How to Use an X-Acto Knife

Don't you ever want to cut something with perfect precision and with perfect craft? Well the best way to achieve this is to use an X-Acto knife. This simple how to will teach you how to hold the knife for safe use, and great tricks on how to get the best cut.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An X-Acto blade
• An X-Acto knife
• A cutting mat

1. Insert the new blade into the slot at the top of the knife. Screw the blade in tight to ensure that it will not fall out during use.

2. 

   Now to hold the knife, grab the handle of the knife toward the top with your pointer finger and thumb. Support the knife with your middle finger on the underside of the handle.

3. 

   Place cutting mat underneath material waiting to be cut.

4. Point the tip of the knife on a 45 degree angle to the surface to which you are trying to cut. Pull the knife toward you while putting pressure on the material. This action will cut the material.

Tips & Warnings

• Always cut with the blade tip down
• Keep other hand away from cutting hand while working, use for added pressure on material being cut
• Change blade often for achieve the best cuts
• Score the material first by cutting with minimal pressure on the material a few times before applying a lot of pressure
• Always cut on flat surface with a cutting mat
• Do not place free hand in the path of cut
• Without a cutting mat the X-Acto will cut table underneath material