Scalpels For Marquetry and Veneer?

[Woodtec]

For all you Marquetry and Veneers out there what are you using X-Acto knives or scalpels? And please mention what blades, brands, and handles you like the best, like the number 11 X-Acto blade (I seem to use them the most if not using a utility knife) Or are you using scalpels? I have never tried scalpels and was wondering what your thoughts are about the Swann-Morton scalpels? Or are there other quality brands? In looking at the scalpels it seems like the blade would have less deflection on a scalpel do to how it’s attached to the handle? What are you using and way do you like them the best and where is the best place to buy blades and handles for scalpels and or X-Acto knives?


Thanks Richard

[Robson Valley]

For 31 years, I did my carving with Feather (brand) scalpels. #10? #12 handles? I forget.
#11, #12 and #15 blades were my stock-in-trade. I used to crank the handles in a vise so I had LH and RH shapes (needing to be very ambidextrous). I engraved my name on the cranked handles so when they came out of the autoclave, I got my stuff back.
Two things:
1. There's so little steel behind the edge for mechanical support, they are unsatisfactory for wood carving. As useless as Exacto. Meat carving is another matter.
2. The fine tips do break off in wood. If you don't sense when that happens, you are in for a big surprise to hit that with a $50 gouge.

[katbobkat]

I use neither of them. Neither of them is strong enough for the job. :no:

Stanley knife!!! You know, with the break off blade. I do all my work with Stanley, no need for scalpel or other special tool.
The handles are not for cutting veneer and the blade is weak.

The Stanley comes in different sizes, you can experiment which one is comfortable in your hand.
Ok I also have a Japanese knife, but I rarely use it, only for the minute details when veneers are not co-operating. But it has a very strong tip, not like the scalpels.
cheers

[Robson Valley]

The common knives here with break-away blades are made by OLFA (France, perhaps?)
I've been relief carving in flat stone slabs for eventual printing. Those blades cut better than I ever expected. We did some expts and the stone seems between 2 and 3 hardness.
There are some people around me that do either marquetry and/or intarsia. Very, very quiet about what they do and how they do it.

[katbobkat]

yes OLFA :2tsup:is the best for sure, and it is Japanese.
In 1956 Yoshio Okada invented the world's first SNAP-OFF BLADE CUTTER. It is still the best.