When Cricut announced the Cricut maker machine, it also launched a knife blade. One thing I would like to share that I like about Cricut is that it will never bring a product to the market unless they are genuinely happy with the user experience. And the Cricut knife blade is one of those products. The Cricut knife blade is very anticipated by multiple users. In this ultimate blog, I will teach you every single aspect of the Cricut knife blade. So, keep reading until you acknowledge everything about it.
What Is Cricut Knife Blade?
The Cricut knife blade is the new Cricut tool that works perfectly with the Cricut Maker. The Cricut Knife Blade is created to cut materials much thicker than anything else. The Cricut Explore machine has not been able to cut before, even with the help of a Deep Cut Blade. For the Cricut knife blade, Materials can be up to 3/32″ thick. Here, we meant with materials like chipboard, balsa wood, thick leather, basswood, and more! You may yourself measure how large the blade is compared to the standard Fine Point blade!
Some users are still frustrated that this new Cricut knife blade only works with the Cricut Maker machine. The problem is that there is no solution to even make the Cricut Explore work with this new Cricut knife blade. Because the amount of pressure needed to cut thicker materials (materials that we have seen above) is 10x greater than what the Cricut Explore was created to cut. Moreover, the way the blade functions is different. And this is the only reason that it is just impossible for Cricut Explore to use this new Cricut knife blade.
Cricut Knife Blade: How Does This Work?
The Cricut Knife Blade works a bit differently than the Fine Point blade & the Deep Cut Blade. Instead of just doing, for example, five identical passes over your material to get a deeper cut. The Cricut Knife Blade starts with lighter pressure for the first few passes. Also, it increases pressure and then decreases pressure for the last pass or two.
Again, this is similar to how you would use an X-ACTO knife by hand. You would probably do a lighter scoring pass first to get your line straight. Also, you would like to increase your cut pressure and then do a light pass to finally finish the cut. Because of the variable pressure, the new Cricut Knife Blade gives you a much cleaner cut on thicker materials.
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How To Change the Cricut Knife Blade in Your Cricut Machine?
Changing the new Cricut Knife Blade is generally pretty easy. Your Cricut Knife Blade replacement comes with your new blade. Also, with a white safety changing cap. The changing cap is created to keep your fingers away from the real blade (even if it’s dull). It could easily cut you! So, you must be careful and follow the changing instructions of the Cricut knife blade here:
- Firstly, remove your Cricut knife blade housing from your Cricut Maker Machine.
- Next, place the white changing plate totally over the old blade & sleeve on the Cricut Knife Blade housing.
- Now, you need to twist the changing cap counterclockwise in order to unscrew the sleeve from the housing.
- Once the sleeve is removed, you will have to turn the housing over, and the old blade will drop out. Carefully set it aside.
- Next, Align the rib of the new Cricut knife blade with the groove in the housing. (The blade should drop all the way into the housing)
- Now, you need to place the changing cap over the new blade.
- Twist the changing cap clockwise until the sleeve secures the blade into the housing.
- Now, simply remove the changing cap.
- Place the housing back in your Cricut machine.
How Long Does a Cricut Knife Blade Last?
The lifespan of your new Cricut Knife Blade basically depends on how you are using it, just like any other Cricut blade. Well, some materials are more difficult to cut than others. For example, leather that has more defects might be a little tougher on the blade than the relatively blemish-free Cricut chipboard. For example, while using the Knife Blade, the Cricut team told us they had cut approximately 80 sheets of chipboard (each with four-letter R’s— and these are one of the most complex letters to cut), and the blade had not dulled enough to change it.
What Can You Make with The Cricut Knife Blade?
Seriously, the possibilities are endless when it comes to projects or crafts you can create with your Cricut Maker machine and knife blade! But still, here are some ideas:
- Puzzles
- Models
- Holiday Decor
- Wreath Inserts
- Jewelry
- Toys
- Party Decor
- Cake and Cupcake Toppers
