Lockback Utility Knives

[Ign]

I think I have a dozen or so utility knives.. My favorite, and what I think is the BEST is the Milwauee fastbacks. I have the original, the fastback2, and 2 of the 3 knives.. I won't leave my house without one of them in my pocket. They have the best open/lock mechanism. It's truely one-handed. The belt clips are great, and they are virtually unbreakable..

This. Since I got used to the one-handed operation of the Milwaukees I got rid of all my others. I have at least 5 Fastbacks around. Milwaukee's blade retention is better than the other imports with a button, but I agree the sliding plate of old which sandwiched the blade was king. I de-burr a lot of Delrin/acetal pieces with these and a blade which can slop around a lot will screw you. The Milwaukees are acceptable though.

 

[maxwage]

I like the Lenox.

The Lenox Gold blades are by far the best, sharpest and longest lasting blades I've used. I have a utility knife "fetish so to speak". Will post a pic when I find one.

 

[maxwage]

I wish the forum resized images. Jeebus that's big...

 

[ajchien]

Wrote about lock-back utility knives on ToolGuyd today. I'm just wondering if you guys are fond of such knives.

As mentioned, I personally have a different favorite, but if I can't find it, I use my Cman lockback since it's compact. I don't love using it, but I don't mind it either.

I'm not fond of the razor blade utility knives. I find utility knives great for packaging. But they aren't good for wood processing or yard/garden work.

I'm more into regular knives like the Opinel, Buck stockman, Case knives.

Something like the unexciting Opinel 8 does it all for me. Sharp enough and thin enough to break down packaging and cardboard without effort. Stout enough to cut down a small tree branches, rubber hoses, pre whittle square wood stock before making dowel rods etc.