Utility Knife for Cane and Upholstery, 18 mm or 9 mm Snap-Off

Most caning and upholstery jobs end with a trim. On a pressed cane seat it is the waste cane beyond the groove, trimmed before the spline goes in. On a cabinet door it is the cane overhanging the back of the frame. Under a chair seat it is webbing, batting and fabric. A sharp retractable utility knife does all of it.

Two choices:

• An 18 mm all-metal knife with 10 spare blades. The wide blade is stiff, for long, firm cuts through webbing, fabric and foam.
• A pack of four 9 mm snap-off knives, for fine trimming. The narrow blade follows a line closely along a groove and around corners.

Keep the edge sharp. A dull blade drags through cane and frays it, and it tears foam and fabric instead of cutting them. Change the blade on the 18 mm knife, or snap off the used section of a 9 mm blade, as soon as you feel it drag. On a single seat that can mean more than one fresh edge.

For clean cuts:

• Draw the knife in one steady stroke. Sawing back and forth lifts the cane strands.
• On a pressed cane seat, cut the overhang just below the outer edge of the groove, before you glue in the spline, so the spline covers the cut ends.
• On foam, the knife trims edges and cuts thin pieces; a long serrated or electric knife gives a squarer cut through 2 in foam.
• Cut on a scrap board, retract the blade before you put the knife down, and keep your free hand behind the cut.

It also cuts vinyl patio chair straps and PE wicker strip for outdoor furniture repair.

It is on the tool list for replacing a pressed cane seat.

Pick the 18 mm knife if you cut a lot of webbing, foam and fabric, or want one solid knife that lasts. The metal body and stiff blade suit long, firm cuts, and the 10 spare blades keep it sharp through many jobs.

Pick the 9 mm snap-off pack for fine trimming along a groove, on cabinet door frames and around the edges of cane panels. The narrow blade follows a line closely, and a fresh edge is one snap away. With four knives, there is always a spare on the bench.

Many people keep both: the 18 mm for rough cuts, a 9 mm for the finishing trim.