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You have done all your research on which Cricut machine to buy, but you still need to learn a thing or two about Cricut blades.
Look no further. This post will cover everything you need to know (or at least most of it). I’m sure I missed a point or two. Hit me up if you have something I should add.
If you still need to read more about what a Cricut machine can do, check out this post.
Types of Blades
Currently, there are seven types of blades and three other crafting tools available:
- Fine Point blade – Golden/Silver
- Bonded Fabric blade – Pink
- Deep Point blade – Black
- Knife blade – Cricut Maker only – Silver
- Rotary blade – Cricut Maker only – Silver
- Perforation blade w/ Quick Swap tip – Cricut Maker only – Silver
- Engraving tip w/ Quick Swap end – Cricut Maker only – Silver
- Debossing tip w/ Quick Swap end – Cricut Maker only – Silver
- Wavy blade w/ Quick Swap tip – Cricut Maker only – Silver
- Scoring Wheel w/ Quick Swap end – Cricut Maker only – Silver
Anatomy and Terms
It used to be that Cricut had one type of blade. No need to learn about all the different types, degrees of cut, which machine to use them with, or any of that mess.
But, as Cricut machines have improved over the years, they have also come up with new blades and blade housings so that we, as makers and crafters, can cut more materials.
Now we got some learnin’ to do!
The blade itself is the tiny poky thing at the end of the housing (the part that holds the blade). If it is a different blade type, then it has a cutting wheel, scoring nib, or other metal part that is going to cut, slice, or perforate your materials.
Blade Terminology:
Housing: the metal piece that you touch when switching between different blades (Maker blades have the gears at the top of the housing), this metal piece holds the blade in place.
Drive Housing: this is the correct term for the Cricut Maker blade housings, the ones with the golden gears on the top. Do not remove the plastic cover that comes on these housings. It is there to keep the gears clean.
Blade: this is the small needle or nail-like piece of metal that is inserted into the metal housing. This is the part that gets replaced when your Cricut is no longer cutting the way it is supposed to.
What is the Difference Between the Colored Caps for Replacements?
There are different color caps to represent different types of blades. These are just for Cricut blade replacements. Finding a general consensus on which color cap means what is a tangled mess (probably because of 3rd party manufactured blade replacements)
White – premium fine-point replacement blade (1.1 mm) packaging says for Explore machines but it also works in the Maker
Red – also a premium fine-point (formerly called German carbide premium) use with all machines
Grey – Fine Point Blades (1.1 mm) packaging says for Explore machines, works in the Maker too
Black – Deep-Point replacement
Pink – Bonded Fabric blade replacement
All the other replacement pieces are fairly obvious and easy to sort out. It is just the blade inserts that seem to be a nightmare!
Where Can I Buy the Blades?
Blades are available online through the Cricut website. You can also purchase the blades at different craft and hobby stores such as Hobby Lobby, Michael’s and JoAnn’s. It is even possible to buy the blades at Walmart.
Amazon is another online source that offers blades and quick shipping if you are in a rush!
What are the Different Types of Blade Accessories?
There are 9 different blades and tips that can be used with the Cricut Maker. Only 3 of them can be used with the other Cricut machines.
If you are still on the fence about buying a Cricut machine and you aren’t sure which one you want, I would suggest the Maker. More blades. More materials to cut. And it is the design that they will be making all future blades and modifications too.
Fine Point Blade
This is the main Cricut blade. It is the most common and the one that is used for the most general materials. It is available with all Cricut machines. It is made from German carbide (which is why you can still find the replacement blades with this name). The housing and blade are highly durable and made from high-quality cutting materials.
This is the Cricut blade for vinyl and that you will use the most if you are interested in cutting vinyl with your machine.
These blades are angled at 45 degrees (usually)
The housing used to be silver (you might still have a machine with that color housing) and you can now buy it in a golden metallic color. Use any of the fine point blade replacements with this housing.
What Can I Cut with the Fine Point Blade?
- Cardstock
- Canvas
- Faux Leather (Paper Thin)
- Iron-on or also HTV (Heat transfer vinyl)
- Light Chipboard
- Washi Tape
- Parchment Paper
- Printer Paper
- Vellum
- Vinyl: Glitter vinyl, printable, outdoor, holographic (most used of the Cricut blades for vinyl)
Bonded Fabric Blade
This is the third blade that can be used with any Cricut machine. It is designed to cut fabric and only fabric. You have to make sure that the fabric you cut with this blade is bonded to a backing material.
Because of the way this blade slices through the fabric it needs to be supported by another material. If the fabric is not bonded, it will stretch and tear. You won’t get the cut you want!
Color coordination is easy with this one as well. Pink blade. Pink housing. And you can also use the pink mat if you have it. If not, a green one will work just as well.
What Can I Cut with the Bonded Fabric Blade?
- Burlap
- Cotton
- Denim
- Felt
- Oil Cloth
- Polyester
- Silk
Deep Point Blade
This is the blade that you use to cut a thicker material like leather, corrugated paper or craft foam. This blade is also available for use with any of the Cricut machines (notice that it does NOT have the gold metal gears on the top).
This blade is angled at 60 degrees so that it can slice deeper into a material.
The replacement blade for this housing is black (color coordination makes this one easy to replace!)
What Can I Cut with the Deep Point Blade?
- Aluminum Foil
- Corrugated Paper
- Craft Foam
- Genuine Leather
- Metallic Leather
- Magnetic Sheet – 0.6mm
NOTE: The following blades are all made for the Cricut Maker only. You can tell that it is a blade and housing for the Cricut by the gold gears on the top of the housing. They all work with the Adaptive Tool System that the Maker employs.
Knife Blade (Cricut Maker Only)
This blade is what the Cricut Maker is all about. It changes the machine from just a paper or vinyl cutting machine into a true “making” machine.
Using the purple mat (strong grip mat) and the knife blade, you can cut materials for hobbies such as making car or plane models, costuming, and more!
What Can I Cut with the Knife Blade?
- Balsa – 1/16 in & 3/32 in
- Basswood – 1/16 in & Basswood – 1/32 in
- Heavy Chipboard – 2.0mm
- Mat-board 4 Ply
- Tooling Leather
Rotary Blade (Cricut Maker Only)
The Rotary blade cuts through most fabrics without having to bond them. Cut fabrics on the pink Cricut mat (you can read my post all about Cricut mats here!)
This blade is usually included with the Cricut Maker which saves you about $45. All the other blades are in that price range unless you can find them on sale.
One limitation with this blade is that the cut size needs to be less than 3/4 of an inch. Anything smaller than this might not cut well and it will shorten the life of the blade.
What Can I Cut with the Rotary Blade?
- Bamboo Fabric
- Bengaline
- Canvas
- Cashmere
- Chiffon
- Corduroy
- Cotton
- Denim
- Felt
- Fleece
- Gauze
- Lycra
- Microfiber
- Nylon
- Silk
QuickSwap Tips and Blades
The following blades have a housing that allows you to remove the tip and replace it with a different cutting blade. You only need to purchase one QuickSwap housing and from there you can just purchase the tips (this saves you money, honey).
Perforation Blade and QuickSwap Tip (Cricut Maker Only)
Have you ever wanted to make tearable raffle tickets and coupons? Well, now you can! This blade lets you create projects with a tear apart line.
What Can I Cut with the Perforation Blade?
- Acetate
- Cardstock Glitter
- Cardstock Heavy Cardstock
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Craft Foam
- Faux Leather (Paper Thin)
- Felt
- Foil Acetate
- Glitter Craft Foam
- Iron-On
- Metallic Poster Board
- Plastic
- Tooling Leather – 2-3 oz. (0.8 mm)
- Vellum
Engraving Blade and QuickSwap Tip (Cricut Maker Only)
An engraving tip gives you the ability to use your Maker like a router. You don’t have to worry about trying to write with a steady hand while holding onto a Dremel tool anymore.
Engrave images into keychains, bracelets, dog tags, leather, and more!
What Can I Cut with the Engraving Blade?
- Acetate
- Acetate Foil
- Anodized Aluminum
- Brass
- Bronze
- Faux Leather (Paper Thin)
- Garment Leather – 2-3 oz. (0.8 mm)
- Genuine Leather
- Stainless Steel
- Tooling Leather
- Vellum
Debossing Blade and QuickSwap Tip (Cricut Maker Only)
Have you ever run a piece of cardstock through a die-cut machine with an embossing folder? Well, now your Cricut can do the same thing (you might have to play with some negative and positive space to make that work). Debossing is the process of pressing the material in or denting it. The other side would be raised or embossed. That is why you want to think about the space you are actually debossing because you can totally flip it and turn it into an embossed pattern!
NOTE: Embossing and debossing are the processes of creating either raised or recessed relief images and designs in paper and other materials. An embossed pattern is raised against the background, while a debossed pattern is sunken into the surface of the material (but might protrude somewhat on the reverse, backside).
What Can I Cut with the Debossing Blade?
- Balsa – 1/16″ (1.6 mm)
- Balsa – 3/32″ (2.4 mm)
- Craft Foam Glitter Cardstock
- Faux Leather (Paper Thin)
- Foil Acetate
- Foil Poster Board
- Genuine Leather
- Heavy Cardstock
- Heavy Chipboard – 2.0 mm
- Kraft Board
- Light Chipboard – 0.37 mm
- Matboard 4 Ply
- Metallic Poster Board
- Poster Board
- Vellum
- Tooling Leather
Wavy Blade and QuickSwap Tip (Cricut Maker Only)
Telling your Cricut to cut a curved line in Design Space is hard. Unless you have another design program to make your images in or you want to fuss around with circles and slicing forever, it just won’t happen.
The Wavy blade does just what its name implies. It cuts curved lines like scallops and rounded corners. And you can use it on fabric!!
What Can I Cut with the Wavy Blade?
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Cotton Denim
- Flannel
- Fleece Fusible Fleece
- Foil Poster Board
- Glitter Cardstock
- Heavy Cardstock
- Kraft Board
- Metallic Poster Board
- Poster Board
Scoring Wheel and QuickSwap Tip (01 and 02) (Cricut Maker Only)
This is probably my favorite tool (after the regular fine point blade). The scoring tool runs a line into your material without actually slicing through the material. This allows you to make crisp folds with precision!
Scoring Wheels come in two types: 01 and 02. Which material you are using will determine which scoring tip you need to use.
Tip 01: this scoring tip is for lighter materials such as paper, pattern paper, and cardstock
Tip 02: this scoring tip is for your heavier materials such as chipboard, glitter cardstock, metallic poster boards, Kraft boards, etc.
What Can I Cut with the Scoring Wheel?
- Cardstock
- Copy Paper
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Corrugated Paper
- Damask Chipboard
- Flat Cardboard
- Foil Acetate
- Foil Kraft Board
- Heavy Chipboard – 2.0 mm
- Kraft Board
- Plastic Packaging
Discontinued Blades
The following blades have been discontinued:
- Standard blade housing
- Scoring tip & housing
- Deep Cut blade & housing
- Cricut Cake blade & housing
Are Cricut Housings Interchangeable?
Deep point, rotary, and knife blades can only be used in their own specific housings.
A Fine Point blade and the Bonded Fabric blade can be used in the same housing (the plain topped one). QuickSwap tools can also use the same housing (these are the Maker only housings with the gold gear top). If you have already bought one of these housings then if you wish, from now on you can just buy the tips to swap out.
How to Replace Cutting Blades
Blade replacement depends on the type of blade. If it is a Fine Point, Deep Blade, or Bonded Fabric blade you will push down on the top of the housing (there is a little plunger at the top). Pushing this plunger will slide the blade out of the housing and make it so you can pull the old blade out. You might have to give it a small tug, there is a magnet in there that holds the blade to the top of the housing.
Carefully remove the plastic cover on your new blade replacement. Push the plunger on the housing and insert the blades dull end into the housing. Release the plunger and the magnet and housing will pull the blade into place.
With the Rotary and Knife blades, it can be a little more tricky. You will probably want to Google a few YouTube videos to see the process in action. It is better than trying to describe it in words!
QuickTips are easy to replace. You just unscrew the tip and screw a new tip on!
It really isn’t hard to change a Cricut blade. Just be patient with yourself and be careful.
How Long will a Blade Last?
How many projects are you working on? What types of materials are you cutting? It really isn’t possible to give a definitive answer to this question because your crafting habits are going to be different than mine. And different from anyone else.
What you cut will have an impact on your blade’s life. The frequency of use will wear a blade out faster than if you were only making one project a month. Your personal preference for taking care of your tools and materials will also have an impact on the blade’s life.
Cardstock and paper are more rough on a blade than vinyl. If you are only cutting vinyl and heat transfer vinyl you are going to get more life out of your Cricut blades!
Sharp blades make clean cuts. If your blade starts to tear up your materials, the first thing you want to do is check and make sure little bits of material haven’t gotten caught up in the blade housing around the blade. If you have cleaned it and tried a Cricut hack for sharpening the blade, then it is probably time to replace the blade.
How to Store Your Cricut Housings and Blades
There is storage built right into your Cricut machine. The Maker has even more storage on the left side and there is an SVG file on Etsy that you can make a tool holder that fits into that space to hold your different blade housings.
I have a drawer under my Maker that I put a divided storage box in. I can move the dividers around to change the size of the space. I just make compartments that are a decent size for a blade housing. I tear off the top of the blade packaging so that I know the name of the blade at a glance and put that paper at the bottom of the space. The blade just rests right on top of the cardboard that tells me which blade it is.
You could also label a container for each blade, a section of a divider, or have a 3D holder printed.
Problem Solving
Before you change out a blade, you will want to look at a few things that may be causing issues.
Is your Cricut mat not holding your material steady? You may need to wash your Cricut Mat or it may be time to replace the mat.
If your blade is not cutting through the material, is dragging across the top of it, or is cutting too deep, check your settings. Did you choose the correct material? Did you change your settings for a custom material and then forget to change them back?
Phew!!
That was a ton of information about Cricut blades. Hopefully, you found some useful information and had a question or two answered. If you didn’t see your specific question, please don’t hesitate to post a comment or email me. I’m happy to help!
Cricut Blades
You have done all your research on which Cricut machine to buy, but you still need to learn a thing or two about Cricut blades. Look no further. This post will cover everything you need to know (or at least most of it). Use this list to finalize your Cricut blade collection.
Currently, there are seven types of blades and three other crafting tools available:
Fine Point blade – Golden/Silver
Deep Point blade – Black
Bonded Fabric blade – Pink
Rotary blade – Cricut Maker only – Silver
Knife blade – Cricut Maker only – Silver
Perforation blade w/ Quick Swap tip – Cricut Maker only – Silver
Wavy blade w/ Quick Swap tip – Cricut Maker only – Silver
Debossing tip w/ Quick Swap end – Cricut Maker only – Silver
Engraving tip w/ Quick Swap end – Cricut Maker only – Silver
Scoring Wheel w/ Quick Swap end – Cricut Maker only – Silver
I took my blade housing apart and not sure the proper way to put it back together ?
Hello Danielle,
I am not sure I can help you with this. I’ve never taken apart a blade housing so I’m not sure what you need to put it back together (or if that is even a possibility: dependent on how you took it apart).
You could try and contact Cricut support and see if they can walk you through your repair.
Rhoda