Tools to use instead of a knife

[AEAdam]

One of my grandfathers had been a carpenter and used a hatchet a lot to trim boards etc., things that I might use a table saw to do, such as rip a piece of vertical trim to width. He would just take his razor sharp hatch and hew the edge of the board to size with the board nailed in place. It was a broad hatchet, so flat on one side. I still have it around someplace, although probably not as sharp as he used it.

It’s fast and does things a saw can’t do. You don't need a broad hatchet to hew or do fine work. Though a thin bladed hatchet is nice. Everyone‘s grandfather who was a carpenter had one. They are ubiquitous in old images of wood shops, carpenters yards etc.

 

[four.cycle]

iSesamo is probably the most popular brand of metal spudger, with a very thin, very strong and springy blade of perfectly deburred stainless steel.

Website says "out of stock" on that particular item, and it's rather difficult to tell what that widget really is from that photo.
Along the same lines as the "skin wedge", but on a smaller scale?

iFixit also sells a lot of high-quality spudgers and opening tools in general for poking and prying your widgetry.

AHA! Thank you! I've been puzzled by "iFixit" items and didn't know where they were coming from.
I'm going to guess they're most likely importing that stuff from Asia.
Did you notice they also make a "mini bit kit" with the 4mm hex bits? $20 price point for 32-piece set (less than half of the Tekton set, but the Tekton set had more pieces, as I recall)

There's a similar, larger pry tool, often called "Superman's fingernail", a thin strong blade intended for separating sheet metal in auto body work and other work with sheet metal. I think the proper name is "skin wedge prybar", and it's useful for all sorts of prying.

The "Skin Wedge" tool is a must have. But $23 is too much to pay for that item - they can be had for much less.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I really don't get what's difficult to understand for some of you guys.

I mean, are there tools that others may not know about, which you can tell them about, that may be an improvement on them using a knife for certain tasks.

Let me give you an example:

1. Someone's been opening sealant cartridges using a knife all their life. It works but isn't ideal.
2. They read this thread.
3. Someone else has posted a tool made for just that job, like a cigar cutter, that the original person didn't know about.
4. The person may buy that tool because it's better than a knife for that particular job - easier, safer.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

This is a little ridiculous. Every tool you post above is purposely designed for a task, and will be better at that task then a knife.

It's not ridiculous, bear with me

You got half the point here with "will be better at that task than a knife". The idea is people post other tools that are also better than a knife, for some specific task.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Go look at OP thread history. Make sense now?

I've started many threads about tools on this tool forum.

There's pretty much always a good level of interest, people share their tools and knowledge, others learn about them and their use, and may buy them. The number of replies to the last few threads were: 8, 45, 8, 61, 30, 35, 54, 19, 7, 7, 161. I'm not one to start threads about the first thing that comes to my mind, or to make low effort ones without doing any research first.

So I'd like to think most would not have an issue with the topics I raise. Threads not of interest are easy enough to ignore. I'm always happy to clarify the occasional confusion, as above.

 

[Dave455]

I get where the O.P. is coming from.

There are a lit of options out there, and as always, the right tool makes life easier.

My first choice is usually a pair of scissors. Traditional scissors are one option, but these by Engineer seem more suited to my sort of uses. The same tools are rebranded as “Vamplier”.


Sometimes you need something a little heavier. These snips ride around in my road box, and get used on everything from packets to rubber strip etc.


Sometimes, you have to do tasks that you wouldn’t want to put a decent quality knife even close to. Cutting sandpaper is one such task, and buying it by the roll I seem to need to do it it often.

These old tin snips have little value in them, but the steel is obviously quite decent as they have done this task for some years. I have two pairs of these. One pair is 1944 dated.


Sometimes you do need a knife, but the right one.

I use scalpels a lot, but regular ones are often a little too fragile for my uses. I find these “Major” scalpels to be excellent.


But for something more regular sized, these Swann Morton “Cygnetic” scalpels are a superb design. You can change blades more easily than any other, yet the blade is held perfectly rigidly.

 

[mike93lx]

My first choice is usually a pair of scissors. Traditional scissors are one option, but these by Engineer seem more suited to my sort of uses. The same tools are rebranded as “Vamplier”.

I got a set of those last week after seeing them in another thread.

Might even use them someday

 

[Dave455]

I got a set of those last week after seeing them in another thread.

Might even use them someday

I find them pretty useful tools actually. I keep them in my “property maintenance” kit but I find I’m always borrowing them out of there for other purposes.

They’re great for cutting pvc or duct tape, and in fact for anything shiny as the serrations give a bit of grip.

I use them on wiring jobs too - just right for knocking blanks out of plastic junction boxes, or reaming small holes in the same before fitting grommets.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

I agree, shears definitely make the list. Here is my pair.





Not sure of the OEM. The “trap” is a nice feature when cutting cables, and the serrations really help “trapping” whatever you’re cutting as well. Crimping and wire stripping works, but is more of an “emergency type” feature.

I use them as sturdy/ all-round shears and they do a great job when cutting self-sticking plasterer’s/ joint tape. Always inside my “personal toolbox”, so there for every project.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[joel63]

It is possible to dig through a concrete wall with a modified spoon. It just takes time.

The Count of Monte Cristo did it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

depends on the job at hand I'd say

Teeth !

 

[snickers muncher]

Table saw.

I had a boss who would take a large notepad and run it through the table saw to make two small ones. I guess if you're making lists you need a long paper and not a wide one.