You might think that fitting a carpet looks like a simple enough job. But when you learn that carpet fitters have to undergo special training and education and use special tools, it soon dawns on you that this is a highly skilled job. Using the right tools makes carpet fitting much easier and ensures a more professional result. There are lots of tools you might use including knee kickers and power stretchers but what knives do carpet fitters use?
Most professional carpet fitters will use a special carpet knife. One of the most popular types is the dolphin knife. These blades are designed to cut through fabrics like carpet cleanly and easily.
However, some DIYers might reach for their utility knives. While a carpet knife is technically a type of utility knife, there are some clear differences. These differences are what make carpet knives perfect for their purpose so if you’re planning to fit a new carpet, we’d highly recommend getting one. What’s more, they’re not expensive and you can usually pick up a decent dolphin knife for between £10 and £20.
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What Is A Carpet Knife?
A carpet knife is a tool that is designed for cutting carpet and other related materials like underlay or padding. They’re also designed so that the blade doesn’t damage or fray the material and so that carpet fitters are able to achieve a clean cut in one pass. The knives are also lightweight and comfortable to use which is great if you spend all day every day installing carpets.
These knives have long blades and are very versatile. Not only do you use them for initially cutting carpet but they’re also ideal for repairs and trimming or other types of maintenance. While there is a standard type of carpet knife, you’ll find that there are choices when it comes to length, handle type and other features.
What’s special about the carpet knife is that it has four cutting edges. This means that you get maximum longevity out of the blade; something that’s very important in a professional capacity.
Some people use carpet scissors and these aren’t all that dissimilar to carpet knives. However, it pays to keep in mind that if you’re using a carpet knife, you will need to perform more maintenance. This is largely due to blade replacement which is a pretty easy job.
What’s The Difference Between A Carpet Knife And A Utility Knife?
As we mentioned earlier, some people will pick up their utility knife in the hopes that it will suffice as a carpet knife. Yes, it’s true that you probably could cut carpet with a utility knife but that doesn’t mean it’s the best option. You could cut a steak using a bread knife, but the large size would make it far trickier than using a steak knife.
The utility knife is a much more versatile piece of equipment that is designed for a plethora of cutting tasks. Things like opening boxes, trimming and other things and while it would cut carpet, it’s lacking some of the special features.
These blades are typically adjustable and it’s important not to get them mixed up with the kitchen utility knife. This is another thing entirely. The problem is that the blades are nowhere near as durable as a carpet knife and so would struggle to achieve a clean cut the first time. Generally speaking, these knives should be reserved for more lightweight materials like cardboard, plastic packaging and paper.
Moreover, the blades of these knives tend to be far more brittle than the ones you find on a carpet knife. Trying to cut through thick carpet with a utility knife would quite easily damage the blade. Yes, you can replace it but you’ll end up spending a small fortune on blades when you really don’t need to. What’s more, the blade would cause fraying and leave you with a less than neat finish.
FAQ: Do You Need A Special Knife To Cut Carpet?
As we have discussed, you will need to use a special carpet knife to cut carpet. But there are, in fact, two different types to choose from. These are the industrial carpet knife and the pivot blade carpet knife. Which you choose will depend on your needs and what you’ll be working with.
- Industrial carpet knives are ideal for cutting thicker materials including carpets and have a very durable blade that’s perfectly designed for this task. They usually have some sort of storage where you can keep spare blades as well as a non slip handle for safety.
- Pivot blade carpet knives have many of the same features as industrial carpet knives but the design is slightly different. As the name suggests, these knives have a blade that pivots with a sloped head. These knives also have a thumb guard for added safety and for this reason, are preferred by many professionals.
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Conclusion
Carpet is a thick material so you will need a special knife to cut it. There are carpet knives that are designed exactly for this purpose and while there are two different designs, they both do the same thing. They’ll allow you to cut through carpet cleanly and neatly without fraying or damage on the first pass.
While some people think that a utility knife (sometimes known as a Stanley knife) would be the best option, these aren’t ideal. This is because the blades are not as durable and won’t give such a clean cut.
A carpet knife is an affordable tool that is designed to be long lasting and something that every pro carpet fitter should have in his or her arsenal.