Making A Layout Knife

A layout knife is an odd duck. Rather than have a bevel on both sides of the edge, only one side is beveled. Place the flat side of the knife against a straight edge, and the blade tracks nicely. There are also never any nicks on the straight edge.

Here is how I modified a single edge razor blade to become a layout knife.

If you are interested, please see

https://rick.sparber.org/LayoutKnife.pdf


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.


Thanks,

Rick

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Thanks Rick!

I had not heard that term before (layout knife). If I remember correctly, there is a standard X-ACTO blade that is sharpened in that manner. But I believe it is advertised as a scraper or chisel blade. Perhaps there's more than one. I am going to check.

And, I wonder if anyone has made a pointed scribe with a similar flat. That is how the scribing blades for the height gauges are made, but I am thinking about a hand held scribe. I have several, but all of them have conical tips. Perhaps I could grind a flat on one. Up till now I have tried to angle them so that the tip rests against the rule or square but it would be nice if the tip guided itself there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paul Alciatore

Thanks Rick!

I had not heard that term before (layout knife). If I remember correctly, there is a standard X-ACTO blade that is sharpened in that manner. But I believe it is advertised as a scraper or chisel blade. Perhaps there's more than one. I am going to check.

And, I wonder if anyone has made a pointed scribe with a similar flat. That is how the scribing blades for the height gauges are made, but I am thinking about a hand held scribe. I have several, but all of them have conical tips. Perhaps I could grind a flat on one. Up till now I have tried to angle them so that the tip rests against the rule or square but it would be nice if the tip guided itself there.

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Paul,

If you make one, please send me a picture along with your experience with it. Failed designs are as welcome as successes. Both educate.

Thanks,

Rick

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Paul Alciatore

Thanks Rick!

I had not heard that term before (layout knife). If I remember correctly, there is a standard X-ACTO blade that is sharpened in that manner. But I believe it is advertised as a scraper or chisel blade. Perhaps there's more than one. I am going to check.

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The quarter inch Xacto blade is #17 and the half inch is #18 . Both are available from Amazon.

Wood chisels are ground this way as are plane blades. So, if you have any past their prime, recycle them.