Hi  All, 

After seeing  discussion   concerning Xacto Vs Scalpels for cutting  i  got to thinking about it  ........... Both have different qualities  .............. when considering modelling as a hobby i always regards your main cutting tool used daily the number one essential & to be happy with it.

Xacto knives are as you've found thicker but more expensive to buy blades for i have used them in the past but prefer Scalpels in my toolbox i have No's 3 & 4 handle for general work my handles which have been in use for several years on a daily basis the lighter no 3 handle blades for finer work such as an 11 for example No4 handle always has a no 26 blade fitted on my bench all scalpel blades are more brittle being thinner & care should be taken not to twist them.

I also   keep   no 5 & 9 handles where a longer handle is needed for fine work.

Both Xactos & scalpels shouldnt be used for removing large amounts of material under pressure golden rule of knife blades i was taught if you need to put excessive pressure on a blade it's not sharp & a blunt blade is more dangerous than a new one.

I've heard people class scalpel blades as to fragile before which is rubbish if used correctly they're fine & a pleasure to use after all if they werent suitable surgeons wouldnt use them.

Swann Morton are the premier scalpel makers see here for No3 /No4 handle sizes along with their blade types available

http://tinyurl.com/bputheo

http://tinyurl.com/c326k4e

I tend to buy my blades now in boxes of 100 from ebay.

I have two Swann Morton handles, 3 and 4 and like you Nick, I have had them for years.
I do have a couple of Xactos but I do not use them that often as I do not find them as comfortable to hold as the Swann Morton handles.

I have a selection of the cheap snap off blade type which I find useful for heavier work and never need to use excessive pressure on them, that is when accidents happen 

cheers John.

I mentioned in another thread about using a bit of marble or mirror tile as a cutting surface, I believe that their rigid nature give a more accurate cut, especially if you are cutting tape for masking or lining

Quote from: Lawrence on November 30, 2012, 11:18:55 PM
I mentioned in another thread about using a bit of marble or mirror tile as a cutting surface, I believe that their rigid nature give a more accurate cut, especially if you are cutting tape for masking or lining

Wise words. John Wiffen of Scalescenes recommends this approach too.

The only marble I have is globe shaped and it makes things very difficult to cut accurately

I use a piece of glass from an old cheap pic frame with masking/insulating tape on the edges.

Very handy for cutting, and with some strong magnets and a set square can also be used to glue items dead square.


I read something recently about cutting tinfoil to give blades back their edge, Any truth to this?>

Quote from: polo2k on December 01, 2012, 02:04:07 PM
I read something recently about cutting tinfoil to give blades back their edge, Any truth to this?>

There certainly is, if you have a pair of scissors that are going blunt, just cut a few strips of kitchen foil and this will sharpen them up again, I don't know if this works for a scalpel blade or not.

cheers John.

Quote from: scotsoft on December 01, 2012, 04:00:33 PM
There certainly is, if you have a pair of scissors that are going blunt, just cut a few strips of kitchen foil and this will sharpen them up again, I don't know if this works for a scalpel blade or not.

cheers John.

Dunno about that but it does seem to work quite well for re-sharpening cutter blades by slashing up foil

Quote from: newportnobby on December 01, 2012, 01:52:25 PM
The only marble I have is globe shaped and it makes things very difficult to cut accurately