Box Cutter Update

[Blind1]

I just pick up a couple of the inexpensive folding versions whenever inevitably lose them.

They get beat up on purpose. No need to spend a ton of money.

 

[Grimm_the_Grey]

I've have carried a Gerber AEB or AEB Lite in my pocket every time I've left the house for the better part of a decade now, and I also bought a 3-pack of the WorkPro utility knives for not much more than I've paid for a Gerber, and I like them. I like how they can be pretty easily flip out to the locked open position and then back to the locked closed with just a one-hand flip, and for the price, can't be beat, BUT I still much prefer my Gerber.

Yes, the Gerber is a two hand deal to open and to close, BUT it is much more stout by a long shot. I've already had to toss one of the WorPros because I somehow broke the locking button while it was in my pocket to where it was flopping open to closed waaaay too easy. I still have two more of those WorkPros, so it's ok, BUT it happened that I broke it on one of the very few days I've tried carrying a Workpro instead. My Gerbers have lasted years and I've never managed to break one, not even when I've broken the blade in a Gerber many times trying to pry with it or whatever else a utility blade is not supposed to be used for. My experiences so far make evident that I'm much more apt to lose or misplace a Gerber EAB than I am to ever wear it out, and the opposite is true of the WorkPro.

To me they each serve their purpose. One of the other WorkPros I now keep on the small table next to the front door for opening boxes, and the last of the three is still clipped on the same cardboard strip the other two came packaged on, waiting for whatever I decide to do with it, and a Gerber EAB Lite has been in my pocket every minute of every day that I've been out of the house.

I might be willing to give the eab a chance if it had a blade retention system that didn't completely ****. Like, literally anything but a fiddly little itty-bitty screw that's apparently made out of play-doh.

The gerber prybrid is a freakin tank and i love it. Blade changes are simple, extremely fast and it holds the blade rock-solid. I would recommend it any day with one caveat: take a grinder and get rid of that stupid "prybar" it's worthless and makes the knife uncomfortable in the hand and in the pocket.

I'm convinced gerber does this sort of thing on purpose. Make an excellent product and then, as a final touch, add one feature or trait that ruins the whole thing.

"let's make a kick-*** multi-tool with a unique mechanism. And just so no one likes it too much we'll use a garbage steel that's brittle and turns into rust when you get within 40 miles of a rain cloud."
-Gerber, probably


I'm glad the EAB works for you though. Maybe someday they'll come out with an EAB v2 with a clever blade lock. If you ever decide the buy any moreof the work pros give the liner locks a shot. They're good

 

[59ctd]

Really, that much $$$ for a stupid box cutter!?!?!? I can get like 200 razor blades for less than $10. Stupidness y-all...

 

[tak1313]

I find it fascinating that there can be so much conversation about box cutters/utility knives...but I guess this IS Garagejournal after all...

Maybe I'll start a thread about push pins or paper clips.

 

[Kuma601]

The Stanley 99 went on to other pastures so last week picked this Craftsman up as the replacement. At $6.** that is my willingness to spend. I wouldn't mind some of the nice ones in this thread though this type does well for me. I have a bunch of dad's $1 ones that he seemed to accumulate with frequency. I found them in almost every room of the house and multiples in his garage. I never knew dad cut that many boxes up so IDK why he had so many:

 

[RTM]

. I have a bunch of dad's $1 ones that he seemed to accumulate with frequency. I found them in almost every room of the house and multiples in his garage. I never knew dad cut that many boxes up so IDK why he had so many:

So you can forget one in almost every room in the house, and still know where to find one in the garage .

Boxes, drywall, poster board, striping Romex, so many uses

 

[NUTTSGT]

This is $10 - free shipping too.



Not judging someone who wants the $100 version, but it looks extremely similar to me.

I've had the Screwpop utility knife on my keychain for a few years now. I think it's great. Lift the retention bar and slide the blade forward with your thumb, then there's a magnet that makes the blade retract automatically when you lift the retention bar. Not the least bit tricky to operate one-handed.

It's also slimmer and lighter than the Keen Box Cutter you linked to (0.8oz vs 2.2oz). There's even an integrated bottle opener, making it a multi-tool (and the opener isn't something "extra" hanging off the end - you don't notice it).

Just put one in my Amazon cart. I'm going to see if it works out as a zipper pull on my turn out coat.

I agree with the one hand opening. So I took matters into my own hand. Put a simple 6x32 stainless cap screw here and it’s perfect just big enough to do work and small enough to not be annoying.

I carry one in the key pocket of my duty boots. The issue of trying to open one handed has been an issue.... I'm doing this.

Thanks for the idea.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Just received this yesterday. I think it's going to be too big for a zipper pull on my turn out coat.

 

[kreisler]

I'm going to see if it works out as a zipper pull on my turn out coat.

i had thought that you were joking haha.

anywho i wrote up its pro's and con's on the other forum:

Review - Quark Tool Review - keychain utility knife

i have the TPT (and TPT Slide) and used its bottle opening cap lifter, nail file, mini pry lip, flat head screw driver functionalities occasionally. both TPT's are keychain-suitable but have several tangible drawbacks under certain work conditions, some minor of which i mentioned in the reviews...

www.bladeforums.com

 

[TheRealZeus]

Someone handed me a catalog, & I immediately thumbed over to box cutters..

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I have this titanium handle balisong utility knife that I really like as it is super light, fun to play with, and it was like $40-$50 off of aliexpress. Though I cannot find it anymore except through heavily marked up resellers. I bought it on a whim as it is imo one of the stupidest ways to carry a utility knife. Turns out it is smaller and more light weight than most other ones and has won a place in my pocket.

I have a friend whose son is into balisongs... so I went looking... it seems to still be available:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803461467766.html

Of course, I cannot vouch for the seller.

 

[seber]

i also carry this thingy (i bought 15 blanks as gifts, and carry 1 branded version):



blank = 5$
branded = 25$

That looks like the best solution. What is that thing?

 

[TheRealZeus]

That looks like the best solution. What is that thing?

EDC utility knife, a “Quark,” I believe.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Here is a Quark, and variants, but it could be a different manufacturer.

 

[kreisler]

That looks like the best solution. What is that thing?

yes the photo shows the unbranded production blank of the Quark Tool dot Com which i sanded down to polished finish . especially the inner edges come with rough machining marks, looking dirty and ugly, way too raw/crude . the problem with these blanks is that they cannot be operated one-handedly, so they are fiddly to be operated by two hands . not a big problem since you doht use it 10x per day . in that sense, the production blanks are not 100.00% copies of the Quark Tool .
anyway for that reason alone , on my keychain i carry the original Quark Tool (and never polished its inner edges) because i need one-handed operation for my contentment . BUT it serves as backup blade only , because i can open beer bottles and cut more powerfully with my Tirant Razor V3 which gets much more carry time than my bunch of keys .

whenever i am on the road, i got two utility blades on me : the Quark Tool, and the Tirant Razor V3 . There are destinations where i doht take the V3 with me (sports club, airport) , then i still got the Quark Tool on my keychain . Indispensable backup and yes , highly recommended . I like it better than my Screwpop RUK V3.0 .

 

[Aristotle]

Here is what I got; a Dewalt 10035

My brother pulled it outta the mud at a construction site, it had been there awhile, being run over many time in the mud for long while before she got kicked up and visible. I de-gunked her, cleaned it up, tossed/replaced the messed up blades, and she was good to go. So, she survives a real world endurance challenge, in a non-test environment. She is ambidextrous folding to user, as well as retractable, 3x extra blade storage in handle compartment. The quick release is set up for right handed release/left handed blade swap, as well. This meets your requirements. and I believe this model is available still for sale without being extraordinarily expensive. Also, there is the revamped model, I will also link for, the DW0035L. I got big paws so the size is perfect for me. If your paws are not big, try the recamped “35L” model below.

Her video review DW10035;

Alternatively, DW10035L… this one, I neither require, nor desire, that is a little bit smaller, I believe;
Alternatively DW10035L;

I carry one of those, branded as a Stanley Fat Max, at work (it was issued to me). It folds down to a useful size to fit into my cargo pocket, along with a few other tools. I'm an engineer, rather than a technician, but a few compact tools in my pocket come in handy for small jobs.


I will replace it with a Milwaukee fastback at some point. They are easier to open in one motion. I have one of these at home.

 

[kreisler]

Worth noting, my 2nd unit of the Tirant Razor V3 (standard issue, plus addons: MM-metric ruler scale, and warpspeed scale) has just been shipped. It's so good and valuable that i want to have two units for my peace of mind. Whenever something's good, worth its price AND affordable, i buy one or two copies, sometimes as replacement parts (spare parts) repository. In the past i am glad that i did that with some beautiful titanium and stainless steel keychain flashlights (e.g. Thrunite TiS, Ultratac K18 SS), they were inexpensively priced at their time and i realized that.

Once the shipment has passed the import duties trouble and i got the stuff in my hands, i'll post some fresh pics with my impressions. I believe that the warpspeed scale must feel amazing/interesting between my fingers (on my thumb). Merry Xmas everyone!

 

[sgbotsford]

Sheesh.

It's a box cutter. Amazon Canada has 10 packs for 17 bucks. Buy 100 and get them for 70 cents each. In 'murca you can probably get them for 25 cents each. Use the money you save to buy more healthcare insurance for reattaching fingers sliced off with a box cutter. (grin)

Our local rental gives them away branded with their logo. I try not to make it obvious when I stuff 4 in my pocket.

***

I buy them 10 at a time. I lose one a month. Or it gets left in the rain. Or loaned to an employee who forgot or mislaid. his.

I prefer the snap off blades. Most I only get 3-4 blades snapped before I lose it, but working with a fresh edge is nice.

 

[Zeus36]

I'm a Lefty but would still use one of these. Made in Ohio by Veterans. One CON is the use of non standard blades (I just resharpen them on a MDF wheel). This cutter was previously mentioned in this thread, but not pictured.



This is one I bought at a knife show years ago and is my favorite, but discontinued:

 

[RightGuard]

I work with a box cutter everyday. I unpack things. Hundreds of cuts a day. Here is an honest to god working box cutter.

Stanley 10-189C



Change to a standard point of your favorite flavor.

Lanyard hole with a braided para-cord short enough that if I drop it the knife doesn't hit the floor.
Spring assisted auto-retract
Internal spare blade(s) storage
All metal construction
Brass Screw (I think...)
It's $8.47
It's RED!

It's made me the man I am today.

 

[rick carpenter]

I work in a school library and the district textbook warehouse. I carry a 9mm Olfa SVR-2 in my shirt every day and have another Olfa 9mm in the desk drawer, both auto-lock, as well as a Canary box opener. They are all good for opening boxes in the office. I use the Canary when there are a lot of students' eyes on me and they don't need to see me using a knife. In the warehouse I use a roto-lock Olfa 18mm and a Canary. I recommend any of these, but just realize the Canarys I have are fixed-blade and longer than the knives so they don't fit in my pockets well

 

[Nutria]

Maybe I'll start a thread about push pins or paper clips.

Only $45!

Tough Clip

The Tough Clip is a key dangler inspired by paperclips and Japanese key hooks. Extremely lightweight but still tough as nails in Grade 5 titanium or thick brass, both with stonewashed finish. Featuring easy slip-on attachment to belt loops, quick detachment of key rings and design elements that...

www.jrwgear.com

 

[CGarage]

Continue reading...

I am partial to this. Originally I found one on Amazon Japan. Use it frequently and I am sold on it.

https://www.amazon.com/MIDORI-Cardboard-Cutter-knife-35409006/dp/B08LV9MCWF/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JoeH]

I've been carrying these around... keep one in each car, one on my workbench, one on my desk, one on my night stand, etc. At $0.25 in PLA filament and a $0.05 blade, it's a value that is hard to beat, imo.

https://www.printables.com/model/26995-talon-utility-knife-v2

 

[cosmokenney]

Check out the Petrified Fish line: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Petri...1-47F5-8926-2250A30EC108?tag=atomicindus08-20
They make a very well put together product at an affordable price.

 

[Caby]

As a merchandiser at Home Depot, I open a LOT of boxes... sometimes one every thirty seconds for hours on end.

Key features I look for:

• Ergonomics: it has to fit well in the hand so it can be held securely. The small box cutters are cute, they hide in your pocket well, but are difficult to get out of your pocket when you need them.
• Locking: I have some arthritis in my thumbs, and it must slide open easily, and lock at intervals.
• ONE Handed: I must be able to open AND close it one-handed. Flip knive aren't cutting it with me because they take too long to close.
• Size: as above, not too small, and NOT too bulky. Handle must be long enough to retrieve from your back pocket without digging to much.

My knife of choice (last time I ordered, I ordered a case of 144 from the manufacturer) is the Americaline 9mm snap blade.

 

[mike93lx]

As a merchandiser at Home Depot, I open a LOT of boxes... sometimes one every thirty seconds for hours on end.

Key features I look for:

• Ergonomics: it has to fit well in the hand so it can be held securely. The small box cutters are cute, they hide in your pocket well, but are difficult to get out of your pocket when you need them.
• Locking: I have some arthritis in my thumbs, and it must slide open easily, and lock at intervals.
• ONE Handed: I must be able to open AND close it one-handed. Flip knive aren't cutting it with me because they take too long to close.
• Size: as above, not too small, and NOT too bulky. Handle must be long enough to retrieve from your back pocket without digging to much.

My knife of choice (last time I ordered, I ordered a case of 144 from the manufacturer) is the Americaline 9mm snap blade.

I am astounded that HD allows you to source your own knives

 

[bonneyman]

Just wait about a year and AI will be doing that job for you. I've sliced my hands enough over the years with those razor knives that I'd gladly turn that nasty job over to a robot.

 

[Caby]

I am astounded that HD allows you to source your own knives

They don't... I got written up for them )

I ordered 144 of them for my sign shop...

 

[mike93lx]

They don't... I got written up for them )

I ordered 144 of them for my sign shop...

That makes more sense

 

[SouthVA]

My go-to utility knife is an HNK, that I bought maybe 20 years ago when I was working as a finish carpenter. I recall choosing it from among the various utility knife options, many of which were cheaper. I did so because it fits my hand, is really comfortable to hold, and doesn’t require a screwdriver to change the blade.






Just out of curiosity, I searched for one online this morning, and couldn’t find it. Not even on eBay.

The company was still in business as of 2023, and still has a website. They list a similar model to mine - the 2010 - in their catalog. But there are no prices listed and no links to distributors, and I can’t find a dealer anywhere. Odd.

Fortunately it’s of sturdy construction, so I expect I’ll not need another. Unless I lose this one.

 

[RAS61]

Gotta ask how many boxes per day you’re opening to spend $150 on a box cutter….lol….
I enjoy my husky flip open locking utility knife at the house. At work, I’m on the delivery end of boxes, but if I need to open for a customer, a key works great….or sometimes they are taped so badly that they open themselves….

Heck, if you're spending up to $200 why not carry a custom pocket knife, something like this but smaller. Let people know you've got something expensive!

 

[kreisler]

Worth noting, my 2nd unit of the Tirant Razor V3 (standard issue, plus addons: MM-metric ruler scale, and warpspeed scale) has just been shipped. It's so good and valuable that i want to have two units for my peace of mind.

got the stuff a while back but it wasn't until today that i got around to installing it. Beautiful machining made in USA:


The middle knife is the legendary box cutter called The Utilizer 2.0 (73g) which is fully manufactured in the USA. I am retiring it because I now have two V3's at my disposal and i absolutely enjoy them so much more. The weight of the warpspeed scale V3 knife is 65g total, including the razor blade.


Btw my one and only insta account is @utilidude , which originates from the time i got into buying the The Utilizer 2.0 . So i am the original The Utilizer fan. But that was years ago and times have changed. I should create a new account @tirantdude lol

 

[buridan]

This is $10 - free shipping too.



Not judging someone who wants the $100 version, but it looks extremely similar to me.

I've had the Screwpop utility knife on my keychain for a few years now. I think it's great. Lift the retention bar and slide the blade forward with your thumb, then there's a magnet that makes the blade retract automatically when you lift the retention bar. Not the least bit tricky to operate one-handed.

It's also slimmer and lighter than the Keen Box Cutter you linked to (0.8oz vs 2.2oz). There's even an integrated bottle opener, making it a multi-tool (and the opener isn't something "extra" hanging off the end - you don't notice it).

Reminds me just a little of the Christy Knife, still made in the USA: "The Christy sliding blade knife is the handiest pocket knife ever designed. All parts are manufactured by hand with the original equipment from 1936. The Christy pocketknife is made now, as always, in Fremont, Ohio, USA."

 

[veloracer56]

We use the Starrett S011 Hidden Edge box cutters at work. They're a little bulkier than the ones in this thread, but the blade stays hidden when not in use.

S011 Hidden Edge Knife

The Hidden Edge Utility Knife keeps the blade safely tucked away when not in use, yet instantly available by simply releasing the safety lock and squeezing the lever to the knife body. The cutting depth is easily and accurately adjusted with a thumb wheel. With a quick release, the blade...

www.starrett.com

 

[dclark2171]

My late Father and myself has used Stanley run of the mill box cutters for years. I end up losing them and find them after I buy a new one. This model I have used the past few years and it really is a smooth operating cutter

https://www.grainger.com/product/5T...M-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gad_source=1&gclsrc=ds

 

[babyseal]

I carry a cheap little 1- 1/2", tanto style, serrated edge, lightweight, one handed opening, locking blade pocket knife with a belt loop. Does everything, it slices, it dices, it opens boxes, cans, strips wire, pries, chisel point makes a dandy scraper. When I lose it, and I will...spend another $20-30 to replace it.

With the exception of bespoke survival or combat knives back when I had an actual need for such things...can't imagine spending $150-200 on a knife, let alone a box cutter. Generally speaking, utility knives are disposable tools. Use them, lose them, abuse them...replace them.