Box cutters versus utility knives?

[Ton ton]

Are they one and the same? If they are different, what is the difference? I use my folding utility knife to cut cardboard and plastic. Please tell me what you prefer. Thank you.

 

[Handyandy23]

I was always under the impression that "box cutters" were the self-retracting style where you push the little button forward on the side of the knife to extend the blade. And utility knives are folding or they don't self-retract. But that might just be my own perception, for the most part I think they're the same thing. I have a folding Milwaukee utility knife that I just use for everything.

 

[f121]

I always thought a box cutter had a hook blade:


In the UK 'utility knifes' are normally called 'stanley knifes'

 

[mike93lx]

Those hook blades are for cutting stuff like carpet, in my experience.

I don't use the term box cutter, but think of it as basically the same as a utility knife, which to me is a retractable blade knife or a knife with a fixed blade like this

 

[HalfTonTom]

Those hook blades are for cutting stuff like carpet, in my experience.

I don't use the term box cutter, but think of it as basically the same as a utility knife, which to me is a retractable blade knife or a knife with a fixed blade like this

That's a box cutter. A utility knife is the one that holds the double-sided blade and is normally retractable.

 

[mike93lx]

That's a box cutter. A utility knife is the one that holds the double-sided blade and is normally retractable.

Pretty obvious that there isn't an absolute here.

Most would call this a utility knife (including olfa) and it doesn't use a double sided blade

 

[Toolfool]

That's a box cutter. A utility knife is the one that holds the double-sided blade and is normally retractable.

Agreed. your picture is a box cutter. The blade cutting depth is limited so as not to cut into the goods inside the box.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I would say a box cutter is a type of utility knife, with a short blade or burr to cut tape without damaging the contents. Of course, a utility knife can be used as a box cutter, or may have a box cutter blade setting.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Agreed. your picture is a box cutter. The blade cutting depth is limited so as not to cut into the goods inside the box.

Do they still make these? I was issued one by Mom-n-Pop when I started working at the Mom-n-Pop hardware store 30 years ago. Haven't seen one in ages.

-Ryan

 

[lardy1]

Stanley knives. Utility knives. Boxcutters. Razor knives. I'm not sure there's really a difference in today's world. With so many reinvented mousetraps in the game it's hard to keep track. I've owned dozens and never found anything better than the standard Stanley retracting. Gimmicks be damned.

 

[Nick Danger]

I don't understand what the difference is. I always called my Stanley knife a box knife. Wikipedia includes the X-Acto knives under fixed-blade utility knives.

 

[Ton ton]

I would say a box cutter is a type of utility knife, with a short blade or burr to cut tape without damaging the contents. Of course, a utility knife can be used as a box cutter, or may have a box cutter blade setting.

Well said.

 

[NUTTSGT]

To me, box cutters use a single edge razor blade. The blade holder slides back in the cutter body.

The utility knife uses a utility knife blade (with triangular edges) that retracts back in the body. Typical design, not all, allow for extra blade storage in the body.

I have a box cutter but rarely use it. Im always afraid my hand will slip down across the blade as I slide it closed.

 

[EngineerNate]

Regardless of what you call them, we should all be able to agree the locking Olfa is the platonic ideal.

 

[Ton ton]

Regardless of what you call them, we should all be able to agree the locking Olfa is the platonic ideal.

I guess I have to buy one to find out. You ****.

 

[f121]

I'm pretty sure there was a recent thread on what the best utility knife is. Obviously it was long, rambling and inconclusive, but I remember agreeing that this is definitely the worst:


Today I discovered it's purpose: lending to contractors. It's so annoying they will definitely give it back.

 

[EngineerNate]

Those folding ones are so bulky. The Kobalt brand ones that are flat aluminum aren't as bad, but I have one like the one pictured and it's awful.

 

[mike93lx]

Do they still make these? I was issued one by Mom-n-Pop when I started working at the Mom-n-Pop hardware store 30 years ago. Haven't seen one in ages.

-Ryan

Yup, under a buck a piece in a 12 pack. Although any workplace with a safety department would probably have a word with you if you tried using one today
Pacific Handy Cutter Inc. HC100 Handy Box Cutter, Tap Open/Tap Close, 12 per Box, Assorted(Packaging may vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IC0L/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[seber]

In my worthless opinion a utility knife is one that holds utility blades. Those universal reversible blades sold by tool companies. A box cutter can be just about anything with a blade.

 

[2oolhound]

I remember my dad using utility knives in the mid 60's. They were the stanley type with the reversable blade. Not only that but back then you had to unscrew the 2 piece handle to do anything with the blade. You could move it forward maybe a 1/4" or flip it to use the other end, then screw the handle back together. Eventually they made one that automatically extended the blade the 1/4" with a sliding thumb button. Extra blades were stored in the handle also.

The box cutters were called something else before 9/11 but the box cutter name stuck after that. They had a long blade that was retractable. When the tip got dull the blade had scores every 3/4" or so and you could easily snap the end section off and have a new tip to cut with. When I discovered the Olfa knives that used those blades I switched to them as the original designs were being made in china and the handles and other parts would fall apart often because of the thin cheap plastic they started using.

I like the olfa ones the best now and must have close to a dozen scattered around.

 

[DAustin]

We had Safety ones that retracted back into the handle when you let go of the button. And the blades were rounded at the tip. They were POS.

 

[tyyost]

Around these parts box cutter meant the single edge razor blade style others have posted with the metal sleeve.
They were widely used at stores to cut open boxes to stock shelves. Used because they had a theoretical limited depth of cut to not damage contents, and while you could cut yourself, it was not the same as a full on utility knife. Blades were also cheap and widely available.

Ultimately, I think they faded out as carrying a razor blade in a crude sleeve in your pants lost favor to safer ways to break open boxes. The culture of idiot proofing may have played a key role too.

 

[MushCreek]

I still have the box cutter issued to me at my first 'official' job stocking shelves in 1969. The little notch is a string cutter which works when the blade is retracted. I honestly can't remember what we called these kind of knives.

 

[FMB4]

I worked retail from time to time and the single edged razor blade 'holders' were called 'box cutters'. While working in construction the retractable double ended tools were called 'utility knives'. I have both along with a number of the cheap plastic handled retractable blade tools with the 'snap-off' blades. The utility knife and plastic cutters are what I use most.

 

[cgv69]

To me, box cutters use a single edge razor blade.

The utility knife uses a utility knife blade (with triangular edges)

/\

That is how I've always differentiated between the 2

 

[Slednut]

When I got out of High School (1976) I was a night stocker at a grocery store. This is the box knife I used for 5 years while attending college.

The reason it's so shiny is because I was building a 1955 F100 at the time and the knife got into the box of stuff I was taking to the chrome shop.

I was really sad that I couldn't find my knife because you kind of got use to them. When I picked up the box of stuff at the chrome shop I was really happy I got my nice shiny knife back.

Those little skinny box knifes are worthless for cutting open boxes for 8 hours.

 

[mike93lx]

When I got out of High School (1976) I was a night stocker at a grocery store. This is the box knife I used for 5 years while attending college.

The reason it's so shiny is because I was building a 1955 F100 at the time and the knife got into the box of stuff I was taking to the chrome shop.

I was really sad that I couldn't find my knife because you kind of got use to them. When I picked up the box of stuff at the chrome shop I was really happy I got my nice shiny knife back.

That's an awesome story. I'd definitely hold onto that

I love that they plated it, no questions asked.

 

[Just_Steve]

I still have the box cutter issued to me at my first 'official' job stocking shelves in 1969. The little notch is a string cutter which works when the blade is retracted. I honestly can't remember what we called these kind of knives.

Did you know you could use the back end as a scrapper also?

 

[lardy1]

My boss at the cabinet shop carried one of these and bought one for everyone. I never really cared that much for it. The last time I replaced the blade it was hard to find and pricy, as I remember it.

 

[Dieselclunker]

Check these out ! OPEN !!

 

[Dieselclunker]

Here are the people who made Craftsman MultiCut ??

 

[toolmiser]

I also carried one of those "box Cutters" in my back pocket when I worked in a little grocery store in high school/college. It slid open once and cut the seat in my near new car. Made me real sad. My Mother sewed it up and it was still intact when I sold it after 10 years.

 

[mopar4u]

I dont give a **** what you call it but this is by far my favorite after years of using the traditional sliders/box cutters/utility knives/cheap give aways/etc.

 

[Dieselclunker]

RONAN TOOLS

 

[dscheidt]

My boss at the cabinet shop carried one of these and bought one for everyone. I never really cared that much for it. The last time I replaced the blade it was hard to find and pricy, as I remember it.

i use one of these as a marking knife to mark wood with. I belive the replacement blade I bought cost more than the whole knife.

 

[HenryAZ]

You can buy hook blades for the standard box cutter/utility knife (like the Stanley 99E).

 

[Toxictom]

When I got out of High School (1976) I was a night stocker at a grocery store. This is the box knife I used for 5 years while attending college.

The reason it's so shiny is because I was building a 1955 F100 at the time and the knife got into the box of stuff I was taking to the chrome shop.

I was really sad that I couldn't find my knife because you kind of got use to them. When I picked up the box of stuff at the chrome shop I was really happy I got my nice shiny knife back.

Those little skinny box knifes are worthless for cutting open boxes for 8 hours.

Now you have to post pictures of the truck. I was also a night stocker right out of high school in '75 with a 1955 F100.
I used to have a bunch of the flat box knives, usually with a food company name or logo.

 

[Slednut]

Now you have to post pictures of the truck. I was also a night stocker right out of high school in '75 with a 1955 F100.
I used to have a bunch of the flat box knives, usually with a food company name or logo.

Here's a picture of a picture, the pickup, had a 67 LTD front clip, fiberglass one-piece front end and a diamond tuck bed. 289ci c4 out of the LTD, and also a 1956 grille. The first picture is before I narrowed up the rear end housing.

BTW that's my daughter who is now 40 years old.

 

[dnschmidt]

Do they still make these? I was issued one by Mom-n-Pop when I started working at the Mom-n-Pop hardware store 30 years ago. Haven't seen one in ages.

-Ryan

Yes, just look on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IC0L/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wafrederick]

The box cutters are OSHA approved and utility knives are not in the work place