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Swivel blade craft knife

A cutting knife with the head mounted so that it turns into the direction of the cut by itself as it is drawn across the material. With a straight knife a curve has to be cut in short sections and the result tends to be angular. A swivel head runs through a curve smoothly, so the cut-out has a clean outline with no steps.

Use

• Cutting your own painting masks from tape or masking film.
• Stencils for spraying camouflage fields and markings.
• Circular and curved cut-outs in thin plastic, paper and card.
• Trimming a decal sheet close around the motif.

Work tips

Cut the material on a flat, firm surface, ideally a self-healing one. Draw the knife toward you and let the head turn by itself; pushing it into the direction of the cut is a mistake. On a curve of small radius, work slowly and make two light passes rather than one heavy one. Change the blade before it stops cutting, as a blunt blade tears the material and runs off the line.

Who it is for

• Modelers who cut their own masks and stencils.
• Diorama builders working with paper and thin plastic.
• Anyone for whom a straight knife is not enough on curves.

The swivel head has some play so that it can turn, so the hand takes a while to get used to it on the first few cuts. Try the shape out on a scrap piece before you start on a finished mask.

The blade is very sharp. Work carefully, put the knife away with the blade retracted or covered and out of the reach of children.