Why are people cutting so much cardboard?

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daveyc

Joined
Mar 18, 2017
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I have noticed that cardboard cutting/box breakdown is a big part of what people seem to use their knives on in an edc capacity.

I see it on Youtube, read about it on forums and social media. I am wondering why so much cardboard needs to be cut? I get packages. My work gets shipments etc. I have to say that I have never needed to actually cut cardboard up in order to either throw it away or recycle it. The most I have ever done with cardboard is to cut the tape on either side, collapse it on its natural creases so that it lays flat and stack it for recycle.

Honest question: is it necessary in any capacity to have to physically cut the cardboard itself? Is this really an exercise in trying to "find" a reason to cut something with ones knife? Am I missing something here?
 
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daveyc said:
I have noticed that cardboard cutting/box breakdown seems to be a big part of what people seem to use their knives on in an edc capacity.

I see it on Youtube, read about it on forums and social media. I am wondering why so much cardboard needs to be cut? I get packages. My work gets shipments etc. I have to say that I have never needed to actually cut cardboard up in order to either throw it away or recycle it. The most I have ever done with cardboard is to cut the tape on either side, collapse it on its natural creases so that it lays flat and stack it for recycle.

Honest question: is it necessary in any capacity to have to physically cut the cardboard itself? Is this really an exercise in trying to "find" a reason to cut something with ones knife? Am I missing something here?
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In our town, there is a max size of cardboard pieces that recycling will accept.
 
For me I admit it's half because I can and half because it's practical. I have a city issued trash can that I cut up the cardboard so it doesn't take up all the room in the can. But I could also be using a cheap box cutter with cheap replacement blades. But where is the fun in that. But I also admit that I've only started doing this since I've bought knives in higher grades of steel. This is very much NOT something I would torture the edge on a 420HC becuase it would just wear it out in a hurry.
 
If I follow the rules of our local recycling requirements* then I have to break down and reduce the size of cardboard boxes. This does not require massive amounts of cuts unless the box is huge. I've had few huge ones in the past. As a bonus, some times it is just fun to use your knives for an extended period of time. Most us are not processing meat or on extended woodcrafting trips. Cardboard is readily available.

*Most do not as they are either lazy or just do not care what the recycling/sanitation worker has to do day in and day out to keep our cities and towns clean.
 
Lol good question. I think people do it just to have something to cut up. I'm like you I break it down and shove it in the recycling can. Extra work isn't fun to me lol, then again I work with my hands all day long. I believe the majority that does this most likely has an office job, so they need something to do to put their "tools" to use?
 
navman said:
I blame Amazon....
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I blame Youtube :)

Since the Pandemic, we have as many Chewy boxes to break down as Amazon's .... but I never have to cut the actual cardboard, only the tape on them. And every month or two I bring them to the recycle place, so I don't have to fill up the recycle can at home.

2021061316093057-IMG_0700-X2.jpg


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On a side note, a couple of times I had cockroaches crawling out. So watch when you unpack and don't store Amazon/Chewy boxes inside.
 
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scorpnsnake said:
I only cut it up after receiving large boxes like furniture. I'll use a box knife. I consider it the serial murderer of edges and not worth the scratches and wear on most knives. Low yield, high cost cutting task. lol
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Exactly right. I hardly ever use my pocket knife on stuff like this because I keep a razor knife in my tool bag.
 
Who cares whether it's finding an excuse to use a knife or not?

Personally most of my cardboard cutting is because of my fiance's addiction to online shopping. If I only folded boxes flat there are weeks that our recycling bin wouldn't fit it all. I have more fun doing it with a knife I have sharpened and will sharpen again than a razor blade that I will throw away when I'm done with it.
 
Ilikesharpstuff said:
Who cares whether it's finding an excuse to use a knife or not?

Personally most of my cardboard cutting is because of my fiance's addiction to online shopping. If I only folded boxes flat there are weeks that our recycling bin wouldn't fit it all. I have more fun doing it with a knife I have sharpened and will sharpen again than a razor blade that I will throw away when I'm done with it.
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Pssst, you can resharpen the box cutter blades, I do, they sharpen very quickly and take a great edge easily.
 
I cut for many reasons.

All the knives I make, I cut up cardboard and sheets of paper. I do this to test my edge progression, and to hopefully eliminate any burrs. You can see, feel, and hear the difference.
I clean up the surface with a fresh belt, afterwards....

I know people say cutting cardboard is hard on a knife. But I don't think so.

Try cutting ceramic belting with your knife.
That's BAD. I'll do that for Fun, cutting strips off a used, beat up belt..... The knife practically Cries!!! 😭😭😭
 
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