I would very much advise against using pen-style craft knives for many, many reasons, amongst them:
- They are extremely uncomfortable to use over long periods of time - they are usually not hand-filling or ergonomic, being more like a thin, knurled tube. As such, they also tend to spin in the hand.
- Their shape is not conducive to a natural 'whittling' technique. You cannot get any power or control behind a cut unless you rest the object you are cutting on a solid surface.
- The blades are too thin and snap easily and dangerously.
- A large part of controlling a cut, is being able to get 'behind' the cutting edge. This is impossible with a pen-style craft knife.
None of the above is true with a Stanley-type knife. However, the majority of these you see are made from die-cast metal and are way too heavy to be comfortable over long periods. Which is why I like the plastic ones.
Anyway, each to their own! I have been whittling with these for 10 years or more, so I guess I am a little biased....
Julian
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