Utility knife- favorite?

[Ton ton]

Does anyone have a utility knife that you really like? I noticed a new member bumping up a 7 year old thread over a utility knife. Please post about favorite box cutters / utility knives. I have not found one that I really like- yet.

 

[caltemus]

I've used the Stanley 10-810 for a number of years and it's my go to blade other than a little CountyComm pocket scalpel

 

[lardy1]

I keep one of these on my main bench. I usually use one of my many retractables if I need to carry one. But the old 1299 is my favorite.

 

[measuredtwice]

I like the original Superknife. I got one free with a purchase many years ago. It was made in the USA. They were very popular years ago. The company was bought up by Fiskars in 2005 and now Gerber moved production to China. I haven't tried the Gerber version but I've heard it's not as good as the original. The design has now been widely copied by many other companies.

You can sometimes find the original Superknife in new condition on Ebay. Buy one if you find one.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I have Sheffield utility knives everywhere I go and in every vehicle. I dont wear a knife, but I really like their folding box knives, very affordable quality.

 

[measuredtwice]

I keep one of these on my main bench. I usually use one of my many retractables if I need to carry one. But the old 1299 is my favorite.

Classic. I have a few of those as well.

 

[LeeG]

Stanley 10-788. Has been my go-to for years.

 

[mike93lx]

I have a couple from kobalt that I like as they are a little larger than the default Stanley, plus have a tool less blade change.

 

[Handyandy23]

I've been using a Milwaukee Fastback for a while now and I really like it. Much more handy than the slider type utility knives IMO.

It's also held up quite well. Locking mechanism is easy to use, smooth, and tight. Had it full of drywall dust, sawdust, etc and cleans right up and keeps working.

 

[Ditchdigger]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the good old Stanley 99E.

 

[PugetDude]

Stanley 10-399 Quick Change Fixed blade is my favorite.

I hate retractable utility knives, the retract/lock mechanism is right where you apply pressure when you're bearing down during a cut; half the time the the blade collapses and retracts.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[snickers muncher]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the good old Stanley 99E.

I've got to agree with that. I've got folding utility knives all over the place and carried an Irwin for years, but for serious work the old Stanley is king.

Folding utility knives have their blades pull out, sloppy construction, uncomfortable handles for hard cuts. If one of the actual knife manufacturers made a serious attempt at making one I'd buy it even if it was not inexpensive.

 

[64merc]

I have a bunch of different styles, but my go-to is the Milwaukee Fastback.

 

[mike93lx]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the good old Stanley 99E.

Nothing wrong, but there are other knives with useful features. Not having to grab a screwdriver to change a blade is really nice

 

[Ton ton]

Thanks for the response, everyone.

 

[powerstrokin]

Normally when i post an opinion i am pretty open to anyone else offering something new and/or better. But i can't be convinced there is a better utility blade than Olfa. I have yet to find anything sharper when it comes to their blades. If you know anyone that has used any of their products, they will tell you the same exact thing! Look up their reviews, its nothing but amazing feedback.

 

[bsaint]

Worn out a few Stanley 10-389




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B_Bimmer]

I too would take a 99e any day.

 

[mike93lx]

Normally when i post an opinion i am pretty open to anyone else offering something new and/or better. But i can't be convinced there is a better utility blade than Olfa. I have yet to find anything sharper when it comes to their blades. If you know anyone that has used any of their products, they will tell you the same exact thing! Look up their reviews, its nothing but amazing feedback.

I don't own an olfa but have been tempted.

I really like carbide blades in my knives. Crazy sharp and they hold up well

 

[powerstrokin]

I don't own an olfa but have been tempted.

I really like carbide blades in my knives. Crazy sharp and they hold up well

You should definitely try one out then! I honestly cant even recommend my favorite model to you, because i seriously love all of them haha.

 

[mike93lx]

You should definitely try one out then! I honestly cant even recommend my favorite model to you, because i seriously love all of them haha.

They had an offer for a free knife a couple years ago that I registered for but never got it. I bet if they had sent it to me, I would probably own several at this point, but alas, they didn't.
I don't remember ever seeing them on a shelf anywhere locally. A utility knife tends to be a spur of the moment buy for me

 

[BiggityBen]

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/utility-knives/utility-knife-retractable-blade

i've always used this as my beater, it has never let me down. i just found by looking it up that it's no longer in production . fits in your pocket well and is solid, i used it for cutting all the vinyl tiles when redoing the bathroom.

i have a Snap On retractable as well, it is bulky and was over $20 but is otherwise solid. that mostly stays in the home tool box though. the Klein is my clear favorite i'd say

 

[M6erfan]

I posted some thoughts here...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=411058

 

[Kev442]

Stanley 779.
I buy the Stanley 99 clones for cheap when it is a messy job.

 

[senlow]

I'm a fixed blade guy. I prefer the compact ergonomics of the fixed blade. I keep retractable blade knives in my vehicles. In the shop, it's nothing but fixed blade knives. Most of them are the traditional Stanley 299. I have a Wizard and a few other oddballs. There is an old cast iron Stanley at my main bench that I had electroless nickel plated.

 

[Bill Bowman]

Bessey here. Folds up with blade storage for 5 blades.

 

[SDF]

I like the NT Cutter PRO with 30° blades
and a far second HYDE 9mm with 30° blades swapped.
I carry The NT Cutter PRO rather than a pocket knife.

 

[speed bump]

Stanley 10-788. Has been my go-to for years.

I'll second this. I also have a pile of 99s because Menards had them 2 for $5 at some point and I put them everywhere.

 

[Bogie1632]

Stanley 99E and a Husky folding are my go-to knifes. Are there better? Yup. But this one hasn't failed me yet so no need for another. I don't hang much board anymore or install many tile ceilings but when I did I used a Stanley 199E fixed blade. Didn't have to change the blade very often as I also had a short sharpening steel hanging on my tool belt for a quick touch ups if needed (learned that from my grandfather). You'd be surprised how long a blade lasts with a quick sharpening.

V/R
Bogie

 

[sparky 1971]

I rarely use a utility knife but when I do, I am partial to the Milwaukee retractable. It took awhile to get used to the slide being on the side. Once I got used to that, it's great.

 

[anndel]

Worn out a few Stanley 10-389




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is my go to and favorite as well - the Stanley banana. I have Milwaukee Fast Back 1 and 2 but my go to is the banana.

 

[NoahG]

For me, it’s the Milwaukee Fastback Compact. Been my main work knife for about 4 years now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pizza]

if you want a box cutter to open up packages, my favorite so far is the starrett S011 hidden edge. i love this thing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DCBOH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

the blade is spring loaded and pops out when you squeeze the 'trigger'.

the blade protrusion is also adjustable. i have it set at a shallow cut (about the thickness of a normal cardboard box) to make it difficult to accidentally cut the contents of a package.

idk how it would hold up in a production environment. it's got a lot of plastic in it. but for home use, it's fine. i keep it by the front door and open all my packages with it.

 

[Qualitytools]

if you want a box cutter to open up packages, my favorite so far is the starrett S011 hidden edge. i love this thing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DCBOH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

the blade is spring loaded and pops out when you squeeze the 'trigger'.

the blade protrusion is also adjustable. i have it set at a shallow cut (about the thickness of a normal cardboard box) to make it difficult to accidentally cut the contents of a package.

idk how it would hold up in a production environment. it's got a lot of plastic in it. but for home use, it's fine. i keep it by the front door and open all my packages with it.

That is well engineered, a lot of thought went into that, I like it a lot! Thanks for sharing

 

[d42jeep]

Speaking of Starrett, I found a case of these at an estate sale in Berkeley. They all sold quickly on eBay. US Made unlike most modern Starrett box cutters.
-Don

 

[WittHay]

I have no need for a box cutter knife and not sure what one is but have lots of utility knives. Olfa's to the Stanley classics.

One of my favorites is a Lennox 20219 with the thumb rest. Gray Tools 205 is a made in Spain version

 

[Rickster]

I’m on the Stanley 10-788 band wagon too. My fav. Quick change blade feature is great. Storing extras in the handle. Good hefty feel to the body.

 

[Flathead Youngin']

Lutz....beyone tough....

 

[Maui]

My favorite is a Klein that I got when I worked a summer job in the Hammermill paper company (now bankrupt) after my sophomore year in college. I’ve had this knife for 37 years, and it has been a workhorse. A close second is this folding Craftsman utility knife. It is much more comfortable in the hand, but I usually reach for the Klein because it is always in my carry around tool box.

 

[Kevin54]

Kobalt. Plus I have a lot of Stanleys, but prefer the Kobalt over those.