"Do you use scalpels?" Topic

Some claim that scalpels are superior to X-acto and other hobby knives.

Do you use scalpels for your wargaming needs?

Yes, and yes they are.

Finding them, and the replacement blades is a bit harder than ordinary X-Acto knives though.

Professional model builders use them.

I prefer the plastic handled ones, but again, they are harder to find than the metal ones, and cost more. They're easier on your hands though, if you use them often.

You can get them from some medical, and/or surgical supply stores. In some cases, you'll have to special order some items.

No. Too expensive

Agree with above.
You can locate decent scalpels through outlets in China….decent for hobbies that is

No, an X-Acto in any one of several different varieties and shapes has always sufficed but I'm no master craftsman.

I honestly find there is little a scalpel or an x-acto can do that the cheap disposable snap blade knife can't and as I scratch build in 1:300 that's even for very fine work.

Robert

yes

Yes

x42

Yes

I concur with everything Thresher01 said. The blue plastic handled ones are better for control and grip. Non sterile blades are cheaper.
I find the most useful is the number 11 blade on the size 3 handle, and the number 26 blade on the number 4 handle.
I've been using them since the mid 60's.

Occasionally.

Scalpels and exacto blades are just way too risky for me to handle. Use files, less chance of deadly injuries!

I go back and forth between the two, and can't say that I find one universally superior to the other. I don't care for plastic handles in either case, and each tool has minor advantages. Price is similar for both handles and blades in my experience.

Yes: #10, #10A and occasionally #11 blades on a metal size 3 handle.

Genuine Swann-Morton blades are much better (sharper, hold an edge longer) than X-acto blades and the flat handle makes control of the knife much easier… also it doesn't roll off the table!

I'm always intrigued by modeling articles from UK and elsewhere that reference scalpels. Never seen them in the US. Have assortment of X-Acto hobby knife handles, and many different blades (#26, #24, #22, #2, #11, #16, #18).

Hmmm … google search shows a hobby knife I received in a Citadel hobby tools set 10+ years ago is also a retractable scalpel. It's a nice tool, but I'm not sure where to get replacement blades.

X-Acto blades are bad enough. I would need to have 911 on speed dial if I started using scalpels.

I agree with nnascati. I'm enough of a hazard to myself with X-Acto. I sliced off the outer layer of skin on my finger with one once. That short amount of time between knowing you did it and feeling the pain, bloody torture.

at work, yes (11 and 15 blades)
"where there is pus, let there be steel"

at home, x-acto are fine for me (11s)

our scalpels at work are disposable, so actually seem to become dull quicker than the X-Actos blades from my wife's art supplies (box of fifty has lasted 20 years)

Sometimes but the ones I have access to are probably the same disposable ones NOLA Chris uses and they blunt pretty quick

Yes, scalpels are beautiful.

Did use scalpels at one time, found X-acto knives a lot cheaper and just as good for the work I'm doing. I'm not carving or sculpting, I just doing some basic trimming and a little conversion work. One other little item, I never could find the wide variety of blades for scalpels as there are for X-actos.

Not any more. Wife used to be able to get 'disposed'
sharps in her oncology work.

She's retired now; that source no longer available

I've never tried anything but X-Acto knives. I have set with three different handles a variety of blades.

I also use scalpel blades at work(on a metal Bard-Parker handle). I use #10 and 11's, and bring them home sometimes. I never use a plastic handle.

I also have a bunch of xacto blades that I got in bulk, decades ago. To be honest, I don't see much difference, but then again, I change them out so often, that I don't give anything a chance to get dull.

Yes, but prefer x-acto For a variety of sizes and shapes.