most superior folding utility knife?

[qdvuu]

OP, since you're looking for a small knife, a buddy had a tiny version of the classic Stanley, his was the model 10-189 Mini Utility Knife. It was about 2.5 inches long thus required custom blades since the generic razorblades are too big.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

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

My retirement gig is as a morning stocker at Menards.
I open and cut up hundreds of cardboard boxes a week.

That Milwaukee is the best I have found.

 

[ipgenie]

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.

No need for a tool. It does come with one and if you really crank down on the set bolt with a tool you'll need it or any pair of pliers to loosen it, but I've got three of these knives and I simply tighten/loosen it with my fingers. Never been a problem.

Edit to add, it really isn't any big deal if you want it cranked down really tight though, just leave the tool with the blades, or even better, leave the pack of blades next to the work bench where a pair of pliers are handy. Doesn't need to be that tight, finger tight is plenty secure.

 

[ipgenie]

My retirement gig is as a morning stocker at Menards.
I open and cut up hundreds of cardboard boxes a week.

That Milwaukee is the best I have found.

Best part about the fastback with the driver is having room for an extra blade. I used mine today to help an elderly neighbor remove a bunch of twine string they ran over with the riding mower. My blade was getting dull and it was nice to swap to the spare without having to go find a new one.

 

[GTO]

My retirement gig is as a morning stocker at Menards.
I open and cut up hundreds of cardboard boxes a week.

That Milwaukee is the best I have found.

Since you cut up a lot of cardboard, what's your go to blade ?
TIA

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Since you cut up a lot of cardboard, what's your go to blade ?
TIA

I like the Lenox blades.
They seem to last longer.
My Menards used to carry them but stopped for some reason.

Now I am using Menards house brand Master Force blades but the don’t seem to last as long. I bought 200 of them so I guess I’m stuck with using them for awhile.

 

[JeepYJ]

My retirement gig is as a morning stocker at Menards.
I open and cut up hundreds of cardboard boxes a week.

That Milwaukee is the best I have found.

I like the Lenox blades.
They seem to last longer.
My Menards used to carry them but stopped for some reason.

Now I am using Menards house brand Master Force blades but the don’t seem to last as long. I bought 200 of them so I guess I’m stuck with using them for awhile.

I’m surprised Menards allows you to use a cutter like that. And that you have to buy your own blades.
The Milwaukee Fastback with twine cutter in
the handle is my favorite utility knife. The one with blade storage is just a little too wide.

 

[snickers muncher]

I'm team fastback as well. I like the compact as shown above. One in my pocket and one in each car's tool kit.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I’m surprised Menards allows you to use a cutter like that. And that you have to buy your own blades.
The Milwaukee Fastback with twine cutter in
the handle is my favorite utility knife. The one with blade storage is just a little too wide.

They “issued” me a cheap-o cutter like the one below but it doesn’t work very well so I use a regular Milwaukee knife.



They will replace the cheap-o cutter for free when it wears out but I’d rather just use my own knife and blades.

As far as allowing me to use it … I never asked.

 

[bwringer]

My retirement gig is as a morning stocker at Menards.
I open and cut up hundreds of cardboard boxes a week.

That Milwaukee is the best I have found.

Surprised Menards allows any "red" tools into the building...

That lame-*** yellow plastic garbage cutter they provide you is absolutely horrible.

I've honestly never seen much difference between the assorted folding utility knives. I do prefer the kind that have a button and can swing open one-handed. With any of them, upgrading the blade to carbide makes the biggest difference.




Anyway, if the menu is all cardboard, it might be worth trying a totally different approach with a "Canary" cardboard cutter.

Canary cutters have a special, odd serration and a non-stick coated blade that is a lot more finger-safe than a razor, yet they slice through cardboard like magic, with a lot more control and precision if you need that sort of thing.

CANARY: Cardboard Cutter

Corrugated Cardboard Cutter and Scissors. For your DIY, Cardboard Craft, Opening box in warehouse.

www.amazon.com

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

They “issued” me a cheap-o cutter like the one below

I don't expect they're going to buy you one of these. Here in Europe even this most advanced multi depth version is only $15-20, so if an employer gave a damn about safety (not just good intentions) AND getting the job done, there'd be no reason not to get one for someone doing hundreds of boxes a week.

Martor Secumax 370

 

[Ohio Andy]

No need for a tool. It does come with one and if you really crank down on the set bolt with a tool you'll need it or any pair of pliers to loosen it, but I've got three of these knives and I simply tighten/loosen it with my fingers. Never been a problem.

Edit to add, it really isn't any big deal if you want it cranked down really tight though, just leave the tool with the blades, or even better, leave the pack of blades next to the work bench where a pair of pliers are handy. Doesn't need to be that tight, finger tight is plenty secure.

Thanks, I just ordered one. Looks nice

 

[CJM8515]

I have like 5 of the husky branded, home depot foldable knives. never let me down yet and are stupid simple. if im using a regular utility knife its a retractable stanley or the stanley you can do the quick change blades with.

 

[Etchase]

I like the Fiskars a lot.

 

[terrific]

Anyway, if the menu is all cardboard, it might be worth trying a totally different approach with a "Canary" cardboard cutter.

Canary cutters have a special, odd serration and a non-stick coated blade that is a lot more finger-safe than a razor, yet they slice through cardboard like magic, with a lot more control and precision if you need that sort of thing.

CANARY: Cardboard Cutter

Corrugated Cardboard Cutter and Scissors. For your DIY, Cardboard Craft, Opening box in warehouse.

www.amazon.com

I have one of those. It will not cut you, and it does saw through cardboard effortlessly, even the thick stuff. But it's probably the most single-purpose tool I own. If it's not cardboard, it does not cut it.
Boxes: all day every day. Pallet wrap: never.

 

[Tdbo]

I have one of these in every room of the house:

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-tools/utility-knives/tool-shop-reg-quick-change-folding-utility-knife/pk-2040/p-1444447940989-c-1484756386273.htm

These are handy and do what is required.
I hold off until they are on sale for < $1. with a MIR.
Saw they have a package of 3 on sale this week for <$4. with a MIR.