Yet Another Utility Blade Holder (YAUBH)

thingiverse

I need a utility blade holder that is compact, strong, easy to clean and reasonably safe for pocket carry. The holder comprises two parts clipped together. The utility blade can be placed in two positions by a frame lock catch. Default settings are for a right-hand user, a standard utility blade, and a holder thickness of 5mm. Safety: To hold the blade safely, grip the holder at the frame lock using your thumb and index finger. This ensures that the blade doesn't slip. You can also grip the frame lock using your thumb and middle finger while placing your index finger on the jimping for precise control of the blade. The blade's thickness and width can be adjusted to obtain a snug fit. An option is available for left-handed users (not tested). Adjustments can be made using OpenSCAD or Customizer (http://www.thingiverse.com/apps/customizer/run?thing_id=1749766). Print Settings: Printer Brand: RepRap Printer: Prusa i3 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: 40% rectilinear Notes: The holder has 2 vertical and horizontal bottom shells, and 3 horizontal top shells. Post-Printing: After printing, cleanup may be required. Clip both frame parts together and insert a utility blade. Go cut something! How I Designed This: Idea: I owned a Gerber EAB but didn't like its folding knife mechanism due to cleaning issues. If you prefer folding knives, see (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1298487). I was inspired by Rexford RUT, http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1425716 and http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1162705. However, the current design lacked some features and was difficult to print on my Prusa i3. Design: I evaluated several designs shown in the image below, considering their strength and weaknesses. Here are a few design notes: a. Frame lock used 1 notch blade catch instead of two since it's strong enough. This added benefit allows for two-position blade placement. b. The frame consists of two plates held together by three clips. The early design used plastic filament rivets, but I found that the frame bends due to heat during riveting. Design Iteration from Left to Right: Beta Version: The beta version was extensively tested. I've been using the holder for a few days and it performed well for cutting, slicing, and light prying. The beta version's blade catch was placed at the second notch of the utility blade, which was a design mistake that caused the blade to loosen in close position. The frame clip wasn't tight enough for my liking. Other than these issues, the blade holder worked well. Two-Plate Frame with Clip: Two-position utility blade: Hold by Pressing Both Index Finger and Thumb: Pruning a Small Red Palm: Cutting Plastic Bottle (PETE) Plant Container: Dirty Holder and Blade: Final Version: The final version retains all the best features from the beta version. I moved the frame lock catch to the first position and cut it at a slant at the blade insert to increase the blade-to-handle ratio. The resulting area on top of the blade allows for added jimping. A finger plate was added to the top side of the frame, and four stronger clips were placed around the frame.