| Knife and Blade Selection |
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Retractable blade knives
are a good choice for general use, and offer the convenience
of being able to quickly adjust the cutting depth of the blades
plus the safety of allowing the blade to be retracted completely
into the handle when not in use. |
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Fixed blade knives lock blades into a fixed,
non-retractable position between the halves of the knife handle.
This improves blade stability in severe cutting applications
and allow the knife to accept special-purpose blades that are
too large to retract into the handle. |
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Snap blade knives, like Stanley's Quick
Point™ knives, are built around a blade designed to snap-off
or break away in sections, providing a fresh, sharp cutting
point, without having to open the knife. These knives are a
good choice for light and medium duty applications, or when
adhesive materials like packing tape leave a residue on the
blade, making a fresh, sharp edge critical. |
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Special purpose blades (utility, round
point, hook, scoring, carpet, linoleum, etc.) are available
for a variety of cutting applications. |
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| Knives Safety Tips |
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Always be sure that blades are properly seated
in knives and that knives are properly closed and/or fastened
together before use. |
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Never leave a knife unattended with the blade
exposed. Consider using a self-retracting knife with a spring-loaded
blade which automatically retracts when the knife is released. |
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Always use sharp blades. A dull blade requires
more force and is more likely to slip than a sharp one. Change
the blade whenever it starts to tear instead of cut. |
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Protect your eyes - wear safety goggles when working
with knives or any other tools. |
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Always keep your free hand away from the line
of cut. |
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When making cuts on a surface below you, stand
or kneel to one side of the line of the cut. |
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Always pull the knife toward you when making a
cut on a flat surface. A pulling motion is stronger and more
positive than pushing the knife away from you, and the knife
is less likely to slip. |
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When using a straight edge to guide a cut, either
clamp it down or keep your free hand well away from the cutting
path of the knife. Be sure the straight edge is thick enough
to prevent the knife from "riding up" over the edge
and cutting you. |
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Don't bend or apply side loads to blades by using
them to open cans or pry loose objects. Blades are brittle and
can snap easily. |
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When using a knife to cut through thick materials,
be patient - make several passes, cutting a little deeper into
the material with each pass. |
