How does your knife cut shrink wrap?

K

KennyB

Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
2,312
I've noticed that shrink wrap is really hard to cut. I get my knives really sharp according to most of the "tests"--even with a "hair whittling" edge it either rolls off the shrink wrap, or just stretches it. I mean, I can cut it, but it is definitely not a smooth cut.
 
What knid of shrink wrap? The stuff Coke bottles come wrapped in?
Its easier if you put the tip in first and just shear through.
 
Since i'm not completely sure what you're referring to: I usually use the tip of the blade to cut plastic wrap or similar stuff - if I'd stuck the whole blade in there and would try to cut around the foil would stick to the knife or other parts of the wrap...
With the tip (first 1-2mm of the blade) it's quite easy to do clean cuts.

//edit: yeah, that's what i thought.. And yes, it's horrible to cut but i guess using just the tip works quite good since there's not enough area it could stick to...
 
Last edited:
I'm talking about Saran wrap, or "cling" wrap. Comes in big rolls like this:

cling_wrap.jpg


Yeah, I guess "shrink wrap" covers a lot of stuff. Plastic that coke bottles comes in is no problem; this saran/cling wrap stuff is just weird though. It stretches and sticks before it cuts.
 
You're right, cling film is hard to cut. Serrations snag on it, and plain edge sometimes slides.
I like to hold the wrap with my free hand and stretch it so it doesn't bind. Much easier that way.
 
It's probably just due to the friction. The cling wrap is probably sticking to the steel of your blade.

Lube your blade with water or light oil first and try again....I bet it will be easier.
 
I cut that stuff all day with a Kershaw Needs Work. Thinner edge cuts it better and stretch it a bit like tabeeb mentions, keep a hone handy and you'll be good for some time.
 
As long as I kept my knife sharp, it was no problem to cut. I did keep a tiny amount of wax on my blade to keep adhesive from sticking to it, so that may have helped.
 
Seems like everything on our planes used to be wrapped in that stuff. Never found anything that worked better than a plain old box knife. We stashed dozens of the things all over the place just for the cling wrap.
 
SpookyDriver said:
Seems like everything on our planes used to be wrapped in that stuff. Never found anything that worked better than a plain old box knife. We stashed dozens of the things all over the place just for the cling wrap.
Click to expand...

Nothing cuts through that stuff like a sharp box cutter. :thumbup:

That extremely thin sharp blade works well.
 
I noticed this today in fact when I was opening large delivery of goods wrapped together. I have hair whittling edge and I was surprised how un-smooth the cutting action was.
 
I used to cut tons of that stuff when I worked in a factory. It's called palletizing wrap. A lot of the machineries comes wrapped in those. It's also because of those things that I really started to dislike the choils on spydercos.

The best way I found to cut them is pull the wrap tight as you cut down. A REI grip works best as I assume you are going to be making longish cuts.
 
Sherlockbonez has got it.

I really find the "box cutter" throwaways don't have enough blade. You get a big half-cut wad of that stuff and you need more blade to cut it. Guys around the warehouse end up almost chopping at it repeatedly. They are under equipped.

KennyB. Get a Spydie Double stuff pocket hone and do a pass or two when you notice its losing its keen. Try to get a wharncliffe or drop point blade style also. Less belly on the blade the better.
 
Fine micro serrations seem to cut shrink wrap well.
 
GrinderMcgee said:
Sherlockbonez has got it.

I really find the "box cutter" throwaways don't have enough blade. You get a big half-cut wad of that stuff and you need more blade to cut it. Guys around the warehouse end up almost chopping at it repeatedly. They are under equipped.

KennyB. Get a Spydie Double stuff pocket hone and do a pass or two when you notice its losing its keen. Try to get a wharncliffe or drop point blade style also. Less belly on the blade the better.
Click to expand...

LOL, I used to be one of those guys hacking at it with the mini manix...
 
I do not have any problems cutting Saran wrap, but then again, as other suggested, my daily carry is a wharncliffe - and it might as well be a razor blade/box cutter - so it might be ideal for tasks like this.
 
The problem is that your knife is actually too sharp. Knife knuts love to obsess over how sharp they can get the knife, with polished edges, and high grits. When I got older and lazy, I started to just shapen with a 600 grit diamond hone or even my old Boy Scout pocket carborunum stone, I found that for general use out in the real world, the courser edge really worked better on plastic wrap, plastic blister packages, rope, twine, and cardboard.

The very fine edge just slides on the plastic, while the course edge acts like mini serations and bites into the material being cut. I also find the 600 grit edge lasts longer. It'll never whittle hair, but it works well on a wide amount of stuff you actually have to cut.
 
I was in Sams and because of this thread decided to help out. My tree topping S90V Para2 zipped right through the stuff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top