For part of class yesterday, I demonstrated how to use X-Acto knives. X-Actos are great tools for cutting if used properly, but difficult (and can be dangerous) if used improperly.
Some key points from this instruction:
1. The knife has a cap to protect the blade (and you from the blade), and a plastic tube for storage in the knife rack. ALL KNIVES MUST BE RETURNED, WITH ALL PIECES, at the end of each class (class is not dismissed until everything is returned/found). The cap and tube components are for your safety, and the knives are NOT allowed to leave the classroom. At that point, it becomes a potential weapon and a danger.
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(and, of course, knives are ONLY used for cutting paper and other printing or drawing substrates, in-class...)
2. Always use
a cutting mat with an X-Acto knife. These protect the beautiful, unscratched (hah) tables-- but also give you a smooth surface upon which to cut (the gouged tables would mess up your cutting)
a cutting mat with an X-Acto knife. These protect the beautiful, unscratched (hah) tables-- but also give you a smooth surface upon which to cut (the gouged tables would mess up your cutting)
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3. The blade/the sharp side of the stainless steel is the angled side. If you have it flipped upside-down, it won't cut so much as it will tear.
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4. Hold the knife as you would 'correctly' hold a pen, at a 45-degree angle to the mat.
5. The knife blade should be perpendicular to the mat (tilted side to side, it won't cut as smoothly).
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6. When cutting a straight edge, use a stainless steel ruler with a cork backing. The cork holds the ruler in place (or at least helps to keep it from slipping)
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IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE ON RULERS:
Rulers are ONLY to be used for measuring and for cutting straight lines. Not hitting each other, etc... Please take care with them and don't bend them (even though they're bendy), and PLEASE don't peel off the cork!
OTHER TIPS FOR SAFE/PROPER/GOOD USE:
- Pull the knife towards you rather than away. Turn your paper/the mat as needed, to always be able to pull in that direction
- Keep your other hand behind the cutting area (in the opposite direction from where you're pulling
the blade); that way, if you slip, you won't cut your hand, because it won't be anywhere near the blade!
the blade); that way, if you slip, you won't cut your hand, because it won't be anywhere near the blade!
- If you've never used an X-Acto knife before, please feel free to practice on some scratch paper first!
Oh, and regarding the picture of doughnut holes? That's partly to get your attention, partly because yesterday we also discussed "doughnut holes" in terms of paper stencils. Maybe you'll even get the opportunity to get a (real, edible) doughnut hole reward in the near future, too. Or maybe I'm teasing and that's a fake-out. Keep checking/reading this blog...! :)
p.s. I am surprised how many students don't know that doughnut holes (the edible kind, not the paper stencil kind) come from the center... of doughnuts. As in, the part of the doughnut that's cut out so that the remainder has a hole. There is so, so much for me to teach. :)
Happy Labor Day Weekend!!
