Utility Knife Roundup

[M6erfan]

So I went on a quest this weekend to round up and corral all the utility knives I have scattered all over...



2x Bessey D-BKPH Folders

3x Stanley 099

1x Stanley 99E

2x Irwin 2082101

1x Lutz 82

1x Stanley 779

1x Olfa 1111773

1x Stanley 989

I think that's all...

 

[ChrisLS8]

So what's your favorite? Mine right now is tied with the quick change Stanley or the folding Dewalt

 

[Negen]

I have a thin dewalt that I like as well as an ofla. I like the old aluminum Stanley's too.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[gtsgarage]

I have lots, mostly Stanley which I think is the best. I have a folding Craftsman and now the Folding Milwaukee.

I like a bit of heft and good grip.

 

[Rabid Badger]

That Stanley 10-099 with all the paint worn off reminds me of one my dad used.

 

[doublearon98]

Stanley 99E on the tool belt and a Craftsman folding utility knife in my pocket.

The new craftsman replacement of the original folding knife (pic below is orig) looks neat but I've yet to use it

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[sberry]

The most common Stanley retractor bar none paired with genuine Stanley blades.

 

[M6erfan]

So what's your favorite? Mine right now is tied with the quick change Stanley or the folding Dewalt

Usually my favorite is the one that i can find or closest to me...

In all seriousness, it's hard to go wrong with the classic Stanleys, 99E or 099.

Here are my (3) 099s. The bottom one is the oldest utility knife I own, reverse side is marked "Pat Pending". The other two above are marked with the patent number. The bottom one was an experiment due to boredom, the paint was probably 50% wore off so I polished it One knock that bothers me abouit the 099 is that it only takes a flat head driver to take it apart, flat/philllips would be nice. These are sleek and nimble. "High speed/low drag" if you like...


Here is my 99E, fairly new. I modded it with some foam tape to keep the spare blades from rattling around inside. Pretty similar to the 099s but a bit "fatter" and heavier, not a bad thing necessarily...



However from a "details matter" standpoint I really like the Irwins. They have a few design features such as the screw only needs to be loosened for it to come apart and the screw stays captured in the body (no more hunting for that dropped screw). And the screw is slotted/phillips combo. The spare blades ride in a clip so they dont rattle around inside the handle, and the Irwin blades are scored so you can snap them off to get a fresh point. The handle is larger and more ergonomic than the classic Stanleys too. Sadly, these are made in China...

 

[jasonphelps]

I like my Milwaukee retractable. I think it is probably better than my new Fiskars Pro retractable at a lower price.

 

[Rickster]

I try to keep them in one place but every now and then I have to go on a knife & ruler round-up.

 

[sberry]

I scavenge and put Phillips in them. I agree and like the bixual screw. I try not to let them get wet either.

 

[M6erfan]

These are the ones I truly do not like. The Bessey folder and the Stanley 989...


I bought the Bessey on a whim a couple years ago to keep in the back of my SUV. It didn't get a lot of use but one day when I pulled it out I noticed that the plastic handles degraded into some sort of sticky mess (middle one in picture). On top of that the hinge that holds the blade storage cassette was broken. Anyway...I sent a nice email to Bessey and showed them a pic and explained what happened. They were very responsive and sent me a brand new one. Great

But I kid you not, the new one (top one in pic) was broken out of the box. Same spot, blade storage cassette hinge. These are garbage IMO. BTW, made in China...

The bottom one is the Stanley 989 quick change knife. Whoever designed the quick change mechanism should be flogged! Wholly frustrating to get everything lined up just so so that the swing apart mechanism works. On top of it all, the blade has to be exposed to get the mechanism to work. Brilliant...

Junk. Made in China too.

 

[M6erfan]

The Olfa I bought specifically for drywall cutting when I remodeled our living room a couple years ago. I wanted a snap blade knife...





Pretty simple, nice knife, no complaints. The ratcheting lock down screw holds the blades very securely, tool-less blade changes are easy and the blades are really sharp and hold up well. Made in Japan.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a yellow Cman utility knife that has served me very well over the last maybe 20 years. I tried to find another one for a spare but could never find them again. It has a blunt end and kinda reminds of a fish tail.

 

[M6erfan]

My most used knife is the Stanley 779. I bought this one a few years ago specifically for the color and it resides on a hang hook in my garage. No more putting it down somewhere then spending 5 minutes looking for it. It's kinda hard to miss. Very similar in design to the 99E but with a slightly different handle shape. Also has rubber grippy parts on the sides that, surprisingly, have held up really well in a relatively hostile shop environment. Great too when your hands/gloves are slippery. I like it . Made in China.





I dont think Stanley makes these in hi-viz green anymore

 

[nyy845]

I really like the Kobalt folding knives. Inevitably when I lose them, not too expensive to replace.

 

[Alaniho]

These are the ones I truly do not like. The Bessey folder and the Stanley 989...

But, but, it says 'patented' stamped into the Bessey, it must be good!

Seriously though i have the same knife 'Workpro' branded and its ok for light use but i find it a bit annoying that if you dont keep the plastic blade cover on when folding, the blade actually hits the metal inside of the body when it folds, dulling the blade. Also i think it does not fold neatly but thats probably just my OCD. The Milwaukee Fastback i got recently is a different class though.

 

[Jeff95TA]

Only on The Garage Journal could there be a discussion about utility knives. And I read the whole thing!

 

[M6erfan]

Only on The Garage Journal could there be a discussion about utility knives. And I read the whole thing!

Meh. I was bored. Plus, it's a nice change from the usual GearWrench, COO, Craftsman, Harbor Freight, Snap-on & Which screwdrivers should I buy? threads...

 

[M6erfan]

Finally the Lutz 82. I bought this a couple years ago based on some glowing reviews here on GJ. Man, this thing is a chunk! Slight shorter overall than the classic Stanleys but a bit wider and quite a bit taller. And weighty! Those that like a stout heavy knife will love this. The shape is much more square than most but it's comfortable to hold and feels substantial in hand. Apparently it's a classic in it's own right but sadly they are now made in China (mine is). It's fine, works well, nothing really notable besides the handle shape and weight. This one resides in our kitchen drawer...

 

[Shootinok]

I don’t mind the plain slotted screw in the old Stanley’s because they can be opened with a quarter. A handy option when you don’t have other tools in reach (and you have a change in your pocket)

I am a big fan of the Lutz though and given a drawer full of Utilty Knives, that would be the one I’d pick up.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[M6erfan]

I don’t mind the plain slotted screw in the old Stanley’s because they can be opened with a quarter. A handy option when you don’t have other tools in reach (and you have a change in your pocket)

I am a big fan of the Lutz though and given a drawer full of Utilty Knives, that would be the one I’d pick up.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Yep true, a good old American quarter will get those classic Stanleys open. Interesting that it wont work with the China made Lutz 82 or Stanley 779 (I wonder if a Yuan coin would fit those? ) U.S. quarter works on the China made Irwin though

 

[SRSemenza]

I like these two the best of any I have tried.

Irwin - different model than in previous posts.

Lenox (made by Lenox or ?) Very similar design to the Irwin but different.


Both fill / fit my hand ergonomically better than others. Both have a latch open (no screw), both have front loaded blade change, both have a blade clip for storage.

Seth

 

[WittHay]

I have the Stanley classic, Irwin, DeWalt. Milwaukee and a bunch of Olfa's.

What stands out for me is a Lennox 20219 US made and good for pushing. Used mainly for whittling insulation off electrical cable.

The Irwin Pro Touch is one the more comfortable pull knives around and the Bi-Metal blades are good. Got the new Stanley Craftsman to keep in the truck, mainly because I like red

 

[d.mcfarland]

It seems like the last 2 years has been an explosion of utility knife and knives in general creation, updating, and innovating.

Can't complain.

 

[dutchgray]

I use Stanley retractable at work but keep a few fixed blades at home, buy any decent used "Made in England" ones I see as they are far better than current production. Use unbranded but English made blades since Stanley stopped making theirs here.

 

[MushCreek]

I need one with a chip and an app so I can find the thing. I have at least 6 of them, yet still have to search high and low when I need one. Best thing I ever did was buying blades in a pack of 100.

 

[tyyost]

It’s funny this came up, I’ve been spending some time at my BIL’s house on a bathroom remodel. I must have a solid dozen knives around. Like many of you I keep boxes for each job type, a plumbing box, electrical bag, drywall box, etc. I hate two Hyde fixed blade knives, and one lives in my drywall box.

I inherited them both from my parents, and the control and grip are superb. I am surprised they are still made, albeit a little cheaper and available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NOCJWY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If fixed blade knives don’t scare you away, I’d highly suggest trying one for drywall or roofing.

 

[Jeff95TA]

Meh. I was bored. Plus, it's a nice change from the usual GearWrench, COO, Craftsman, Harbor Freight, Snap-on & Which screwdrivers should I buy? threads...

I remember one that my dad always used. I'll have to grab it next time I stop to see my mom.

 

[SRX]

My most used knife is the Stanley 779. It's kinda hard to miss. Very similar in design to the 99E but with a slightly different handle shape. Also has rubber grippy parts on the sides

^^^


This is my go-to and most used knife. Just feels proper in hand. The rubbery sides hold it in place on most surfaces and makes it "grippier".

 

[scubadoober]

It’s funny this came up, I’ve been spending some time at my BIL’s house on a bathroom remodel. I must have a solid dozen knives around. Like many of you I keep boxes for each job type, a plumbing box, electrical bag, drywall box, etc. I hate two Hyde fixed blade knives, and one lives in my drywall box.

I inherited them both from my parents, and the control and grip are superb. I am surprised they are still made, albeit a little cheaper and available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NOCJWY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If fixed blade knives don’t scare you away, I’d highly suggest trying one for drywall or roofing.

They make one in a top slide. https://www.amazon.com/Hyde-Tools-42083-MaxxGrip-Utility/dp/B001RNDR4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546264716&sr=8-1&keywords=hyde+42083

 

[Locker537]

Like most tools, I have a preference.

I bought this one from Milwaukee because it doesn't require a tool to change the blade.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Hand-Tools/Cutting/Knives-and-Blades/48-22-1910

Whether it's roofing or installing vinyl flooring, I hate having to slow down to change blades. With the Milwaukee, it takes a few seconds to flip the blade and it stores a handful of them securely in the handle like most utility knives.

My old Stanley knives are now in my toolbox.

For more precision tasks, even doing layout on wood as you would with a marking knife, I've been using this Olfa:

https://olfa.com/professional/product/stainless-steel-precision-knife-svr-2/

Crazy sharp, and the size handles nicely like a pencil.

 

[jgromada]

What is the consensus for best knife for cutting drywall?

 

[danielbuck]

My most used knife is the Stanley 779. I bought this one a few years ago specifically for the color and it resides on a hang hook in my garage. No more putting it down somewhere then spending 5 minutes looking for it. It's kinda hard to miss. Very similar in design to the 99E but with a slightly different handle shape. Also has rubber grippy parts on the sides that, surprisingly, have held up really well in a relatively hostile shop environment. Great too when your hands/gloves are slippery. I like it . Made in China.





I dont think Stanley makes these in hi-viz green anymore

hah, yea the bare metal looking Stanley knives disappear pretty quick, I've got about 4 or 5 Stanley 10-499 knives floating around, I can usually find one of them.

I like them in use, SOMETIMES it's difficult to change the blade, but usually it's pretty easy. I must not change them often enough, because every time I put a new blade in I say "this is cutting good now!" haha

 

[bigredcornhead]

Gotta admit i like the Irwins myself have a ton of random seems i always grab the beat up blue irwin

 

[NUTTSGT]

Here's my older Craftsman utility knife. I have no idea who it was made by.

 

[mudflap]

Like everybody..i have a few different cutters laying around. But this one is my favorite and i usually have it clipped in my pocket at work. It locks in 2 positions which is nice for fine work or to get it in tight spaces, and it exposes more of the blade than most box cutters. Our Kimball rep gave it to me a few yrs ago, but i know they sell them on their website. It's really solid and the finger hole is nice when the cutting gets greasy or wet, no way its gonna slip out of your hand.

 

[Bryan Burns]

Here's an ideal utility knife.

 

[Bryan Burns]

Most of mine with my favorites on the right. For a bench my go to knives are the cast iron ones, and the Trim Jak being the best of the lot. For carrying on my person, I like the Ideal best.

As I mentioned in a thread a long time ago, I believe Irwin bi-metal blades are superior to the Stanley plain steel blades.

 

[doublearon98]

I prefer stanley extra heavy duty

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk