What are the best tools to cut wooden parts such as planks for a period ship ?

Wooden parts supplied with some kits can be quite thick and can offer significant resistance when a standard hobby knife is used to cut them. Additionally, modellers may have to contend with the inherent grain of the wood which can also make cutting complicated.

Perhaps the best tool to use for cutting precision wooden parts is a razor saw. Many hobby shops will supply these as standard. They are durable precision tools that can be purchased reasonably cheaply and inevitably will be versatile enough to be used in a wide variety of modelling projects. Many hobby knives will be supplied with a selection of blades. These are likely to offer a choice of teeth count per inch. Blades with a low tooth count are good for general-purpose use, those with a high count offer greater precision and a tidy, clean cut.

When using a razor saw it is helpful to get the alignment just right. One thing that can help with this is a mitre box. These are aluminium boxes that have pre-cut grooves at specific angles. These grooves are specifically designed for razor saws and will ensure a clean and tidy cut.

Regular use can easily dull the teeth on the blades of a razor saw. To help with blade longevity it is important to clean the blade after use to remove any debris that can accumulate. Regular cleaning of the blade with bees wax will also help protect the blade teeth ensuring a smoother and more efficient cut.