X-Acto, probably the best-known brand of hobby and precision knives, has come out with the X-Light, a new knife that features a built-in LED flashlight.
The new X-Acto hobby knife comes with a standard #11 blade, and should work with all the blades that would fit their other standard similarly-sized knives.
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Light comes from behind the blade, for shadow-free illumination, and you should be able to get around 3 hours of continuous use with an AAA battery.
The X-Acto X-Light knife also has a soft-grip handle, and looks to come with a reusable plastic safety cap.
Price: ~$12
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Thoughts
On one hand, this sounds like a great idea. I’m sure there are plenty of people who use precision hobby knives in dimly lit rooms and workspaces. On the other hand, wouldn’t a table lamp, headlamp, floodlight flashlight, or any other lighting instrument be more versatile?
The X-Light is likely a little chunkier than other general use hobby knives. Just something to keep in mind.
This is something I don’t think I would ever buy, but I’m willing to be open-minded.
What do you think – gimmick, or welcome innovation?
schill
I may try one out. Even with “adequate” lighting, I still run into cases where I create shadows where I’m cutting.
My biggest concern is that it hold the knife blade well. If they compromise on the clamping of the blade in order to put the light there, then that may cause more problems than it’s worth.
P
I don’t think the extra size is going to be a problem. My go-to knife-holder is a chunkier model they released a few years ago. Though I’m not a heavy user.
The real hope is that the weight distribution is good, that’s a deal-breaker in some knife-holders.
fred
While a finer-handled blade holder (like the X2000 or X3000 series) is sometimes easier to work with, I still like the X3206 I got as a teenager back in the early 60’s.
http://www.amazon.com/ELMERS-No-Knife-Carded-X3206/dp/B000BRJD2S
Drew M
I’d much rather have an “xacto” knife where the handle is precisely machined, stiff and made from quality metal.
I hate it when the blade slips or when the “collet” bends because it’s made from the cheapest metal available.
aaronp
Why do most of their models have cylindrical shafts? Just last night I was using one to repair a PCB and the thing was constantly trying to roll off the table and into my foot. Makes me want to get one of those rubber triangles with the hole in the middle that I used in middle school to keep the round pencils on my desk.
Drew M
I’d love to try one where the bit you grip is hexagonal like a pencil.
fred
The one ( X3206) that I linked to above has a hex handle
aaronp
I never could get used to those fat handles unless cutting thick materials. I do have a standard one with a square metal bit near the end that prevents roll offs, and maybe that’s the best solution. I wouldn’t like a hex shape while doing fine curves.
There’s always Sugru. I think I’ll just use that.
KokoTheTalkingApe
In the design/build studio where I used to work, everybody wrapped a little blue masking tape around the handle to make a little flag. All across the room, you could see desks with blue flags sticking out of their pencil cans.
PhilnTX
With my older eyes, you can’t seem to have too much light these days. I used to hate the way houses used to be lit, that was, wherever you were in the room, unless you stood facing the light, you were in a shadow. Such as it was in kitchens and other typical centrally lighted areas. That meant that anytime you had to do something like work at a desk, wash dishes, work at a workbench or whatever you really needed extra lighting to see well. This isn’t a gimmick if it’s well executed.
mm
theres no way to replace the battery and mine came with a dead battery. meh!