife regulator in the direction where the cover was, and remove the blade from the knife.

remove the blade from the pin...

we put a new blade on the pin, and repeat all the steps in reverse order, i.e. collect knife.

Knife assembled!

and now let's move on to the main secret, ignorance of which almost killed me in the eyes of my smart and experienced husband;)

A little background.
I have a knife, I cut modules, and at some point I understand that the knife is hopelessly dull. What to do? I went to the store, bought just such a box with replaceable blades and came home.
And then the most interesting thing began ... I approached my husband with a request to replace the dull blade in my knife. In the eyes of my husband, I realized that I was saying something wrong. The pause dragged on, the husband struggled with himself with a visible effort, as if to say something offensive. But I have already begun to guess that the blunt, apparently, is not a blade ... but your humble servant.
My husband then interrogated me for a long time: You really didn’t know THIS??!?!?!?

What didn't I know??? Now let's find out...

The husband got up from the sofa, went to the pantry, took the pliers and, with one magical move...

turned a completely dull blade into a VERY sharp one!

The magic is in grabbing the blunt end of the blade with pliers and with a quick and easy movement break off the blunt piece along the notch on the blade.
ATTENTION: THE KNIFE IS POINTED somewhere to the side, away from the face (just in case, so that a fragment does not suddenly fly into the eye, you never know the blade is defective)

And I had no idea what these notches on the blade were for. It turns out that the blade is very easy on them, breaks off in one movement and we can continue to work without interference. We do not change the blade, saving time and money. The money, of course, is small, a pack of 20 blades costs about 25 rubles, but it takes many times more time to disassemble and assemble a knife than to simply break off a piece.

Nobody knew about such a tool as a clerical knife a couple of decades ago. It wasn't even invented at the time. Today, even a child knows what it is and what it is for. However, not everyone is aware that there are several types of stationery knives, and each of them has a distinctive feature that should be considered when choosing a tool.

What does it consist of

Structurally, the tool consists of several main parts. This is a mechanism for fixing the blade, the blade itself and the body. In addition, the model can be equipped with some innovations that make the clerical knife more reliable, durable and, of course, durable.

Naturally, the cost of the tool depends on such “bells and whistles”. When choosing a clerical knife, there are two main points to consider: how long it should last and for what purposes you need it.

Stationery knife: blade width

It is worth noting that all such tools differ in size, which depend on the width of the blade. It can be 18, 9 and 7 millimeters. Blades for a clerical knife have one important feature. Along the entire length of this part, there are small grooves made to the axis at a certain angle. Thanks to this, the blade can be sharpened quickly and without much difficulty.

During operation, the tool will become dull in any case. You can sharpen it very quickly. It is enough to break off the necessary piece with the help of pliers along the groove. That's it: the blade becomes like new. You can sharpen your knife up to 5 times using this method. When the blade becomes too short, it will have to be replaced with a new one.

Where apply

A tool with a 7 mm blade is usually used only for paper. The material is thicker or denser, it will be very difficult to cut with such a clerical knife. Why? The blade of this tool is too narrow. When cutting dense material, it will bend strongly, and the cut will turn out to be uneven.

A tool with a blade 9 mm wide is more common. With the help of such a clerical knife, you can cut plastic, thin leather, cardboard, paper and other materials, among which even linoleum should be mentioned. It should be noted that this tool is most often used in construction. Of course, it can also be used at home.

But there is another clerical knife. 18 mm is a wider blade that allows the tool to be used exclusively in construction. For clerical work, such a knife is not suitable.

The latch is an important element

Any clerical knife should have such an important element as a latch. This detail is present in every model. In knives with a narrow blade, this element is made of plastic. In appearance, such a latch resembles a sliding part. At the same time, such a device works very simply. If the latch is moved, then the blade can be safely moved, and if moved apart, then the blade is fixed.

As for more "serious" knives, the design of this element in them is more complex. In appearance, the latch resembles a twist with a pressure plate. Such an element is much more reliable than a clamping element. The screw is usually made of metal. Of course, it is much stronger than plastic. If you need a reliable and durable stationery knife, then it is better to choose a model with a screw lock.

The tip of the body matters

When choosing a tool, pay special attention to its tip from the side of the blade. In cheaper models, the case is completely made of ordinary plastic, while in expensive ones there is a metal element in which the blade moves. This detail allows you to create additional rigidity during cutting of denser materials. This allows the part not to bend when force is applied. Metal elements in construction tools are very important. After all, they do not need to cut paper, but denser materials, such as linoleum, plastic, and so on.

The shape varies

The body shape of various models of stationery knives is almost the same. However, there are some nuances. Of course, it is much more convenient to use a tool with an ergonomic body. However, the cost of such a clerical knife is much higher. If you value convenience while working, then the price will not matter. Do not forget about the nuances of choosing a tool, described above.

How to break a blade

Many do not know how to properly break off a dull blade, and use different tools for this, for example, pliers. However, knife makers have thought of everything in advance. There is a plastic tip on the opposite side of the tool. There is a cutout in this piece. This is not a marriage.

To break off a dull blade, you need to remove the tip and insert the part into it. In this case, it needs to be advanced only one division. Otherwise, the blade will break in the wrong place.

Now you need to bend the blade in the place where the separation should occur. It is worth remembering some safety rules. It is not worth bending the blade towards yourself, but away from you. Most often, the broken part remains in the tip.

That's all. Now you can insert the part into place.

Stationery knife: price

The cost of a clerical knife depends on many nuances. Therefore, this difference should not be surprising. For example, an ordinary tool with a plastic case, with a conventional locking system and a blade that is 18 millimeters wide, costs from 30 rubles and more. This is the lowest price.

A tool with an 18 mm blade, with mechanical guides, a blade locking system and a body made not only of plastic, but also of metal, costs from 100 rubles and more.

There are also more expensive models. A stationery knife with an 18 mm blade, without mechanical guides, but with a Twist-Lock blade fixed in the form of a wheel and with a body made of metal, costs more than 200 rubles. At the same time, the model has rubber inserts that do not allow the tool to slip out of the hands during operation.

As you can see, there are a lot of varieties of stationery knives. Therefore, when choosing such a tool, you should pay attention to even the smallest details. Of course, cost also matters. However, ease of use is much more important.

Which is equipped with a metal replaceable blade. Initially, this item was intended mainly for cutting paper, from which it got its name. However, today the scope of this wonderful device has expanded so much that it can be called universal.

Who uses a clerical knife?

Having appreciated all the conveniences of this simple item, wide groups of consumers began to use it: employees of courier and postal services, office and warehouse workers. In production, a stationery metal knife is used by shoemakers, seamstresses, designers, fashion designers, artists, etc. It is difficult for him to find a replacement in construction and repair. Those who have had to use it when pasting wallpaper or baguettes are unlikely to want to work with an ordinary knife or scissors. What caused such popularity?

What is a good utility knife?

The advantages of this tool are visible to the naked eye, however, for the sake of order, we decided to compile a complete list of its advantages:

Which stationery knife is better, and what to look for when choosing

Note that manufacturers currently produce such a device in different sizes. If you need a truly versatile cutting tool, and not just a paper cutter, we recommend that you pay attention to the 18mm stationery knife.

In construction stores, it is offered as a tool for cutting wallpaper, but its scope is not limited to this. With it, you can cut drywall sheets, cut polyurethane foam, which is used when installing windows and doors, cut linoleum, carpet, foam rubber, foam plastic, strip electrical wires and much more. A really good knife should have an optimal size and weight, as well as be comfortable in the hand due to the relief surface and comfortable anatomical shape.

A stationery knife is a versatile modern tool that has found wide application in repairs, construction work, and just in the office. But even such a common and seemingly uncomplicated tool has its own secrets that you must know.

A stationery knife is a common tool with which you can conveniently and with minimal effort cut paper, cardboard, and even plastic. This tool will come in handy during repairs in the apartment. So, a clerical knife will become a worthless salvation when it is necessary to adjust the wallpaper when gluing walls and ceilings, or to align the “tails” of already pasted wallpaper. Moreover, after using a clerical knife, there are no wavy cuts and irregularities, as when using scissors.

The cavity in the knife handle that holds the spare blade

The body of a clerical knife is usually made of plastic or metal. High-quality tools can also be rubberized, which makes them more comfortable to use.

But the main detail that you should pay attention to when buying is the blade. It should be made of durable steel, and on the body of the tool there should be a device that allows you to fix the extended blade or, on the contrary, hide it. The blade must be broken off as it becomes dull.

If the blade of a clerical knife is over, do not rush to the store for a new one. Some models have a cavity in the knife handle that stores spare blades.

What is the slot on the back cover of the knife for, or how to break off a dull blade correctly

Sooner or later, the blade of a clerical knife becomes dull. To restore the functionality of the tool, it is necessary to break off the blade along the oblique mark on the blade surface. But not everyone knows how to do it conveniently and safely. This is where another secret of a clerical knife comes in handy - an inconspicuous gap on the back cover of the handle.

The blunt edge of the knife blade must be placed in the slot on the removed cover. The tool must be held in the hands so that the blade is facing up with the side where there are no dividing marks. After that, it is necessary to bend the blade along the fracture line AWAY. In this case, the blunted fragment remains in the slot of the cover, and the tool again becomes suitable for full-fledged work.

It remains to be noted that the most seemingly familiar things have their secrets. Not all even the most ardent fans of sushi guess. And this is a very important secret!