American Cutting Edge Blog

As a busy business owner, you probably do not spend much time thinking about your wood chipper blades, until something happens and then that is all you think about. How much should you be paying for chipper blades? Does it matter which supplier you choose?

Your wood chipper is a workhorse, without it, your business does not run. So why not maintain it in the best possible way, starting with the right blades. In this post, we answer a few of the common questions we get from arborists and tree care owner/operators just like you.

Why Do Replacement Wood Chipper Blades Vary Significantly in Price?

First, know that high-quality blades are going to last longer, perform better, and ease the burden on your motor. But that does not mean that your blades should be unreasonably expensive. Before selecting a supplier, check the prices on your exact blades with a few different

At American Cutting Edge, our goal is to make cutting effortless for our customers. We've been working toward an effortless experience since 1965.

The American Cutting Edge website is more than just a place for our valued customers to order replacement blades, knives, and wear parts. AmericanCuttingEdge.com is a true customer portal providing unprecedented ACE experience access.

Here are the top 5 reasons to buy ACE brand knives online

1. Buy on your time

   Our time is more limited than ever in today's busy world. As it is often said, Time is money. Online shoppers don't have to

There are many factors that influence the performance of your wood chipper blades. These range from the material you're chipping to weather and your routine maintenance schedule. It's a well-known fact that hardwoods like red oak and fibrous materials like palm trees can take a heavy toll on blades, making them wear out quickly. Rocks, nails, and fence posts can also decrease the life of your chipper knives in a hurry.

Follow the OEM recommendation for blade maintenance and change for your wood chipper. It doesn't hurt to track the hours between blade changes and the types of wood you're running through your chipper to make sure that you're keeping up with knife changes. This type of historical information helps keep tree care professionals prepared to avoid unpleasant surprises when it comes to the condition of their blades.

Dull Blades – Know the Signs

Even with tracking chipper runtime and materials, awareness of the warning signs of dull

When performing routine maintenance on your machinery, evaluating the condition of your industrial knives is a crucial step. Unfortunately, industrial machine knife sharpening often gets pushed aside in favor of other “critical” needs. But neglecting knife maintenance can be a costly—and dangerous—mistake.

It might seem convenient to drop your knives off at a nearby machine shop. After all, they have a grinder, and it’s quick and easy. But here’s the problem: general machine shops typically lack the expertise required to properly sharpen industrial knives. And that lack of specialization can hurt your productivity, safety, and bottom line.

Here are three key reasons why working with a professional knife sharpening service for industrial machines is essential for your operation:

1. Specialized Knowledge Produces Superior Results

Industrial knife sharpening isn’t just about grinding metal. It requires in-depth understanding of

The Manufacturer's Outlook Survey was just released by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) for the fourth quarter of 2023. Once again and without surprise, one of the main concerns of the manufacturing industry as we work our way into the first quarter of 2024 is potentially demanding economic conditions.

Even with a decrease in manufacturers' confidence, over 66% of those surveyed see solid demand for their company's products. Workforce challenges continue to be a concern, with 71% of manufacturers having trouble attracting and maintaining qualified candidates.

2024 industrial manufacturing focal points include but are not limited to:

• Talent attraction and retention
• Digital technologies
• Supply chain strategies
• Sustainability and movement to the lowest carbon emissions possible

Three of these

Technology has advanced significantly in industrial knife manufacturing and it's not simply limited to the manufacturing floor. At American Cutting Edge, our consistent goal for over 50-years has been to make cutting effortless through the application of technology to add value to and improve the customer experience.

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently. “ Warren Buffett

In the past several years we've made a number of technological improvements in our business. Some have been behind the scenes like a new accounting system and improved connectivity that allows our sales and administrative work-force to serve customers from their homes during these unprecedented times. Other changes, like our new website, are much more visible. No matter what the purpose, all are designed with one end goal “ to make

Merchandise returns can have a significant impact on a business and its product offering.

From transportation and warehouse costs to restocking and customer service labor, there's no question that the costs associated with returns can add up. These increased costs often lead to higher prices for customers. It's estimated that managing the cost of a return can be from 17 to 30% of the prime cost, which is why many companies issue restocking fees for items that are sent back.

One of the things we speak of often is the importance of measuring blades before you purchase. Many wood chipper

Shear slitting is used in applications that require precision cuts. It is more expensive and difficult to set up than other slitting methods and is commonly used to convert heavy films, foils, paper, layered materials, and composites.

Industrial shear slitting requires two blades, a top blade known as the male knife which is either a dish slitter blade or a top flat slitter blade, and the bottom slitter knife, known as the female knife or anvil.

The male knife is adjusted at the cant angle so that the two blades come into contact at the nip point, like a pair of hand scissors,

We're ushering in a new decade and with that comes insightful thoughts about what's to come in the next 10-years. Like many industries, packaging is forecast to change significantly within the coming years. Some the anticipated shifts are the typical, predictable trends “ pricing pressure and squeezing more margin from the end product. But, others are less foreseeable like the impact of technology and e-commerce on buyer behavior. We're dedicating this blog to unwinding some of the trends industry watchdogs have spotted on the horizon to help you understand how your packaging operation may need to adjust resources to maximize productivity and profitability and how a skilled industrial knife expert like American Cutting Edge (ACE) can help.

1. Shifts in Packaging Industry Growth and Focus

It's estimated that the global packaging industry is worth more than $850 billion USD. And, while North America's portion of anticipated growth