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 - 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.
	2 - 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.
	3 - 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.
	4 - Spyderco Chokwe Knife- The flat grind, S30V steel blade tapers to a narrow, thin point which is ideal for cutting cardboard. Premium quality knife with titanium framelock coupled with steel and G10 open design handle, phosphor bronze pivot washers.
	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 Centofante 3 Lock Knife - A thin, hollow sabre ground blade with a spear point, swedge grind tip, makes an excellent cardboard piercing knife. The jimped thumb ramp gives good leverage and the lock back is reliable. The VG10 steel is good at holding an edge, however a flat ground blade would be better to cut large sheets of cardboard and S30V steel holds a better edge.
	7 - Spyderco Native 5 Knife - The spear point, swedge grind, tip of the Native Knife is excellent for piercing cuts or making 'scoring' cuts, without cutting straight though the cardboard. However, due to the thickness of the blade it may become stuck in large sheets of cardboard. The S35VN steel is superior to VG10 steel in terms of holding an edge and the locking mechanism is practically unbreakable.
	8 - Spyderco Urban Knife Safety Orange Handle - The wharncliffe shape VG10 steel blade provides less of a sharp point and is not ideal for piercing. The straight edge is good for making long cuts in light to medium grade cardboard; a lock knife is better for heavy-duty work. UK legal carry knife.
	9 - Boker Plus Wharcom Knife- 1.75 inch blade with perfectly straight cutting edge which is suitably thin for cutting cardboard. Limited by the short blade length and slightly softer AUS8 blade steel, the shape of the handle provides an excellent forward grip, with a secure framelock.
	10 - Boker Plus Subclaw Knife- The inward curving blade shape is ideal for opening packages as it draws material towards the cutting edge.