How to Use a Swivel Exacto Blade Knife
An Exacto knife is a tool that can be used to cut out shapes far more precisely and smoothly than a pair of scissors can. A swivel Exacto knife is designed for use on curves, and, as the name implies, it features a blade that can swivel in accordance with your movements, allowing for the smoothest possible curves.
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Instructions
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Draw the design you wish to cut out on the paper you will be cutting. You can correct an error in pencil far more easily than you can correct an error during cutting, so it helps to have the final shape drawn out before you begin cutting.
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2
Prepare a cutting surface by laying out a cutting mat. Cutting mats are a tough material, often about a quarter inch thick, which prevent your blade from going through and damaging your desk or table, but still have a little give to prevent damaging the item being cut or dulling your blade. Cutting mats also often feature grids which can be used for making measured cuts.
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3
Hold the knife by the grip section located above the swivel blade, in a manner similar to how you would hold a pen or pencil; however, keep the knife more vertical than you would a drawing utensil or a fixed-blade knife. For the swivel to work properly, the blade must be near vertical, which allows the blade to swivel more naturally in the direction you are moving.
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Keep your wrist loose throughout the cutting process. Holding the knife too stiffly will leave you more susceptible to errors, as the blade will not be able to swivel. You don't want to be applying too much downward pressure, which will prevent the blade from turning at its best, and a loose grip will help prevent this mistake.
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Avoid trying to cut fine details with the blade. The swivel blade has difficulty navigating tight curves, and these areas should be left for fixed blades.
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