X-Acto Replacement Blades

[dannyboy]

Looking on eBay for some more blades, the ones available from China etc are a lot cheaper than blades available from nearer home. Does any one have experience of the cheaper blades?  I realise that, in general, you get what you pay for but are they good value for money or a waste of money?

[east anglian]

Short   Answer   Don't   waste   your   money   on   cheap   blades

[dannyboy]

Short   Answer   Don't   waste   your   money   on   cheap   blades

Any particular reason? I have noticed that even the 'proper' blades do not last that long when used for cutting card.

[emjaybee]

Short   Answer   Don't   waste   your   money   on   cheap   blades

Any particular reason? I have noticed that even the 'proper' blades do not last that long when used for cutting card.

Have you tried put the edge back on with every paper?

[dannyboy]

Have you tried put the edge back on with every paper?

Never tried that, I suppose I could try emery paper. 

[GAD]

TBH, I can see the point in buying cheap blades, and subsequently re-sharpening them, for heavy work, but for more precise cutting a new branded blade seems better every time.

[ntpntpntp]

I presume we're discussing knife blades rather than the X-Acto saw blades (I only use the latter)?

I use Swann Morton scalpel blades for precise cutting of plastic and card.  You can buy a box of 100 for around a tenner if you shop around online. Also readily available on tool stands at exhibitions, art and graphics shops etc.

[dannyboy]

I presume we're discussing knife blades

Yes

I use Swann Morton scalpel blade

Do the Swan Morton blades fit the X-Acto handle - can't quite tell from the pictures I have seen?

[ntpntpntp]

I presume we're discussing knife blades

I use Swann Morton scalpel blade

Do the Swan Morton blades fit the X-Acto handle - can't quite tell from the pictures I have seen?

Well, to be honest the X-Acto handle I have is the short stumpy one more suited to the saw blades. There is a slot in the "chuck" to take cutting blades but mine doesn't grip them tightly (might just be it's an old handle).   I just use the scalpel blades in a cheap generic hobby knife handle (think I bought it from The Range) and they fit fine.  Of course you could always get a proper scalpel handle.

[swisstrains]

Hi David. I use Swann Morton 10A scalpel blades and I have just tried fitting one into an X-Acto handle. The handle will grip the blade but it will not go far enough in to use it safely. Too much of the blade is unsupported and I imagine it would snap easily.

[dannyboy]

Thanks for the impromptu 'experiment' on my behalf @swisstrains - appreciated. So, I either stick with X-Acto and get new blades when required, or buy a Swann Morton handle and blades. 

[ntpntpntp]

So, I either stick with X-Acto and get new blades when required, or buy a Swann Morton handle and blades. 

Well, I've never found regular hobby knife blades to be anything special - they work of course until they go blunt, but scalpel blades seem sharper and more accurate (probably why surgeons used them instead of X-Actos  )  It's amazing how quickly card blunts blades. 

How much are X-Acto blades?  As I mentioned earlier, you can pick up a box of 100 scalpel blades for £10 ish (smaller quantities are available of course). Invest maybe £5 for a couple of scalpel handles and you're off and running 

[dannyboy]

@ntpntpntp  a quick look on eBay shows 20 for £3.07p with free postage from China. Looks like Swann Morton may have the edge, (sorry  ).  I must admit, in all the medical shows on the television, (SWMBO is a big fan of Holby City, so that is on every Tuesday!), I have never heard a surgeon say "X-Acto"  .

Having said all that I have said, (and started this thread), I have used the cheap, 5 for a £1, 'snap off' bladed knifes and found them to be adequate. 

[njee20]

I also use Swann Morton blades and handles. A no.3 handle and some 10A blades is very versatile. I have got a No.4 handle, but the blades aren't as suited to precision stuff.

As Nick says - I got 100 blades just this week from Amazon for about £10.