Flooring

Frequently asked questions about knives and blades for carpeting and flooring

What knives do flooring installers use?

Floorers use quite many different cutting tools for flooring and carpeting and some of them are: trimming knives ( for example Stanley 199E trimming knife, Stanley 99E retractable knife flooring), dolphin knife, folding pocket knife, snap-off knives, scrapers. There are different blades that are used in combination with above mentioned knives: scraper blades, 9mm and 18mm snap off blades, concave blades, hook blades / hooked blades, slotted blades, trimming knife blade and many other.

What is a dolphin knife?

Dolphin knife is the most popular professional knife with carpet fitters and floor installers. This carpet knife has got the name by its form of a dolphin animal. The dolphin knife has a steady ergonomic grip, 100% metal construction, the blade is firmly fixed, easy change of dull blade without screwdriver. A magnet is mounted in the knife in the blade area, so it sits always on its place. It is possible also to store some spare knife blades inside the knife. All standard straight and hook blades fit in the dolphin knife. All dolphin knives go with knife holder to keep it safely.

Sollex dolphin knife and belonging blades:  dolphin knife 1280, black dolphin knife 1280S, blue dolphin knife 1280B + utility blades 10PT, 10P, 9PT, 16PT

What is the best knife to cut carpet?

The best knife is a sharp knife. This sounds simple but is the truth. Having a sharp knife is the most important rule to cut carpet well. If you’re using a utility knife with a removable blade - change the blade before you get started. To keep the cutting moving along, be sure to have a new blade on hand. It may seem like a pain to have to stop to change the blade, but it will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.

Sollex recommendation of blades for cutting a carpet: 10PT, 10-5, 16PT

Can utility knife be used to cut carpet? 

 A utility knife can be used to cut carpet occasionally but the professional floorers or carpet fitters usually use a dolphin knife as it was designed for the kind of work. Speaking of utility knives, you can use any versatile utility knife, ideally in metal. The knife should hold the pressure and have as few small and separate parts as possible.

Utility knife and blades for cutting carpet: 10PT, 10-5, 16PT, 9PT

Dolphin knife for cutting carpet: dolphin knife 1280, black dolphin knife 1280S, blue dolphin knife 1280B

What knife is best to trim the carpet? 

Usually a carpet trimming tool is a tool that you can use to trim the carpet. But you can also use a box cutter or utility knife for this purpose. The only requirement to have the work well done is to have a new, sharp blade in the knife. Use the cutting board ( wood plank for example) underneath the carpet while cutting the edges and cutting out spaces for floor vents. Do not forget to check the cut you made so it is clean and no fibers from the main carpet are connected to the cutted strip if you pull it off.

Our best knife to trim the carpet: dolphin knife 1280, snap-off knife PRO 7180

What kind of knife do I need to cut vinyl flooring?

You can cut vinyl flooring with a heavy duty utility knife or you can use just a good and sharp knife blade in any utility knife or dolphin knife. Utility knives are the best cutting tool to handle vinyl or laminate flooring. The linoleum knife is also a good knife to apply to linoleum material due to its curved blade design. The most important things while cutting the carpet materials are that the knife blade sits steady in knife and that it is enough sharp and durable. You need to change the blades often so the knife cuts properly, as a dull blade will not cut effectively.

Sollex products that can be used to cut vinyl flooring: dolphin knife 1280 + 10PT, 9PT

What knife blade can be used for cutting linoleum carpet?

Linoleum flooring knife is used for cutting linoleum carpet. Linoleum Flooring Knife has a curved blade and thanks to that it stays firm while floorer cuts the linoleum material using a drag-cut method. This design is quite outstanding, as it is very curved and reminds a half moon. This blade does well on tight spots where box cutters and scissors might fail and where precision is needed. These knives are made to cut through vinyl and other floorings effortlessly.

When the linoleum knife blade become dull floor installer usually needs to replace the whole knife. The solution that we can offer is to use concave blades with utility knives and always have sharp knives by hand.

Sollex products that can be used for cutting linoleum carpet: dolphin knife 1280 + 10PT, 9PT

Tips for safe use of knives and blades during flooring

• Dull knife blade is more dangerous – always replace the blades after some work. You will know the blade is already dull when you notice some minor chipping in the blade or the cutting has become more difficult. It is time for a blade replacement. Also it is recommended to retract blades when the knife is not in use and shut the safety lock.
• Dispose the blades properly – having old blades around is a risk not only for you but also for surronders. There are special safety boxes in which you can safely collect used blades and then send them for recycling or other convenient way to dispose of. 
• Use safety work gloves while cutting any material to protect your hands from cuts and injures. There are many kinds of gloves in stores such as construction and multipurpose work gloves. The main thing here is to get gloves which serves the goal you have, are of high quality and fit the user's hand perfectly.

• Use safety knives. Sollex has a wide range of safety knives, find that fits you and your needs.

These tips may seem common sense and self-evident, but let's face it, many people cut themselves accidentally because they don't remember these simple instructions. It is better to prevent injury than to regret the consequences, isn't it?