Best utility knife?

[flexicool]

Long time lurker, but decided to post this after the latest YT short on utility knives.

 

I've previously designed and 3d printed my own utility knife that ticks the following boxes for me...

• one handed operation
• very compact
• it locks open and locks closed
• easy blade changes

See it in action here:

 

I've shared the stl files over here if anyone wants to 3d print their own or run with the ball...

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5230399

 

One day I'd love to see a solid brass version.

 

Cheers.

[Needfuldoer]

My favorite is still the good old Stanley 99A. I've got one in my tool bag that's probably 20 years old. New blades and a very light touch of molybdenum grease on the moving parts will make any example of these work like new.

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-6-in-Classic-Retractable-Utility-Knife-10-099/100000053

 

For a pocketknife though, I like the Victorinox Tinker. (I tried a Deluxe Tinker, but at that many layers it started to feel clumsy. The scissors and pliers were handy though.)

[IPD]

This is one of those instances where I just don't trust 3d printed.  CnC'd, sure, but not printed.  Too many other variables.  I have yet to see tempered steel rendered acceptably with 3d print methods.

 

p.s.

Benchmade

Leatherman

Gerber

[sub68]

PLA is not the best to hold a knife.

as for others.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Gerber-Prybrid-Utility-Knife-Gray--105493

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Edge-Slidewinder-Utility-Knife/dp/B07T8HR38F

[Heliian]

Olfa makes the best utility knives, their blades are fantastic too. 

[IPD]

Ah, seeing this from home now.  I guess my definition of "utility knife" is way off.  I don't carry a box-cutter around as a "utility knife"; that's what a benchmade is for.

 

Box-cutter knife? I just got whatever was in-stock at Home Depot.  That happened to be a Dewalt brand that carries 3 blades internally, and folds for carrying.

[sub68]

On 2/4/2022 at 7:29 AM, IPD said:

I don't carry a box-cutter around as a "utility knife"; that's what a benchmade is

yes and no.

If your processing boxes utilty knifes are better because your not dullying your main knife.

On 2/4/2022 at 7:29 AM, IPD said:

Box-cutter knife? I just got whatever was in-stock at Home Depot

I do have a lenox gold cause it looked beefy.

but as for form factor some people like it small.

[IPD]

If it's occasional use, I can see that.  I have never known someone who uses a box-cutter religiously and on a daily basis--to prefer a small factor though.  That goes for everyone from professional movers to drywall specialists.

[Donut417]

Stay away from the Uline knifes. They are junk, thats what my employer provides. They dont seem to hold up that well. 

[Needfuldoer]

1 hour ago, IPD said:

If it's occasional use, I can see that.  I have never known someone who uses a box-cutter religiously and on a daily basis--to prefer a small factor though.  That goes for everyone from professional movers to drywall specialists.

Yeah, I think there needs to be enough of a handle that you can get a solid grip around it with all four fingers, and actuate the blade mechanism with your thumb. That way you have better control over the blade through leverage (especially as the edge gets dull and it starts trying to kick out of whatever it is you're cutting). Once the handle gets too small, it feels less secure to work with.

 

I have the same complaint with those slide-out steel ones that take a single-edge razor blade, like this one. I think this is about as minimal as a box cutter "should" be:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-6-Blade-Utility-Knife/50299209

 

Or maybe that's just me being a curmudgeon, clinging to decades of experience with the classic Stanley knife.

[it_dont_work]

Classic stanley style, what's more important I find is not using cheap shit blades, I only use one has a general construction/mechanics tool. 

 

if i need some precision i tend to just hold the blade alone in my hand or just use my havalon skinning knife

[Bitter]

https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Quick-Change-Utility-Lock-Back-Folding/dp/B015W3C4Y4/

There's a lot of re-brands on this knife and besides the wood used on the handle I can't find a difference between them. They look nice and presentable, lock firmly, easy to change the blade, and make a nice gift.

[flexicool]

4 hours ago, IPD said:

If it's occasional use, I can see that.  I have never known someone who uses a box-cutter religiously and on a daily basis--to prefer a small factor though.  That goes for everyone from professional movers to drywall specialists.

I suppose it depends on your line of work. I work in IT so use a (mini) box cutter throughout the day for opening router boxes, cutting zip ties, heat shrink tube, etc etc. I'm not a drywaller or carpet installer so prefer something that's compact enough to live in my front pocket versus a heavy duty weapon of mass cutting.

[Ultraforce]

Oh I didn't know that box cutters are called utility knives, I forget what happened but I ended up keeping just the one I got from when I worked at Walmart Canada and since I don't use it very often and like multi use tools it mostly just gathers dust in a tool cabinet.

[IPD]

7 hours ago, bufferout said:

I suppose it depends on your line of work. I work in IT so use a (mini) box cutter throughout the day for opening router boxes, cutting zip ties, heat shrink tube, etc etc. I'm not a drywaller or carpet installer so prefer something that's compact enough to live in my front pocket versus a heavy duty weapon of mass cutting.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Folding-Retractable-Utility-Knife-DWHT10035L/202710473#overlay

 

I have one that folds.

[LAwLz]

Isn't the entire point of these knives that they are cheap? I don't really see the point in having "the best" utility knife. I got one that I bought like 5 years ago for like 2-3 dollars. It's a no-name one with a plastic handle and it works well enough. I don't use it much though. Mostly for opening boxes every once in a while. Maybe you need a better one if you use it a lot. 

[BuckGup]

Check these out https://placedatoms.com/collections/maker-knife-replacement-parts

They are sorta expensive but are some of the highest quality compact utility blade knives you can find. I also suggest swapping to a ceramic blade if you are just opening boxes often.

[BuckGup]

17 minutes ago, LAwLz said:

Isn't the entire point of these knives that they are cheap? I don't really see the point in having "the best" utility knife. I got one that I bought like 5 years ago for about 3 dollars. It's a no-name one with a plastic handle and it works well enough. I don't use it much though. Mostly for opening boxes every once in a while. Maybe you need a better one if you use it a lot. 

I think in this context best doesn't always mean most expensive. Typically though the higher end options have better designs that may functionally work better, last longer, as well as being safer. But that doesn't mean you need a titanium alloy body and ruby blades