I just recently became aware of Excel tools while searching X-Acto.  I have read that X-Acto tools are no longer made in the US but the Excel tools are.

Can anyone offer first hand experience or pros/cons of either choice?  

I prefer the blades and handles. Sharper blades and a better grip of the blade with the handle.

Which brand?

Dick,

I have a number of X-Acto handles and a couple of Excell jobs. I buy blades (no.11) in packages of either 100 or 500 from a medical supply place. They seem to be quite a bit sharper and hold their edge better than hobby blades. I also use scalpels and blades (also called no.11) purchased from the same sort of place. Last time I bought hobby no.11 blades (a box of 500), it was something like $20.

I just recently became aware of Excel tools while searching X-Acto.  I have read that X-Acto tools are no longer made in the US but the Excel tools are.

I wasn't aware of this. But if it's true, I'm done buying anything X-acto and I'll stick with Excel. Both are readily available to me.

 Buy American!

Well this was on the web site, but I'd check what is actually in the LHS.

I prefer Excel. They can be purchased at Blink Art supplies. At time they go on sale for around $12/100. I tried scalpel blades but they kept snapping. Ham handed, I guess.

15 years ago Bob Bearden (Bear) turned me on to Excell blades.  He purchased blades from a blade manufacturer Havells??? and they told him that x-acto bought the cheapest blades that they had available.  I think the excell blades are double ground, they are MUCH sharper than x-acto.  I have heard that the black Testors or Ohas #11 blades are even better.  I think they are a higher carbon steel.

John D.

Where?

Most hobby shops have them. They are real sharp and look like a #11 X-acto blade. Also fit the x-acto handle

    I would say they Model Master and Excel are a wash. The Model Master blades are incredibly sharp but the tips break off quickly, and the edge-holding doesn't seem to be quite as good in some cases (because it looks like the edge chips pretty easily). The Excel blades aren't as sharp to begin with and probably won't last as long on very soft materials, but they seem generally tougher and last longer in general use. I have handles with both types and end up using the Excel blades for general use and reserving the model master blades for just balsa cutting/carving.

     A little off-topic, bu I think the Excel #1 handle is far superior to the Exacto handles. It has a knurled grip and the collet never jams. I also liked the #1 handles with the rubber grip and the tightening screw at the far end, but I don't know where I got them.

    Brett

I would say the holding of edges on the knife blades is like the edge on a good wood chisel.  Sometimes the material is too hard and will chip off.  Sometimes too soft and won't hold an edge.  But when using the bulk packages of knife blades, I change them more often than I used too.  Last batch I got was off the bay and are working better than the X-Acto's I got at the LHS.