Chinese Paper Cutting Tools

• Chinese paper cut designs as decorative art on wine glasses Henry Gan/Photodisc/Getty Images

  The art of Chinese paper cutting originated centuries ago in Northern China. Ancient paper cuttings often were symbols used during ceremonies to honor the dead. It is a technically challenging art form. To correctly practice this art, it is required that only one cut is made for the whole design. Because of this, the tools are very basic.

Cutting Board

• While practicing Chinese paper cuts, especially if you are working with a knife, you will need a cutting board. These boards are available at craft specialty shops and have a clay texture that is soft enough to not damage the knives used. Another method is to cover a wooden cutting board with beeswax.

Knives

• Chinese paper cuts can be created using simple razor blade style knives, but in China, the artist creates his own knife using bamboo and pieces of metal. It is important that sharp blades are used to produce the best quality cut.

Scissors

• Scissors are another paper cut tool, and is the method the most skilled artisans prefer. You can use small or large scissors, but smaller scissors allow for smaller cuts. Make sure the scissors are sharp. If you are creating only one or two paper cuts, this is the best tool to use.

Paper

• Of course, there can be no Chinese paper cut art without paper. Xuan paper is said to be the best for paper cutting, and is often mistaken for rice paper. Xuan paper is made from pine trees and not rice fibers, and the best hails from its namesake, Xuan City. It is available in a variety of colors.