96XP
New Member
This is a tip about the tip and not a dollar matter.
For those whom enjoy the precision, and use the standard X-Acto blades on a regular basis, you may have experienced the rough feel and loss of accuracy when addressing sharp detailed turns after that awesome little point breaks off.
I too have been frustrated on many occasions and had to pause from what I was doing in order to reload with a fresh one.
However, there is a simple modification before starting with a new blade which will not affect the accuracy or cause any grief, and, will in fact give more stability and increase it's lifespan with reliability.
Less an image to post, please bare with me through the following description:
Take a new blade (installed into handle) and have ready one of those small very fine stones which might be used for sharpening fish hooks.
(wet or oil it before use)
Flip the tool handle upside down (with blade installed) so that the cutting edge is facing upward.
Now take a few slightly angled swipes across the back edge 'tip' of the blade against the stone.
This is done in a straight 'in-line' direction, (same as if you were cutting with it, and almost that same angle).
Your done.
Looking closely afterwards, the blade will look a little different on the back side (top dull side of point) and the procedure hasn't touched nor affected the sharpness at all.
What it has done is to slightly reduce the length of that tiny brittle/vulnerable point to a thickness which will have more endurance.
Cheers.
For those whom enjoy the precision, and use the standard X-Acto blades on a regular basis, you may have experienced the rough feel and loss of accuracy when addressing sharp detailed turns after that awesome little point breaks off.
I too have been frustrated on many occasions and had to pause from what I was doing in order to reload with a fresh one.
However, there is a simple modification before starting with a new blade which will not affect the accuracy or cause any grief, and, will in fact give more stability and increase it's lifespan with reliability.
Less an image to post, please bare with me through the following description:
Take a new blade (installed into handle) and have ready one of those small very fine stones which might be used for sharpening fish hooks.
(wet or oil it before use)
Flip the tool handle upside down (with blade installed) so that the cutting edge is facing upward.
Now take a few slightly angled swipes across the back edge 'tip' of the blade against the stone.
This is done in a straight 'in-line' direction, (same as if you were cutting with it, and almost that same angle).
Your done.
Looking closely afterwards, the blade will look a little different on the back side (top dull side of point) and the procedure hasn't touched nor affected the sharpness at all.
What it has done is to slightly reduce the length of that tiny brittle/vulnerable point to a thickness which will have more endurance.
Cheers.