most superior folding utility knife?

[lbhsbz]

I cut up a lot of cardboard, and recently my weapon of choice has been the Milwaukee Fastback utility knife. This one: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/3pk-fastback-compact-folding-utility-knife/48-22-1522

It has vanished somewhere, and while I'm certain it will appear in a few weeks/months, I'm getting annoyed with my Gerber compact folding ulitity knife. So I want to get another.

I'm a big fan of the one handed operation that the milwaukee has. I had a Dewalt (also gone for now lol) but it was too tight to really be one handed. The milwaukee hinge is free and that's what makes it work, along with a little swing of the wrist.

I prefer plastic handles and tool-less blade changes and the more compact the better. I see Klein and a few others make a similar knife.

Any experiences or recommendations? This thing comes out of my pocket every 15 minutes or so during the day so I want a good one, but I'd rather not spend $500 trying them all

 

[fourjeepin]

I’ve got one of the Milwaukee folders and like it. Watch for your old one here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/what-kind-of-tools-have-you-found-in-the-road

 

[drokihazan]

The old beat up Kobalt one I bought a decade ago and insist on using for the rest of my life is the best one, because it works and I have it. I go through a lot of razor blades and I buy 100-packs of US Blade ones from HJE, but the utility knife is a utility knife, they aren't really complicated.

 

[682bear]

I bought a few of these and really like them...



-Bear

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

I have been using a Kershaw Leek for cutting cardboard for years. Cuts like butter

 

[GTO]

Not in the same price range, but an alternative.

 

[driftpin]

It has vanished somewhere

Sorry it walked-out on ya!

I’ve got one of the Milwaukee folders and like it. Watch for your old one here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/what-kind-of-tools-have-you-found-in-the-road

A fascinating coincidence, I found a Milwaukee hobby knife in the middle of an appropriately-named street in Miami, "Red" Road! Not Green Road, not Yellow Road. Not Blue Road, which is just down the street.

I recently had some plumbing work done at a rental single family dwelling we own. In cleaning up the crawl-space where the work was done, I found a hobby knife, one similar to yours. I forget the manufacturer, but it was red, and it had a one-handed opening, if you flick it properly. It had a belt clip on one side, made of a piece of what seemed to be spring steel, and not the wire belt clip like my 'found' Milwaukee hobby knife has.

The plumbing crew came back yesterday to finish some clean-up, and I asked the lead plumber, "Did either of you lose anything yesterday, when you were done, and left?"

He told me, "What kind of tool are you speaking of?"

With a flourish, I pulled out of my back pocket, the hobby knife I found in the crawl-space.

"One like this?" I asked.

The plumber's helper (no not that plumber's helper!) had his eyes on my knife-in hand, his eyes widened, and he nodded his head. I handed the knife to him and he was very appreciative.

May you have a similar 'found' moment.

 

[rlitman]

I'm much happier with my slide out the front utility knives vs the flip folding type. But I can't find any examples of what I like that are for sale at the moment. If I find something, I'll post a link.

 

[IndyGarage]

Fastback used to be my favorite, until I found this - most comfortable, and Fiskars makes some of the best blades too:

Fiskars folding utility knife

 

[ipgenie]

I carry a fastback in my working pants but switched to a slim OKNIFE in my town pants.

Amazon.com

It opens with a flick of the wrist like the fastback and exposes more of the blade. I don't need a tool to switch blades, I just tighten the holding knob finger tight but even if it was cranked down there is usually a pair of pliers next to the replacement blade pack.

The screwdriver is more of a precision type which is sometimes nice, but I probably use a #2 size more often. It's so thin and light that I sometimes forget that I'm carrying it.

 

[bassJAM]

I like regular pocket knives, and I like the classic Stanley 99 sliding utility knife, but I've never cared for folding utility knifes.

 

[Skyman]

I must have at least a dozen utility knives in various flavors and configurations. My better half found a folding Husky laying on the ground somewhere last year, and I've been happy with it. I use it nearly daily when it's close at hand.

Amazon.com

 

[liliysdad]

I like regular pocket knives, and I like the classic Stanley 99 sliding utility knife, but I've never cared for folding utility knifes.

I agree. I have had a few, and have come to the conclusion they are one of the most useless inventions known to man. I prefer a traditional pocket knife until I need a utility knife...then I get a utility knife.

 

[Davefr]

I've transitioned from these fold up/one blade knives to Olfa snap off retractables. They are very well built, extremely sharp and you almost always have a fresh edge ready to use. (not to be confused with cheap no name snap off knives).

Olfa Snap-Off Utility Knife Snap-Off, 6 1/2 in L LA-X | Zoro

Order Olfa Snap-Off Utility Knife Snap-Off, 6 1/2 in L, LA-X at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

 

[JSutter]

Screwpop. While not a folder, it's easy to open one handed, and it's as compact as a knife can get.

 

[lbhsbz]

Thanks for the replies.

I need one handed operation, so that rules out a few. I'm always running around my shop / storage / somewhere else so I need something that fits nicely in my pocket, which rules out the traditional Stanley 99 type knives...too big. Already carry phone, keys, and usually some other junk in my pockets, big knife on top of that is annoying.

I've seen a few posted here with most of the blade edge exposed....how do you guys like that vs the more traditional type with only the front part of the blade exposed?

I don't want a slide out knife because it will live in my pocket and I'll probably stab myself somehow while digging around in my pocket trying to get something else out. Flip out doesn't have that problem.

Oh...and I found my Milwaukee. I need to take apart the blade release mechanism and clean it, it's difficult to use and doesn't seem to hold the blade anymore, too sticky.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I like the quality on this civi but you need a torx to change the blade... Hate that

https://a.co/d/04en8dQ4

My must reached for is an SK but it is heavy. A nice user, ready to open and close with one hand. And ready for blade changes.

https://a.co/d/08dQAKlx

Very similar is the SK hawkbill, which feels underpriced to me. The blade is D2, better steel than the Klein.

https://a.co/d/0dTmdH5o

I no longer buy versions where the blade pushes out because I have noticed so many instances when the knife is not fully retracted or had been pushed out a little. Not throwing away the ones I have, but prefer flip style.

 

[ipgenie]

I like the extra exposed length of the OKNIFE. Usually the end dulls first so flipping the blade still gives two uses before replacing.

Here is a comparison to my fastback. It's a lot slimmer and nice to carry. Worth the price to me.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I’ve had a good selection of these over the years, but I always go back to the Stanley 99E. Easiest one to use, just lacks a clip which I really don’t miss most of the time.

 

[ericm]

For Stanley fans try the 10-499. Same traditional shape and size but has a quick change blade and tool less spare blade holder.

 

[F-22]

I don't want a slide out knife because it will live in my pocket and I'll probably stab myself somehow while digging around in my pocket trying to get something else out. Flip out doesn't have that problem.

The ratchet wheel model is very easy to use one handed but would also prevent you from extending it without specifically trying to do it.




Classic yellow made in Japan workhorse...

They also make die cast aluminium versions and interesting wood composite versions and even a slim all stainless sheet metal construction.

However if you would want a top end slider, the Knipex Cutix is worth checking out: https://www.knipex.com/cutix/

They really went all out on it. It's got a very nice metal feel in the hand and the sliding reinforcement gives you a huge ultra sharp rigid blade if needed. Sadly it's not a locking design but it's also not going to get moved by accident as it is very well designed.

 

[lbhsbz]

It appears that Klein has won the battle....just barely over the Dewalt. Milwaukee is a distant 3rd.

Bosch is too big, and not one handed.

 

[AEAdam]

The Kershaw Shuffle 2 has been my absolute favorite box/package opening knife. Its the Tanto blade specifically which is thin and sharp on both sides that really penetrates cardboard frictionlessly.

The handle and opening mech are both decent. I like how thin it is.



Doing carpentry, the 2 flat edges are like chisel or plane blades. Super easy to sharpen and really nice to work with, if even for sharpening carpenters pencils. But I often use this like a chisel. The edge near the tip is at like a 45 deg angle with respect to the handle, so you can get behind it.

I can't honestly say why I bought it. I guess it was the flat dark earth color I chose. Honestly, not sure what i was thinking. But I've carried this thing for prbably 8 yrs. I'm sure there is better steel out there. I think I paid $20 for mine. But I really like this knife.

I bought my boys the versions with the curved blade (Shuffle, not Shuffle 2). They have bright colored handles which I thought made them harder to lose. I've messed with them only briefly. They just aren't as functional as this blade shape is FOR ME.

 

[AEAdam]

One more thing. I have an old yellow stanley with a contoured handle and just the std utility knife blades. You can get plastic "glass scraper" handles for those. I have a couple kicking around. I use those scraper handles to SHARPEN even knew utility blades.

Anything that you buy sharpened, can be made sharper. I can get those blades like scalpels pretty quickly. The steel is not that hard.

But that's another thought. Get any normal utility knife and sharpen the blades so you can slice thru cardboard like a light saber!

 

[willf650]

It appears that Klein has won the battle....just barely over the Dewalt. Milwaukee is a distant 3rd.

Bosch is too big, and not one handed.

I have 2 of the DeWalts and they now have an Atomic that is more compact. This is my choice in this class. I like tip down carry and most folding utility knives have gone the opposite direction.



I also have civivi and its tiny.

 

[scooterbum46]

I've got a couple of the utility blade folders -I use the carbide edge blades, they last a whole bunch longer, very sharp

 

[David99]

I've got this one in daily use and one of the Milwaukee's in the network toolbox.

 

[Rinspeed]

For Stanley fans try the 10-499. Same traditional shape and size but has a quick change blade and tool less spare blade holder.

That's the only utility knife I would buy and I have five or six of them around the house.

 

[NoahG]

For me, it’s the Milwaukee 6 in 1. The original Compact was my old fav.

 

[65ranchero]

I have a few different utility knives and one of my favorites is a found Stanley 10-788
A few years ago a crew was finishing the roof of my garage and one of them must of dropped it in the fall and didn't realize it. I found it on the ground in spring after snow melted.
Guy came back finish up and sees me using it and asked if it was his, told him where I had found it and offered to give it back to him.
Told me to keep it because he bought a new one.

 

[FigN⋅m]

For me, it’s the Milwaukee 6 in 1.

Same, but I had to be that guy and convert it to tip-up carry

 

[Nick Rivers]

Found one of these in the street in front of my house. Chrome steel with blue rubber side panels. Very solid feel compared to Milwaukie and other aluminum handled units. It's the one I always reach for.

 

[richfinn]

I've tried to love utility knives, but find them all a little bit janky compared to the stability of a regular folding locking knife (I like Victorinox). I sharpen up the blade once in while and I don't think I'm missing out.

I keep a box of razor blades for scraping and anything sacrificial

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

This thing comes out of my pocket every 15 minutes or so during the day

Perhaps check out Martor and Olfa.

They're all about cutting things, and make all kinds of designs specifically tailored to particular job roles that involve a lot of cutting.

Martor for example makes knives specifically designed for cutting cardboard without damaging the goods inside or cutting yourself if doing it all day every day. This is one of them. They also make models specifically designed for opening sacks of e.g. cement. You get the idea.

 

[ipgenie]

I've probably got 50 utility knives of various makes. Maybe more than that. Most of the ones listed in this thread.

If you want one for every day carry, it'll be hard to beat that oknife I pictured above.

If it just sits in a drawer or on the shelf till you need it, anything will work fine, that's what most of mine do these days, but the oknife is so slim you'll forget you are carrying it, yet it's made of quality components and has the most blade edge available to use of any I've seen.

I take it everywhere I go except church.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKX9X6PF?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Ohio Andy]

I've probably got 50 utility knives of various makes. Maybe more than that. Most of the ones listed in this thread.

If you want one for every day carry, it'll be hard to beat that oknife I pictured above.

If it just sits in a drawer or on the shelf till you need it, anything will work fine, that's what most of mine do these days, but the oknife is so slim you'll forget you are carrying it, yet it's made of quality components and has the most blade edge available to use of any I've seen.

I take it everywhere I go except church.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKX9X6PF?tag=atomicindus08-20

Looks like you need to use a tool to replace the blade....

This knife requires a tool to change the blade

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CX1DJL8F?tag=atomicindus08-20

It is annoying.... Nice knife though.

 

[zimman]

I've got this one in daily use and one of the Milwaukee's in the network toolbox.

That's a classy knife. Love it.
Zim
Oh and thanks for posting a real picture. LOL. I like to see pics of gear folks have and use.
Same for @ipgenie
Z

 

[brothernov]

Perhaps check out Martor and Olfa.

They're all about cutting things, and make all kinds of designs specifically tailored to particular job roles that involve a lot of cutting.

Martor for example makes knives specifically designed for cutting cardboard without damaging the goods inside or cutting yourself if doing it all day every day. This is one of them. They also make models specifically designed for opening sacks of e.g. cement. You get the idea.

As you advised, I checked out Martor and Olfa. Fell in love with the Olfa 25mm snap-blade model. Appears to be a beast of a cutter based on reviews and videos I watched. I'll find out Monday

 

[liliysdad]

I've tried to love utility knives, but find them all a little bit janky compared to the stability of regular folding locking knife (I like Victorinox). I sharpen up the blade once in while and I don't think I'm missing out.

I keep a box of razor blades for scraping and anything sacrificial

I also fail to see the attraction.

 

[hailwood1965]

I like the extra exposed length of the OKNIFE. Usually the end dulls first so flipping the blade still gives two uses before replacing.

Here is a comparison to my fastback. It's a lot slimmer and nice to carry. Worth the price to me.

Just imagine what AI will be able to do with with photos of fingerprints some day.