X-Cut

X-Cut

v. To rapidly open a CASE by cutting the top in an “X” shape, from corner to opposite corner in both directions. —n. Such an X-shaped CUT. See also BASE-CUT, BOX CUTTER, H-CUT, LIFT-CUT, PEEK-CUT, SHARK-CUT, STACK-CUT, TAPE-CUT, TOP-CUT, TRAY-CUT, WINDOW-CUT.

NOTE: Because X-Cuts are fast, they are understandably popular with NIGHT CREW for opening, e.g., 12-pack CASES of cake mixes, etc. Usually there's no more than a light diagonal scoring on any individual BOX top of the PRODUCT inside.

The essential trick is to make sure your KNIFE blade protrudes only very, very slightly beyond the thickness of the CASE'S CARDBOARD top. Otherwise you've just created serious STORE DAMAGE for the RACK. Standard-issue BOX CUTTERS have a preset stop at the appropriate depth.

The one down side is this: if any contents are left over, they now reside in a CASE whose top opening has four huge, pointy and sharp-edged CARDBOARD fangs, just waiting to pierce the next guy. I.e., NIGHT CREW'S X-cuts are not so popular with the dude on DAY-SHIFT who WORKS, say, any X-cut partial CASES left on the SPECIALS RUNNERS.

Well, c'est la vie. It's not going to change. So, just be careful.