A must-have item for Gunpla production! Cutting, shaving, and stabbing - a comparative review of "design knives" that are useful when you have them! The Tool Way! No.5]

Hello, this is Karyas! This is the fifth installment of "The Tool Way! In this fifth installment of "The Tool Way!", we will introduce how to use design knives, which are indispensable for model making, and thoroughly compare four types of knives that we recommend!

There are a variety of cutting and cutting tools that are useful in model making, but this time we will introduce design knives that can be easily purchased at model stores and stationery corners, and that allow even beginners to work with precision. First, let's learn the basics and how to use them!

Basic Knowledge of Design Knives

1 Difference between a cutter knife and a design knife

While a regular cutter consists of one large blade parallel to the handle, a design knife (also called an art knife or modeler's knife) has a separate handle and blade and is designed for more precise work. The cutter can be used to cut cardboard and plastic plates because it is easier to apply force, while the design knife can be used to work on models and figures.

The differences are obvious at a glance, and it is a good idea to have one of each!

2 Use interchangeable blades

The blades of design knives are very sharp, so they deteriorate quite quickly, depending on how often they are used. Even if there is no visible loss, replace the blade as soon as the sharpness deteriorates. In addition to the standard straight blades, there are also curved blades suitable for kanagataki (see below) and flat blades that can be used like a chisel, so be sure to use them properly.

Some design knives can be converted to blades sold separately, while others cannot, so be sure to check carefully.

3 How to avoid injury

The most important thing to keep in mind when using a design knife is to avoid injury. When cutting parts, if you put too much force and your hand goes haywire, you may cut your finger (I have done it a few times myself ......). But,

Don't put your hand or fingers in front of the blade.

Do not exert too much force (if the blade is too hard to cut, use other methods).

Do not use a blade that has deteriorated.

Put the cap on when not in use.

As long as you follow these basic rules, it is unlikely that you will get hurt, so don't worry!

Safety is the first priority!

How to use a design knife

＜Basic

Cutting decals and masking tape

Scissors can be used for simple cutting of paper and tape, but a design knife is more convenient for cutting long straight lines.

Cutting parts (gating, planing, deburring, sharpening, etc.)

In addition to gate processing after cutting twice, it is also used to remove parting lines and burrs that are often encountered in old Gunpla kits and scale models, as well as to sharpen parts that are too thick.

I attached a curved blade to my favorite Tamiya modeler's knife (see below) and tried kanagaki (a technique to sharpen parts by moving the blade vertically) on a figure's parting line. Incidentally, in addition to the design knife, you can also use other tools such as a kisage or ceramic blade for kanagaki, so if you are interested, please check it out.

This time, I attached a straight blade and sharpened the antenna of the Gundam (entry grade). Cut off unnecessary protrusions with nippers and cut with a design knife while watching the overall balance. The key is not to overdo it.

The difference between the right antenna (as is) and the left (sharpened) is obvious. It is not a difficult process, so please try it!

<Application

Carving the lines

You can re-carve concave molds that have been filled with adhesives or putty, or create new ones by yourself. To carve a solid groove, you need to use a special tool, but if it is thin enough, you can also carve a groove by cutting repeatedly with a design knife. In this case, use guide tape or a ruler to make clean, straight cuts.

Putty or glue

Blades that are no longer sharp can be used as safety spatulas by turning them over and attaching them. We want to use resources as effectively as possible!

Stick it into very small parts.

The very small rivet parts and lens parts used for modifying mecha kits are often difficult to grasp with tweezers as well as fingers. In such cases, you can hold the parts by lightly stabbing them with the tip of a design knife and sticking them together. The puncture wound is hardly noticeable, so please try it once!

In addition, there are other advanced methods of utilizing design knives, such as cutting off etched parts (metal parts for modification) and expressing damage in combination with adhesives, which we hope to introduce sometime in the future.

We would like to introduce four recommended design knives by comparing their sharpness and usability using a 2mm-diameter plastic rod!

*When using a design knife or cutter, lay out a cutter mat before working!

Olfa Designer's Knife + Separate Replacement Blade Set

Olfa is so well-known for its cutters that it is called "Olfa! A long-established manufacturer that has developed a wide range of cutting tools. You can often find them in the stationery corner.

Available in four colors: blue, pink, black, and yellow.

Price of the main unit: approx. 300-400 yen Price of optional replacement blades: approx. 200-300 yen

Includes 5 replacement blades and a cap to prevent rolling.

The back of the body is spatula-shaped, so it is possible to mold putty and clay.

Blades cannot be changed to other sizes.

Optional blade set includes 30 replacement blades and a needle for plastic and aluminum scraping.

With marking needles attached.

The blade case can also be used as a special stand by setting the cap that comes with the main unit on the blade case.

The sharpness is perfect. The handle is a little heavy, but that makes it easier to apply force when pushing it through. The spatula part also looks like it could be utilized quite well. The optional replacement blade is also very cost-effective!

Muratec KDS / Designer Knife

Muratec KDS is an affiliate of Murata Machinery, a company that develops various industrial machines, and is responsible for the development of cutters and electronic devices.

Three color variations are available: blue, yellow, and green.

Suggested retail price: 539 yen including tax

Comes with 16 replacement blades and a cap to prevent rolling.

Hollow handle allows replacement blades to be stored in the body.

Blades cannot be changed to other sizes.

The design and sharpness of the blade is almost the same as the Olfa designer knife introduced earlier. The major difference is the handle, which is a little thicker but lighter because it is hollow inside, and the grip part is made of rubber, so it is less tiring and seems to be suitable for long hours of work!

Tamiya Modeler's Knife

Comes with 25 replacement blades, case, and cap

MSRP: 1,045 yen including tax

The product itself is made by Olfa and is a Tamiya brand. I have been using it for a long time, and it is a popular item with many fans. As I showed you in the movie of how to use it, it is an excellent product that can be applied by attaching a separately sold blade.

Tamiya also offers the "Design Knife" and "Modeler's Knife PRO. The former is a regular design knife, while the latter is an item more specialized for cutting parts, so be sure to check them out.

Even without the cap, it is designed not to roll over.

The blade can be replaced with one sold separately

Included replacement blade case

The cutting ability is fine, and the simple design makes it easy to use. Above all, it doesn't roll around while working, so I appreciate that I don't have to worry about dropping it on the floor!

Daiso / Design knife + optional replacement blade

Price: Both 110 yen including tax

The last one is a design knife sold by Daiso, a 100-yen shop. The atmosphere is not bad at a quick glance. ......

Anyway, the attraction is that it is cheap. It also comes with 10 replacement blades, so if you want to save money, this might be a good choice.

The blade that comes with it is quite large. There is room in the chuck part, so it can be replaced, just like the Tamiya Modeler's Knife!

The chuck can be loosened by turning the back of the handle.

The sharpness is commensurate with the price. The handle is unusually light, but the back part is heavy, so the balance when you hold it is not good. Another negative point is that the shaft spins around unless you hold the blade with your finger when changing blades. However, if you only use it for minimal work, it may be the most cost-effective!

Which one should I buy?

If you want to do solid modeling and want to use the blade in various situations by replacing it

We recommend Tamiya's modeler's knife. It is comfortable to use, and although the price is 1,000 yen, it comes with a replacement blade, so if you have one, you can use it for a long time, so it is cost effective.

If you are fine with a small blade and are concerned about the bonus features

If you like a thin grip, we recommend Olfa, and if you like a thick grip, we recommend Muratec!

If you are short on money and want to try out a design knife! If you are short of money but want to try out a design knife!

I think you should choose Daiso!

I think you should choose one like this!

How did you like it?

Along with nippers and files, a design knife is a tool that every modeler should have. In addition to the knives introduced here, there are many other useful tools for cutting and shaving, such as knives specialized for figure processing and scratching, ultrasonic cutters and heat cutters for cutting thick parts, etc. If you have a chance, we would like to introduce them sometime.

So, I will see you again~♪

<Writer

Kariyasu

Entertainment and hobby writer. He loves models, dioramas, and figures, and is in charge of reviewing plastic models and miniatures, as well as tools and various interviews. Surprised at the variety of design knives.

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