straight-edges

• Advice on how to make cuts with a straight-edge and utility knife. This is really good advice: [1] [2]
  • more background reading [1] [2] [3]
  • loooottts of cutting tips, doing precision work and sometimes using a scalpel (YouTube playlist)
  • there are a number of specialty blade-cutters when doing more precise cuts on thinner materials [2] [3] [4] [5]
  • of course, people use rotary cutters with fabric and paper

Cutting specific types of materials:

• 1" foam — [1]
• foam-core — [1] [2]
• mat board — [1] [2]
• EVA foam — [1]^†
• drywall — score and snap
• plywood — score and snap, score and snap
• tile backer board — score and snap
• sheet metal — [1] [2]
• leather — [1]^†
• fabric — [1] ⇐ there's some great advice in that video

† Look ma, no straight-edge!