When you think of X-Acto, or X-Acto-style precision knives, you probably visualize their iconic knives with their thin aluminum handles and knurled blade lock and grip. While these knives are very useful, you might not find them very comfortable to wield for long periods of time. Cramped hands rejoice – X-Acto does have more ergonomic knives available at very reasonable prices.
For anyone not following the exciting world of hobby knives, a few years ago X-Acto released several new knives. The two more ergonomic ones are the Curve and the X3000.
The Curve features a rubberized and contoured handle that’s meant to be held like a pencil, and it’s available in red and blue. Unlike X-Acto’s more familiar knife designs, the blade release on the Curve is located at the rear of the knife. X-Acto claims this is for safety, but it looks like the end of the handle was the only place to put it where it won’t interfere with the grip.
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X-Acto’s Curve ships with a standard #11 blade and safety cap. The only store I could find selling it for a decent price was Amazon. There you’ll find it for $8 with free shipping for Prime members or orders over $35.
Buy Now (X-Acto Curve via Amazon)
More Info (via X-Acto)
X-Acto makes another ergonomic precision knife, the X-3000, which has a textured and no-slip grip that they say is more comfortable to use (presumably compared to their standard knife.) They also claim the handle won’t roll and will stay in place when you put it down. This model also features a safety cap.
The X-3000 is available in black, cranberry, and royal blue.
Unscrew the back of the knife and you’ll find storage for five #11 blades, although the knife only ships with 3 blades. Again, find it at Amazon for $5 with “add-on” conditional free shipping. Other colors available for ~$8.50 with free Prime or $35+ shipping.
Buy Now (X-Acto X3000 via Amazon)
More Info (via X-Acto)
As I’ve gotten older, my hands just aren’t as nimble as they once were (I’m not that old either) and I’ve really started to appreciate tools and knives with more ergonomic handles. I just recently pulled out my X-Acto knife set and thought there had to be a more comfortable knife.
I did some searching and found there were indeed more comfortable knives made by other companies, but I’ve been burned by flimsy X-Acto knock-offs before. I was pleasantly surprised that X-Acto had several ergonomic models of knives to choose from.
KenZ
Damnit, seriously? I just ordered an Xacto set yesterday. I have crappy timing.
Jim Felt
Amazon may have a few odds and ends of the X Acto line but hobby-centric Micro Mark has the entire line. Plus many bespoke blades and doohickeys that no one else lists.
Try ’em. Plus they have a constant upgrade and surprise value.
And I believe they’re in your home state Stuart.
Cheers.
Benjamen
I have used Micro Mark in the past.
While they seem to have a good selection of knives and blades, they don’t list either the X3000 or the Curve. They have the X2000 in cranberry though.
Drew
I have had an X-3000 for many years. While it is quite a bit more comfortable, the build quality is pretty lousy. The rubber has come loose. The parts do not fit precisely. The whole thing feels very cheap and overpriced for what it is.
Drew
Then again, maybe my knife is the predecessor to the X-3000 as it doesn’t have blade storage but otherwise looks very similar.
John
I’ve had a bunch of the X-Acto straight-barrel/rubberized grip/knurled blade lock (at back end of tool) for well over ten years now. They’re great, and they’re still as good as new. I wish mine had better blade guards, but other than that, no complaints.
BikerDad
Excel makes excellent hobby knives. Their knives are still being made in America. I don’t know if they have a fully ergo handle available, but they do have an overmolded light duty handle.
Kurt
X-Acto makes a nice handle, but my absolute favorite hobby knife is a Swann-Morton #6B with a #25A blade. The heft and feel of this combination is an absolute delight to use, and in 40 years of model building the best I have ever used. These are not the normal size surgical scalpels you find everywhere, but the next size up. I found out about it in a video from Paul Budzik, who has a number of great model related videos on youTube.
The blades are readily available on eBay, but it took some searching to find the handle, which I got from a dental supply company. The handle was around 30 bucks delivered, which is a lot of money for a hobby knife, but for me, it was worth every penny. You never regret buying a really great tool.
Handle:
http://www.swann-morton.com/product/61.php
Blade:
http://www.swann-morton.com/product/44.php
Jerry
I have that same scalpel handle, and blades. I got mine at a veterinary supply store. Try http://www.valleyvetsupply.com
Tim Rowledge
The Lee Valley carver’s knife is pretty good. Had one for … a long time now.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=31088&cat=1,51222&ap=1
DaveZ
I was just about to put in a plug for the Lee Valley knife. I have a ton of xactos and I like them, but I love the heft and control of the Lee valley knife. I almost always use it with the curved blade, but all three types of blade are good.