Which One Should I Use?? Silhouette Blades and Tools Explained

Let's explore all of the blades and tools available for use with the Silhouette machines! Whether you're running an older model Silhouette, or the latest Cameo 5, Portrait 4, or Curio 2 - you have a lot of options, and you want to be sure that you are using the right tool for the job at hand!
Be sure to leave any questions in the comment section, or join the Silhouette Success Facebook group for more in-depth answers and conversations.
/ silhouettesuccessmembers
You can find all of the blades, tools, and accessories in the video linked below.
Autoblade - amzn.to/42UC0U3
Manual Blade 1mm - amzn.to/3T8WtRX
Manual Blade 2mm - amzn.to/49rW6HJ
Kraft Blade 2mm - amzn.to/3wn16yK
Kraft Blade 3mm - amzn.to/3SOuK7r
Rotary Blade - amzn.to/3UOhsKV
Tool Adapter set - amzn.to/42Q0SMU
Pen Adapter Set - amzn.to/42MF1Wl
Heat Pen Set - amzn.to/49jWCaT
Debris Tray - amzn.to/3I5uJaz
Punch Tool - amzn.to/3OMF9zC
Leather Punch Tool - www.silhouetteamerica.com/sho...
Embossing Tool Set - www.silhouetteamerica.com/sho...
Embossing Mat - www.silhouetteamerica.com/sho...
Power Engraver - www.silhouetteamerica.com/sho...

[@Nancy-rq2hs]

Thanks for this very specific video.

[@donaldbadger9707]

Thank you for your great video on which tools go with each machine very informational.

[@DebbieLukasDesigns]

Thank you for sharing such great information, I am new to silhouette (portrait) and have a lot to learn, but I’m looking forward to making the most out of it ❤

[@silhouettesuccess]

You're going to have so much fun!! 🥰

[@coloredpencil-charcoal]

Thank you so frustrating to try to find which blade to use when you are a new user

[@silhouettesuccess]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@Salialto]

Thank you! I love the embossing tool. I didn't get the mat, as I only use the embossing tool for scoring. I much prefer a dented score to the default cut score.

[@silhouettesuccess]

I really need to work with the embossing tool. I bought it, then life got hectic and I put it away.

[@edwardholmes91]

That's really interesting to hear... I'm currently trying to decide if I want to get the embossing tool or not. I bought the Cameo 5 with the intention of making polyhedra and have done lots of craft projects with it, but still not taken the plunge and tried to make a polyhedron yet! I might just try scoring with the regular blade, making a partial cut, but I feel like using the embossing tool may be better for creating fold lines in cardstock?

[@Salialto]

@@silhouettesuccess It's great! Make sure you don't make the speed too fast. I was doing that in the beginning (before Silhouette added parameters for it in the software). It caused the machine to stutter and then the autoblade in carriage 1 would get out of whack and cut in wrong spots. It turned out the speed was the issue. Now that I know that and have made adjustments, I love it!

[@Salialto]

@@edwardholmes91 I think a dented score looks so much nicer, especially if your cardstock is not solid core.

[@silhouettesuccess]

@@Salialto oh. Thank you!! I was struggling with the settings when I put it away. It's good to know that there's a starting point in the software now.

[@ThriveTrailP]

I am still trying to figure out if I should get the Cameo 4 plus 15"cutter or the Cameo 5 12" cutter I just can't afford the 5 plus but wouldn't want to miss out on the new tech or a bigger size cutter 🤷🏻 any suggestions?

[@edwardholmes91]

Thanks for the detailed explaination of all the different tools. I'm a new user of the Cameo 5 and it's really helpful, because there's a lot to learn! I'm interested to learn more about the embossing tool and mat. I'm trying to decide if I need one for making polyhedra nets, or if I can get away with lightly scoring the cardstock or just using dashed lines.

[@silhouettesuccess]

I'm not a fan of the perforated score lines personally, but I would play around with the options before investing in the embossing tool if that is the only thing that you would be using it for. I need to play around with the tool before I put out a video on it, but I think it might be good for scoring? Life got crazy right after I bought it and I put it away instead of getting frustrated with it.

[@edwardholmes91]

@@silhouettesuccess Thanks for the info... you're right, I think I'll play with what I've got for now. I got the Cameo 5 with the intention of making polyhedra and I've loved every minute of it, making cards and craft projects, but still not made a polyhedron yet... not even something simple, like an icosahedron!

[@silhouettesuccess]

I had to look up a polyhedra 😅They look like a lot of fun to make - I might give it a try, myself!

[@edwardholmes91]

@@silhouettesuccess They are good fun! I'd recommend starting out with something fairly simple to start with, maybe aset of platonic solids (tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, dodecahedron and icosahedron) before moving onto the more complex, e.g. stellated models.

[@LeslieGrantlovefaithhope]

@@silhouettesuccess do you mind sharing the. Link to this webpage -the compatibility chart. I went to that URL and it’s not the same as in your video. I know SA is working on the website and store.

[@alittlecherry188]

I love your ombre blade box. Where did you get it?

[@silhouettesuccess]

I made it! 😊 This video has the design store# and shows the process. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpekampoqbdjhac

[@Salialto]

Oh - I don't know if the experience would be the same on the Cameo 5 as it is on the Cameo 5 Plus (I have the Plus version), but I bought the punch tool, and it was punching too high and ruining my vinyl, because it was punching in spots that were not supposed to be weeded out. I contacted support and they had me send in the machine and they sent me a replacement. Same exact issue. They are now researching it and I hope they will fix it one day. But in the meantime, you might hold off on the punch tool. Although it's cheap enough if you want to experiment. Supposedly, you can etch with it on the Cameo 5. I haven't tried it.

[@silhouettesuccess]

You are full of good information!! I'll hold off. I think it has been removed from the Silhouette shopping page. I had to search for it on the site.

[@kreativenotions226]

I have a Cameo 4 Plus. I cut a lot of rhinestone flock; how do you clean the blade?

[@silhouettesuccess]

Unscrew the little white cap from the blade with the white plastic tool that came with the machine, then carefully remove any debris. You can use a cotton swab with some rubbing alcohol to remove sticky residue, then replace the cap. You want to get it tight, but not too tight. It will crack the housing if you put too much pressure on it.

[@rachitdedhia]

Does the kraft blade 3mm attaches directly to cameo 5 or does it require an adapter?

[@silhouettesuccess]

It goes in carriage 2. No adapter needed.

[@paulmcmullan8498]

Can you use the engraving power tool to engrave on glass??

[@silhouettesuccess]

I'm not sure. If you attempt it, I would definitely advise using all of the safety gear!

[@TheSlimHim]

Can the cameo 5 engrave? Is that the same as etching? I read somewhere there was a software update that allowed for this.

[@silhouettesuccess]

The Cameo 5 can emboss. Only the Curio should be used for engraving.

[@TheSlimHim]

@@silhouettesuccess Thank you for the reply! Since making the original comment I have found 3rd party engraving tools for Cameo 5 by Zoom. Any reason to avoid those?

[@silhouettesuccess]

​@TheSlimHim I've heard people use it successfully. Just know that it will void your warranty.

[@TheSlimHim]

@@silhouettesuccess Oooh had no idea about it voiding the warranty!

[@PaulaFlavia1]

What About the Sillhouete SD Cutter Craft?

[@silhouettesuccess]

I actually had to look that machine up! There's a brand new on for sale on my FB marketplace. I was tempted to buy it. Are you using one?

[@gabys9197]

Can the silhouette cut 2 or 3 mm acrylic / plexiglass ??

[@silhouettesuccess]

No. It can only engrave it.

[@gabys9197]

@@silhouettesuccess ahh. I saw a video of someone cutting thin acrylic with the cricut. There’s absolutely no way to do it with the cameo? thanks!

[@silhouettesuccess]

@gabys9197 not that I'm aware of. I'm pretty sure it would void the warranty if anything went wrong. But then again, I don't think Cricuts are really made to do this, either. People like to push these machines past their limits. You really should consider a laser to cut acrylic.

[@gabys9197]

@@silhouettesuccess i know its just so out of my budget. Do you have any tutorials on what i can use the rotary tool on the cameo 5 for ?

[@silhouettesuccess]

@gabys9197 I don't. A fabric tutorial is on the list, but I haven't got to it yet. I feel like I'm not being much help to you at all right now.