EDC Utility Blade… Again…

[Ryan]

A few months back, I spoke about an EDC utility blade that I found and loved. You can read all about that here. A lot of people on knife forums claim that the “Exceed Designs” flipper is made in the US. I’ve found that while the Exceed Designs version might be assembled in the US, I believe it to be machined in China. In fact, I found the factory that I think is responsible for that machine work and bought the parts to build about twenty of them. Since then, I’ve been giving them away to buddies…



Anyway, this weird fascination put me on the map with other people that are into EDC flippers. One of those being Chaves Knives. Chaves builds a lot of short production, really well made knives and recently decided to design and build their own utility flipper called the C.H.U.B. Flipper.



The C.H.U.B. flipper is available with a number of different scale finishes and costs just over $200. Like the Exceed Designs...

Continue reading...

 

[Sumboodie]

I couldn't imagine carrying a $200 knife. I carry a 2 for $12 knife. Lost one while at work this week. Was hanging a drill on knife pocket and it must have dropped out.
Course it was snowing, so near impossible to find it.

Was discouraged about it, even though it was $6. I'd have a nervous breakdown over losing a $200 one!

 

[guitarbutt]

I couldn't imagine carrying a $200 knife. I carry a 2 for $12 knife. Lost one while at work this week. Was hanging a drill on knife pocket and it must have dropped out.
Course it was snowing, so near impossible to find it.

Was discouraged about it, even though it was $6. I'd have a nervous breakdown over losing a $200 one!

Same here, I'd be sad to lose a Buck 110, Mora, Douk Douk, etc. I don't want or need an expensive knife, in spite of the one in the article looking pretty cool

 

[KnurledNut]

Does the CHUB come with a blade/s? If so, what brand?
What brand are you using in your knives Ryan?

 

[Bears Fan]

I want to be your buddy

 

[slowtwitch73]

I would be happy to never hear the term 'edc' again.

 

[Terra Nova]

I couldn't imagine carrying a $200 knife. I carry a 2 for $12 knife. Lost one while at work this week. Was hanging a drill on knife pocket and it must have dropped out.
Course it was snowing, so near impossible to find it.

Was discouraged about it, even though it was $6. I'd have a nervous breakdown over losing a $200 one!

I can, and do regularly, I can't however imagine spending $200 on a utility knife made in China...

Wish Benchmade would get in the game and put out an axis lock utility knife. I would snap one up in a heartbeat. In a page from the clown world that is sometimes corporate America I can carry a folding utility knife at work but not a pocket knife...

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Like other tools if you can swing it have at least 2 good EDC and several decent utility knives. If on a budget buy/collect them over time. If you lose 1 you are not SOL, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. More tools!

 

[Firebrick43]

Damn you Ryan, made me pull out my wallet again. (exceed version)

 

[snickers muncher]

Wish Benchmade would get in the game and put out an axis lock utility knife. I would snap one up in a heartbeat. In a page from the clown world that is sometimes corporate America I can carry a folding utility knife at work but not a pocket knife...

You and me both. So many of these utility knife designers are not knife users and have no idea of what is needed in the real world.

I used to carry the better priced, in my opinion, Spyderco and Benchmades. I later found that cheaper knives can cut just as well---their edges just don't last as long. My EDC is usually just a plain ole Ontario Rat 1 folding knife. When I need something smaller for dressing nicer. it's a cheap little Sanrenmu 710. Folding utility knives always came up short in my experience. Too bulky, didn't hold the blade securely, uncomfortable handle, hard to open one handed, etc...

I keep a Gerber EAB out just for opening packages and breaking down boxes. It's great for that, but it is difficult to use for a heavy cut.

 

[sodbuster]

For a pocket knife, I'm partial to the Opinel No. 7 knife.

No.07 Stainless Steel Folding Knife

The goldilocks of the Opinel folding knife range, the No.07 is slightly smaller than the infamous No.08, but a bit bigger than the handy No.06. Often herald as the "perfect picnic knife", the No.07 slices through cheese and fruits with ease, and even looks good displayed on a charcuterie board...

www.opinel-usa.com

Chris

 

[Ryan]

I couldn't imagine carrying a $200 knife. I carry a 2 for $12 knife. Lost one while at work this week. Was hanging a drill on knife pocket and it must have dropped out.
Course it was snowing, so near impossible to find it.

Was discouraged about it, even though it was $6. I'd have a nervous breakdown over losing a $200 one!

Same here, I'd be sad to lose a Buck 110, Mora, Douk Douk, etc. I don't want or need an expensive knife, in spite of the one in the article looking pretty cool

I lost a multi-tool on the side of the road once... But I honestly don't think I've ever lost a knife, phone, or wallet in my life. I lose sunglasses all the time though...

I think a lot of that is due to the fact that I spend almost all of my time either in an office setting or in my shop. I don't do much "on location" and, as such don't have much opportunity to lose things that I carry in my pockets.

Given that... In the past, it made very little sense to me to carry a cheap convenient store knife. The blade steel *****, they dull quickly, and I **** at sharpening. So, I always carried a decent Benchmade or Spyderco.

It wasn't until I got a maker knife (another utility knife) that I understood how handy they were... and I haven't carried a traditional knife since...

I mean, it's not like I'm stabbing people or cutting large diameter cord... I am mostly opening Amazon boxes and if I need anything more than that, 99% of the time I right next door to my shop.

Does the CHUB come with a blade/s? If so, what brand?
What brand are you using in your knives Ryan?

It comes with one cheap blade.

I use Dewalt Carbide blades:

Amazon.com: DEWALT - DWHT11131L Utility Blades, 2-Point, 3/4In L, 50 Blades : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: DEWALT - DWHT11131L Utility Blades, 2-Point, 3/4In L, 50 Blades : Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

Last year, I did my own little test on a variety of blades and found these to be the best. Then, my daughter's high school shop class did a full on longevity test on like 20 blades and came to the same conclusion.

I would be happy to never hear the term 'edc' again.

I kind of get that.

I can, and do regularly, I can't however imagine spending $200 on a utility knife made in China...

Wish Benchmade would get in the game and put out an axis lock utility knife. I would snap one up in a heartbeat. In a page from the clown world that is sometimes corporate America I can carry a folding utility knife at work but not a pocket knife...

Man... me and you both... It's hard for me to believe that someone can't create something in the US as sleek as these two for a reasonable price. Or hell, even at an unreasonable price it would be hard for me to NOT pull the trigger. My utility flipper is without question my most used tool... and I have over $800 in my damn phone.

 

[dnschmidt]

What's with all the acronyms? I don't know what EDC means. Since I don't intend to stab anybody this week I don't carry anything but a little tiny Swiss army knife for opening packages. How much do you cry when they confiscate your expensive knifes at TSA checkpoints?

 

[dnschmidt]

Amazon.com

This is the bomb for opening boxes. Got the idea from Izzy Swan.

 

[Firebrick43]

What's with all the acronyms? I don't know what EDC means. Since I don't intend to stab anybody this week I don't carry anything but a little tiny Swiss army knife for opening packages. How much do you cry when they confiscate your expensive knifes at TSA checkpoints?

You don't like TLA?

I like the smaller version of the slice, sticks to the fridge like a magnet.

They use the version you showed at work and it is good to open boxes but the damn things are to big to carry and are only a one trick pony. I always put it down somewhere that I don't remember. At least the little one always goes back on the fridge.

 

[Bubba Fett]

What's with all the acronyms? I don't know what EDC means. Since I don't intend to stab anybody this week I don't carry anything but a little tiny Swiss army knife for opening packages. How much do you cry when they confiscate your expensive knifes at TSA checkpoints?

EDC = Every Day Carry. As for TSA, leave them at home or put them in checked baggage. Problem solved.

 

[Ryan]

What's with all the acronyms? I don't know what EDC means. Since I don't intend to stab anybody this week I don't carry anything but a little tiny Swiss army knife for opening packages. How much do you cry when they confiscate your expensive knifes at TSA checkpoints?

I don't carry blades at all when I travel. I don't really have a reason too I guess...

Amazon.com

This is the bomb for opening boxes. Got the idea from Izzy Swan.

I have a ton of those. They sent me their entire product line to review a few years ago. I don't find them to be useful for what I do. They are too big and awkward to carry consistently and the blades are super brittle.

I kept mine in my packing and receiving area of my shop (where I pack and ship merch)... once I ran out of blades, I just got rid of them.

Perfect example how different tools for different people with different needs is a real thing.

 

[dnschmidt]

It's a single use tool. It cuts cardboard extremely well. It also cuts bubble bags extremely well so that you can roll them up and throw them away. Other than these two purposes they have no value but the blades don't dull from cutting up cardboard which will take down the sharpest of steel blades if you do a lot of cardboard cutting.

 

[bbbarracuda]

I don't know what EDC means.

EDC Orlando | November 6-8, 2026 | Tinker Field

Electric Daisy Carnival returns to Florida with the best in electronic dance music, full-size carnival rides, performers and art.

orlando.electricdaisycarnival.com

Though, I think in this context, it means every day carry.

 

[Sumboodie]

This is what I use.

MOSSY OAK 2-pack Folding Pocket Utility Knife Set, Quick Change Blade, Frame Lock, EDC Box Cutter with Belt Clip, Stone Washed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0751B7WXR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like that it's fairly small and lightweight.

 

[IndyGarage]

I use Dewalt Carbide blades:

Amazon.com: DEWALT - DWHT11131L Utility Blades, 2-Point, 3/4In L, 50 Blades : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: DEWALT - DWHT11131L Utility Blades, 2-Point, 3/4In L, 50 Blades : Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

Last year, I did my own little test on a variety of blades and found these to be the best. Then, my daughter's high school shop class did a full on longevity test on like 20 blades and came to the same conclusion.

I've always thought those DeWalt blades were the best until I bought a Fiskars folding utility with one of their blades in it. Perhaps it's just the finish, which is really nice, but I thought the blade was better than DeWalt.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GLBZ4QV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Did you happen to test one of their blades? I'll admit I haven't used them side-by-side.

I have plenty of the Dewalt's on hand, so I've put off buying a box of the Fiskars, but that's the next one I'll buy.

 

[Ryan]

I've always thought those DeWalt blades were the best until I bought a Fiskars folding utility with one of their blades in it. Perhaps it's just the finish, which is really nice, but I thought the blade was better than DeWalt.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GLBZ4QV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Did you happen to test one of their blades? I'll admit I haven't used them side-by-side.

I have plenty of the Dewalt's on hand, so I've put off buying a box of the Fiskars, but that's the next one I'll buy.

I haven't tried those at all... I don't think I've ever seen them. I will give it a shot though!

 

[Ryan]

This is what I use.

MOSSY OAK 2-pack Folding Pocket Utility Knife Set, Quick Change Blade, Frame Lock, EDC Box Cutter with Belt Clip, Stone Washed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0751B7WXR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like that it's fairly small and lightweight.

I've tried those... To be perfectly honest, they are probably just as good as these folders I'm spending real money on... They just aren't as fun or as polished... Plus the grip is a little funky for me.

 

[jhelrey]

I need a stronger blade for those times I use my knife as a pry tool... Then again, that's why I don't buy expensive knives.

 

[minke]

I would be happy to never hear the term 'edc' again.

Add TP to the list. JIC (just in case) TP ≡ tactical pants.

 

[Bolster]

I couldn't imagine carrying a $200 knife.

I do, most days. A decent Spyderco is going to run you $150-$250. I love me some S110V steel, or Z-Wear, or S45V, or SPY27, or...I would love to get a Chaves but I understand that Spyderco is considering (no promise) a folding ute, and I like their design philosophy, so I want to see that play out... some fantasy Spyderco-inspired folding utes below...would love a ute switchblade, and they'd probably be legal, given how short the edge is...

 

[Bolster]

Gratuitous Ute ****...

 

[Terra Nova]

Gratuitous Ute ****...

Looks nice, but a Slip Joint utility knife?

 

[jar944]

This is about as much as I'm willing to spend.

 

[Squankum]

$200? That's 20 Mora knives!

(I have one at each end of my long shop. They're my go-to for cardboard box stuff and other things.)

 

[csp]

Love my CRKT (Columbia River Knife and Tool) knives. I used to be a Spyderco fan, as they were local and a friend is their US Customs broker and got great deals for me.

The spring loaded opening assist converted me to CRKT.

The Milwaukee Switchback is the go to in my toolbag however.

 

[Bolster]

I'm not a big fan of the Milwaukees (own what, a half dozen or more?) because the blades do a hula dance in their holders once they've been used a few times. Then those tiny little bent springs that hold the blade will get clogged with dust, and out comes the blade. I'd pay $100 for a decent folding ute, for sure; and if it was beautiful, then more.

I say spend the money on the tools that get used. I use a ute knife constantly.

 

[Firebrick43]

$200? That's 20 Mora knives!

(I have one at each end of my long shop. They're my go-to for cardboard box stuff and other things.)

Mora knives are great, insane value for the money, and not made in china!. I have a few orange handle ones for canoeing/camping in the boundry waters. Figured I would have lost one by know but both still around.

But alas, since they are fixed blades, frowned upon in the streets of civilized society and hard to carry every day?

 

[Firebrick43]

I'm not a big fan of the Milwaukees (own what, a half dozen or more?) because the blades do a hula dance in their holders once they've been used a few times. Then those tiny little bent springs that hold the blade will get clogged with dust, and out comes the blade. I'd pay $100 for a decent folding ute, for sure; and if it was beautiful, then more.

I say spend the money on the tools that get used. I use a ute knife constantly.

You have mentioned this before and yet I have no issues with mine having blade fitment issues.

In looking at the Exceed design they mention what blade fit and what doesn't. Makes me realize that the drywall knife blades may not be as an exacting standard that many assume them to be?

 

[Bolster]

Makes me realize that the drywall knife blades may not be as an exacting standard that many assume them to be?

Well that's interesting. Thought ute blades were a standard. I need to go throw my calipers on a few. What brand are you using?

 

[ForrestT]

Lershaw Ken Onion Leek knife with serrated blade for the win! $50 total. USA Made. Best mid priced knife and quality/ value I’ve found.

 

[Firebrick43]

Stanley Fat max(usa made) in the 100 pack.

 

[rlitman]

Well that's interesting. Thought ute blades were a standard. I need to go throw my calipers on a few. What brand are you using?

There are competing standards out there, but the two notch blades are pretty standardized and ubiquitous. Some older stuff used a three notch system that's eerily similar but incompatible.

 

[Bolster]

There’s something to the “different sizes” theory; I just measured. I have two brands that are handy:

Kobalt: .741 in height, 2.370 in length.

Lenox Gold: .731 in height, 2.371 in length.

Both shake, rattle and roll in any of the three Milwaukee Fastbacks I put them into. And the locking Fastback pivots have *lots* of play in them, too. If that much play were in a pocket knife, I’d send it back.

 

[AirMech#406]

This is about as much as I'm willing to spend.

Thats my current every day carry. I used to be a pretty big knife nerd. Ive carried Kershaws, Victorinox, Mora, CRKT, Buck, and a few Gerbers. I have probably lost as many knives as I have bought haha. Fanciest one I ever owned was a Benchmade Emissary. She was two hundred dollars of pure elegance... which I promptly lost huckleberry picking two weeks after buying it.

Currently I carry the Fastback and a Leatherman FREE P4.