Learn all all about the Cricut Knife Blade, and get some helpful tips and tricks!
When it comes to the Cricut Maker machine, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Whether you just got a new machine today or have had one for months but have not sure where to get started, I am here to help you get the courage to start creating! Today's post is going to cover everything you need to know about using the Cricut Knife Blade.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. As always, I only share things that I use myself and truly recommend!
Before we get to the specifics of the Knife Blade, let's cover the basics of all of the blades available for the Cricut Maker (as of today):
Fine Point Blade: this is the basic blade that is used in both the Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker machines to cut your basic materials like vinyl and paper.
Deep Point Blade: used by both the Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker machines, but this is able to cut most materials up to 1.5mm
Rotary Blade: compatible with the Cricut Maker adaptive tool system, this blade allows you to cut everything from crepe paper, silk, cotton, and denim to canvas and burlap.
Knife Blade: compatible with the Cricut Maker adaptive tool system, this blade cuts through thicker or denser materials such as balsa wood, leather, craft foam, and more!
Single Scoring Wheel: compatible with the Cricut Maker adaptive tool system, this scoring wheel creates extra-deep score lines for perfect folds and a flawless finish
Double Scoring Wheel: compatible with the Cricut Maker adaptive tool system, this scoring wheel creates extra-deep double score lines and a flawless finish on thicker and specialty material projects.
The Knife Blade is designed to cut materials up to 3/32″ thick. This is much thicker than anything else the Cricut Explore has been able to cut before, even with the Deep-Point blade! These materials include chipboard, thick leather, balsa wood, basswood, and more
The Deep-Point and Fine-Point blades cut multiple identical passes over materials to get the deeper cuts. The Knife Blade is different. Similar to how you’d use an X-ACTO knife by hand, the Knife Blade starts with lighter pressure for the first few passes, increases pressure, and then decreases pressure for the last couple of passes. Because of the variable pressure, the Knife Blade gives you a much cleaner cut on thicker materials with the precision only the Cricut can provide.
Install the Knife Blade into your machine by opening the Adaptive Tool System B clamp and place the blade inside, aligning the gears together. Close the clamp to secure the housing.
You will need to calibrate the blade to cut accurately with your Cricut Maker machine. In Design Space, go to your account menu and select "Calibration", then the Knife Blade option. With your Knife Blade in the housing, place a piece of copy paper on a mat and load it into the machine. Follow the directions through the calibration process. When the calibration is complete, you will be able to start making projects immediately!
When you aren't using the knife blade, there is plenty of storage room in the door of the Cricut Maker to keep it from getting lost or damaged.
Needless to say, if you are someone who is wanting to work with thicker materials like leather or chipboard, the Cricut Knife Blade is definitely for you. No matter your skill level, the knife blade allows you to cut these materials with precision that’s just not going to happen if you do it by hand.
In addition to the Knife Blade, I'd also recommend these supplies:
Like I mentioned, the knife blade allows you to cut thicker materials with precision. If you need some inspiration, there is a jaw-dropping collection of ready-to-make Knife Blade projects available in Design Space waiting to be cut with the Cricut Maker to get you started!
Here are a few projects I have made myself using the Knife Blade and my Cricut Maker:
Pin to save for later:
Do you have any other questions about the Cricut Knife Blade?
If you already have one, what do you like about it? Let's chat about it in the comments below!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
