Sharpening Box Cutter Blades

[JD Alan]

Here's another Newbie Question!

All over this site I've read how important it is to sharpen blades of all kinds. Last night I cut out three holsters, and I can really understand the value of a sharp knife.

I used a box cutter knife from Tandy, and while the blades are sharp, I wouldn't want to shave with one! Any directions as to sharpening one of these would be greatly appreciated.

I also have a AS brand trim knife, and it's as dull as a hammer right out of the box . Not sure what to do with it either.

On a positive note, I'm able to get my swivel knife blades pretty sharp with a strop and some red rouge. Thanks for all the help I've received from the Pards on this great forum, JD   

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy JD
 
      I just strop my utility knife and all my straight edged knives with red rouge, if you have a dull edge and it won't come back with stropping , then it's time to put it to the stone , Tandy sells a sharpening tri-stone kit, and they also sell an angle unit that will help with your swivel knife blades. with your trim knife I chose to go with the trim knife that tandy sell that you can change out the blades, the blades are sharp as ^%$ and only need to be stroped as needed. With your utility knife , the extra blades a cheap, so if you can't get them to sharpen just change the blade, you can always go back to them and try to get the edge back when you have more time, but I just 86 them , their too cheap to worry about, and I have to have a super sharp knife when cuttung out my leather. hope this helped.


                                                                tEN wOLVES 

[kid sheleen]

Hi JD,

I use single edge razor blades to cut out most of my stuff.  I get 10 of them at Wally World for $1.67.  You have to hold them up straight but they cut great.  For tight corners I use an X-Acto knife.  The blades for both are cheap enough that I don't waste time sharpening much of any thing.  For my swivel knives and head knife, I strop them on rough side coated with white jewelers rouge.

[JD Alan]

Thanks 10 Wolves and Kid Sheleen, I appreciate your advice.

So Kid, with the single edge, you're just holding onto the metal top of the blade, and not using any other device to hold it? I seem to remember a small holder for those single edge blades, so maybe that's what you're talking about.

Thanks again, JD

[Dalton Masterson]

I hit a lot of antique shops around and about, and lately have been noticing the old razor sharpeners. Basically you clamp the blade in, turn the handle, and the strop part rotates around sharpening the blade.
I have been tempted to pick one of these up and try it for sharpening my blades.
They look pretty easy to run, and I suppose with a good cleaning/refreshening of the strop portion they would work pretty good.
DM

[Springfield Slim]

I just pitch the utility blades, it is cheaper to by new ones than to waste my limited time. Also you might want to try the new serrated blades, seem to work better in thicker leather. Plus you can't sharpen them, so it eliminates THAT problem.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I have one of the super fine Kratex wheels mounted in my bench grinder that I use to put a rough edge on. After that, I strop it with jeweler's rouge. I also strop frequently while cutting just to keep the oils off the blade so it doesn't drag. The side benefit of that is that it is always sharp enough to shave with.

[cowboywc]

Here's another Newbie Question!

All over this site I've read how important it is to sharpen blades of all kinds. Last night I cut out three holsters, and I can really understand the value of a sharp knife.

I used a box cutter knife from Tandy, and while the blades are sharp, I wouldn't want to shave with one! Any directions as to sharpening one of these would be greatly appreciated.

I also have a AS brand trim knife, and it's as dull as a hammer right out of the box . Not sure what to do with it either.

On a positive note, I'm able to get my swivel knife blades pretty sharp with a strop and some red rouge. Thanks for all the help I've received from the Pards on this great forum, JD   

Howdy JD
I resharpen all my blades including X-acto and  scalpel blades.  I have a super fine stone from a fabric store
for scissors. Works great. Also extra fine wet/dry sandpaper works.
As for your ASB Trim knife I'm suprised, Mine was razor sharp out of the box. I use my fine stone on it also and
then strop.
WC

[JD Alan]

I hadn't thought to look at a fabric store for a sharpening stone WC, that's a good idea. I'll have to check out a wheel for my grinder, thanks Will.

Thanks to all who responded so far

JD

[kid sheleen]

Thanks 10 Wolves and Kid Sheleen, I appreciate your advice.

So Kid, with the single edge, you're just holding onto the metal top of the blade, and not using any other device to hold it? I seem to remember a small holder for those single edge blades, so maybe that's what you're talking about.

Thanks again, JD

I have a handle for the single edge razor blades that my wife gave me 15 years ago when she left her receiving job at a major chain grocery store.  I haven't seen one like it anywhere lately, I don't know where she got it.  I think they quit making them when they came out with those breakable point box cutters they have now that never break where they're supposed to.  Sometimes for long straight cuts, like to make an edge for the strap cutter to follow on a large side, I use a 48" strait edge and an angle head utility knife.

[JD Alan]

Is it flat and silver grey, looking like a somewhat oversized wrapped piece of gum? That's the type of box cutter still used in grocery stores around here. It holds a single edge razor that you can push out to expose the blade. I bought a box of 12 today for about 6 bucks, at the local cash & carry grocery supply.   

[cowboywc]

I hadn't thought to look at a fabric store for a sharpening stone WC, that's a good idea. I'll have to check out a wheel for my grinder, thanks Will.

Thanks to all who responded so far

JD

The stone I have is from "GINGHER"
WC

[JD Alan]

Thanks for that info WC. I'm going to be near the Fabic Depot (Monster size store in Portland) tomorrow, so I will check that out.

Much appreciated, JD

[kid sheleen]

Is it flat and silver grey, looking like a somewhat oversized wrapped piece of gum? That's the type of box cutter still used in grocery stores around here. It holds a single edge razor that you can push out to expose the blade. I bought a box of 12 today for about 6 bucks, at the local cash & carry grocery supply.   

That's exactly it.  I didn't know they still made 'em or where to get any, but mine works great!