Reddit reviews X-ACTO X-Life #11 Classic Fine Point Blades, Bulk Pack, 100 Blades per Box (X611),Silver

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Section 1: Tools

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Note: Just because it is more expensive doesn't mean it is better. You could get by just fine with the "cheaper" options.

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| Tool | Required vs. Optional | Use | Notes | Price & Link |
|:---|:---:|:---|:---|:---:|:---:|
| Tandy Wholesale Membership | O | Allows you to get better pricing at Tandy. | This is definitely optional. Items will cost slightly more without it OR if you have a tax ID you can get the membership with better pricing for free. | $35 / Free|
| Awl Haft | R | The handle which will hold your blade. | This particular haft allows for different blades to be added or removed with ease. | $16 / $35|
| Diamond Awl Blade| R | This is the blade used for piercing the holes in your projects.| This goes in the awl haft.| $4.80 / $28
| Channel Groover | R | Used to measure and gouge channels where your thread will lay. | Some say gouging a channel is optional however I find it to be required. It further protects your thread from damage. | $16 / $80 |
| Overstitch Wheel | R | Marks where you will punch your holes. | This particular overstitch wheel is a few dollars more than the versions that only offer one wheel. | $24 / $225 |
| Edge Beveler | R | Used to bevel and round off the edges of your project prior to burnishing. | Sizes vary. The smaller the number, the smaller the round edge. | $12 / $55 |
| Adhesive Glue | O | Used to hold your pieces of leather together prior to piercing the holes. | Some people prefer binder clips instead of glue. I've found that the clips end up making marks on my projects so I've always stuck with glue. | $6 / $30 |
| Gum Tragacanth | R | Used as a burnishing agent for your edges.| Some people use saddle soap. I prefer gum trag.| $6.40 / $21|
| Harness Needles | R | Used in combination with the thread for your projects. | Avoid the stitching needles. They break very easily.| $5.99 / $7.50 |
| Xacto Blade | R | Used for cutting projects. | You may have one of these at home already. Be ready to have replacement blades handy ($21.95) | $2.49 / $50 |
| Self-Healing Cutting Mat | R | Used for cutting your leather projects.| You may have one of these at home already. If so, you can obviously use that.| $14.73 / $50.80 |
| Cork-backed Ruler| R | Used for cutting straight lines.| I highly recommend the cork-backed version. It will save from accidental cuts/slips.| $4.80 / $14 |
| Burnishing Tool | R | Used in combination with the gum tragacanth to get a good burnish.| A good piece of canvas can be used as well. | $8.99 / $80 + $99|
| Sanding Tool| O | Used to sand down the edges prior to burnishing.| You might have sandpaper at home. Feel free to use that too.| $7.30 / $0 with dremel|
| Steel Square | O | Used for creating nice, even squares/rectangles for projects. | Learn to use this correctly!| $8 / $14|
| Thread Cutters | O | Use these for cutting your thread in the hard to reach places without running the risk of damaging your project. | Scissors work for cutting thread and the xacto blade can work for cutting thread inside your projects -- just be careful! | $3.95 / $39 |
| Maul | O | Used for end punches, rivets, snaps, chisels, or irons. | You really only need one of these if you are planning on doing any of the activities mentioned previously. | $20 / $55 |
| Pricking Iron/Chisel | O | Use these to mark or punch your holes instead of an overstitch wheel and awl. I prefer using the overstitch wheel and awl but others like the irons/chisels. | There is a big difference between irons vs. chisels, diamond vs. lacing. They all produce different results. Definitely ask before purchasing! The ones I linked are very different.| $12 / $259|
| Creaser | O | Used for decorative creases on things like card slots. | Definitely optional and definitely personal preference. | $14.40 / $72 |
| Wax | O | Used for burnishing. Gives the edges a nice seal. | The $10 is my top secret wax I use. I bought a bunch on sale for $5 and it is fantastic. | $4 / $10|

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I'm also into Gundam models and I went through the same thing a while back.. I probably tried a dozen types of side cutters until I found ones that work. The problem is many of the jewelers cutters don't have a straight edge, since they are designed to cut metal. So even if the edge of the blade is flush with the piece you cut, you still get end up with some plastic attached.

These are by FAR the best ones I've found: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B002SZVE8M/

The blades are very sharp, and they're small enough to get into tight spaces. I would suggest you order a couple pairs. These even blow away the Tamiya cutters you posted (I bought those too and they sit in a drawer unused).

Note that regardless of how close you get the cut, you will still need to cut / file away the extra plastic bit on the piece. I use an x-acto knife with the following blades: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00006ICJV

Then use a series of finer files to get the piece smooth.

Yes it does dull over time. It is rather significant. However, even with a slightly dulled blade, it cuts the flash off just fine. The parts you want to remove are almost always weaker/thinner than the actual detail on the miniature, so you can casually remove the excess with ease.

Plus, much of the 'cutting' power of the knife doesn't rely on it being super-sharp, it requires a simple blade and pressure. I find I cut myself much less often when using slaightly dulled blades.

Sharpening isn't necessary. Replacement blades are really cheap, and you don't have to get X-Acto brand blades.

http://www.amazon.com/X-Acto-X611-Blades-Knives-Bulk/dp/B00006ICJV/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367812873&sr=8-3&keywords=xacto+blades

http://www.amazon.com/Techni-Edge-11-Hobby-Blades/dp/B0006GBSXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367812873&sr=8-1&keywords=xacto+blades

http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-96017197-Craft-Knife-Blades/dp/B0033PORF8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367813009&sr=8-1&keywords=craft+knife+blades

http://www.amazon.ca/X-Acto-X611-Blades-Knives-Bulk/dp/B00006ICJV
these are what i use (blue) i ordered them from S&T office products, havnt seen them anywhere else really i ordered a 100 pack probably a year ago and still have 60 or so id say they last 5x longer then the normal colored ones

the black blades i havnt seen in xacto form, only in the flat razors ...opp did a search http://www.artistsupplysource.com/product/20549/cutting-tools/art-knives-and-blades/x-acto-no-11-carbon-steel-blade-blister-carded-pack-of-5/ CARBON STEEL :OOOOO

Does anyone know if #11 blades will fit in the Tamiya Design Knife (74020)?

I lost my replacement blades for the Tamiya, so was wondering if these will work