Types of CNC Knife Blades and What They Cut
If you're using a CNC router, you probably already know the power and precision it brings to your production. But when it comes to working with soft, thin, or flexible materials, a router bit isn’t always the best tool.
That’s where CNC knife blades come in.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common types of knife blades used with CNC machines, what they’re used for, and how to choose the right blade for your application.
Why Use a Knife Blade Instead of a Router Bit?
- Cleaner cuts on soft or delicate materials
- Less material tearing or burning
- Faster cutting speeds on certain jobs
- Expanding your CNC machine’s capabilities
By using the right knife blade, you can improve edge quality, reduce waste, and offer new services to your customers.
Oscillating Knife Blade
Best for: Foam, cardboard, corrugated plastic, rubber, felt, and soft gasket material.
How it works: The blade moves up and down rapidly (oscillates), which lets it slice through soft materials cleanly instead of crushing or tearing them.Drag Knife Blade
Best for: Vinyl, stickers, rubber, cardboard, thin plastics, and reflective materials.
How it works: A drag knife pivots freely and follows the motion of the machine as it “drags” across the material—similar to a utility knife, but automated and precise.
V-Cut Knife Blade
Best for: Foamboard, fiberboard, and packaging prototypes.
How it works: This blade allows angled cuts (like 45°) to create folds in materials—perfect for 3D packaging, signage, or structural displays.
Tangential Knife Blade
Best for: Tough or thick materials like leather, carpet, gasket, hard rubber, and composites.
How it works: Unlike a drag knife, a tangential blade rotates with the help of a servo motor. It lifts and repositions to maintain clean, controlled cuts—ideal for intricate patterns in dense materials.
How to Choose the Right CNC Knife Blade
Here are three quick questions to ask:
- What material are you cutting? Each blade has a material sweet spot.
- What’s the thickness and density? Thicker or tougher materials may need a tangential knife.
- What machine are you using? Make sure the blade is compatible with your CNC router brand (e.g., Zünd, Summa, MultiCam, Kongsberg).
Need help? Check out our CNC Knife Blade Collection for machine-compatible options.
🛒 Shop CNC Knife Blades at CNC Router Store
We carry a range of high-performance knife blades, including:
All blades are compatible with top CNC router brands like Zünd, Summa, Esko, MultiCam, Kongsberg
💬 Need Help?
Not sure which blade to use? contact our team—we’re here to help you choose the best blade for your application.
