Cutting Amsteel

[linxdev]

What types of knifes/blades do you guys use to cut Amsteel?

I'm using a straight blade of a rigging knife. It does dull so I do sharpen it. I'm looking to purchase a backup but can't decide if I should buy another of what I have or buy serrated blade. My only concern with the serrated blade is dulling after cutting the Dyneema. I can easily sharpen a straight blade but serrated will be more time consuming.

I have tried exacto knifes, but they dull quickly. I also have a butane powered hot knife, but I have to burn up some gas before it gets hot enough to cut and melt.

Chris

[Poppabear]

I use a sharp pair Fiskars scissors and have never had problem cutting amsteel.

[linxdev]

I use a sharp pair Fiskars scissors and have never had problem cutting amsteel.

I probably need to buy a real pair of scissors and keep them sharp. My scissors chew through the amsteel. I'm wanting a clean cut instead. Clean.

[olzeke]

I use a single edged razor blade. I bought it in a 5 pack in the paint department of my local box hardware store. Cheap, sharp, and I have been using the same blade for a long time now, just cutting amsteel 7/64ths.

[SilvrSurfr]

I've just been using utility razor blades, like in box cutters. They're cheap, lightweight, and if they get dull you chuck them. It's not much of a weight penalty in your pack to carry a couple, and they can serve other purposes (like an emergency knife), or for shaving garlic "Goodfellas thin."

[linxdev]

Both are good suggestions. Razors are cheap. I can by a pack and just use them to cut the 7/64 I use. I'll keep the rigging knife in my pocket for other stuff.

Thanks for comments.

[RootCause]

For me, the key to a clean cut in Amsteel is to use a wood block as backing for the cut. Any other way I've tried to cut, even with a brand-new razor blade, results in fuzz...

[linxdev]

West Marine will wrap the end tight with painters tape and cut that. I've used nail hardener as a whipping lacquer and then cut through that after it soaked into the material and hardened.

[RootCause]

For me, the key to a clean cut in Amsteel is to use a wood block as backing for the cut. Any other way I've tried to cut, even with a brand-new razor blade, results in fuzz...

[BrianWillan]

For me, the key to a clean cut in Amsteel is to use a wood block as backing for the cut. Any other way I've tried to cut, even with a brand-new razor blade, results in fuzz...

This is key to use a cutting board of some sort. I use a ceramic paring knife that I picked up at a local hardware type store. It works great.

Cheers

Brian