Best Utility Knife
Having a good utility knife on hand can be useful in a variety of ways. Sure, you can use it to open up boxes that are shipped to you, but you can also use these knives when you are making repairs around the house, when you’re out in the garden, and perhaps even when you’re at work, depending on your job.
Overall, a utility knife can work well in situations when a regular knife, a pocket knife, or scissors simply would not be effective. Also known as a box cutter, this is one tool that every household should consider getting. Basically, you never know when you might need this type of knife, even if you don’t have a use for it just yet. And already having it available at home will definitely be convenient because you won’t have to settle for other knives that may not work as well.
Plus, because these types of knives aren’t expensive, you don’t need to worry too much about how much you’ll need to spend on one to be sure you have it in your toolkit. You might even decide to buy more than one so you can rest assured you’ll always find it easily whenever you need it.
Shopping for a Utility Knife? There Are Things to Think About
When you are shopping for a utility knife, you might think that picking any old product you come across will be just fine. But the truth is that they aren’t all created equal, and the key is to buy the right utility knife that has the features you want at a price that suits your budget.
Some knives have extra features that make them even more versatile beyond merely cutting, and some are made of materials that are more durable so they will last longer and won’t break easily even when used often.
In addition to analyzing the materials and features that make a utility knife tough, versatile, and easy to use, it is wise to check if it is designed with your safety in mind. After all, these knives have blades that can be surprisingly sharp. The last thing that you’d want is to cut and hurt yourself while using the knife for an everyday task or a work-related job. So, as an example, if a product is designed to be easy to grip and hold, that’s definitely beneficial because it can help reduce the risk that the knife will slip out of your hand during use and potentially cause an injury.
Do You Want to Learn About Some of the Top Utility Knives?
Whether you have never thought about owning a utility knife and you would like to learn more about them or you are ready to upgrade your existing utility knife, you might feel a little overwhelmed by the many products that are out there. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone!
To help you shop for a high-quality utility knife, we have compiled the list below, which features items that we think are worth considering. Remember, these knives use removable blades, and they can feature various types of designs, so you have a lot of options that you can choose from.
1. Editor’s Choice: DEWALT DWHT10035L Folding Retractable Utility Knife
If you’re a fan of the DEWALT brand, it is definitely worth seeing what this utility knife has to offer. Its features include a retractable blade and a convenient blade storage area that is built in. The metal body is designed to be durable, and when you need to change the blade, it is quick and easy to do so. Also, this is a folding utility knife that you can open and close easily with just one hand for extra convenience.
Pros:
- This utility knife features a metal body and it comes with three blades.
- This utility knife has a retractable blade, and changing the blade is easy.
- The built-in blade storage and folding design are attractive features of this versatile utility knife.
Cons:
- Some people might find the features of this utility knife a little difficult to use.
2. Runner Up: Swiss+Tech 2-pack Folding Utility Knife Quick-change Box Cutter with Belt Clip
This utility knife from Swiss+Tech is another that is designed to fold and open easily, so if you have struggled with other knives in the past, this might be a better option. It is made of stainless steel for durability, and it is designed to make changing the blade quick and easy. In addition to all of that, this knife is also built to be comfortable to grip as well, which is important because you don’t want to end up hurting yourself while using it. Plus, you can use the belt clip on this utility knife to take it with you and have it ready whenever you need it.
Pros:
- This folding utility knife is designed to be comfortable to grip and hold.
- Replacing the blade whenever necessary is quick and easy.
- For safety, this utility knife has a button lock to keep it closed between uses.
Cons:
- Opening and closing this utility knife with one hand might be difficult.
3. Best Curved: Stanley 10788 Curved Quick-Change Utility Knife
If you prefer using a utility knife that has a curved handle, this one might be exactly what you have been looking for. It is designed to be easy to hold, and the shape might also make it more comfortable to grip during use, helping you maintain greater control to reduce the risk of hurting yourself. Plus, this utility knife is made of tough materials and it features blade storage, so you won’t have to worry about finding yourself with a dull blade that you can’t replace.
Pros:
- This utility knife is made of durable materials and is designed to be easy to grip and hold.
- This utility knife has swing-out blade storage for added convenience.
- This product has an integrated string cutter.
Cons:
- Some customer reviews state that replacing the blade isn’t as easy as they thought it would be.
4. Best with Twin Blade Design: CRAFTSMAN Utility Knife, Twin Blade (CMHT10929)
This utility knife from CRAFTSMAN is a little different from some others on the market because it has a twin blade design. This means that you can select from two blades while using the knife for various tasks, so you won’t need to ensure you have more than one knife on you at all times. You can extend one blade at a time, and you can switch between the two blades as you need to.
Pros:
- This utility knife holds two blades that you can select from, reducing the need to carry multiple knives.
- You get two hooked blades and two straight blades with this utility knife.
Cons:
- Some people might find it hard to change the blades on this utility knife.
5. Best Everyday: Milwaukee 48-22-1501 Fastback Folding Utility Knife with Wire Stripper, Gut Hook, and Quick Blade Change
This folding utility knife has several attractive features that make it worth your consideration. You can open it easily with just one hand, which is convenient. It is made of durable metal, it has a convenient wire belt clip, and it is designed to make it quick and simple to change the blade whenever you need to. Plus, you may find that this product is comfortable to hold, making it easier to use for a variety of tasks.
Pros:
- This utility knife has a wire stripper, gut hook, wire belt clip, and lanyard hole.
- You can quickly and easily open this folding utility knife with one hand.
- This utility knife is designed to be comfortable to grip.
Cons:
- Unlike other utility knives, this one does not have a storage compartment for replacement blades.
6. Best Set: WORKPRO Folding Utility Knife Set
If you would prefer buying more than one utility knife at the same time, this set is worth checking out. You get three folding utility knives, each featuring a different color on the handle. Designed to be comfortable to grip and quick and easy to change the blade whenever necessary, these also come with 10 extra blades. Plus, these knives are made of durable yet lightweight materials. And, when they are folded, they will measure only around 3.25”, so they can fit in your pocket comfortably.
Pros:
- This is a set of three utility knives that fold into a compact size.
- Each of these knives has a belt clip.
- You get 10 extra blades with this set.
- The handle is designed to be comfortable to hold and easy to grip.
Cons:
- These utility knives might be too small for some users.
7. Best Folding: Husky Folding Lock-Back Utility Knife
Another convenient set of utility knives is this one, which gives you three folding knives that all feature the same design. These are made of aluminum, so they are durable and lightweight, and the handle is textured to help you maintain a good grip on the knife while you are using it. In addition to folding into a compact size, these also have a handy belt clip attached to make it easy to carry the knife.
Pros:
- This set of three utility knives is made of aluminum.
- These knives fold into a compact size.
- The handle is textured to be easier to grip and hold without it slipping.
Cons:
- Some customer reviews state that these knives can be hard to open and close.
8. Best Budget Friendly: Amazon Basics Soft Grip Retractable Utility Knife with 3 Blades
If you are shopping on a budget, check out this utility knife from Amazon Basics. Made of durable materials like aluminum and carbon steel, it also has an ergonomic handle that features a soft grip for your comfort. To use, just slide the blade out when you need it and retract it back when you are finished. Plus, this product is designed to make it quick and easy to change the blade whenever necessary, without needing any tools to get the job done.
Pros:
- This utility knife is made of tough materials and is affordably priced.
- The handle of this utility knife is ergonomic and has a soft grip to help ensure you can comfortably and securely hold it during use.
- You get a total of three blades, and you can keep the spare blades in the body of the knife.
Cons:
- This utility knife does not fold like others on this list.
Things to look out for:
When you are on the hunt for a great utility knife that will last a long time, there are a few things that you can consider and some features that you can look for to help ensure you make the right choice. Remember, not all utility knives are created equal. Like so many other products on the market these days, there are pros and cons to weigh as you compare your options, so think about more than just the amount of money that you are willing to spend on this type of knife. To help you get started, here are some things that we recommend you keep an eye out for:
The nice thing about a utility knife is the fact that you can change out the blade whenever you need to. So, if you use it so much that the blade becomes dull, you don’t need to go out and buy a whole new knife. Instead, you can just replace the razor blade to have a nice, sharp blade again. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that one of the first things you should look at when shopping for this type of knife is the type and quality of the blade that it comes with, as well as how easy it will be to change the blade whenever necessary. Some knives have features that make changing the blade quick and easy, while others might require more effort, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Also, as you shop for a utility knife, you will notice that there are different types. First, there is the type that you are probably already pretty familiar with, which is the retractable blade utility knife. This one lets you push the blade out and pull it back in whenever you need to use it. When it is pulled back into the handle, you can feel safe knowing that the blade is not exposed. Then there’s the folding utility knife. Although this type of knife is a bit different, it’s the same in the sense that you can pull the blade out when you need it and then set it back into the handle when you’re done.
Regardless of which type of knife you choose, you want to be sure that it will be easy to use, and that it will be sturdy once the blade is exposed. A blade that isn’t set firmly in place will likely move and wobble too much, and that may make your task much harder than it needs to be. Also, the blade should smoothly move into and out of the handle, and the handle itself should be designed in a way that helps keep your hands and fingers safe from the blade. And if a utility knife’s blade is easy to expose and retract with just one hand, that’s definitely a plus as well.
Speaking of the handle, that’s another feature to look at closely while you are shopping for a utility knife because it can make a big difference in how easy it will be to grip and hold the knife. If you tend to struggle with gripping an object in your hand for any reason, opting for a knife with an ergonomically designed handle may be the best way to go. Many knives also have design features that ensure your fingers will rest in the right position during use so you can keep them safely away from the shape blade.
In addition to how comfortable the handle will be, also consider the material that it’s made of. Popular options include fiberglass and metal, which are known for their durability, but you might also come across products that feature plastic handles. Remember, no matter what, the handle should make it easy and comfortable to grip the knife so you don’t end up accidentally hurting yourself.
Some utility knives come with extra features that add convenience. For example, you can find those that have a clip that you can use to keep the knife on your belt while working on a project that requires easy access to the knife. Others come with built-in wire cutters so you can use this tool in more than one way.
Overall, by considering the quality of the materials that it’s made of, along with the size and shape of the utility knife and its safety features, you can make the buying decision that will meet your needs.
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