I can’t stand the Walmart box cutters. I had to go buy my own. These are super cheap and work like a dream. And after these dull out you can just use a box of replacement blades in them which are even cheaper:
Handy Box Cutter, Tap Open/Tap... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IC0L?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This is just a generic box cutter with the Domino Sugar name on it. They’re super cheap and can be found at most office, hardware stores. Here an amazon link for a box of 12. Handy Box Cutter, Tap Open/Tap Close, 12 per Box, Assorted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IC0L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Eu0jFb46P114Z
Well, the standard cutters found at Lowes and Home Depot are much heavier. and those flat box cutters like this one, are dangerous. I've had co-workers cut themselves with it.
> https://www.amazon.com/Handy-Cutter-Open-Close-Assorted/dp/B00006IC0L/
Just get a razor blade with a handle.
Your analysis is incomplete because the only factor you are considering is the amount of force experienced by the cutting edge against the cardboard. You are completely forgetting that there is a human being consisting of muscle and bone who must wield that implement in order for it to pass through the cardboard. If we are talking about loading cardboard into a CATRA test machine, then your statements regarding blade geometry hold up. In actual meatspace, no, you are badly misusing data to reach meaningless conclusions.
I stole probably 50 from target while I worked there. It wasn’t intentional, but I would stick them in my pocket and just forget to take it back. They are similar to this, though not exactly the same.
Those are for if I’m actually breaking down boxes. If you just need to cut the tape, or it opening a mocha or bean box I use my name tag. It works great and doesn’t cut through the packaging.
I have seen some amazing wallets on this sub .. I am not one of those guys! LOL
but I have made a wallet or 50 and people seem very happy when they receive them I will offer my thought meant to be taken with a grain of salt.
Your stitch line wobbles. If you used a wing divider or something else to measure in from the edge you have to ensure you edges are straight and your edges wobble. Xacto knife is probably the issue. Trying to get a good clean cut through leather with that thin bade will produce wobble. I personally dont like the utility knives as I think the blades are to thick and they dont come sharp enough for leather work. You can pass them on a stone and make them sharp enough but I have used these for straight cuts for almost 30 years. Cheap to buy, cheap replacement blades and they cut through any weight.
I dont know how you beveled the edges but its uneven and step one in clean work is nice even edges. You can use a tool designed for it but sandpaper will work in a pinch.
The inside pockets feel to thick for me. Try going to no more than 2/3 oz leather for those.
As far as chisels .. I did not have a good experience with the set from goods japan. I have been using a cheap Chinese set I got on amazon maybe 5 years or more ago and they are still going strong. pair it with a good diamond awl and you will like your stitching more.
Most knife laws are ignorance or fear based, some of them are rooted in racism. Like a lot of gun laws.
A double or single action autoknives are in no way more dangerous than a chef's knife or a manually deployed blade. I have knives with an emerson wave feature(deploys the blade when drawn from your pocket) that is much faster than an autoknife and it is legal in more states. All because of the Westside Story era fear based politics. Disabled people can get fucked, don't let them have a safe to open or close knife to use for lawful purposes.
No knives with a locking blade? Less safe and less useful.
A push knife isn't all that much better than a steak knife to kill someone.
A dagger(unsharpened blade, not a blade with two sharpened edges) makes a pretty nasty wound but so does any pointy object with a cross section larger than its point.
The length restrictions are dumb. You can still fataly dissect a neck with a 2.5" blade or a box cutter in a clean swipe. How about those razor knives that have a segment break away blade that can be pushed out to be a 4" razor? My Spyderco bug(folding knife that is not even 3" open) is legal in a lot of places but pretty unsafe to use and you could slam that into someone's neck.
Workplace knife restrictions are equally dumb. I can use a box cutter that has no lock to keep the blade sheathed and no grip to prevent slipping onto the blade that co-workers leave on-top of boxes above head level, but my pocket knife is "dangerous".
There is no such thing as common sense knife laws.
I bring my own box cutter and have never had anyone question me about it. I’ve even let leaders borrow it and they never say anything. Probably differs by store though. I use this kind:
Handy Box Cutter, Tap Open/Tap... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IC0L?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I carry a knife when I know I'll need to make some kindlings. But I always carry a box cutter in my first aid kit to cut moleskine or bandages.
Used to be a stocker, only used that knife for 2 reasons, the shrink wrap cutter hook and the little tip for cuttin tape. Otherwise I used this style for cardboard. https://www.amazon.com/Handy-Cutter-Open-Close-Assorted/dp/B00006IC0L So much easier when you got a metric fuck ton of boxes to slice!
Before I took this new job a few months ago I was working for a travelling merchandising company doing resets and remodels all over the country. I had an 8oz flask that was full and visible on the outside of my carry-on bag for every trip. Not once did they mention it. This was ~3 years of flying at least two times a month sometimes five and six flights a month depending on the length of the jobs.
Occasionally some of these cheap box cutters ended up in my laptop bag rather than my checked bag when I wasn't paying attention and they always made it through too.
You are using the wrong tool to break down boxes, if you are doing a lot of it.
Here is the correct tool. Learned about these in bygone days stocking shelves.
https://www.amazon.com/Handy-Cutter-Open-Close-Assorted/dp/B00006IC0L/
buy what the pros use. a real box cutter that uses replaceable single edge razor blades.
I started with these many many years ago when I was stocking in the neighborhood grocery store. Cut the box not the stuff inside.
Handy Box Cutter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IC0L/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_xIIUtb0QTVXAWK90
Small, light, cheap, easy to replace the blade, and safer than most utility blades.
Just get a box cutter like one of these then
All it is a razor blade and it’s more than sufficient for opening packages