All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: New Knife (2012-10-24)

I usually buy my #11 blades on sale in a 100 pack, that many will normally last me 1 1/2 years. But, my normal source for the blades hasn't had a sale on them in a while. I'd used break-off blade ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Why A Break-Off Blade Knife? (2017-02-21)

Think about it. When do you normally change a #11 X-Acto blade? When the tip breaks off. Did you ever notice the edge below the broken tip seems sharp? 90% of knife use in rocket building is cutting ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Knife Blade Thickness? TIP (2017-02-23)

Kit instructions sometimes tell you to simply use a straight edge when cutting out fins or card stock. Simply setting a the strait edge along the cut line doesn't account for the thickness of ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: #11 Blades - CHEAP! (2019-02-17)

From TRF, Frederocket found some cheap #11 style blades -   " If looking for #11 blades, try the link below. The blades are made in the USA by a company in NJ called TECHNI-EDGE, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Well, I've Never Seen This Before! (2019-07-23)

Isn't it a "Right Of Passage?" We've all cut our fingers with a hobby knife. Practice makes close! The more experience you have, the less we cut our fingers. Years back at the Print Shop I heard a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, The Hobby Knife, Part 1 (2019-10-23)

We're going back to basics to show some of my favorite rocket building tools. There are PLENTY of variants available. These are my favorites, the "Go-Tos" if you will. Who knows, you might save some ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, The Hobby Knife Blade, Part 2 (2019-10-24)

They aren't kidding when they say their blades are "surgically sharp!" I couldn't count the many times I have cut my fingers. TIP: Keep Band-aids at your work bench! For years I removed and ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, The Hobby Knife Alternative, Part 3 (2019-10-25)

X-Acto #1 handles are dangerous - They roll! Years back I worked in a print shop doing old-school paste-up on a slanted drawing table. One day a heard a scream. Another artist ended up at the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, The Hobby Knife Alternative, Part 4 Changing The Blade (2019-10-26)

I realize most would know how to change out one of these knives. But for those who haven't used one before - On the left is a dull blade tip. Notice the diagonal break-off scored lines. On the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: One Dull - One Sharp! TIP (2019-11-13)

I have one #1 X-Acto handle. I usually keep two blades handy, one dull with a broken tip and a second, new sharp blade. I switch back and forth between the two blades. The dull one on the left is ... [Read More]

Thrifty Rocketeer: A Hot Knife thru Butter (2021-02-07)

 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... You may have heard that there is a world-wide shortage of balsa that has been impacting the rocketry kit community. It's my understanding that to ... [Read More]