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a craft knife, ruler, and red construction paper on a cutting mat

Must-Have Paper Cutting Tools

Every paper-cutting artist, illustrator, or crafter has their favorite precision cutting tool—the one they reach for time and time again to bring their creative visions to life. Whether you’re creating intricate designs, crafting detailed illustrations, or adding that perfect finishing touch to a handmade card, the right tool can make all the difference. But with so many options available, how do you know which tool is best for the job? Below, we break down essential paper cutting tools, their unique features, and how they can help you achieve clean, professional results with ease.

What Equipment is Used to Cut Paper?

From versatile craft knives to durable scissors, rotary cutters, and specialty blades, the world of paper-cutting offers a variety of equipment tailored to different needs. Each tool has its strengths, whether it's the precision of a sharp knife or the smooth cuts provided by a rotary blade. Knowing what’s available can help you select the perfect tool to match your project’s requirements.

Craft Knife

A craft knife is a light duty knife, used with blades such as the #11 double honed blade and other stainless steel blades. Also known as a hobby knife, it is probably the most widely used tool for precision cutting, favored by paper-cutting artists and illustrators for its sharpness and accuracy. Beyond paper cutting, this versatile tool is also a staple for model making and dioramas, quilling, foam smithing and leather work. Surprisingly, it even finds a home in niche fields like harpsichord maintenance, where it’s used for precision tuning and voicing.

Generally, a craft knife has similar dimensions to a pen; however, there are ergonomic versions available which have a cushioned, wider diameter, great for reducing hand fatigue during extended use. The blade is secured by a chuck mechanism, which can be opened or closed via a knob at the front, below the blade, or at the opposite end, depending on the model.

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Medium Duty Knife

The medium duty knife is similar to the light duty craft knife, but the diameter of the handle and the chuck are larger to accommodate medium duty blades, such as the #2 blade and #24 blade. The #2 blade is perfect for precision work on thicker materials, such as layered cardstock or heavy watercolor paper, while the #24 deburring blade excels at cutting dense materials like chipboard, thick paperboard, or balsa wood.

Popular among hobbyists and crafters, this knife is frequently used for building dollhouses and dioramas, cutting stencils, trimming cardstock, and shaping foam boards or materials used in foam smithing.

a person using a medium duty craft knife to cut design patterns into construction paper

Swivel Knife

This is a precision knife with a very small, sharp blade that rotates 360°, allowing the artist the ability to cut intricate rounded shapes without lifting up the knife or adjusting the paper. This unique functionality makes it ideal for projects that require curving, looping or organic cuts, such as decorative lettering, floral patterns, and abstract art.

The #64 blade is a small, angled sharp edge blade, housed in plastic that fits snugly into the handle but can also be quickly replaced when needed, ensuring consistent performance. This knife is great at cutting thin materials such as paper, vinyl, or delicate stencil sheets, making it a go-to tool for crafters working on scrapbooking, card-making, or creating custom stickers.

Unlike standard craft knives, a swivel knife eliminates the need for frequent repositioning, allowing for smoother, uninterrupted cuts. This is particularly beneficial when working with freehand designs or intricate patterns that demand high accuracy.

Stencil Knife

This is a lightweight aluminum knife with a #16 stencil blade. As the name suggests, the stencil knife is intended for stencil-cutting projects but can be used for precision paper cutting or other detail cutting where the short angle of the blade is preferred. Its lightweight construction ensures comfort during extended use, making it an essential tool for artists and crafters alike.

Compared to standard craft or swivel knives, a stencil knife offers unparalleled precision for tight angles and small details, making it indispensable for stencil-making enthusiasts and detailed paper art projects.

a dual blade strip cutter next to strips of colored paper

Dual Blade Strip Cutter

This paper cutting tool features twin adjustable parallel blades that allow for cutting strips in paper, vinyl, and other thin materials. It’s compatible with the #59 blade, which ensures clean, precise cuts, and the blades adjust from .12” - .63” by tightening or loosening the thumbscrew, allowing for customizable strip widths to suit a variety of papercraft projects.

The dual blade strip cutter is an excellent choice for projects that require uniformity and efficiency. With its adjustable blade spacing, you can easily tailor the strip width to your specific needs, making it ideal for paper crafting, creating decorative borders, or cutting strips for scrapbooking and card-making. Its ability to cut two parallel lines simultaneously saves time while ensuring clean, precise results.

a person using a snap blade knife to open a box

Snap Blade Knives

Snap blade knives are light to medium duty utility knives that house snap blades. When the tip of the blade gets dull from use, snapping off the tip reveals a new sharp blade. It’s great to have around the house for cutting cardboard and cardstock and for use with foam boards, foam core, cork and more.

Replacement snap blades come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, such as the 9mm 13-point snap blade, 9mm 30-degree snap blade, or 18mm 8-point snap blade, among others. The 30-degree snap blade has an acute angle with a pointy tip, ideal for precision cuts in tight spaces or detailed projects like cutting vinyl, intricate stencils, or fine paper strips. The larger 18mm blades are better suited for heavier materials like thick cardboard or dense foam boards.

Compared to craft knives or heavy-duty utility knives, snap blade knives offer the perfect balance of portability, precision, and durability.

Utility Knives

Heavy duty knives are larger paper cutting tools with bigger blades designed for tougher cutting tasks, including thicker materials like cardboard, paperboard, multiple layers of cardstock, and even sheetrock, foamcore, and soft metals. These are compatible with blades like the 2-notch utility blade, but it’s important to check the packaging for blade compatibility to ensure a secure fit. Utility knives come in a variety of designs, some with additional features like built-in cord-cutters, ergonomic handles, or multiple locking positions for added versatility and control.

One of the most practical features of utility knives is their retractable blade mechanism, which protects the blade during transport and reduces the risk of accidents. Some models even include a safety auto-retract function, where the blade retracts automatically when pressure is released.

An Excel Blades rotary cutter.

Rotary Cutters

Rotary cutters are like pizza cutters, but for fabric or paper! These tools are perfect for projects that require long, smooth cuts, making them a favorite among artists, quilters, and crafters. Their circular blade glides effortlessly through fabric or paper, ensuring clean, precise edges without tearing or fraying. Many models also feature straight or pinking edges, offering versatility for creating decorative borders or specialized cuts.

Rotary cutters are available in various sizes, which is especially helpful for cutting along curves or making intricate designs. Small blades (28mm or less) work well for detailed cuts and tight curves, while larger blades (45mm or more) excel at straight, long cuts on larger sheets of paper. Many designs include safety features, such as blade covers or retractable mechanisms, for safe storage and transport.

A pair of Excel Blades craft scissors.

Scissors

Odds are this was one of the first paper cutting tools we all used. Craft scissors are a universal tool, but did you know these also have specialty edges and uses? From everyday office scissors to advanced craft scissors, there’s a pair for every paper-related task.

Office scissors should be a familiar sight. They’re typically about 8” long, with plastic handles, and are designed for general-purpose cutting tasks. Some versions offer a cushion grip, making them more comfortable for prolonged use, whether you’re trimming printer paper or cutting labels.

A pair of Excel Blades comfort grip scissors.

Similarly, the Comfort Grip Scissors are another ergonomic option to help reduce fatigue during use. This tool has a spring-loaded assist and, like the name suggests, a more natural, comfortable grip. These can be used by both left-handed and right-handed individuals on a variety of materials including paper, cardstock, stencils, film, vinyl, photographs, tape, some plastics, cloth, leather and cork, to name a few.

Curved edge scissors feature a rounded, sharp edge designed to make precise cuts in curved or rounded shapes. This makes them ideal for intricate paper designs, cutting out circular stencils, or crafting detailed scrapbooking elements.

Specialty scissors offer unique functionalities for paper projects, enhancing both precision and creativity. Pinking shears add zigzag edges for decorative designs or to reduce fraying on fabric-like papers, while micro-tip scissors excel at intricate cuts and detailed work on thin paper. Non-stick scissors are perfect for adhesive-backed materials, resisting sticky buildup for smooth performance. For added flair, decorative edge scissors create wavy, scalloped, or other artistic borders, making them ideal for scrapbooking, card-making, and envelope customization.

So, Which Paper Cutting Tool Do I Need?

The best tool to use for paper cutting depends on your specific needs, materials, and desired results. For detailed precision work, craft knives and swivel knives are excellent choices, offering control and sharpness for intricate designs. If you need to cut strips or create uniform patterns, a dual blade strip cutter or rotary cutter can save time and provide clean, consistent results. For quick, everyday tasks or adhesive-backed materials, snap blade knives and utility knives offer durability and convenience. And, of course, scissors remain a versatile, go-to option for everything from basic cuts to decorative edges.

No matter the project, having the right precision cutting tool for paper ensures clean, professional results and makes the creative process more enjoyable. Consider investing in a range of tools to match different tasks, and don’t forget to maintain them—sharp blades and clean mechanisms will keep your tools performing at their best. Whether you’re crafting, designing, or simply tackling household tasks, the right cutting tool can help bring your ideas to life.

Check Out the Large Variety of Cutting Mats

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