Craft Knife II

Craft Knife II — a Modeling Knife (Tamiya)

Craft Knife II is a cutting knife from Tamiya, designed for the modeling workbench. The II designation marks the second generation — compared with the older version, the knife gained an ergonomically shaped black plastic body with a non-slip grip, a self-locking slider so the blade cannot retract mid-cut, and a corrosion-resistant stainless steel blade. The blade can be removed and reversed, so the knife suits right- and left-handed users alike. This is a modeling tool, not a kit.

The blade and replacing it

The blade is divided into segments: once the tip dulls, the blunt section is snapped off to reveal a new sharp edge. A removable clip at the end of the handle is used for snapping it off — pressing the tabs on the sides releases it, and it then serves as a tool for safely breaking off a segment. This keeps the knife sharp without having to touch the blade with your fingers.

Use

• Cutting parts from sprues and removing gate remnants.
• Cleaning up parting lines, flash and excess plastic after sanding.
• Cutting and trimming plastic, scraping and fine detail cleanup.
• Precisely separating decals from a sheet, and cutting masking tape and film on a model.
• Cutting paper, cardboard and thin materials when building dioramas.

Who it is for

For plastic modelers, figure and diorama builders and RC modelers alike — the knife, along with sprue cutters and sandpaper, is a basic piece of equipment. The ergonomic grip pays off especially during longer work on a large kit.

Safety: the blade is very sharp. Always cut away from your body and away from the hand holding the part, on a firm cutting mat. Break off and replace the blade carefully and only with the slider locked and retracted; never throw used blades away loose, but wrap them safely (for example in a hard case or cardboard). After use, retract the knife and store it out of the reach of children.