Cardboard The 10 Best Knives
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. 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.
Cutting cardboard is one of the toughest tests for a knife. A plain edge knife will quickly become blunt when cutting cardboard, a serrated edge will 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.
1 – Peanut Knife– This is a 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.
2 – Delica 4 Knife Flat Ground BladeThe 2010 flat ground blade 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.
3 – Spyderco Lava Knife Unfortunately now discontinued, the Spyderco Lava knife is a design classic. With the blade open, the knife has curved grip points for the fingers and thumb and the blade is orientated in a downward direction, increasing leverage. Although the flat ground, leaf shaped blade is very short, the knife is excellent for piercing and making short cuts through heavy grade cardboard. The locking mechanism is completely reliable; a longer blade would be required for cutting large sheets of cardboard.
4 – Spyderco Native 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 S30V steel is superior to VG10 steel in terms of holding an edge and the locking mechanism is practically unbreakable.
5 – 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.
6 – Spyderco Centofante 4 Lock Knife – The Wharncliffe shape blade has a swedge grind tip, which makes a very fine point and is very good for making an initial cut. The edge of the blade is perfectly straight which is good for making long cuts, although a flat grind instead of hollow sabre grind would be better in this scenario. One of the best medium priced lock knives for cardboard cutting, with VG10 steel blade.
7 – Spyderco Urban Knife Foliage Green Handle – One of the best shapes, with a flat grind leaf blade, giving a very fine point. The thumb ramp and finger choil jimping gives an excellent grip, non-locking knife with safety notch joint to prevent accidental closing. A locking blade may be preferred for more heavy-duty work. S30V steel also hold s a better edge than VG10. The Urban knife is legal to carry in public in the UK.
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 – 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. Non-locking knife, which is legal to carry in public in UK.
10 – Spyderco UK Penknife Drop Point Blade – The drop point S30V steel blade has a slightly thicker point than the leaf shape blade. A better grip is provided with dual finger choil and thumb ramp jimping. Lightweight, UK legal carry knife with pocket clip. Good for fine to medium grade cardboard choose a locking knife for heavier grade cardboard.