Safe-Saw

This is not a cutting blade! There are no sharp edges, which means it will not cut with the material laid flat (as you would with a box cutter).

The Makedo Safe-Saw is independently tested to meet international toy safety standards for children aged 3+.

This 'saw' works differently to a carpentry saw or cutting knife, because there are no sharp edges.

The smooth teeth of the Safe-Saw move through the cardboard by making small micro-tears, rather than cutting through as would happen when using a sharp blade.

So by leaning down/forwards in the direction of the sawing motion, more accurate and controlled force can be applied.

The roughened edge that is created by the Safe-Saw is in fact a safety feature!

Because the edge of the cardboard has been softened, the risk of paper cuts is significantly reduced.

This is of benefit when making wearable creations and also structures to crawl through and play inside.

The Safe-Saw features graded serrations to allow sawing through any thickness of cardboard.

Use the small teeth on thinner cardboard for more control. You will also get a cleaner cut edge.

Use the larger teeth on thicker cardboard or if you want a faster, rougher cut.

Depending on the situation, it can help to support the cardboard when using the Safe-Saw.

Try using a table edge for stability and control when cutting flat sheets.

Also experiment with the cardboard held vertically. This can be done by an assisting maker or by the active maker themselves.

We recommend that the maker stands above the material that is to be cut, and leans into the saw with their bodyweight rather than rapidly pulling back and forth using arm strength alone.

This works in the child's favour in multiple ways. Kids often over-estimate their own arm strength!

Slow and steady will be more effective than moving at super-speed.

The Safe-Saw is intended for larger forms, and works best on larger surfaces down to about 2-inches in width.

We like to advise younger makers to try to keep the shapes they are cutting out at a size that is larger than their own hand.

If a younger maker is having trouble getting through the cardboard, try to score a line using the Fold-Roller, or punch a row of holes along the line of your cut with the spike at the end of the handle, about 1-inch apart.

Then use the Safe-Saw to "join the dots" as you cut.

When to use a cutting guide line:

The cutting guide line works well for straight and curved cuts, as well as cutouts such as holes, windows or doors.

If you are cutting a line away from an edge, reverse the Safe-Saw to punch a hole or two where you want to start the cut line and wiggle the rounded Safe-Saw tip into the hole/s to start your cut.

Where would you use this technique?

Think about cutting out windows or doors, eyes on a robot or a slot for a mailbox.

Depending on the cardboard you are using, the edge of your cut can be ragged or messy-looking.

It's super easy to fix this - just pick off the loose scraps along the edge (you can use your fingers!) for a cleaner, neater outcome.

Keep your making safe by never pulling or pushing the Makedo tools towards the face of an active maker.

The Makedo Safe-Saw was specifically designed to enable children to cut cardboard easier and safer than with traditional classroom tools such as blades or scissors.

The full Makedo range is independently safety tested to an age grading of 3+ and complies with the following international toy standards:

• ASTM F963
• Canada Toys Regulations SOR
• EU REACH / EN71
• AS/NZS 8124

We have multiple international stock locations: Utah USA, Ontario Canada, Bristol UK, Saujon France, Melbourne Australia, Sydney Australia, and Hong Kong (close to where Makedo is made).

Orders for US destinations ship locally from Utah.

Orders for Canadian destinations ship locally from Ontario.

Orders for UK and IE destinations ship locally from Bristol.

Orders for EU destinations ship internationally (within the EU) from Saujon.

Orders for Australian destinations ship locally from Melbourne and Sydney.

Orders for NZ destinations ship from Sydney Australia.

All other orders ship internationally from Hong Kong.

The amount of Makedo you need depends on the number of people who will be working with Makedo at any given time and also the scale of what they are working on. As a rough guide we recommend the following: 

1-2 makers: 1x Explore kit (50 pieces)

2-5 makers / family group: 1x Discover kit (126 pieces)

12-24 makers / classroom: 1x Invent kit (360 pieces)

Top up your collection:
Additional packs of Makedo Scru connectors and individual tools are also available from our online store. 

What can you make? What can't you make! 

With Makedo cardboard construction tools, makers of all ages can join cardboard together quickly, cleanly and easier than ever before.

To see some of the fantastic ideas for creations from Makedo makers across the globe, head to our Inspiration HUB.

Delivery to USA:
Standard shipping orders are dispatched from Utah in 1-3 business days and generally arrive  between 4-8 days from dispatch. 

Delivery to Canada:
Orders are dispatched within 1-3 business days and generally arrive between 7-14 business days from dispatch. 

Please Note:
Shipping times are estimates only. Once your parcel has shipped it becomes the responsibility of the courier service.

All other regions:

Need to know more?
For all the details head to the Shipping information page.

No, we only sell the tools for cardboard construction - to safely cut and connect.

In the spirit of making do, you need to find the cardboard locally.

Here are a few ideas for where to find good cardboard:

- In your home recycling bin
- At the grocer
- At the hardware store 
- Near the loading bay at most supermarkets 
- From picture framers
- At bicycle and appliance stores  
- At second-hand box suppliers 
- At cardboard recycling plants 
- From cardboard manufacturers

Anyone over the age of four can Makedo. If you are able to imagine that a cardboard box can be something other than ‘a box', then you have just earned your License to Makedo!

General recommendations:

Children aged 4+ can make with the assistance of an adult.
Children aged 7+ can make independently.
Children 3 years or younger are not advised to have unsupervised access to Makedo.

Older siblings, parents, neighbours and friends are all encouraged to join in too!