posted
Back in the early 80s when Dad was a teacher for Arlon he developed a blade that he calls a "striping blade". As long as I can remember we've used them in the studio and on cars and trucks. I've seen him demonstrate cutting with one by laying a web of film on the hood of a new car, slitting it down the middle, pulling both pieces off the hood and daring anyone to find a cut or a mark in the paint. Cool, no?
He takes a number 11 xacto blade and uses the grinder to form a small radius in the end of the blade. That way there's no longer a sharp point. Then he uses a stone to resharpen the tip so that it's sharp, but not razor sharp. You can test it on your thumbnail. If it makes a fine white line with just a little drag its just right. If it doesn't make a line then its not sharp enough. If it really drags then its too sharp. With that kind of a tip you can freehand cut scrolls and fillagre in film and turn tight little curves really smoothly. And you can keep resharpening the tip till the radius is too much then start with a new one. They last a long time. Try it. It works!
posted
Years back I bought an Xacto blade sharpener. It looks like a battery operated pencil sharpener. When you insert the knife, the tip gets ground down. They found there is only one point on the blade that usually experiences any dulling, so removing that tip gives a new sharp edge. It's not rounded over though.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6846 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Like this then? I like #11s but that ultra sharp point on brand new ones is a pain for weeding vinyl (till it blunts or snaps off). I've always liked to sharpen them myself too with a little stone. Part cheapness, part effeciency, it's quick, and the blades will last indefinitely. I never thought of reshaping the tip on purpose though - thanks for teaching an old dog something new.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Yes! Its pretty much like that, but maybe you took just the tiniest bit too much off the tip. Your drawing has the tip curving back into itself. It should be with just a small amount still foreward. Cool the way it works, no?
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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