Wonkee Donkee’s top tips for using a craft knife

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Keep it sharp

Before you begin working with your craft knife, make sure it has a sharp, clean blade. If the blade is too dull it will only bunch and tear the material, rather than cut it.

Use a cutting mat

A craft knife is commonly used in conjunction with a cutting mat: a protective covering that the workpiece can be placed on. A cutting mat not only protects the work surface, but also provides a durable surface to cut into that will not dull the blade.

Hold like a pencil

You should hold your craft knife in between your thumb and fingers, as you would hold a pencil.

Move the material

For curved or shaped cuts, it may be easier to move the material, rather than the knife, by gently pulling it around the blade.

Use a metal ruler

For straight cuts, place a metal ruler (a craft knife blade may cut into a plastic or wooden one) next to the cut line and draw the blade down the ruler’s edge. This will give you a perfectly straight cut and stop the blade from moving off course.

The right pressure

Do not press too hard and attempt to drag the craft knife down the material, as this can lead to uneven cuts and damaged blades.