Steve-

There are some art supply stores online that sell #2 Zirconium blades, but the only way I have found them on ebay is either in a #2 knife, or in a 1000pak for $500 !

I am getting a mint #6 handle of the largest size from the same seller Monday.
I also ordered some #14 blades and an X-Calibre retractable knife from her.
Both of those are really rare.
Wanna split a 1000 pak of #2 Z series blades ? Joking....

I own 4 of the smallest #6 handles and those are PLENTY big enough.
I ordered a big one from her, just because...

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Please post pics when you get the #14 blades and an X-Calibre retractable knife I'd like to see that. Funny! Split a 1000 pak of #2 Z series blades ...


Good to know about the smallest #6 handles being plenty big enough. I was going to wait until I got it Tuesday and do some cutting with it to see how well I could handle and grip it while cutting before I went after that big boy handle. From the pictures she sent me it looks like the smallest #6 is just about right and if I can get it in my box and close the lid I'll be stoked. This set is something that I can pass on to my son when I'm gone. I'm sure he'll really appreciate it.

Still looking for some of the saw blades you mentioned. My kit came with one saw blade other than the razor saw blade. It's second from the right in the box lid [between the #18 and the #26]. Do you know what number that blade is? There is no number on that saw blade.

__________________
Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates

That saw is the #27 blade that fits the #2, #5, and #6 handles.
Still available.
The "keyhole saw" blade for same handles is a #15.

The rare saw blade for #1 handles is #13.

Agree the Gripster knife SUCKS.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Steve-
I attached a pic of the X-Calibre retractable knife (black) with a #14 blade for the #1/#3 knife handles above it, with a #9RX retractable knife above it.
Might be hard to spot, but the 9RX has a much smaller blade than the X-Calibre.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

I have one of the X-Calibre knives...it comes in handy with small blade. Have had it for 6-7 years now. Nice knife to have in the tool set. I do need to order some more blades for it though, come to think of it.

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Excel makes blades still to fit the X-Calibre as they offer a version of the knife still.
Xacto discontinued this knife and the blades LONG ago. The Xacto stuff is rare vintage NOS.
Not on ebay often.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Attached is a photo of the set I received for Christmas in the late 70's.
This was my big gift for that year.
Note this set does not come with a balsa stripper but it has a coping saw.
This set has been in continuous use for over 40 years now!

Not sure what model number this is.

Attached Thumbnails

 

That is the old deluxe hobby tool/knife #87 set prior to it being in a hinged box.
My local hobby store has a modern one on the shelf now. $95.00.
That is the largest set Xacto has produced since the early/mid 80's.
The only larger set with a sliding top was the #88N.
The seller I bought my #89 from sold a #88N this week
The #88N was known as the "Hobby Den" set.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Thanks for the information on the set I have had for years.
I was wondering how that fit into the Xacto releases over the years; this thread has been very interesting to follow.

Yep, I have a Hobby Den also (I posted this picture of thought near the beginning of this thread).
I always wanted that one after seeing it in the 1971 Estes Catalog.

Wow, very cool GH. I've never seen the X-Calibre knife before. It looks mint.

I rec'd my vintage NOS #6 heavy duty handle today. Looks pristine. I noticed the current #6 handles that X-Acto offers with the black X-Acto name printed on them are made in China. Proud to have one that's made in the good ole' USA, says so right on the handle!

I agree with Don this is a very cool thread to follow.

GH, how do the #13 Excel 20013 Fine Saw Blades - USA - 5pc compare to the #13 that was discontinued by X-Acto? Reason I ask is I picked up a few packs of these today and they have six packs left for only $2.97 per 5pack. The rare X-Acto #13 blades I've seen go for about $18-$20 for a 5pack. Have you tried these?

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates