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I am brand new to the modeling world and just bought some movement trays for my island of blood starter set.

I got the corner glued on but what is the best tool to cut the straight pieces?

I have a hobby knife but that doesnt really cut too well through the bigger pieces.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

I used to score them with the hobby knife and then snap them, it worked out very well. If those are the trays that already have slightly scored out squares, try it on a small part and see how it goes.

Should you totally enclose the movement trays? Or should you leave the back open to easily remove casualties?

For my IoB set, the calvary fits perfectly and are totally enclose and works great.

Since I didn't cut any of the straight pieces for my infantry I only have the corners on and the models are always sliding all over, very annoying.

I enclosed mine, due to the fact i am sick of my units falling all over after or while i move them. You don't have to, it is not required rules wise or what not, And there is enough material there to make roughly 3 5 long 4 deep trays for a 25mm unit.

Ahhh the straight edges, I get you now. I used a wire clipper. Any decent sized clipper can cut those very neatly

I left the backs off mine, but if you prefer them fully enclosed, go for it!

any preference on wire clipper?

I see people leaving the backs open on their trays. Usually it's so they can add additional models that they don't always put into the unit or to make it easier to arrange their models when they reform the formation.

I'd use a razor saw and mitre box myself.
Takes a couple of seconds with the saw and you get straight cuts.