Quick answer

Choose swivel replacement blades for curved cuts and detailed papercraft work; choose straight replacement blades for clean, precise straight cuts on materials like card, vinyl, and foam board.

Why blade shape matters for your project

The shape of your craft knife blade directly affects the quality of your cuts. Swivel blades pivot freely, making them ideal for cutting intricate curves and tight corners without needing to rotate the entire knife handle. Straight blades, on the other hand, lock in a fixed position, giving you more control for long, straight cuts and scoring lines.

Both blade types are designed for specific knife handles from Crafter's Companion. Swivel blades fit the Swivel Blade Craft Knife, while straight blades are made for the Softgrip Straight Craft Knife. Using the wrong blade can lead to poor cuts or damage to your knife handle.

Swivel vs Straight Blade Trade-Offs

  • Swivel blade: best for curves and detail: The pivoting head lets you cut intricate shapes, circles, and tight corners without repositioning the knife. Ideal for papercraft, card making, and stencil work. Use swivel blades when your project has many curved or intricate cut lines.
  • Straight blade: best for straight cuts and scoring: The fixed blade provides stability for long, straight cuts, scoring lines, and cutting through thicker materials like foam board. Works on paper, card, foil, vinyl, film, and foam board. Choose straight blades for straight cuts, scoring, and multi-material projects.
  • Compatibility matters: Swivel blades only fit the Swivel Blade Craft Knife; straight blades only fit the Softgrip Straight Craft Knife. Always check your knife handle before purchasing replacement blades. Confirm your knife handle model before buying to ensure a proper fit.

Product facts at a glance

  • Crafter's Companion Knife Replacement Blades - Swivel (5PC): Crafter's Companion Knife Replacement Blades - Swivel (5PC) are designed for use in the Swivel Blade Craft Knife. To replace the blades, simply unscrew the top purple section to release the blade, place your replacement blade in the opening and screw back to secure. For ages 18+ ONLY. This means you can quickly swap a dull swivel blade for a sharp one, keeping your curved cuts smooth and precise without needing a new knife handle.

    Crafter's Companion Knife Replacement Blades - Swivel (5PC)

    Crafter's Companion Knife Replacement Blades - Swivel (5PC)

  • Crafter's Companion Knife Replacement Blades - Straight (5PC): Crafter's Companion Knife Replacement Blades - Straight (5PC) are designed for use with our Softgrip Straight Craft Knife. Replacing the blade is quick and simple — just unscrew the top section of the knife handle, remove the old blade and secure a new one in place. These craft knife blades can be used on a wide range of materials, including paper, card, foil, vinyl, film and foam board. Having a pack of straight replacement blades on hand ensures you always have a fresh edge for clean, accurate cuts across multiple materials, from paper to foam board.

    Crafter's Companion Knife Replacement Blades - Straight (5PC)

    Crafter's Companion Knife Replacement Blades - Straight (5PC)

Which blade should you choose?

Best for

  • Papercrafters and card makers who frequently cut curves, circles, and detailed shapes
  • Crafters who want a dedicated knife for intricate work and don't mind switching handles for straight cuts

Not for

  • Projects that require long, straight cuts or scoring lines on thick materials like foam board
  • Crafters who prefer a single knife handle for all cutting tasks