Cutting Cardboard The Best Knife For Clean Cuts

Cutting cardboard is one of the toughest tests for a knife. A plain edge knife will quickly become blunt when cutting cardboard. So-called box-cutter knives with retractable blades suffer from the same problem of edge retention. The brand new, razor sharp blade will not stay sharp for long and will soon start tearing instead of cutting. Constantly having to replace disposable blades is not an ideal situation

Serrated edge blades certainly make the job easier but will not make a clean cut. Many high end knives have blades which are more than 3 mm thick, these may become stuck when making a long cut in a sheet of medium grade cardboard. There is also the danger of the blade accidentally closing on the back cut, unless a lock knife is used. Even then, continual, heavy-duty cardboard use will put a major strain on the locking mechanism.

Cardboard is composed of treated, pulped wood chips formed into sheets and layered. Most cardboard sheets consist of 2 flat layers with a corrugated layer in the middle, giving it a wood like strength. In the UK, retailers, wholesalers and distributors up and down the country are increasingly re-using their packaging materials. Not only does this help to keep down business costs, it also saves natural resources, conserves energy and reduces waste.

As it is a strong, versatile material, cardboard boxes may be re-used a number of times, cut down to smaller sizes, or made into 'new' boxes. Making a clean cut is therefore essential when cutting the template for a new box or cutting a large box down to a smaller size. With increasing public awareness of environmental issues, customers have come to accept recycled packaging. Shops and businesses are now partly defined by their carbon footprint and environmental policies.

	1 - Eye Witness Sheffield Tackler's Knife Ettrick Blade- The Ettrick blade is a traditional Scottish design, essentially a lamb foot blade with a thinner tip. An ideal knife for cutting cardboard, with a strong back-spring, stainless handle liners and bolsters, imitation buffalo horn handle scales.
	2 - Spyderco UK Penknife Leaf Blade - The S30V steel blade holds an excellent edge, the flat grind, spear point blade is slightly thicker than the Delica 4 flat grind blade. All round good knife for both piercing and making long cuts with thumb ramp jimping, which aids leverage. Good for fine to medium grade cardboard choose a locking knife for heavier grade cardboard. Non-locking knife, UK Legal Carry Knife.
	3 - Case Peanut Knife- Small penknife with the largest blade measuring less than 3 inches. The chrome vanadium steel has unbelievable edge holding properties and seems to hold an edge indefinitely. The thinness of the blade is also well suited and the shape of the main blade gives a sharp point to make a piercing cut. Good value semi production knife, legal to carry in public in the UK. However for heavy-duty work a thicker, locking blade may be preferred.
	4 - Spyderco Delica 4 Knife Flat Grind Blade The 2010 model is well suited to cutting cardboard. The point is finer then the previous delica 4 model ideal for piercing cuts. The blade is thin enough to make long cuts and the lock back is suitably strong for most scenarios. The VG10 steel is good at holding an edge although will need re-sharpening after medium use. Good value production lock knife with high grip handle and pocket clip, available with G10 or FRN handle scales.
	5 - Spyderco Caly 3 Knife ZDP Steel- The leaf shape blade is fractionally longer than the UKPK blade with the same finger and thumb grip jimping. The blade steel is ultra hard wearing ZDP 189, laminated with 420J2 steel. The lockback design allows more vigorous cutting with no danger of the blade closing.
	6 - Spyderco Caly 3.5 C144G G10 Handle Lock Knife- The blade is half an inch longer than the Caly 3 blade and the extra half an inch of blade length makes all the difference in terms of cutting ergonomics. As the handle is proportionally longer, extra leverage is provided around the finger choil - thumb ramp grip point. The long thin, VG10 steel, leaf blade is perfect for cutting cardboard. The lock back is solid with high grip, G10 handle scales.