hot knife buying advice?

By accident I recently discovered that a simple snap-blade box knife works better than a roller cutter on silnylon. Surprise. Searing is rarely very useful and there is always the danger of melting lightweight fabric too far.

I think the issue of blade losing heat quickly can be addressed by using a hotter (watt++) knife. Heat loss is proportional to area of contact. When using a knife edge vs knife tip, you either need a MUCH hotter knife or you cut slowly. Hot knife like the ones used by professionals for cutting synthetics are hotter and also much more expensive.

>That way it either cuts due to the heat or not at all.

Thats a good trick.

Joe, thanks for sharing this interesting info.

Chris, I have used an impulse sealer similar to the one you link to at Harbor Frieght to seal tyvek. It does work. Tyvek is a PE and heat seals easily.