If you do your own airplane maintenance, cutting open and inspecting an oil filter is an important step. In this video, KITPLANES Editor-at-Large Paul Dye explains how to do it. Having a purpose-made tool for the job speeds things along and, pro tip, that’s not a hacksaw.
As a retired A&P, during my career I worked at a flight school where cutting open oil filters and examining the element material with a flashlight was and is a good way to see if the engine IS making metal. Great suggestion for pilots performing their oil and filter changes. Globe Valve Diagram
And don’t forget to check the screens…rqd by 14CFR 43 App D…the big chunks are on the screen!
I clip the metal strip holding the ends of the filter elemet with side cutters. and pull out in one continuous piece and examine the side that the filter flows through (outside In I believe) and that way you don’t introduce more potential contaminates onto the element and I always run a magnet along to pick up material, not just when I see a potential issue.
Stop Check Valve The best tool I have found to cut the media out of the housing is a cheap bread knife. Far better and safer than a razor knife.