K70 Slim Body Snap Knife: Practical Everyday Uses
By Excel Blades: Precision Cutting Tools & Craft Knives | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: Product Reviews
The K70 Slim Body Snap Knife is a lightweight, low-cost tool for opening packages, trimming paper, and light craft cuts. Here is when it fits your work and when it does not.
Quick answer
Choose the K70 Slim Body Snap Knife if you want a lightweight, low-cost knife for opening packages, trimming paper, and light craft cuts. Its slim metal frame and slide-lock suit detail work, but it is not the right pick for long cutting sessions or thick materials. For those, step up to the K18 Cushion Grip or the K31 Dual Blade Strip Cutter.
What the K70 actually is
The K70 is a slim metal-framed snap knife with a slide-lock for precise blade positioning. It uses a 30° 8-point snap blade, and the back cap can be removed and used to snap blades off. That design keeps the knife narrow and light, which is useful when you are making short, controlled cuts rather than pushing through dense material all day.
Everyday tasks where it fits
The K70 handles precision cutting, trimming, and stripping of cardboard, paper, cork, plastic, canvas, card-stock, foam boards, tape, wood, and polymer. In practice, that means it fits opening packages, breaking down small boxes, trimming printed sheets, cutting foam board for mockups, and light model or papercraft work. The slide-lock helps you set the blade exposure for the cut at hand instead of relying on a fixed position.
Where a slim knife stops being enough
A slim body is a trade-off. The K70 gives you control and low weight, but it does not offer the cushion grip of the K18 Cushion Grip Paper Cutter Knife, which is built around comfort for longer sessions. It also cannot cut parallel strips the way the K31 Dual Blade Strip Cutter can with its two adjustable #59 blades. If your work is mostly repetitive cutting, thick material, or strip production, the K70 is the wrong tool even though it costs less.
Blade replacement and snap technique
The K70 uses an 8-point snap blade. When the edge dulls, remove the back cap and use it to snap off the worn segment, exposing a fresh point. Do not twist or lever the blade sideways to break it. Keep the slide-lock engaged and the blade retracted when you are not cutting, and dispose of snapped segments rather than leaving them on the bench.
Decision rules for buying a slim snap knife
- Match the knife to cut duration: Short, occasional cuts favor the K70's slim metal body; long sessions favor the K18's cushion grip. If your hand tires before the blade dulls, choose the cushion grip.
- Match the blade to the material: The K70's 30° 8-point snap blade suits paper, card-stock, foam board, and tape; the K31's parallel #59 blades suit strip cutting in paper, leather, vinyl, and fondant. If you need identical strips, the K70 is the wrong tool.
- Check the blade system before you buy: The K70 uses snap-off segments and a removable back cap for snapping; the K18 uses a #11 blade. Replacement supply differs by system. Confirm you can get the blade type you prefer before committing.
- Weigh price against replacement cost: The K70 is a low-cost entry knife; the K31 costs more but replaces a separate strip-cutting setup. Buy the cheaper knife only if your tasks stay light.
Product facts
- K70 Slim Body Snap Knife: Slim metal-framed body with a slide-lock for precise blade positioning and a 30° 8-point snap blade; the back cap can be removed and used to snap blades off. The narrow frame and adjustable lock suit controlled cuts on paper, card-stock, foam board, and tape, while the snap blade keeps a fresh edge without a full blade change.
- K18 Cushion Grip Paper Cutter Knife: K18 Cushion Grip Craft Knife with #11 blade, soft cushion grip handle, available in Color options. If you cut for extended periods, the cushion grip reduces hand fatigue compared with a slim metal handle, making it the better daily driver for hobby and paper work.
- K31 Dual Blade Strip Cutter for Paper and Leather: K31 Dual Blade Strip Cutter with two adjustable parallel #59 blades, aluminum body, adjustable width from .12 in. to .63 in. For repeatable strips in paper, leather, vinyl, foam core, or fondant, the K31 replaces freehand cutting with a set width, which the K70 cannot do.
Who should buy the K70
Best for
- Opening packages and breaking down small boxes
- Trimming paper, card-stock, and foam board
- Light craft, model, and papercraft cuts
- Buyers who want a low-cost, lightweight knife
Not for
- Long cutting sessions where grip comfort matters
- Cutting uniform strips in paper, leather, or vinyl
- Heavy or thick material that needs a sturdier handle
