Who makes the best # 11 Exacto blades?

[Ben]

So far I've found that the Model Master blades are the sharpest. Does anyone know of a better source for better blades at a good price?

[JamesW]

I like the Xacto brand blades.

Edited April 19, 2012 by JamesW

[Ben]

Ummmm... Exacto.

Actually the Model Master blades are much better than the Exacto brand. Hospitals and such use these blades also and you can get them in bigger quantities for less money. I'm just trying to find the places that sell them like that.

[MicroNitro]

I have never try Model Master blades but now need to. I always hand sharpen the Exacto blades to make them usable. Thanks for the tip

[CadillacPat]

You can buy Xacto and surgical shaped blades at any local Jewelry Supply Store.

Everything from ergonomically shaped tweezers, dremel acessories, jewelers saws and blades, magnfying lamps, to loads of modeling tools can be found here.

Or online at,

http://jemcousa.com/index.php

cadillacPat

[cruz]

I like using the OLFA brand, check them out at Michael's, a bit more expensive than X-Acto but definitely much better, sharper and durable.

[SuperStockAndy]

I've always stuck to Excel, cheap but still great blades

[Dave Van]

X-acto makes the best X-acto blades.......Best #11 type blades??? Testors/Model Master are very good. I got some other brand from Japan that were so sharp they cut too easy and I ended up in the ER and had to clean up a LOT of blood and still have a big scar.......go with the MM.

[jaymcminn]

The best? Probably the MM blades, but I have good luck with the Excel blades too. The worst? Stay away from the Revell blades- they're incredibly flimsy. They actually flex under normal cutting pressure!

[SuperStockAndy]

The worst? Stay away from the Revell blades- they're incredibly flimsy. They actually flex under normal cutting pressure!

I second that, one almost took my left eye out

[Dr. Cranky]

I get them from Micro Mark in a box of 100. Change them out as soon as they get dull, but don't throw them out because you can still use them to spread putty or for doing body damage to a vehicle, etc . . .

[Harry P.]

I bought a 100 blade box of Excel blades for less than 20 bucks. At that price I don't mind just throwing a blade out when it's not sharp anymore and popping in a fresh one.

[Dr. Cranky]

I bought a 100 blade box of Excel blades for less than 20 bucks. At that price I don't mind just throwing a blade out when it's not sharp anymore and popping in a fresh one.

No, don't throw them out, Harry, they are so many other uses. Well, I mean, you are free to throw them out, but next time you need to mix putty or something else you need to spread or mix, you can use them.

[Harry P.]

No, don't throw them out, Harry, they are so many other uses. Well, I mean, you are free to throw them out, but next time you need to mix putty or something else you need to spread or mix, you can use them.

I mix putty and epoxy with pieces of sprue, apply it with a small flexible polyethylene applicator. To clean off the applicator you just peel the hardened putty or epoxy right off; they don't stick to the poly plastic. So I really don't have much use for dull blades.

[Chuck Most]

Just a hint- only Exacto makes Exacto blades. Now, change 'Exacto' blades to 'hobby' blades, or just #11 blades, and you'll get a few less sideways glances.

I will say to steer clear of any blades sold in a cheap set, like the kind you see at discount and auto parts stores. They blades usually aren't very sharp, and break pretty easily- even with proper eye protection, I'm not to comfortable around blades which shatter like glass under any real strain.

[george 53]

The ones from Micro mark are RE USED,RECYCLED blades! They do not hold an edge NOWHERE near the length of time the MM blades do. They're cheaper to buy, but you DO go thru them faster.

[Harry P.]

The ones from Micro mark are RE USED,RECYCLED blades!

Recycled???

Where do they get them from to recycle???

[Scale-Master]

The ones from Micro mark are RE USED,RECYCLED blades! They do not hold an edge NOWHERE near the length of time the MM blades do. They're cheaper to buy, but you DO go thru them faster.

Can you provide some proof to that assertion George? I cannot find anything to substantiate it, and it seems rather farfetched especially to be sold by Micro-Mark.

[Art Anderson]

Of course, if you want SHARP #11 blades, Squadron surgical scalpel and blades are very sharp! And, being stainless steel, they hold an edge quite well too.

Art

[Ben]

Thanks for all the info guys! I used the word "Exacto" in my title in case some out there did not know what a "#11" blade was. Just a way to help them relate what I'm referring too.

[Wayne Buck]

I second that, one almost took my left eye out

X3... almost lost a perfectly good fingertip to the Revell blades.

I usually go for the Micro-Mark blades as well (Item # 14178). Maybe they're not the absolute best in the world, but they work pretty darn good IMHO... and for the price, I don't even think twice about replacing them when they start to get dull. (Although, I do have a pile of about 30-40 that I save for 'other things', like the Doc was saying)...

I used to get the x-acto ones at Wally World, but they seem to be pretty hit or miss. Sometimes I'd throw one in my handle, try to make a cut and throw it right in the trash.

Also, I just tried the new x-acto "Z-series", zirconium nitride coated blades and my conclusion is: don't waste your money. They were a whole dollar extra for the 5 pack and I honestly didn't notice much of a difference (if any at all).

[Marcus M. Jones]

you can pick up a 100 count box of #11 blades by hobbico for around $15. i wont say they are the greatest but they are sharp and you'll have plenty to last for a while. just ebay this search term Hobbico #11 Hobby Blades (100)

[Kaleb]

I like using the OLFA brand, check them out at Michael's, a bit more expensive than X-Acto but definitely much better, sharper and durable.

I second OLFA, I used this brand while I was at acoustic edge and they will lay you open in a heartbeat just looking at them.

[chrismooney]

I get real #11 disposable scalpels from the Emergency room....(when i work the Medic unit i swipe one ore tow new ones) these work the best for applying BMF and a thin and ultra sharp.... For cutting parts I use e-xacto #11...

[Ben]

Thanks Guys, I appreciate all the info!!!