X-acto/hobby knife sets...what's out there, what's good? Prefer USA Made

[1982fxr]

Really clueless in this area. Like to get a "kit" and keep it under $30.

USA made a big plus if possible...

thanks

Purpose: general garage/shop/household use

 

[JDon99]

I don't think these are USA made, but here you go: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DD1O5/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TJJP77]

This one is made in the USA, unfortunately not a kit though:

http://www.personnablades.com/ProductCatalog/Detail.aspx?prodid=172&brand=American

I got a US made set from Cripe off of ebay a while back that came in a "General" branded package, but the actual tools say American Line by Personna on them. There was a large screwdriver handled knife, another large one with the thin aluminum aluminum handle, and skinnier one that takes the normal x-acto size blades.

Edit: I just found the same set I bought from Cripe, but now they are selling the American Line branded version, not the General branded version I bought. Looks exactly the same and says "Made in USA"...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Li...e-Set-With-10-Blades-US-66-0547-/400472832257

 

[quattroJoe]

I still see USA made Stanley knives available. Not sure if they've got complete kits that aren't offshored, but it may be something to look into. Everything I've seen from Xacto is Chinese, and most of their stuff that's available locally has cheap plastic handles that crack.

 

[hemdale]

Just got this today, you should give it a try:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001IWDBU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

The X-acto razor saw I got in a set while in Jr High school finally wore out.
I bought a replacement at Hobby Lobby & told them I hope this one lasts 51 years as well.
I threatened to give my granddaughter the receipt "just in case".
}

 

[Jere]

Your local craft store should have a good selection of replacement blades and handles. you can piece together a better kit based on your needs and save some money. The last blades I bought were us made, so you might still be able to get them.

 

[signcrafter]

Xacto are not made in USA anymore. Hobby lobby sells a US made set and have a variety of replacement blades of all different styles for them. Brand is Excel. Here it is on amazon with the Made In USA logo http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006O5K82/?tag=atomicindus08-20. Here is more on amazon, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006O5K82/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[1foxracing]

I stopped using X-acto's a couple years and switched to disposable scalpels. You can get a box of 10 for $8.04.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00091PC8A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RedRabbit]

I think Excel blades and knives are made in the USA. I use them myself and love them, but here's a link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N6WTO/?tag=atomicindus08-20 .
Good luck.

 

[TJJP77]

I think Excel blades and knives are made in the USA. I use them myself and love them, but here's a link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N6WTO/?tag=atomicindus08-20 .
Good luck.

That set looks exactly like the American Line ones - only thing different is the tray it comes in. I wouldn't be surprised if they are made by the same company.

 

[RedRabbit]

That set looks exactly like the American Line ones - only thing different is the tray it comes in. I wouldn't be surprised if they are made by the same company.

Probably are, but I think the American Lines are a bit more expensive for some reason.

 

[nanofrog]

X-Acto has gone to China.

Techni-Edge is still made in the US.

Kits they offer:
3 Knives + 10 Blade kit
Wood Box Kit
29Pc. Deluxe Kit


There's also Swann-Morton, which still manufactures their stuff in Sheffield, England (primary business is surgical blades, but they do have a hobby line). FWIW, everyone I've known that uses these swear by them for sharpness.

Either of these brands can be found on eBay.

 

[4xdog]

The X-acto razor saw I got in a set while in Jr High school finally wore out.
I bought a replacement at Hobby Lobby & told them I hope this one lasts 51 years as well.
I threatened to give my granddaughter the receipt "just in case".
}

My X-acto razor saw is only 44 years old. I guess I need to start planning for its replacement over the next decade or so...

i probably have a half-dozen X-acto handles. The one I tend to go for though, is a homebuilt by a guy I worked with many years ago who simply went to the shop with some aluminum round stock, which is easy stuff to find in most older chemistry labs. I'll edit this post to add a photo in the morning -- it's a surefire Made in USA approach.

 

[machine_punk]

You can get metal (reusable) scalpel handles fairly inexpensively and new scalpel blades inexpensively. The handles are stainless steel (there is a little trick to getting the blade on and off the handle, but it is very secure, once it is on).

The Xacto blade numbering system (the shape of the blade) is the same as the standard surgical numbering system for scalpel blades.

Amazon or eBay has all of this for cheap.

Kev

 

[RedRabbit]

From what I remember from modeling, Swann-Mortons are expensive, but I had a set and they are the best, I'm not sure on current price but if they fit in your budget, buy.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Edit: I just found the same set I bought from Cripe, but now they are selling the American Line branded version, not the General branded version I bought. Looks exactly the same and says "Made in USA"...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Li...e-Set-With-10-Blades-US-66-0547-/400472832257

This is a great deal, I saved it for the next time I order from Cripe. Thanks!

 

[4xdog]

...The one I tend to go for though, is a homebuilt by a guy I worked with many years ago who simply went to the shop with some aluminum round stock, which is easy stuff to find in most older chemistry labs...

Thanks to a colleague from my laboratory thirty years ago for this one. Made in USA fershure -- he went down to the machine shop with a length of ½-inch lab support rod and crafted it.