Papercraft

Best Craft Knives For Paper Cutting – Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

Have you ever used an old kitchen knife in your craftwork and found it just wouldn’t work with paper cutting? This may be because you need a proper craft knife ...

Photo of author
Written by Ged Richardson

Have you ever used an old kitchen knife in your craftwork and found it just wouldn’t work with paper cutting? This may be because you need a proper craft knife in order to get a clean and precise cut on your precious creations.

Using any old knife will in time damage and blunt the knife you are cutting with and more importantly, may affect your crafting project.

At a Glance: Our Choice of the Best Craft Knives For Paper Cutting on the Market

Note: The links above take you to more information, current prices, and customer reviews on Amazon. If you do purchase something we get a small commission, which has absolutely no effect on the eventual price that you pay.

Best Craft Knives – Product Round-up and Reviews

X-Acto

X-Acto No 1 Precision Knife | Z-Series, Craft Knife, with Safety Cap, #11 Fine Point Blade, Easy-Change Blade System

Click to learn more / buy from Amazon

This crafting knife has a precise blade that others simply can not compare. The ergonomic handle gives comfort to the user, allowing for longer use without getting hand cramps. The rear blade release along with a safety cap means this knife is one of the safest out there; a great product for any crafters out there with children in the house.

PROS

  • Safety features are great
  • Good blade
  • Ergonomic handle

CONS

  • More expensive than some on the list

Let’s take a look at this product…


Fiskars Heavy Duty Hobby Knife

Fiskars SoftGrip Detail Craft Knife - 8' Exacto Knife for Crafting - Multi-Use Exacto Blade Included with Protective Cover

Click to learn more / buy from Amazon

Fiskars are a reputable brand in the world of crafting, here they have produced a very cheap and heavy-duty blade which is wonderful for intricate paper cutting. The soft grip touch is great for when you have to use the knife for a long time. There is a safety cap that protects the blade and any unfortunate cuts to yourself! Replacing the blade on this knife is easy, it literally takes seconds.

PROS

  • Cheap
  • Takes blades from different brands
  • Best knife for intricate work

CONS

  • Long handle for smaller hands
  • May have to replace blades more often than others

Let’s take a look at this product…


Olfa Craft Knife

Click to learn more / buy from Amazon

The Olfa is a useful knife to keep in your toolbox for a variety of tasks, paper cutting being one of them. Considering it is one of the cheapest of my picks, Olfa are a respectable brand that has created a budget knife that actually does the job well. It isn’t as precise as some of the more expensive knives, but it will still get the job done as a cartridge knife.

PROS

  • Extremely cheap
  • Handles paper cutting well

CONS

  • Cheaper materials used
  • No safety features
  • Not as precise as more expensive knives

Let’s take a look at this product…


Mont Marte Hobby Knife Set

Mont Marte Hobby Knife Set SK5 Blades 13pce

Click to learn more / buy from Amazon

The Mont Marte set is more expensive than the others on this list, but you do get a whole lot more for the price. Included here are 13 blade tips to suit any hobby cutting, trimming, chiseling, carving and of course, paper cutting. The set comes in a nice case with a magnetic strip to keep all the blades safe. Also included are three separate handles, each for various heavy or light uses while cutting.

PROS

  • Various blades with some that are great for paper cutting
  • Thin and precise blades
  • Great price for the amount you get

CONS

  • Only a few blades are good for paper cutting
  • Not as well made as some other picks on the list

Let’s take a look at this product…


NT Cutter Craft Knife

NT Cutter Aluminum Die-Cast Holder Cushioned Grip Art Knife with Needlepoint and Burnishes, 1 Knife (D-1000GP)

Click to learn more / buy from Amazon

This die-cast aluminum knife is the perfect companion to any paper cutting crafter out there. It’s a little more expensive than some of the others on this list but it is reliable and very precise when cutting paper. It has an anti-slip grip and 5 blades included in the price, with the blade being fairly light in itself.

PROS

  • Excellent paper cutting knife
  • Made of strong materials
  • Some safety features

CONS

  • More expensive than others on the list
  • A light knife, some crafters prefer a weight in their hands

Let’s take a look at this product…


Summary

Most of the picks on my list are roughly the same price, a few dollars away from each other. Sometimes you are paying for a known brand such as the Olfa or Fiskars; you know they are reliable and respected. If you have a little more money to spend and would like to try out a variety of blades, the Mont Marte set might be for you.

Overall, my winner for the best craft knife for paper cutting has to go to the X-Acto. The feel of the knife in the hand is perfect when cutting paper. Its precision is second to none, the safety cap allows for use in a big household and you aren’t paying much more than you would for the others on the list.