What is the name of this tool, and where can I acquire new blades/bits?

July 29, 2017 4:29 PM

What is the name of this precision cutting tool I got from my grandfather (a sign maker and screen printer by trade)?

The center holds a tiny blade or bit; the tool allows you to make very small exact cuts (the attached magnifying glass is very helpful).

Somehow, through my years of holding onto it and not losing or using it, the blade(s)/bit(s) have gone missing. I have an empty small box marked, ".03" but no replacements.

I can't manage to locate this object anywhere online, in large part because I don't know the name of the tool.

It was manufactured by Kimoto, though from their website it seems that they have moved on to more technologically-current screen printing supplies and gear.

Can anyone recognize and identify this neat object? Thank you!

posted by eyesontheroad to Media & Arts (4 answers total)

Best answer: An archive of the Kimoto website from 1999 talks about a "spin cutter with magnifier." It's not clear that this is the tool you have, but it sounds like it might be.
posted by ryanrs at 4:44 PM on July 29, 2017

Given that your grandfather was a screenprinter, this tool was almost certainly used for making precise hand cut stencils in rubylith/amberlith, which may give you something to google for. I'm afraid I can't help beyond that.
posted by daniel striped tiger at 5:09 PM on July 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

Were the blades/bits like very tiny chisels? If they were, you might be able to use bits made for a Cutawl.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 6:29 PM on July 29, 2017

Hard to tell from your photo and the archived Kimoto page but I have a handheld swiveling knife similar to this, the refill blades have a round plastic shank and look like they could potentially fit or be made to fit.
posted by yeahlikethat at 10:14 AM on July 31, 2017