Knives are commonly known as tools for cutting things, but that’s not where their functionality ends. Knives come in various designs, specially made for specific tasks and materials. Here, we look at several knives that come in handy for DIY and hobby projects.
Utility knife
The multifunctional utility knife is also called the Stanley knife after the inventor. With short and replaceable blades, it can handle a wide range of cutting tasks. This original utility knife is a solid, lightweight aluminum design with a blade storage compartment in the handle.
Snap-off knife
The blade of a snap-off knife consists of several blades. Once a blade becomes dull, you can snap it off and continue with the next one. The retractable blade should be locked during use; some snap-off knives do this automatically. Snap-off knives are available in different blade thicknesses and often come with built-in storage for spare blades.
Rotating knife
A rotating knife is ideal for cutting soft materials. The rolling motion of the cutter results in less fraying when cutting textiles. Another advantage of a rotating knife is that it allows you to cut various curved lines easily. The round blades are replaceable.
Cable knife
A cable knife is not only for cutting and stripping power cables. It can also be used for various other cutting tasks. Cable knives come in many different designs. The handle is often insulated to prevent the risk of short circuits.
Pruning knife
A pruning knife has a curved shape. You can use pruning knives for light pruning, grafting, and various tasks in floristry. Another application is finishing plaster — hence, these knives are also known as plaster knives.
Insulation knife
An insulation knife is recognizable by its long, thin blade. As the name suggests, this knife is used to cut insulation materials to size. This model by Stanley has fine serration for insulating wool and coarse serration for insulation blocks.
Pocket knife
From a ‘Victorinox’ knife with various tools to a mini pocket knife… pocket knives come in all shapes and sizes. Here are some models from professional tool brands.
Knife set
A knife set is handy for various crafting work. Such a set consists of several blades in different shapes that fit a universal holder. This hobby knife set from Stanley includes two handles and 12 different blades for a wide range of materials and applications, including high-precision cutting, deburring, inlaying, modelling, stencilling, and etching.
