Making A Layout Knife

[rgsparber]

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

[DIYer]

Thanks rgsparber! We've added your Layout Knife to our Knife Making category,
as well as to your builder page: rgsparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Layout Knife by rgsparber

tags: razor, knife

[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.

[rgsparber]

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.

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

[mklotz]

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.

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.