Technical Description: OLFA knife

Jennifer Guayllazaca

The City College of New York

October 30, 2018

Instructor: Crystal Rodwell

 

Content –

 

–        Cover Page                                                                                           1

–        Content                                                                                                  2

–        History                                                                                                   3

–        Parts                                                                                                      4

o   Ultra-Sharp Black snap off blade                                                 4

o   Blade Channel                                                                             5

o   No tool blade change                                                                   6

o   Wheel Lock Mechanism                                                               7

o   Wraparound anti-slip rubber grip                                                  7

–        Conclusion                                                                                             7

–        Reference                                                                                              8

 

 

History-

Cutting is an action that has been around for centuries if it either is related to killing animals or cutting different objects. Sharp stones to rocks that were used in the past, became the models for what we call knives. There are many different types of blades that we use today, that differ in shape, size, and use. The different types of blades all can be related to the different types of material that would be cutting. An acrylic sheet has a specific knife used to be able to cut the sheet by hand, this type of knife is much more angled as well as a thicker to be able to hold the amount of force of pressure. This is very different from a utility knife blade, which would have a thinner blade as well as have a snap-off blade.

 

The OLFA company is a Japan-based company that manufactures utility knives all over the world. OLFA had a small beginning, starting in 1956 with the founder Yoshio Okada in Osaka, Japan. Mr. Okada and his brother worked in a printing shop, where many exam papers and large amounts of prints are sent to be made, in the 1950s. These prints usually were printed in large sheets, which meant they used blades to cut the paper every day. They were confronted with a problem, very quickly the blades would become very dull, causing them to slow down work production. Mr. Okada faced with this problem of slow production due to the tool used was the first to invent the Snap off Blade. The Snap off Blade is very different from blades common in these times for two reasons. One, in a normal blade, the whole blade is usually what has to be thrown out when the blade goes dull, while the snap of blade work by snapping off just a piece of the blade itself. Second, the blade is larger allowing for have wider handles allowing for a more comfortable hold. He first got this idea from a chocolate bars snap of pieces and shards of broken glass. These two items are able to snap off and brake, bringing him the idea of shatters that lead to a solution to this problem. The snap-off blade became revolutionary not just for the industry of print shops but for many other hobbies and works. OLFA comes from the Japanese words “Oru” meaning to bend or break and “Ha” meaning blade. This name comes from Mr. Okada’s first invention and becomes the brand and description of the blade in the knives.

 

Parts-

The OLFA corporation has over 100 products, including both cutting mats, rotary blades, utility knives, and different craft knives. All these knives use the same snap off blade technology allowing for the easy change of the new blade edge. One knife specifically that holds this blade is the OLFA 25mm fiberglass- reinforced ratchet lock Utility knife (XH-1), this knife specifically has 5 main components and one sub-part as shown in figure-1.

Picture In Attached file 

Figure-1: Components of OLFA 22mm Fiberglass- reinforced ratchet lock utility knife

 

Ultra-Sharp Black snap off blade-

As shown in Figure-1 component 1 is a 25mm LBB Ultra-sharp black snap-off blade. This is the blade on which this whole company was based. The small grooves as shown below in figure 1A, on the blade allow for there to be a clean edge of the blade when snapped off. These edges are indented to allow for the force when applied directly on it to snap cleanly. This is related to the angle that is also used in the blade. The angle is ideal for the way that the knife is held allowing for an even edge of contact from material to the blade. The ability to snap off the blade without having to remove the whole blade makes it safer. The overall durability of the fiberglass exterior shell connected with the anti-slip grip gives the whole blade more of a stability to withstand large forces.

 

Picture In Attached File 
Figure-1A: Snap off Blade dimensions and snap off groves

 

Blade Channel-

Component 2 is a stainless-steel blade channel. This is a component which allows the blade to travel without cutting the interior of the fiberglass shell. It also works as a safety precaution with other knives usually don’t have. The part extends out that allows for the blade to have extra support for when the blade needs to extend further out or when the blade itself is out normally. It helps distribute the force that is being placed on the blade, away from the groves, where the snap off blade can snap. Lastly, it helps to protect oneself from the blade while applying the pressure for cutting. One usually puts the index finger on top of protruding blade channel as shown in Figure-1B, when holding the blade helping protect the finger from the blade directly, as well as working as an edge that works with the blade grooves that allows for an easier snapping edge.

 

Picture In Attached file 

Figure-1B: Index finger placement

 

No tool blade change-

Component 3 is the No tool blade change, it moves within the blade channel holding the blade in place when cutting and storing away as well. The No tool blade change is what connects the locking mechanism as well as the small sub-component within the no tool blade change to the locking mechanism. This is another piece that works as a stopping mechanism helping the blade from flying out of the blade channel, both from the top as well as the bottom. This piece makes it easier for one to change and reinsert the blade into the channel for when the edges of the snap off blade is done. It helps connect the locking mechanism to the blade which tightens when need to be able to cut with it securely in place.

 

Wheel Lock Mechanism-

Component 4 is the wheel lock mechanism. As it says in the name it uses the wheel and screw, which are one piece, connected to the blade change to be able to tighten and loosen the blade as well as how much it can move. One important part that is within the Blade change is subpart 1 from the wheel lock mechanism. Subpart 1 connects to the wheel lock mechanism to help keep the blade change in place when tightening. The subpart has one small grove at the top which connects to the wheel lock mechanism as shown in Figure-2, this helps in holding the wheel mechanism when it is untightened to far, preventing it from falling and causing the blade change to fall with the blade.

 

Picture In Attached file

Figure-2: Subcomponent

 

Wraparound anti-slip rubber grip-

Component 5 is the Wraparound ant-slip rubber grip and acetone- resistant Handle. This part is straightforward, it is a rubber grip interweaving with the fiberglass shell providing a more stable hold for when cutting. This part itself is an extra feature that just helps with the overall ergonomics. It helps fit well into one’s hand and gives a softer cushion for when applying force when cutting.

 

Conclusion-

The OLFA 25mm fiberglass- reinforced ratchet lock Utility knife (XH-1) is a technique that is very simple and not very changed over time, but it’s use of material and simple components help this knife be for the consumer and there use not just for production. From the safety of the blade change mechanism in component 3 to the rubber grip in component 5, it all makes a difference when it is all brought together into this object.

 

 

Reference

 

OLFA 22mm Fiberglass- reinforced ratchet lock utility knife. [Digital image]. Product Description.    Retrieved from: https://olfa.com/professional/product/fiberglass-reinforced-ratchet-lock- utility-knife-xh-1

 

History. (n.d). The world’s very first snap-off cutter. Retrieved from:

https://olfa.nl/en/history

 

22mm Super Heavy-duty Ultra-sharp Black Snap-off Blades. [Digital image]. Product Description.    Retrieved from: https://olfa.com/professional/product/22mm-black-ultra-sharp-snap-off-blades

 

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