# Cutting & Trimming Tools

Cutting and trimming tools split first by mechanism (pivot blades, a single moving blade, a rolling wheel, a lever, a punch head, or a machine) and then by what they cut. A craft knife trades speed for pinpoint control that scissors and rotary cutters can't match on long or multi-layer cuts.

## How it works

Scissors and shears shear material between two pivoting blades that cross past each other. A craft or utility knife drags one sharpened edge through material by hand, either fixed, retractable, or snap-off segmented. A rotary cutter rolls a round blade along a straightedge on a protective mat, cutting several layers at once. A paper trimmer pulls a single blade (lever-hinged guillotine, or a wheel on a sliding rail) down past a fixed edge. A craft punch forces a shaped head through material against a fixed die, shearing out a hole or shape. A die-cutting machine does the same at larger scale, either by hand-cranking material and a steel die through rollers, or by driving a small blade across the material under computer control.

## How an expert narrows the choice

```mermaid
timeline
  section 1 · Tool mechanism
    scissors_or_shears : ask Scissors/shears subtype, Blade edge profile, Handedness, Blade safety feature : skip Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Trimmer mechanism, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Punch type, Punch actuation
    craft_or_utility_knife : ask Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Blade safety feature : skip Scissors/shears subtype, Handedness, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Trimmer mechanism, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Punch type, Punch actuation
    rotary_cutter : ask Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Handedness, Blade edge profile, Blade safety feature : skip Scissors/shears subtype, Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Trimmer mechanism, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Punch type, Punch actuation
    paper_trimmer : ask Trimmer mechanism, Blade safety feature : skip Scissors/shears subtype, Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Punch type, Punch actuation, Handedness
    cutting_machine : ask Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Compatible materials : skip Scissors/shears subtype, Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Trimmer mechanism, Punch type, Punch actuation, Handedness, Blade material
    craft_punch : ask Punch type, Punch actuation : skip Scissors/shears subtype, Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Trimmer mechanism, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Handedness, Blade material
  section 2 · Material cut
    leather : ask Blade material
    vinyl_or_adhesive_film : skip Scissors/shears subtype
```

1. **Tool mechanism.** Scissors, a craft knife, rotary cutter, trimmer, punch, or cutting machine?
   Each mechanism has its own spec set; asking blade-change method on scissors or pinking on a punch wastes the question.
   If scissors_or_shears: ask Scissors/shears subtype, Blade edge profile, Handedness, Blade safety feature; skip Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Trimmer mechanism, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Punch type, Punch actuation.
   If craft_or_utility_knife: ask Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Blade safety feature; skip Scissors/shears subtype, Handedness, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Trimmer mechanism, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Punch type, Punch actuation.
   If rotary_cutter: ask Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Handedness, Blade edge profile, Blade safety feature; skip Scissors/shears subtype, Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Trimmer mechanism, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Punch type, Punch actuation.
   If paper_trimmer: ask Trimmer mechanism, Blade safety feature; skip Scissors/shears subtype, Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Punch type, Punch actuation, Handedness.
   If cutting_machine: ask Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Compatible materials; skip Scissors/shears subtype, Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Trimmer mechanism, Punch type, Punch actuation, Handedness, Blade material.
   If craft_punch: ask Punch type, Punch actuation; skip Scissors/shears subtype, Knife blade mechanism, Blade tip/edge shape, Blade change method, Rotary blade size class, Needs a mat and ruler, Trimmer mechanism, Cutting machine mechanism, Design input method, Handedness, Blade material.
   Skip if already known: a query naming 'scissors', 'shears', 'knife', 'rotary cutter', 'trimmer', 'punch', or 'die-cut machine', an earlier answer naming a blade shape or punch type.

2. **Material cut.** Mostly paper, fabric, vinyl, leather, or foam?
   What the blade meets decides the steel, the edge profile, and whether the tool survives repeated use; a paper-rated blade dulls fast on leather or foam.
   If leather: ask Blade material.
   If vinyl_or_adhesive_film: skip Scissors/shears subtype.
   Skip if already known: a query naming the material being cut.

## What to surface

### Tool mechanism

The basic mechanism the tool uses to cut: a pivoting blade pair, a hand-held single blade, a rolling wheel blade, a lever-hinged blade, a punch head against a die, or a machine that drives a blade or die automatically. It decides which spec set even applies. Asking about blade-change method on a pair of scissors, or pinking on a hole punch, is asking the wrong question entirely; the mechanism is the first fork every other spec hangs off. [1] [3] [2] [4] [5] [6]

Values: scissors_or_shears, craft_or_utility_knife, rotary_cutter, paper_trimmer, cutting_machine, craft_punch.
Question to ask: Scissors, a craft knife, rotary cutter, trimmer, punch, or cutting machine?

Used as: top-level split, filter. Data: derived from listing fields, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Derive from the product title keyword ('scissors', 'shears', 'knife', 'cutter', 'trimmer', 'punch', 'die-cut machine').
Title keyword match covers nearly every listing in this leaf.

### Material cut

The main material the buyer plans to cut: paper or cardstock, fabric or felt, vinyl or adhesive film, leather, foam or chipboard, or a mix. A blade ground and angled for paper rolls over or dulls quickly on leather or foam; a blade tough enough for leather is overkill and harder to control on delicate paper. Material sets both the steel and the edge geometry that actually hold up. [6] [7]

Values: paper_or_cardstock, fabric_or_felt, vinyl_or_adhesive_film, leather, foam_or_chipboard, multi_material.
Question to ask: Mostly paper, fabric, vinyl, leather, or foam?

Used as: top-level split, filter. Data: needs research, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Often implied by the product's marketed use case ('fabric scissors', 'vinyl cutter', 'leather punch') rather than a stated field.
Keyword-match the title and category name against the six values; default to paper_or_cardstock for generic 'craft scissors' or 'craft knife' listings with no material named.

### Scissors/shears subtype

Which job the scissors or shears are built for: general craft use, pinking shears for a sawtooth seam edge, embroidery/detail work, dressmaker's or tailor's shears for heavy fabric and leather, safety scissors for children, or buttonhole scissors for opening buttonholes. Each subtype trades blade length and point sharpness for a specific job: embroidery scissors need a short sharp point for tight detail work, dressmaker's/tailor's shears need a long heavy blade for cutting through many fabric layers or leather, and safety scissors trade all cutting power for a blunt tip. [1] [8] [9]

Values: general_craft, pinking_shears, embroidery_or_detail, dressmaker_or_tailor_shears, safety_or_kids, buttonhole_scissors.
Question to ask: Plain craft scissors, pinking shears, embroidery, dressmaker's shears, or kids' safety scissors?

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Almost always in the title ('Pinking Shears', 'Embroidery Scissors', 'Dressmaker Shears', 'Kids Safety Scissors', 'Buttonhole Scissors').
Title keyword match; default to general_craft when none of the other five are named.
Chart: position on a blade-length/point-sharpness axis, detail work shortest, dressmaker/tailor longest.

### Handedness

Whether the tool is built for a right-handed grip, a left-handed grip (reversed grips only, or fully mirrored blade layout), or a true ambidextrous design that works either way. Most 'left-handed' scissors only reverse the finger grips while the blades still obscure a left-handed cutter's view of the line; only a true mirrored or true-ambidextrous design actually fixes that, and buyers who don't know the distinction end up with a tool that still fights them. [1]

Values: right_handed, semi_left_handed_reversed_grip, true_left_handed_mirrored, true_ambidextrous.
Question to ask: Right-handed, left-handed, or does it need to work either way?

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Usually stated in the title ('Left-Handed Scissors') but rarely distinguishes semi- from true-left-handed; that detail sits in the product description if anywhere.
Title keyword catches 'left-handed' vs default right-handed; telling semi- from true-left-handed needs a description read.

### Blade safety feature

How the tool keeps its edge from being exposed when not cutting: a blade guard or sheath, a retractable blade, a locking mechanism, a blunt or rounded tip, a finger guard on the cutting path, or none. This is what actually prevents a cut when the tool is stored, carried, or handed to a child, not the blade material. A retractable or locked blade and a finger guard are the features that matter for safe storage and classroom or kids' use. [3] [4] [1] [8] [9]

Values: blade_guard_or_sheath, retractable_blade, locking_mechanism, blunt_or_rounded_tip, finger_guard, none.
Question to ask: Does it need a safety blade, guard, or lock?

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Usually stated as a bullet point ('Safety Lock', 'Retractable Blade', 'Blunt Tip') rather than a dedicated field.
Keyword match against the six values; default to 'none' when no safety feature is named.

### Blade edge profile

The shape ground into the cutting edge: a plain straight edge, a pinking (zigzag/sawtooth) edge, a wave or scalloped edge, or a fine serrated edge. A pinking or wave edge is cut for a decorative or seam-finishing edge on fabric and leaves a rough-looking line on paper; a plain straight edge is what every other cutting job wants. Buying the wrong one gets either a ragged paper edge or a seam that frays anyway. [1] [2]

Values: straight_edge, pinking_zigzag, wave_or_scalloped, fine_serrated.
Question to ask: A plain edge, or a decorative pinking/wave edge?

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Usually in the title ('Pinking Shears', 'Wave Rotary Blade').
Title keyword match; default to straight_edge when unstated.
Chart: icon of the edge shape next to the cut-line sample.

### Knife blade mechanism

How the craft or utility knife holds and exposes its blade: a fixed blade bolted into the handle, a retractable blade that slides out on demand, or a snap-off blade with scored segments that break away as they dull. A fixed-blade hobby knife (the classic X-Acto style) gives the most control for detail cuts but exposes the blade whenever it's out of its cap; a retractable blade lets the user vary how far the edge extends for different material thicknesses; a snap-off blade keeps a fresh edge without changing blades at all, at the cost of being discarded piece by piece. [3]

Values: fixed_blade_hobby, retractable_slide, snap_off_segmented.
Question to ask: A fixed hobby-knife blade, a retractable blade, or a snap-off blade?

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Usually in the title ('Hobby Knife', 'Retractable Utility Knife', 'Snap-Off Blade Cutter').
Title keyword match covers nearly every listing.

### Trimmer mechanism

How the paper trimmer makes its cut: a lever-hinged guillotine blade pulled down past a fixed edge, a small wheel blade that slides along a rail, or a straight blade that slides like a double-edged penknife. A guillotine gives the straightest, cleanest cut and handles thick stacks, but it's the design most likely to injure a hand if used carelessly; a sliding rotary-wheel trimmer is nearly impossible to cut yourself on and can score or perforate as well as cut, at the cost of handling only thin stacks. [4]

Values: guillotine_lever_blade, sliding_rotary_wheel, sliding_straight_blade.
Question to ask: A lever guillotine, or a safer sliding/rotary trimmer?

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Usually in the title ('Guillotine Paper Cutter', 'Rotary Paper Trimmer').
Title keyword match covers nearly every listing.

### Cutting machine mechanism

Whether the die-cutting/cutting machine is a manual crank press that forces material and a steel die through a pair of rollers by hand, or an electronic cutting plotter that drags a small blade across the material under computer control. A manual die press needs a physical die per shape and no computer, so it keeps working with no software or subscription; an electronic cutting plotter can cut any shape sent from software but depends on its app, blade calibration, and (on some brands) a subscription or proprietary cartridge library. [6] [7]

Values: manual_crank_die_press, electronic_cutting_plotter.
Question to ask: A hand-cranked die press, or a computer-driven cutting machine?

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Usually clear from the title ('Die Cut Machine' for manual presses vs 'Cutting Machine'/'Smart Cutting Plotter' brand names for electronic ones).
Title and brand keyword match; electronic plotters are almost always sold under a named brand/model line.

### Punch type

What the craft punch does: cut a single round hole, cut a hole and crimp a metal eyelet into it, cut a row of holes for binding, or cut a decorative shape or border pattern. A single-hole or multi-hole binding punch is a utility tool bought for function; a shape or border punch is bought for its exact decorative output, so the shape library (not the mechanism) is what the buyer is actually choosing. [5] [7]

Values: single_hole, eyelet_or_rivet, multi_hole_binding, shape_or_border_decorative.
Question to ask: A plain hole punch, an eyelet, a binding, or a shape punch?

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Usually in the title ('Eyelet Punch', '3-Hole Punch', 'Scalloped Border Punch').
Title keyword match covers nearly every listing.

### Rotary blade size class

Whether the cutter's round blade is sized for small detail curves, standard straight/general-purpose cutting, or large straight cuts through heavy or multi-layer material. A smaller blade turns tightly enough for curved pattern pieces; a larger blade carries more momentum through long straight cuts and multiple fabric layers but can't follow a tight curve without tearing the material. [2]

Values: small_detail_curves, standard_general_purpose, large_straight_and_multilayer.

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Listings usually give the blade diameter in mm rather than a size class; a larger stated mm number maps to large_straight_and_multilayer.
Map the listed blade diameter to the three classes; brand-to-brand mm cutoffs vary, so treat the mapping as approximate.
Chart: position on a curve-to-straight axis, small blades at the curve end.

### Needs a mat and ruler

Whether the rotary cutter is meant to be used against a self-healing cutting mat and a straightedge ruler to protect the work surface and guide the cut. A rotary cutter's open wheel blade will cut into any surface underneath it and wander off-line without a straightedge; buying the cutter without budgeting for a mat and ruler leaves it unusable for its intended job. [2]


Used as: shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Not a stated field; true for essentially every rotary cutter listing in this leaf.
Default true for every rotary_cutter listing.

### Compatible materials

How wide a range of material the cutting machine is built to handle: paper and vinyl only, or paper/vinyl plus fabric and felt, or a heavy-duty range that extends to leather, matboard, or thin wood. A paper-and-vinyl-only machine is lighter duty and usually cheaper; a machine rated for fabric, leather, or thin wood needs a stronger motor or press and different blades, and buying a light machine for heavy material will stall it or leave cuts incomplete. [6]

Values: paper_and_vinyl_only, adds_fabric_and_felt, heavy_duty_leather_wood_matboard.
Question to ask: Just paper and vinyl, or fabric, leather, and wood too?

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Usually a bullet list of supported materials in the product description rather than a dedicated field.
Read the materials bullet list; default entry-level machines to paper_and_vinyl_only when materials aren't listed.
Chart: position on a material-range axis from paper-only to heavy-duty.

### Blade material

What the cutting edge is made of: stainless steel, carbon steel, a titanium-coated steel, tungsten steel, ceramic, or a non-stick-coated steel. Harder alloys and coatings hold an edge longer against tougher material (leather, multiple fabric layers) but cost more and can be harder to resharpen; coating names are not standardized across brands, so they compare meaningfully within one brand's line, not reliably across brands. [1] [3]

Values: stainless_steel, carbon_steel, titanium_coated_steel, tungsten_steel, ceramic, nonstick_coated_steel, unspecified.

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Usually in the title or bullet points ('Titanium Scissors', 'Tungsten Steel Blade', 'Stainless Steel Rotary Blade').
Title/bullet keyword match; default to stainless_steel when unstated, since it is the most common blade material across every tool type in this leaf.
Chart: position on an edge-retention axis, from carbon/stainless at one end to tungsten/ceramic at the other.

### Blade change method

How a dull blade is replaced: a tool-free quick-change latch, a screw or collet that needs a small tool, or snapping off a scored segment of a long blade. A tool-free quick-change knife gets back to cutting fastest; a snap-off blade needs no replacement part at all until the whole strip is used up, but produces small sharp waste pieces that need safe disposal. [3]

Values: tool_free_quick_change, screw_or_collet, snap_off_scored_segments.

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Rarely a stated field; inferred from the blade mechanism named in the title or description.
Derive from knife_blade_mechanism when not stated directly: retractable_slide listings usually mean tool_free_quick_change, fixed_blade_hobby usually means screw_or_collet, snap_off_segmented is self-naming.

### Design input method

How a shape gets cut on the machine: a physical die or template placed on the material, a proprietary cartridge or companion app's shape library, or a vector file sent from design software. A physical-die machine is limited to the dies the buyer owns; a cartridge or app-based machine depends on that brand's shape library and often its software ecosystem; a machine that accepts outside vector files is the most flexible but needs the buyer to also know or learn design software. [6] [7]

Values: physical_die_or_template, proprietary_cartridge_or_app, vector_file_from_software.

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Usually described in the product description rather than a dedicated field; electronic plotters typically support both proprietary app libraries and outside vector files.
Manual die presses default to physical_die_or_template; electronic plotters default to proprietary_cartridge_or_app plus vector_file_from_software unless the description says otherwise.

### Punch actuation

How the punch head is driven through the material: a long lever handle acting on a short cylinder travel, or a hand-squeezed handle pair. A lever punch trades a longer handle for less force needed per punch and handles thicker stacks; a squeeze-handle punch is more compact and one-handed but needs more hand strength per punch and usually handles fewer sheets at once. [5]

Values: lever_press, squeeze_handle.

Used as: shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Rarely a dedicated field; inferred from product photos or the description's handle description.
Single-hole office-style punches default to lever_press; small craft shape punches default to squeeze_handle unless described otherwise.

### Blade tip/edge shape

The shape of the replacement blade's cutting edge: a pointed hobby tip, a trapezoidal blade sharpened on both sides with two usable tips, a hook blade for pulling cuts through tough sheet material, or a concave blade for cutting curved details. A trapezoidal blade can be flipped to a second sharp tip when the first dulls; a hook blade is built to be pulled (not pushed) through roofing felt, carpet, or linoleum; a concave blade is for cutting shapes and fine detail, not straight runs. Picking the wrong shape makes an otherwise sharp blade fight the material. [3]

Values: pointed_hobby_tip, trapezoidal_both_ends, hook_blade, concave_blade, rounded_safety_tip.

Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Named on replacement-blade packaging ('#11 blade', 'hook blade', 'trapezoid blade') more often than on the knife handle's own listing.
Needs the blade packaging text or description; the handle listing alone rarely states it.

## What you give up

- A fixed-blade hobby knife's small, thin blade is built for cuts requiring a high degree of precision and control; a rotary cutter trades that precision for speed, cutting several layers of fabric at once with a single pass. [3] [2] Board branch: "More control, less speed and layer capacity".

## Words you will meet

- **Pinking shears**. Scissors ground to leave a sawtooth zigzag edge, used to finish a fabric edge so it resists fraying.
- **Snap-off blade**. A long, scored utility blade where the dull end snaps off to expose a fresh sharp edge underneath.
- **Trapezoidal blade**. A replacement knife blade sharpened on both sides with two usable pointed tips, so it can be flipped when one end dulls.
- **Hook blade**. A blade shaped like a trapezoid with a hooked edge instead of a point, built to be pulled through tough sheet material like carpet or roofing felt.
- **Concave blade**. A blade with a curved, elongated hook on one side, used for cutting shapes and fine detail rather than straight runs.
- **Cutting plotter**. A computer-controlled machine that drags a small blade across material to cut shapes from a digital design, instead of a person cutting by hand.
- **Die (cutting)**. A shaped metal tool that, pressed against material with a matching punch, cuts out that exact shape every time.
- **Eyelet punch**. A single-hole punch that also crimps a small metal ring into the hole it cuts, similar to a rivet.
- **Finger guard**. A fixed shield on a cutting tool that keeps fingers out of the blade's path during use.
- **True ambidextrous scissors**. Scissors with a blade and handle layout that genuinely works the same for either hand, not just a mirrored grip.
- **Self-healing cutting mat**. A mat whose surface closes back over a rotary blade's cut, protecting the work surface and the blade edge underneath.
- **Cartridge**. A storage unit (physical or digital) holding a set of pre-made shape or font designs for a cutting machine.
- **Guillotine (paper cutter)**. A paper trimmer with a long hinged blade pulled down past a fixed edge, named for its resemblance to the execution device.
- **Wave or scalloped edge**. A blade ground into smooth rounded bumps instead of a straight or zigzag line, leaving a wavy decorative edge on fabric or paper.
- **Titanium-coated blade**. A steel blade with a thin titanium coating to resist corrosion and hold an edge longer; coating thickness and quality vary by brand.
- **Tungsten steel blade**. A blade made from a steel alloyed with tungsten for extra hardness and edge retention, at a higher cost than plain stainless steel.
- **Ceramic blade**. A blade ground from a hard ceramic material instead of steel; it holds an edge very long but is more brittle and can chip if twisted.
- **Non-stick-coated blade**. A blade coated to keep adhesive, tape residue, or sticky material from building up on the edge during cutting.
- **Buttonhole scissors**. Small scissors shaped to cut open a stitched buttonhole without slicing past its stitched ends.

## Where we made a call

- The blunt-tip child-safety feature is governed: CPSC's 16 CFR 1500.48-1500.49 sharp-point rule, and ASTM F963, apply to it. (confidence high). 16 CFR 1500.48-1500.49 (Federal Hazardous Substances Act) sets the CPSC sharp-point/edge test for children's articles under 8; CPSIA (2008) makes ASTM F963 Toy Safety a CPSC requirement, not voluntary. [8] [9]

## References

1. [Scissors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scissors) (primer). Supports: Pinking shears cut a sawtooth edge; crafting, embroidery, dressmaker's and tailor's scissors are named sewing/craft subtypes; Buttonhole scissors are a named sewing/craft subtype, used for opening buttonholes; Safety scissors have blunt tips for children, sized for children's hands; True left-handed scissors mirror the blade layout; semi-left-handed only reverses the grips; true ambidextrous design holds a US patent.
2. [Rotary cutter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_cutter) (primer). Supports: Smaller blades cut small curves, larger blades cut straight lines and broad curves; Most rotary cutters have retractable blades that lock to prevent injury; Used with 3.2mm plastic rulers and templates; invented 1979, adopted by quilters for cutting multiple fabric layers at once.
3. [Utility knife](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_knife) (primer). Supports: Fixed-blade craft/hobby knives (X-Acto) have small thin blades for precision cuts in handicrafts and model making; Retractable knives let the user adjust blade extension; snap-off blades (OLFA, 1956) expose a fresh segment when dull; Standard blade shapes: trapezoidal (two usable tips), hook (pulls cuts through tough sheet material), concave (for shaping/detail); Safety cutters use a blunted-tip blade with a cutting guide/hook.
4. [Paper cutter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_cutter) (primer). Supports: A guillotine pulls a hinged blade past a fixed edge; a rotary trimmer's sliding wheel blade is nearly self-cut-proof; Most modern paper cutters include a finger guard to prevent injury.
5. [Hole punch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hole_punch) (primer). Supports: A single-hole punch uses a lever as a fulcrum to cut force needed; multi-hole punches use adjustable guides for binding; An eyelet punch is a single-hole punch that also crimps a metal fastening loop into the hole.
6. [Cricut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricut) (spec sheet). Supports: Electronic cutting plotter cuts paper, felt, vinyl, fabric, leather, matboard and wood with a mat and blade; Designs are driven by cartridges (physical or digital) and companion design software.
7. [Scrapbooking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrapbooking) (primer). Supports: Scrapbooking tool kit includes die cut templates, craft punches, and personal die-cut machines; Electronic die-cutting machines resembling a plotter with a drag knife (e.g. Cricut) let users cut any shape from software-driven designs.
8. [16 CFR 1500.48-1500.49, Sharp points and edges in articles for children under 8](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/16/1500.48) (regulator). Supports: Sharp point test under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act applies to toys/articles for children under 8.
9. [Toy safety](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_safety) (primer). Supports: US CPSIA (2008) adopts ASTM F963 Toy Safety Specification as a CPSC requirement, not voluntary.