ON THE CUTTING EDGE
Got a great, sharp little number from April Pease - a TESTORS Hobby Knife. I've been using this one for a couple months now and it's still sharp. The best part about this knife is that the blade is very long and thin and pointy and gets in anywhere. If you use lino tools, you ought to get one of these just for fine work in tight spots like eyes, fingers, etc. If you use a knife for most of your carving - you should get at least two of these, one for regular cutting and a second to keep very sharp for the detail work. It can be sharpened for extended use, too. Only drawback I see is that when the blade is shot, you throw the whole thing away. But for less than $2, you'll get a lot of use out of it first.

Sharpening - look for a stone with one round edge for scoops. Also, always use oil or water on the stone when you sharpen a blade, it carries away the shavings and prolongs the life of the stone, too.

My usual knife is an X-acto with a #11 blade which I buy in boxes of 100. The drawback to the basic round metal handle with the knurled grip near the blade is that it can turn in your hand affecting the angle of the cut or loosen the chuck holding the blade. This doesn't happen with the TESTORS. The handle on the TESTORS is flat and has a comfortable grip. It's also very lightweight which matters if you do a lot of carving or have CTS.

Another option, as far as comfort is concerned, is the cushioned triangular grip X-acto handles that are available now in the some of the conglomerate office supply stores. And I have to check out a neat toy that Larry Angelo told me about - the X-acto #5095 - The X Calibre Executive Push Button Pen Knife (is that the REAL name or is he making it up?). It's like a tiny #11 in a neat holder. Larry says it's great for doing really delicate small work. Hey, and you can wear it in your pocket protector and use it to defend yourself against people who make fun of your white socks.

TIM BLACKBURN - ZETETICS (Who, BTW, has some carvings in the Rubber Anarchy catalog - P.O. Box 2559, Fontana, CA 92334 $3): "X-acto - type blades still rule in my book. Testors Hobby Knife is the best. I know Julie Bloch (see below) likes the Chartpak Frisket Knife but the handles aren't very comfortable. I guess I could buy something to wrap on there but since no one in town bothers to carry the blades I've never given much thought to them. You can get the Testors Knives just about anywhere. They are the only knife of that type that puts advice on sharpening them on the package! I think everyone else just wants you to chuck them out." (Rusty - I love the advice on the back of the box of #11 blades I bought for the X-acto: Always Wear Safety Goggles?!? - Sure, as if I didn't already look like a nerd with my pocket pen knife.)

JULIE HAGAN BLOCH: "Cutting Remarks...yes, you are right: the Testors Hobby Knife IS better than the Chartpak Knife. I found that out after Tim Blackburn sent me the Testors knife to try. (Now, is that guy a sweetheart or what?!) Not only that, but the Testors knife is more readily available. There is another knife available from Nasco that acts like an X-acto made by Rolls Royce; by which I mean that it is very well designed. ...and incidentally, it happens to be very quiet... (???) Anyhow, the knob that one twists to secure the blade, is at the back end of the tool (the "pencil eraser" end) and the direction of the torque of carving further tightens the blade in the handle rather than tending to loosen it as the X-acto does. AND the blades are replaceable, and available in economy-sized packs of 100. Be sure you get the Nasco BRAND knife and handle, because Nasco sells X-acto too. And no, I am not an employee of Nasco!"

RUSTY: Me either, but I do happen to have their number here: 1-800-558-9595. Call for their catalog.


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