Want tp upgrade my Exacto utility knife tool.

[Jacobson]

This tool is critical when you need it. To cut off a hose, etc.
I want to upgrade so it doesn't fail at the wrong time.
What do you use?

I currently have this $1 utility knife.
http://www.harborfreight.com/color-snap-blade-utility-knife-60828.html

I also have some very old Stanley thing that has replaceable blades. I have a fixed Stanley. I find it annoying to unscrew the body, position the blade, and then screw it back. (and then undo it when I am done). I think I want retractable.

Like this:

 

[four.cycle]

" X-acto " is the brand name of a particular type of cutting tool.
Often imitated, never duplicated:



I have found those little cutting devices with the snap-away blades, like yours, to be less than reliable.
I don't think a real " X-acto " knife would be suitable for cutting hose - they're designed for lighter work.

The venerable model 99 Stanley cutter with the retractable (and replaceable) blade is probably the way to go.
Other people have tried, but nobody's yet come up with a better one.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

If you like the basic shape of what you have and just want better construction, look at the Olfa 9MM blade knife in stainless steel. It costs roughly 10 x as much, but is made right and is probably the model they used for the plastic junk version.
Extra snap-off blades are cheap and the thing will probably last forever.

 

[rodm1]

Get a scalpel with replaceable blades.

 

[ttpete]

I have Stanley knives in several locations around the house. Extra blades are stored in the handles. I also have a couple of the pocket supermarket box cutters that use Stanley blades.

Gerber makes a nice small inexpensive pocket folder that uses Stanley blades and is all metal. I have one and carry it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RILCLY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[7th Kahuna]

I have three knives that I keep handy. I am never without an old Stanley 299. That is the Stanley utility knife that doesn't retract. Any time a cut requires a lot of pressure, that's the knife I grab. I have had the retractable knife collapse on me too may times. Of course I also keep the Stanley retractable utility knife for convenience. Great for opening boxes, cutting twine, etc. I also keep a traditional X-acto with the 1/4" (or so) barrel. I have modified it slightly. I found a piece of rubber extension cord jacket that revealed the spiral of the 3 wires inside. I removed the wires, cut it to the length of the X-acto barrel and slipped it over. It has worked great and makes holding the knife more comfortable. The X-acto is used for a surprising range of tasks. Basically anything that requires a finer tip or better visibility than I get with the Stanley. Finally, I'm never without a batch of razor blades and a scraper style holder.

 

[akalian]

I've got a couple of these and I like them for light duty work.
http://www.olfa.com/stainless-steel...ty-knife-with-blade-snapper-(svr-2)/5019.html
The blade snapper also has a pocket clip so you can keep it in your shirt pocket.

For heavier duty work I use this one:
http://www.lion-office.com/products/nt/cutter/l_type/l_500.html

 

[Sine Swept]

I consider my OLFA's the good ones. I have a handful of various others that accept raw blades.

 

[gdocktor3]

I work at a hospital and get them for free, but scalpels are nice. Throw away when they're worn down. http://www.ad-surgical.com/medical_...vPyWGcbo8WtkRGzN80BHsaAmFV8P8HAQ#.Ve9suRHBzRY

 

[Fixed]

These are my personal favourite: https://www.amazon.com/Dewalt-Retractable-Utility-Knife/dp/B011OTCYVS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469584682&sr=8-3&keywords=dewalt+utility+knife

 

[Empty Pockets]

The Stanley 10-099 Utility Knife is good, and never fails. A few Christmases ago, I received a Stanley 10-804. It does everything the 10-099 does, plus has a regular knife blade as well.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-Sport-Utility-Outdoorsman-Knife-10-804/15691444

 

[txlch]

I like the Stanley 10-179, easier to find when I set it down somewhere stupid. I've been using the 10-499 lately and the quick blade change has been nice but can't say on how well it holds up long term.

 

[Mastermind]

Olfa is awesome for snap blades, my window tint buddy gave me one.
I carry a Gerber eab. All day everyday.
Serious cutting gets the old fixed blade Stanley.

 

[Adam.C]

FFS. You have the worst knife in the world and you need our advice for an upgrade? Literally every knife except the one that came with your happy meal is better.

Don't feed the ***** troll guys.

 

[Jacobson]

I have a fixed Stanley. I find it annoying to unscrew the body, position the blade, and then screw it back. (and then undo it when I am done). I think I want retractable.

Like this:

 

[pstemari]

I work at a hospital and get them for free, but scalpels are nice. Throw away when they're worn down. http://www.ad-surgical.com/medical_...vPyWGcbo8WtkRGzN80BHsaAmFV8P8HAQ#.Ve9suRHBzRY

That's odd—do scalpels and X-Acto blades use the same numbering system? It would explain all the gaps in the X-Acto numbers.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[four.cycle]

^ that is what I use now. a Stanley model 99A, to be exact.

mine's painted red. blades are available everywhere, which is one of the reasons I like it.

 

[gdocktor3]

That's odd—do scalpels and X-Acto blades use the same numbering system? It would explain all the gaps in the X-Acto numbers.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Yes I think you're exactly right about that. Here's an Xacto set on Amazon with some of numbers that match the scalpels on this page.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004Z2UB/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.ad-surgical.com/medical_...vPyWGcbo8WtkRGzN80BHsaAmFV8P8HAQ#.V5iKFrgrLIV

 

[Hawk]

This has become my stand-bye. It is easy to change blades and does not take up much room.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G3KURI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sberry]

We use these by the dozen. ACE hwd is not the same as a Stanley, do not get it. The models have been changing and they incorporate some features on the basic model which is what we use. If I was a carpet guy or installer I might find a fave but for general work the basic is it and buy a couple while you are at it.

 

[jrobb316]

Go down to your local hombre depot and pick up the yellow and black dewalt knife. Made in USA (with global components I believe). Has a button for quick change of blades and a twine cutter while closed. I have 2, one at home and one at work. Also blade storage in the handle, no tools required. $12 I think, if you're looking for a utility knife that is

 

[dclassical]

This has become my stand-bye. It is easy to change blades and does not take up much room.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G3KURI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I love it as well! Bought it on black Friday last year and I wish I had gotten a second one.

 

[Jacobson]

If you like the basic shape of what you have and just want better construction, look at the Olfa 9MM blade knife in stainless steel. It costs roughly 10 x as much, but is made right and is probably the model they used for the plastic junk version.
Extra snap-off blades are cheap and the thing will probably last forever.

Yes, this seems to be the model the $1 HF version is based on
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006O87O6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jacobson]

I am never without an old Stanley 299. That is the Stanley utility knife that doesn't retract. Any time a cut requires a lot of pressure, that's the knife I grab. I have had the retractable knife collapse on me too may times.

I am tempted to just keep my Stanley 299 and skip the retractable. There is nothing more annoying than putting pressure only to have the blade slip. For the low use frequency, I will just screw the body apart and together to set the blade. It only takes a minute, and I was getting a bit "first world problems"

 

[Jacobson]

Go down to your local hombre depot and pick up the yellow and black dewalt knife. Made in USA (with global components I believe). Has a button for quick change of blades and a twine cutter while closed. I have 2, one at home and one at work. Also blade storage in the handle, no tools required. $12 I think, if you're looking for a utility knife that is

The Kobalt is $18.

The Gerber seems too small and non-ergonomic.

$11 DeWalt seems to be the middle ground
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011OTCYVS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Looks like the DeWalt has a crappy blade changing mech. Tons of complaints.
Plus, I think folding is better than retractable.

 

[Jacobson]

I think this is the winner.
Folding. $15. Great review.
Best of both worlds.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003I85GT6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Kevin54]

I am tempted to just keep my Stanley 299 and skip the retractable. There is nothing more annoying than putting pressure only to have the blade slip. For the low use frequency, I will just screw the body apart and together to set the blade. It only takes a minute, and I was getting a bit "first world problems"

When did the utility knife get so expensive that you can't have more than one? I probably have a dozen around the house and in the garage. I know my wife has three or four. I have both retractable and stationary. Next time you are in Lowes, spend a couple of dollars and by a retractable knife. It's not so confusing that it borderlines rocket science.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

The olde iron bodied Stanley utility knives are the absolute standard for bulletproof...there are several non-retractable ones with different handle patterns, rigid, strong, beyond damage. If you can keep the blade vertical you can use a hammer and drive it through anything. Takes 30 seconds with a coin as screwdriver to change the blade, nothing to go wrong or slip. Only deficit is you don'r want it in your pocket, though Stanley did make a clip to cover the blade.
Retractors are inherently less rigid at the blade. Cutting ability trumps most other features!

 

[jeffmoss26]

I like the Lutz 99 knives from my local hardware stores, imprinted with their name on the handle.

 

[CJM8515]

I like the stanley 99 retractable, or my husky pocket knife type razor.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

What the OP is showing is regular "utility" knife... or "box cutter".

For utility knifes I have a mix around the house, but I like the Milwaukee Fastbacks the best. In addition, an Olfa 9mm, a 25mm snap-blade (insulation), an X-Acto set (for precision/delicate work) and single-edge razors + holders (scraping gaskets, glass, etc...).

 

[4Kings]

I've got several different Stanley models as well but I find myself using this one more and more. Kobalt quick change. The reviews are so so but I haven't had any problems.

http://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-Blade-Utility-Knife/50111404

 

[rlitman]

I am tempted to just keep my Stanley 299 and skip the retractable. There is nothing more annoying than putting pressure only to have the blade slip. For the low use frequency, I will just screw the body apart and together to set the blade. It only takes a minute, and I was getting a bit "first world problems"

The folding ones, like the Milwaukee Fastback have a fixed blade that is protected when folded. The nice thing about the Milwaukee Fastback is that it has a slot that safely exposes the blade for twine cutting, even when folded.

If I used a fixed blade like yours regularly (and that's probably what I'd use if I used one ALL The time), I'd just make a kydex sheath for it.