Look in any home or industrial toolbox and sooner or later you'll find a utility knife. More versatile than a hammer, this powerhouse tool is used for almost any material you can think of. Although the utility knife definition technically extends to some specialty knives such as linoleum cutters, most people use the term to mean a broader-use tool. In fact, a utility knife (also known as a box cutter, folding knife, carpet knife or pen knife) is defined by its versatility. Whereas most knife designs have specialty applications—think hunting knives or surgical scalpels—a utility knife is meant to be multipurpose.
Some typical utility knife uses include:
When you’re looking for the best multi purpose knife, you need to evaluate its design approach to effectiveness and safety. There are two ways that manufacturers address these issues: with handle design and with blade design.
Each type of knife has different strengths and weaknesses, so the best utility knife for the job often depends on the job itself. Most people, when they buy a utility knife, only look at its handle design. It’s important to consider blade design, too, but here is a summary of the pros and cons of common handle types.
As the name suggests, these knives have a single blade that stays in the same position as you cut. They're further divided into three subgroups:
Strengths
Weaknesses
One of the first safety features to revolutionize utility knife handles was the retractable blade. Auto-retract knives expose their blade as long as the user holds down a button or slider. Once the slider is released, a spring-loaded mechanism automatically pulls the blade into its casing. This innovation reduces user error between cuts, no longer relying on the user to remember to retract the blade for safe storage.
The latest advance in retractable blades adds another layer of safety. In the new model of self-retracting utility knife, the blade senses when it has lost contact with the cutting material and retracts automatically, even if the user is still holding the button or slider down. This prevents accidents if the user slips while cutting.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Other handle features to consider include blade storage (some knives store replacement blades right in the handle) and knife storage. A tool is only useful if you can find it. Look for some kind of utility knife holder, lanyard hole, or other storage option.
Ergonomics are another important component of handle design. Look for evidence that the knife manufacturer has considered the ergonomic impact of its design.
The blades themselves are often overlooked when users evaluate knives, but what cuts you: the handle or the blade? The best utility knife blades combine safety and longevity in their materials and design.
Everyone is familiar with these because for a long time, they were the only option on the market. The metal used is typically a variety of steel.
Strengths
Weaknesses
These blades (which actually represent a subcategory of traditional metal utility knife blades) are originally a Japanese invention and consist of a thin razor-like blade with several scores across its width. Once the edge of the exposed blade becomes dull, the user can snap it off, revealing a new sharp edge. Each blade contains several snap-off sections, meaning the entire blade is replaced less often.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Although several varieties of ceramic blades exist, Slice is the first company to bring safety to ceramics with our patented finger-friendly grind.
Strengths
Weaknesses
The cost of lacerations from workplace utility knives doesn’t stop with medical bills. In fact, OSHA estimates that a laceration injury costs the average company over $40 000 in direct and indirect costs. That doesn’t include costs that are difficult to quantify, such as lowered morale. No matter what tools you choose, it’s crucial to train workers how to use a utility knife properly, as well as when to use a utility knife and when to choose a specialty tool.
Safety Issues to Consider
When you’re trying to find who makes the best utility knife for your application, always include safety in your evaluation. After all, when a number of safer choices are available, there’s no need to settle for one or the other. Why use a utility knife that’s effective but unsafe?