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Has anyone used an X-acto knife before? Is it as easy as going around a stencilled cut out circle for an accurate perfect circle cut out into a playing card?

It depends on the material being cut.

I've used one on thin card as well as playing cards with great success although if I need to cut a perfect round or other shape, I'd try sourcing and using a punch rather than a knife. X-actos are great for creating short cards as you can trim very fine amounts off the top and bottom of the card until the card works as required. If you have a stencil then they can follow the shapes quite well if you take it all very steadily. Chances are that you'll cut yourself at some point and they do cut deep and painfully - definitely not the sort of things to treat casually or use for rush jobs.

I've used X-acto blades for years (and sadly, can confirm Mandrake's comments about them cutting deeply - but it only happened once!). Getting a completely smooth circle might be tricky using a blade, even with a stencil. You might need to make the template from a material that will not cut easily; it's quite easy to catch the edge of a ruler or other item you are cutting along. If you are very careful to turn the blade as you go, you should be OK. Consider getting a cutting mat too. Glass mats can make cutting easier, but I think the more common self-healing sort might be better for you, as slowing the cutting action down might actually help you follow the template.

I agree with Mandrake that a punch might be better, but finding one that has the exact diameter you need and sufficient reach is not necessarily easy.

if you are cutting circles, get a circle cutter. Inexpensive, and easy to use.

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/12100807 ... pla&crdt=0

Ah you read my mind as I was just wondering about whether you could use a compass type implement... That fits the bill. For cutting lines I guess I have a Stanley knife, so that is great.

Thanks everyone!

Aside from large punches, you can also buy dedicated circle-cutters, which do a fine job, and can be adjusted to cut out different diameter circles, so may be more cost-effective in the long-run.

Part-Timer wrote:You might need to make the template from a material that will not cut easily; it's quite easy to catch the edge of a ruler or other item you are cutting along.

I always use a steel rule when cutting with a sharp blade. No chance of shaving the edge off, plastic rules are very easy to cut into like you say!

Those knives are all very well until it decides to do a little jump and bury itself into your finger. Painful and even more anoying when you realise that lovely white felt that you were cutting is now splattered in red.

There is available a swivel head X-acto knife http://www.artdiscount.co.uk/product/x- ... fe_blades/ designed for cutting perfect circles, curves and other shapes but the compass style cutter does seem safer.

Pickman wrote:There is available a swivel head X-acto knife http://www.artdiscount.co.uk/product/x- ... fe_blades/" target="_blank designed for cutting perfect circles, curves and other shapes but the compass style cutter does seem safer.

I use this but not for circles, circles free hand are on the difficult side, but if you are tracing a pattern the above tool is wonderful.

I don't actually have one of those swivel X-actos (though I'm thinking of getting one) Would it be possible to use it with a stencil or other shape guide to create a neat circle?

Metal stencils might be OK, anything else will get cut.

Pickman wrote:I don't actually have one of those swivel X-actos (though I'm thinking of getting one) Would it be possible to use it with a stencil or other shape guide to create a neat circle?

metal or a slightly thicker plastic stencil, it is a very small blade and it does trace around items easily enough. It can also be a little finnicky but once you understand how it moves it really can save time and agrivation. Again it is one of those things where you need the right tool for the right job. I really wouldn't bother if you are just cutting our circles, best use an exacto circle cutter as shown in one of the above posts. For patterns however I use mine all the time.

Thanks bmat and Mandrake. I'll probably end up buying both to use for different tasks.