How to Get a Clean Cut With an Exacto Knife
The right tools help make the difference between clean, professional cuts and something that looks like it was cut in a kindergarten classroom. The original X-acto knife, often called an Exacto knife, is a pen-like cutting tool designed to make sharp, precise cuts in a variety of materials. According to its manufacturer, artists and designers have used this type of knife for more than 75 years.
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Instructions
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Draw lines with a pencil to mark where you want to cut. Mark the areas you plan to remove with an X so you don't become confused as you are cutting. If your project requires you to measure, double-check your measurements before you begin to cut.
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Place your cutting mat on a flat, well-lit work surface. The mat will allow you to apply the appropriate amount of force to the X-acto knife as you cut without any concern that you might damage the work surface. A self-healing cutting mat maintains a smooth, unblemished cutting surface.
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Put on your safety glasses.
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Place your ruler along the penciled line you want to cut if you are making a straight cut. The edge of the ruler should be just slightly to the side of your line so the blade of the knife, placed perpendicular to the edge, falls approximately in the center of the line.
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Hold the X-acto knife in your hand with your index finger on the top of the knurled grip. Apply pressure with your index finger and balance that pressure with your thumb, as you would when holding a pen. Hold the knife firmly, but don't squeeze it tightly. Keep your hand flexible and be responsive to variations in resistance from the material as you cut. Hold the knife at an angle, usually about 60 degrees, that allows you enough leverage to press though the material you want to cut.
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Press the knife into the material. Move it along your cutting line, using your other hand to keep the materials in place. Hold the sheet down as near to the line you are cutting as possible, but keep your fingers far enough back so you don't cut them with the blade. If you are using a ruler, hold it down firmly and keep your fingers away from the edge.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice on scrap paper before you begin your project.
When cutting a long line, break the cut into several shorter segments.
For a curved cut, it may be easier to turn the paper than to turn the knife.
Wear safety glasses or goggles as you cut in case the blade breaks.
The blade is extremely sharp. Use caution to avoid cutting yourself. Cap the blade when you're not using the knife.
