It seems to me that overall the quality and utility of single edge razor blades has dropped significantly. It seems like a few cuts through thread and then their dull. Does anyone recommend a brand of razor blade that outlasts others in terms of keeping an edge longer?

Razor blades can be resharpened quite easily.

I've gone to using old school double edged blades. In fact Shark brand makes a half blade. About $8 for 100 on amazon.

Get a Bread Lame to hold you double edge blades that will give you 4 corners and the curved one will give you a curved middle to use also, Lots of cutting edges on one single blade. Here's a link [www.amazon.com]

The person who taught me how to wrap rods used a pair of Dr. Slick fly tying scissors for all of his thread cutting and trimming.

After building a few rods, I followed his example and purchased a pair of scissors. This was many years ago and I still am using the same scissors today after building many many rods.

I do my own sharpening and I sharpen these scissors about every two years. No razor blades, or other single edged knives. No issue in nicking a thread with the scissors as can happen with a razor blade.

[www.amazon.com]

I buy dollar store disposable multi-blade razors. Break the blades out of the housing and I have multiple, very sharp blades at very little money.

Get a supply of DISPOSABLE scalpels.
But if you put more wraps over pull through and cut tag end almost flush you will not have need for a blads.

Herb

I like to use the carpet installers blades....they are double edged so i put a piece of tape over one side till i need it...they last a long time and i think they are sharper than the regular razor blade...

I use Persona blades designed for finish trimming after a haircut, they are maybe 50% longer and narrower than a normal blade you buy at the store. they are also much sharper and keep a good edge. I buy them a Sally's, or similar beauty care stores.

I'm with Spencer. The hairdresser blades are sharper than scalpel blades I have once used. So sharp in fact that all you have to do is touch the thread and pull on the tag end . You'll never go back to any other blade.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

I'm with harry. I like the carpet blades, I do the same put tape over one end

I use an Xacto knife with the #11 blade. If you have a Hobby Lobby near by, you can download their app and automatically get 40% off your purchase. SWMBO has it on her Android
I use the new blades for cutting and trimming thread. I mark the old blades with a Sharpie and put them in a separate pill bottle and use them for other cutting chores that don't require the scary sharp edge.

Double-edge razor blades are MUCH sharper than single edged blades and have twice the amount of cutting edge. Simply bend the double-edged blade in half [the long way] until it breaks and fold a strip of masking tape over the broken edge. It beats sharpening single edge razors or napping flint knives, even if it isn't as "crafty".

Thanks all a lot of good stuff here!

I use the Persona blades....lot sharper and last much longer than standard blades.....

Woody Davis <><

I just got the fly tying scissors and 100 persona blades! I'm gonna be cutting up everything

Lots of good ideas here! We offer single edge razor blades in 100 packs [www.mudhole.com] and now smaller 10 packs [www.mudhole.com].

In the middle of the road we offer scissors [www.mudhole.com] and exacto knife [www.mudhole.com]

We also offer ceramic scissors which work very well but are pricey - they will cut even the finest brads. [www.mudhole.com]

Regards.
Team Mud Hole Custom Tackle
Web: [www.mudhole.com]
Email: sales@mudhole.com
Toll Free Phone #: 1-866-790-RODS (7637)

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The scissors that Mud Hole has work well for chopping thread. I have several that are similar and I use them all of the time.

But I don't use these scissors for close trimming of thread wraps. Rather, the use of Dr. Slick's fly tying scissors with its fine tip works well for this job.

Be safe

Online you can find a box of 100 #11 scalpel blades with metal handle for less than $10 with free shipping. WAY sharper than any razor blade or hobby knife! The only downside is you gotta be really careful handling it so you don't accidentally nick any wrap threads. ;)

John Shear
Chippewa Falls, WI