Cutting with a Scalpel 1

The two main cutting knives are craft knives and scalpels. 

Craft Knife: 

• easy to use
• easy to change blades
• can pull blade back for safety
• nice to hold to sharpen pencils
• cutting heavy board (I find it easy to get a right-angles cut with a craft knife because the blade doesn't rotate as easily as the scalpel does.
• The blades are universal and you can often buy big packs in hardware stores.

Scalpel:

• easy to use
• bit scary to change blades at first
• super sharp and fantastic for fine detail cutting - curves and corners.
• no built in safety elements
• uncomfortable to hold to sharpen pencils
• better for paper than board
• The most poular brand is Swann Morton.
• Buy No.10A blades not No.10 blades - unless you are gilding on gesso.

Choosing your Craft Knife

• Don't buy a big industrial knife with snap-offs as the blade is too thick for accurate work and its hard to cut through thick card with it because of the thick blade.
• Don't buy a cheap one like the yellow one (the price will help you guage the quality).
• The yellow one is entirely plastic except for the blade. It is too light to handle well and when you snap the blade off it can chip the holder. The blade is also wobbly.
• The one on the left is an NT cutter (whoops I left the back bit off) and it has a metal lining. I like the NT cutter (brand) but I can't find them in the UK anymore. I bought this one in Singapore. There are similar good ones around though. Go to an art shop rather than a hardware store. 

Cutting Mat

• The cutting mat is self-healing (i.e. doesn't get grooves from cutting).
• You can get cheap ones that don't have this property.
• It has lines to help you cut right angles.
• It comes in all sizes, but for starting out A3 works well.
• Never leave it in the sun as it gets soft and may warp.
• Store it flat (I keep my A0 one under the sofa)

Replacing the blade of a craft knife

• Every time I teach I find that this is new to some people - they never seem to include it in the instructions!
• Take the back bit off.
• There is a slit in the back part of all brands.
• Make sure only one snap-off blade is visible. 
• Put this into the slit and snap it off.
• If you lose the back bit, use pliers.
• Keep all old blades in a film cannister for safety or wrap well in masking tape and discard.

Removing the blade of a scalpel:(above)

• Note that the finger position is different to when you replace blades.
• Keep the fingers away from the sharp edge of the blade at all times.
• Lift the blade upwards and slightly forwards to get it over the raised part.
• Push it forwards and off.
• Wrap it in masking tape before discarding it or put with other used blades in a film cannister.

Replacing the blade of a scalpel:(above)

• Note that the finger position is different to when you remove blades.
• Keep the fingers away from the sharp edge of the blade at all times.
• Tilt the point downwards slightly.
• Slide the blade slot onto the raised part of the scalpel.
• It will lock into position.

Whew - that was detailed! Hope it gives you courage.