How to Replace a Retractable Knife Blade
The utility knife is one of the more ubiquitous tools used in many common tasks. These knives are usually inexpensive and allow you to replace the blades once they are dulled. In addition, these knives have space within their handle where the extra blades can be stored until needed. By maintaining a supply of new blades and changing the blades once they begin to dull, you can increase your safety and success as you use this handy tool. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remove the screw that holds the knife's housing together. Most models have a single screw on the side of the handle that, when removed, allows the two halves of the housing to separate, revealing the sliding mechanism and the blade storage area.
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Remove the old, dull blade from the clip that holds it in place. The blade simply lifts off the metal clip on which it sits.
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Remove the spare blades from the housing, if any are present. If no spare blades are inside the knife housing, purchase replacement blades that will work with your specific knife brand. Select a single replacement blade, place it on the clip that holds the blade in place, and make sure it snaps securely in place.
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Place the remaining spare blades back into the blade storage compartment.
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Fit the two halves of the housing back together, securely tighten the screw that holds it together and test to make sure the knife operates as intended. Sometimes, the clip that holds the blades gets misaligned. To fix, simply remove the screw, adjust the clip, and reassemble the knife.
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Tips & Warnings
Sometimes the sliding mechanism that allows the blade to retract is difficult to work. Spraying it with a lubricating spray will allow the slide to work properly.
The razor blades that come with these knives are very sharp. Use extreme caution when replacing the blades or when cutting.
References
- Photo Credit a sharp utility knife image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
