Introduction to Zigong folk paper-cutting tools—carving knife
The ancients said: "If a worker wants to do his job well, he must first sharpen his tools." To make exquisite paper-cut works, the quality of the carving knife is very important. The knives used in Zigong paper-cutting are all made by paper-cutting artists themselves. Main materials: The tip of the knife is ground from the spring of an alarm clock. The handle of the knife is the holder of a writing brush. The handle and the blade are fixed with copper wire.
The carving knives used in most paper-cutting areas in my country have triangular tips. Such tips are not conducive to carving smooth lines and the corners are too large. The paper-cutting artist who is best at making carving knives in Zigong is undoubtedly Lin Liqing. The blades he hand-polished have a curved shape and a sharp and slender tip, which facilitates the cutting edge of the work and can easily carve circular patterns. to perfection. Carving works can easily complete more than thirty layers at a time.
