Tools like the utility knife are best suited for jobs where the blade will not need to cut all the way through to the other side of an object such as wood or hardboard (a type of cardboard).
Utility knives can make short work of many types of jobs with their quick, repeated strokes, but they should never be used on materials that can’t be pierced in one stroke because this will cause them to break.
Here we will discuss How To Cut Hardboard With A Utility Knife.
Step By Step – How To Cut Hardboard With A Utility Knife
Below are the steps to cut hardboard with a utility knife, you can also apply the steps as they are the best way to cut white faced hardboard.
Materials:
- Hardboard
- Utility knife and
- Self-Healing cutting mat
- Running Water
Budget: $50-$100
Duration: 15 – 30 Minutes
Step One:
Take your utility knife. Turn it on and dip the blade in a little container of water. If the blade does not have “holes” for water to pass through, simply open it up and run the blade underneath a faucet for a few seconds. Make sure that the water is clean. No soap or other contaminants should be present.
Step Two:
Place your hardboard on top of your self-healing cutting mat. Lay it flat on the surface with minimal distance from one end to another (about 3″). This will make it easier for you to cut through with less strokes needed to make it through the board’s thickness.
Step Three:
Place your utility knife in the water and run it along the length of your hardboard. Repeat this step with the utility knife for three to four times. It will help to “get a feel” for how fast you need to move your wrist when cutting hardboard.
Step Four:
Once all the way through, remove the utility knife from its water bath and lay it flat on top of your self-healing mat. Your hardboard should now lay flat on the cutting mat with minimal distance between one end to another.
Step Five:
Using even strokes, cut a section of hardboard about 2 ½ inches wide and 2 inches long (6–7 cm). Make sure not to cut your hardboard more than once. Once you have the length and width cut out, use the utility knife to make the cut along the diagonal as shown.
Step Six:
Once you have cut along this diagonal, turn your knife over and make a similar but smaller cut parallel to the first one. Making this second small cutting will help with smoothing out any rough edges that may be caused by cutting in one direction only for too many times.
Step Seven:
Beginning at an end, use light strokes of just enough pressure so that your tool doesn’t slip or skip across the board. Cut from one side of the board to another until you are finished with creating a second piece of hardboard for your project.
Now you’re done!
Below is a video that demonstrates How To Cut Hardboard With A Utility Knife:
Step By Step – How To Cut Curves In Hardboard With Utility Knife
Step One:
Place your hardboard on the surface (self-healing cutting mat), make sure that the section you’re about to cut has been watered down.
Step Two:
Using your utility knife, trace out the shape of what you are cutting. Cut along the same line with even pressure and strokes.
Step Three:
Turn your utility knife around and begin tracing from where you’ve left off using an equal amount of pressure as before. Do this until you have completed your circle/curved piece.
Step Four:
Cut along the line you traced out in Step Three.
Step Five:
Turn your utility knife over and make a smaller cut similar to the first one, leaving about 1/2 inch at both ends. This will help smooth out any rough edges caused by cutting in one direction only for too many times.
Step Six:
Make an even cut along the line you traced out from Step Five, with equal pressure and strokes.
Step Seven:
Turn your utility knife over and make a small cut similar to the one you made in Step Five. It’s always best to end your cuts on an even number as opposed to an odd number, just in case you need to do any filling/sanding.
Step Eight:
Make a small vertical cut along the same line as Step Seven. This is where you will be adding any necessary strengthening.
Step Nine:
Repeat 5-8 and you got yourself a good curved cut!
Now you know how to cut curves on hardboard with a utility knife.
Step By Step – How To Cut Masonite With A Utility Knife
Below are the steps for the best way to cut masonite with a utility knife:
Step One:
Determine where to cut using a straight edge, tape measure or chalk line.
Step Two:
Cut quickly and straight along the mark you just made with your straight edge, tape measure or chalk line.
Step Three:
Stand up the masonite firmly on your cutting table or workbench before cutting because if it falls over during the cut it may crack or break as it hits the ground.
Step Four:
Turn the masonite over to finish cutting.
Step Five:
Mark your cut line on the back side of the Masonite board.
Step Six:
Turn the masonite board over again and cut it from the back side using your utility knife. Make sure you are cutting straight down and even so that you achieve a straight edge when both sides are finished.
Best Way To Cut Masonite
The best way to cut masonite is by using a handsaw or a circular saw. It’s the same as cutting through plywood, only the material has a rubber like texture and is more flexible.
But that doesn’t mean that you cannot cut masonite with a utility knife. You can.
Like with plywood, a utility knife can easily cut through masonite without any problems.
Step By Step – How To Cut Particle Board With A Utility Knife
First, a particle board is a denser and harder material compared to a hardboard.
The initial methods of cutting it is the same, just with more wrist power.
Below are the steps on How to cut particle board with a utility knife
Step One:
Mark the distance from the edge of your cutting table.
Step Two:
Make a mark on your cutting board (Hardboard or Masonite) with the end of your tape measure or chalk line.
Step Three:
With one hand, hold down the end of your tape measure or chalk line firmly so that it doesn’t move while you’re cutting.
Step Four:
Hold your utility knife at an angle and begin to cut in a smooth and even motion from one side to another.
Step Five:
Before moving on to the second side, stop and take a few seconds to rest your wrist.
Step Six:
Continue cutting in a smooth and even motion from one side to another.
Step Seven:
Continue cutting from one side to another until you have cut through all that particle board.
Repeat Step 1-6 for the other remaining sides of your particle board. You will be left with a perfectly square cut out with solid straight edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Way To Cut Hardboard?
The best way to cut hardboard is by using a circular saw or hand saw. They are specially made for cutting through wood. Other tools to best cut hardboard would be the Jigsaw, Table Saw, Track Saw, and Panel Saw. You can also use a Utility knife to cut hardboard if you’re on a budget and want to go DIY.
Can Masonite Be Cut With Utility Knife?
Yes. Masonite can be cut with a utility knife. Like plywood, the masonite can easily be cut with a utility knife. One should just need to mark and measure properly to cut smoothly.
Can You Cut Plywood With A Stanley Knife?
Yes. Stanley Knife is one of the best utility knives around, and it can easily cut plywood. Plywood will be easy to cut with a Stanley Knife because a utility knife like Stanley Knife is built for contractor and industrial level use like cutting through plywood, masonite, or even hardboard.
Final Thoughts on How To Cut Hardboard With A Utility Knife
This ends our How To Guide of How To Cut Hardboard With A Utility Knife.
We hope the knowledge you gained here will help you in the future with your DIY or Professional Board, Wall, and Floor installation projects. We want you to be sure of that what you get from us are 100% facts, so please don’t hesitate to ask for advice or to advise us in return with accurate facts.
You may be interested in our other How To Utility Knife Guides:
- How To Cut Wood Paneling With A Utility Knife
- How To Cut Formica With A Utility Knife
- How To Cut Cement Board With A Utility Knife
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Weldon is a Single Dad who loves teaching others about the workaround in the house. He loves to write about DIY and Home Improvement Hacks and just recently had his first child. You’ll have some fun read with his write-ups and more of his works in his own home!
