If you are into architectural modeling and crafting, an Exacto knife should be in your possession. This, however, is not to say that this knife is limited to these tasks. There are a whole lot of things you can do with this knife.
There are so many brands of these knives available in the market today. Since no one can take it upon themselves to test every one of them just to find the best of them all, this article is meant to make things easier.
We have put a list of the best Exacto knives you can find in the market today. We hope you will be able to pick the one which is most suitable for.
X-acto #1 Precision Knife
This versatile knife is designed for precision and exact cuts. This knife has a fine point blade coated with zirconium nitride. This blade is very sharp at the tip and on its one side. The blade has a very easy-to-change system and has a cap for safety measures.
Just like many other X-acto knives, this one also has a pen-like shape. Its aluminum handle construction makes it very lightweight and attractive all at the same time. It makes the pen very easy to maneuver and very comfortable to grip.
There is so much you can do with this masterpiece including cutting papers, fabrics, and plastics. You can also use this knife to easily cut through thin metals with precision. With the cap to protect the blade from causing accidents and cutting at surfaces unnecessarily, this knife is easy to store anywhere you like.
It is also portable, and you can casually carry it around. Besides that, the coating on the blade makes the knife highly durable.
Pros
- Its coated blade is durable.
- The blade is very sharp.
- It is easy to store.
- It can cut through a variety of materials.
- It has a protective cap for the blade.
- It is portable and can be carried around.
- It is easy to conceal as a pen.
- It is lightweight.
- It is precise and cuts easily.
Cons
- The blade keeps falling.
- The cap is loose.
- It is dangerous.
Excel Blades K47 Hobby Knife
This hobby knife has a stylish design that makes it very attractive and highly functional. To begin with, this knife is lightweight. Its thoughtful design mimics a superior quality writing pen. Unlike the traditional X-acto knives, this one has a bold sleek design like no other. Even its performance is set on a different superior level compared to other brands.
Excel Blade K47 has a convenient retractable replacement blade and a pocket clip at the tail of its handle. This makes it easy to store and very easy to access in the event of an emergency that requires a reflex swift move.
Even though it can be used for other purposes, this knife is ideal for hobbies, as well as arts and crafts. It can be used for scrapbooking, model kits, and papercrafts. Its black handle is stylish and retractable. It is perfect to use for fine detail work. It is manufactured in the United States.
Pros
- It has a stylish design.
- It is lightweight.
- It is easy to carry around.
- It is concealable.
- Its performance is on a superior level.
- It has a retractable replaceable blade.
- It has a pocket clip.
- It is easy to store and access.
- It is multipurpose.
- The handle is also retractable.
Cons
- It can be difficult to use.
- The blade is too short.
X-acto Retract-A-Blade Knife
This is one of the best brands of retractable Exacto knives available in the market today. It is a very precise knife that is designed to cut exactly as desired. It is ideal for cutting and trimming paper and plastic. It can also be used on balsa, thin metal, fabrics, and film. This makes it very versatile and highly functional.
This retractable Exacto knife has a metal core construction that is very solid and creative. Its construction is durable, and it can serve you for long time periods. The blue and black handle is very comfortable and easy to grip at. Its pen-like finish makes it very easy to conceal and carry around.
The blade on this masterpiece is a retractable no. 11 that is very sharp at the tip and on one edge. It is safe to carry around and to use. The triangle shape comfort grip relinquishes extra control to the artist. The grip is also soft and very easy on the hand.
Pros
- It gives precision.
- It is for both cutting and trimming.
- It is versatile as it can cut a variety of materials.
- It has a metal core construction.
- It is highly durable.
- Its blade is safe.
- It has a retractable no. 11 blade.
- It gives extra control.
- The grip is very comfortable.
Cons
- The standard blades do not fit this knife.
- The blade is not secure on the handle.
- Its lightweight nature is not impressive.
Slice 10512 Pen Cutter
This is an almost dream come true for an artist. This pen cutter is everything you could ever imagine an Exacto knife to be. To begin with, it has a Rubberized Slider Button that is designed for auto-retracting the blade. Depending on whether you are cutting, or the blade is not in use, all you need to do is to slide the rubberized button.
The blade is designed with a rounded tip for safety purposes. This blade is made of Zirconium Oxide Ceramic which makes it non-conductive and anti-magnetic. It also makes the blade chemically inert and thus can never rust. Compared to the steel blades, it is designed to stay sharp up to 10X longer.
The Ceramic Blade has a very interesting and convenient construction. It is designed to protrude only ½”. This pen knife is ideal for cutting corrugated packaging, vinyl, and boxes. It can also be used to cut cardboards and foams. It also offers an option for cutting thinner materials.
Pros
- The blade is auto-retractable.
- It is easy to safely hideaway.
- It has a Rubberized Slider Button.
- The rounded tip makes it safe.
- It is non-conductive.
- It is anti-magnetic.
- It is chemically inert.
- It does not rust.
- It stays sharp longer.
- It cuts different materials.
Cons
- It is too lightweight for some jobs.
- The blade is too short for thick materials.
- It doesn’t come with extra blades for replacement.
105 PCS Precision Carving Craft Hobby Knife Kit
This is another one-of-a-kind Exacto precision knife. Inside the kit, you will find a cutting board that is designed to protect your table from unnecessary cuts. Inside the kit is also a cutting knife alongside a steel precision ruler which has 2 scales. The ruler is meant to be used for measurements and to prevent any line deviations.
This kit comes handy for wide applications. It can be used to cut through wood, cardboard, and paper. It can also be used on fabrics, leather, and even on plastic. Its ultra-sharp art blades come in 11 pieces with only one handle. The razor-sharp blades require to be handled with extra care to avoid any accidental cuts.
The good thing about this Precision Carving Craft Hobby Knife is that it comes with an extra protective cap for covering the blade. All the blades are secured in one big box and placed in a big bag alongside other accessories. All these features, therefore, makes this brand of knife highly portable and very safe. This kit also comes with after-sale customer service.
Pros
- It comes with a protective cutting board.
- It has a measurement ruler for precision.
- It comes with several accessories.
- It cuts various materials.
- The blades are razor sharp.
- It has a safety cap.
- They are well packaged.
- It is easy to carry.
- It comes with after-sales service.
Cons
- The blades are dull.
- Some customers are not impressed with the quality.
- The blades don’t fit well on the handle.
In Conclusion
There are several features one needs to consider before deciding on a retractable Exacto knife.
- Precision. The blade of your knife should come with an extreme razor-sharp tip for precise cutting and trimming of materials.
- Comfort and safety. When purchasing an Exacto knife, be sure to handle it. You want something very comfortable when gripped. For safety purposes, besides the retractable ones, a knife with a protective cap is worth considering.
- Versatility. An Exacto knife that can cut through different materials is of great value for your money. People always prefer unlimited tools.