Model (model) knives stand out noticeably against the background of conventional tools and differ from them in their properties and functions. Such knives can be used both in the office purposes, and in construction. Most often they are used for cutting and artwork. Such tasks require a very careful and competent approach, and therefore, the knife must be of high quality, sharp and comfortable. In addition, you must be able to properly handle it. In this article we will pay attention to the mock-up knife, we will touch on other varieties, we will tell about their functions and features of choice.
Varieties of model knives
Many modellers, especially beginners, often resort to using ordinary stationery knives. Skillful hands can not only open the envelope with them or cut the napkin. Also in the course can go and simple scissors. A truly talented modeller is able to create a work of art with the use of available tools. But model knives can significantly simplify the work, making it easier and faster.
The first variety is a knife scalpel. Often, modellers use surgical scalpels, which can be bought, for example, in a pharmacy. They are made of durable stainless steel and are very convenient to lay in hand. In addition, you can purchase a medical scalpel with a set of interchangeable blades, which will also find application in the works.
Scalpel knives for cutting on a tree have the form of a pencil. They consist of a robust metal handle and a sharp blade clamped in it. They are convenient to cut materials of increased hardness and perform work with jeweler precision. With this knife you can cut, for example, French lace or paper stencils. This variety is more expensive than others, however, has a high quality, retains its strength and sharpness longer. Replacement blade kits can always be purchased separately.
The second type is a knife, also known as a disk cutter. Sometimes it is called rotary or just round. It looks like a special knife for cutting pizza and works on the same principle. Best of all this type is suitable for working with a cloth. Using a knife, it cuts accurately and easily. Also, the tool is able to exactly cut at once several layers of tissue or paper. The disk knife allows making round and long cuts.
Cutting knives differ from each other in their size. When choosing it is necessary to take into account the scope of work. There is also a variation of a round blade with teeth, with which you can cut material in zigzags.
The third variety is mock knife The most common and popular among modellers tool. However, it cannot be called universal. Such knives, like the previous version, can have different sizes, in particular, the width of the blade. Narrow ones are best suited for thin materials and precision work, and wide ones are for something more durable, such as leather, cardboard, etc.
They can differ and the material from which they are made. The body can be made of plastic, wood, metal or rubber.
Professional modellers advise you not to save money when buying mock knives and choose those that contain the least amount of plastic parts. A quality knife will serve you better and longer.
An important component of the tool is collet clamp into which interchangeable blades are inserted. The plastic clip quickly becomes unusable, because of which the blade can not hold. This, in turn, will negatively affect the results of your work.
Layout knife functions
Development knife is often used for office purposes. But its true purpose is artistic work with lightweight materials. These include:
- paper;
- cardboard;
- thin tree.
Also, a breadboard knife is used in construction to create a decor. In skillful hands, this tool is capable of creating true masterpieces. Due to its convenience, it allows you to perform accurate jewelry work, such as figured cuts. Therefore, to acquire this type for the simple cutting of materials is impractical. A simple stationery knife is suitable for this.
The prototype knife consists of two basic elements - this is the blade and the handle. On the handle, mounting and materials for their manufacture, we have already spoken above. Now let's take a closer look at the features of the main element, the blade, namely the influence of its shape and size on the work. Development knives have several varieties depending on the shape of the cutting part:
- triangular blade;
- rounded blade;
- rectangular blade;
- pointed blade;
- serrated blade.
Each of these species has its own specific purpose. An experienced modeller knows in what cases which knives should be properly used. The same applies to the size and sharpening of the blades. Here are some simple recommendations from professionals:
- for miniature works, a pointed blade is suitable, width - 4 mm, edge length - 8 mm, thickness - 0.38 mm, angle of sharpening - 30 °;
- universal blade - triangular, width - 6 mm, edge length - 11 mm, thickness - 0.45 mm, angle of sharpening - 32.5 °;
- the large blade has a width of 8 mm, an edge length of 20 mm, a thickness of 0.5 mm, a grinding angle of 23 °, and is able to cope with wood and plastic.
By the way, all modern design knives provide the ability to replace blades. They are sold as a set with the tool itself, and separately. So you do not have to limit your creativity and spend a lot of money on it.
What to look for when choosing?
Do not forget that the knives differ from each other not only the main characteristics, but also the quality of performance. It depends on the good faith of the seller and the manufacturer of the tool. We have prepared for you some useful tips that should be guided in choosing. We already spoke about the handle above. Plastic is not the best material for it. But if the plastic is quite durable, then the knife will serve you for a long time faithfully.
It is better to insure and give preference to the knife with a metal handle.
Convenience is also an important criterion. An additional advantage is the rubber coating of the handle, which will not allow the knife to slide in your hand during work. The fastener consists of a slotted handle that is unscrewed like a bottle cap. The necessary blade is inserted inside, and the knob is twisted back. Many cheap models of model knives have a plastic mount that quickly breaks, depriving the blade of reliable fixation. Therefore pay attention so that the head was also a metal with a rubber coating.
The blade of the knife should be made of stainless steel. Then, with the right sharpening, it will serve you for many years. But even if it turned out to be of poor quality, it is easy to replace it with something else. As we already mentioned, blade sets can always be purchased separately. Here are a few proven manufacturers, which are often noted by professional modellers:
- Jas - specializes in the production of various products for modellers, including knives;
- Excel - An American company producing goods from the same category is known for a good ratio of quality and price;
- Olfa - Japanese company that produces many different knives, including the "art";
- "Bison" - domestic manufacturer of knives, having in its assortment two models for screen cutting;
- Hoby boss - well-known manufacturer of tools for modeling.
Of course, today a large number of online stores allows you to order a knife with delivery to anywhere in the world. But a true professional prefers to first look at the tool before buying it.
Features of work
For a start it is worth mentioning a pair of aids that will be useful for this work. Modellers often use razor blades that very well remove unwanted chips that appear when a cut is unsuccessful. "Bezopaskoy" can handle small parts without damaging them. If you are planning to seriously engage in artistic cutting, get a mock mat. It will protect the surface of your table from damage. And the knife when interacting with the rug is not so quickly blunted.
And finally, we have prepared for you some useful tips from experienced modellers:
- scheme for cutting need to draw on the back of the material used;
- it is best to start cutting with small parts;
- the contour should be processed last;
- Do not skip uncut parts or tear them out, otherwise you may spoil the work;
- Use a ruler to cut straight lines.
Artistic carving is an ancient form of creativity. It was practiced by the Slavs, cutting out the Russian alphabet, folk symbolism, patterns and flowers. Birch bark, wood or leather was used for cutting. This hobby remains in demand to this day. The main thing is that anyone can master it. For this you only need accuracy and patience.
See the next video for more useful information on dummy knives.
