Utility knives

[usmc_noma]

So I have a few utility knives and for some reason I never can find one when I need it the most. Now, I have a few half plastic and metal knives. One was given to me by my kids from Durabuilt during Christmas. I believe my wife got it from Target. Though not as good, it is still my favorite just because my girls gave it to me.

My second favorite and most used is an all steel Stanley 99E. IIRC it's Made in the USA of global components. It's solid in hand and heavy. I like the way it feels and rarely find the plain jane, non-flashy, sliding lock, or fixed lock knives anymore. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough, but a lot I see at the big boxes have the flip back utility knives. Now I've had those and used them in the work place, but I always go back to the old school type knives.

In searching eBay for another 99E, I came across some old stock Stanley USA knives. One of which, I want to find. This is the Stanley 199. They're fixed blade and look sturdy as hell. I like the knurling on it plus the design of the fleur de lis. Best of all is the "Made in the USA" stamped on the one side like it was placed on there with pride, which I'm sure it was. Now, I'll have to find one of these to add to my set. I've attached a pic of the 199.

What's your go to or most used knife? Does anyone here collect utility knives?

 

[scaron]

i love those old-school heavy metal case, screw-apart, fixed-blade stanley utility knives. i have a few of them.

 

[LEVE]

I bought a package of 3 HDX retractable knives at HD for about $6. They were pretty basic classic style except the color, orange.

A couple of days ago I was in HD in Astoria, OR... and the same set was on close out for $2.

Dang...



I hope some are left when I go back.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Here's a similar one I got at a yard sale a couple of years ago for half a buck. I use it all the time.

 

[Highlux]

Best one I ever used was just like this....it was made in England bt Stanley though...this in pic appears to be a knockoff? If anyone knows model number or a link to one just like it, I would sure appreciate it. Great knife. Simple. Long lasting. Bug enough to get two hands on to score stuff well. I lost mine, I had it for many many years.

 

[bwringer]

I'm fantastic with mechanical things, really **** with "house stuff".

About two years ago, my wife's brother, who is a highly skilled contractor, showed me something I had somehow missed in my four and a half decades on this planet. He showed me the difference between utility knives where the halves lock together and the really cheap ones where the halves are just held together by one screw in the middle.

MIND=BLOWN

I had never noticed the difference before. I thought utility knives just spread apart and failed as a matter of course.

I immediately tossed out a few crappy knives I had lying around and bought a four pack of decent ones.

It's the little things that make all the difference.

 

[Highlux]

I found the knife above.... good price too. I highly recommend.

Buying one right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stanley-Tit...206?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51b856c4d6

 

[fivespdcat]

I bought a package of 3 HDX retractable knives at HD for about $6. They were pretty basic classic style except the color, orange.

A couple of days ago I was in HD in Astoria, OR... and the same set was on close out for $2.

Dang...



I hope some are left when I go back.

I bought these for throw aways last night when I had to cut some plastic tile at my parents house. Wasn't planning on it and didn't bring my tools. These are terrible knives and I would not recommend them to anyone. My favorite "new" one is the dewalt, made in USA. I've also got a few Stanley's that are top quality.

 

[805gregg]

I've got a great condition 199, I'll sell you if you are gullible, cheap simple models, I prefer the retractable 99e so I don't cut through my back pocket

 

[johno]

I like these.
I've tried 3 different models, along the same line and this might be the best IMO.


http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-maximum-lockback-knife-0575094p.html#.UusihK-A2Uk

 

[yjWrangler]

For utility knives I just use my Gerber EAB

 

[cburnscrx]

This is far and away my favorite utility knife. Most people aren't a huge fan of Kobalt, but this is a real gem! The blade storage built in is the icing on the cake. It's fantastic and the quick release mechanism is easy to grip too.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Check out the folding scheffields, my favorite. Ive had probably 15 different brand folding utility knives in the last decade.

 

[BobsurUncle]

I'm afraid of getting to close to my work. I'm short too. 18" knife solves both problems.

 

[nicksnothereman]

So I have a few utility knives and for some reason I never can find one when I need it the most. Now, I have a few half plastic and metal knives. One was given to me by my kids from Durabuilt during Christmas. I believe my wife got it from Target. Though not as good, it is still my favorite just because my girls gave it to me.

My second favorite and most used is an all steel Stanley 99E. IIRC it's Made in the USA of global components. It's solid in hand and heavy. I like the way it feels and rarely find the plain jane, non-flashy, sliding lock, or fixed lock knives anymore. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough, but a lot I see at the big boxes have the flip back utility knives. Now I've had those and used them in the work place, but I always go back to the old school type knives.

In searching eBay for another 99E, I came across some old stock Stanley USA knives. One of which, I want to find. This is the Stanley 199. They're fixed blade and look sturdy as hell. I like the knurling on it plus the design of the fleur de lis. Best of all is the "Made in the USA" stamped on the one side like it was placed on there with pride, which I'm sure it was. Now, I'll have to find one of these to add to my set. I've attached a pic of the 199.

What's your go to or most used knife? Does anyone here collect utility knives?

After I got my husky razor cutter I haven't really used mine. I have a bunch of them I used to cut down boxes with and do some hose work with. Razor cutter is much cleaner for everything but that's probably my problem not the tool's problem.

Best of my bunch is a lightweight hdx one honestly. Those craftsman folding clip razor knives are good though...better than the other folding ones I have. With these knives it's more or less the razors that are going to matter more than the frame unless you want lightweight.

 

[usmc_noma]

I bought these for throw aways last night when I had to cut some plastic tile at my parents house. Wasn't planning on it and didn't bring my tools. These are terrible knives and I would not recommend them to anyone. My favorite "new" one is the dewalt, made in USA. I've also got a few Stanley's that are top quality.

I didn't know Dewalt had any USA made knives. Post a pic if you get a chance.

 

[usmc_noma]

I think the razors are important, but I have to disagree with nicksnothereman on the frame. I think its just as important because some can be too thin or too big. Similar to the feel of a screwdriver in the hand. If its something quick I'm cutting then the thickness doesn't matter. Now if its carpet, shingles, etc then it helps imo to have the thicker frame for better grip.

 

[fivespdcat]

I didn't know Dewalt had any USA made knives. Post a pic if you get a chance.

The folder is Taiwan and the retractable is USA. Some HDs still have the two pack for $12.97 and the 100 pack of blades for around the same. You can also get a 75 pack of blades and knife for $12.97. Sounds like a great deal to me!

http://t.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Blades-and-Utility-Knife-75-Pack-DWHT71647D/203349881/

 

[IndyGarage]

I've got several, but I prefer the milwaukee folding one.

Speaking of utility knives - I bought 2 pack of those 75 Dewault blades that are pictured above at HD a couple weeks ago - I think they were left over christmas stocking stuffers and had a clearance price on them.

They are awesome blades - much sharper than I normally find.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The 199 is still made. I think they are less than $5. Well worth it!

 

[rshadd]

I have an assortment of utility knives. This is the most recent one that I purchased.

Revo (China). I like the design on this one. Having half the blade exposed is great for cutting stuff like carpet of roofing shingles. What I don't like is having to use both hands to open and close it. Not being able to store spare blades is also a negative.

Stanley 10-199 (USA) This the one I use the most in the shop. It's a simple fixed blade design that is time tested to be super dependable. It's not something I'd what to carry around though.

Stanley 10-299 (USA) This one is pretty good too. It's the 10-199 with a different handle

Stanley 10-989 (USA) I liked this one until the retractable blade mechanism became difficult to use. Painting it was a mistake.

Benchtop These utility knives with break off blades are really handy when a sharp blade is necessary. I tend to go for this for tasks like hanging wallpaper.

 

[Vvmvbb]

I like Olfa

http://www.olfa.com/UtilityKnives.aspx

 

[jjjrmx5]

In searching eBay for another 99E, I came across some old stock Stanley USA knives. One of which, I want to find. This is the Stanley 199. They're fixed blade and look sturdy as hell. I like the knurling on it plus the design of the fleur de lis. Best of all is the "Made in the USA" stamped on the one side like it was placed on there with pride, which I'm sure it was. Now, I'll have to find one of these to add to my set. I've attached a pic of the 199.

What's your go to or most used knife? Does anyone here collect utility knives?

I'll keep an eye out for ya once flea market and garage sale season starts up in March.

I picked up half a dozen or so Stanley made in usa stamped utility knives up last summer of various ages at the fleas.
I paid 50 cents or a buck a piece each at most.

They are not hard to come across around here. Same with USA make chalk lines and carpenters squares.

 

[Doug B]

I have several older knives,some 199s and another version....I think 699? I have retractable blade knives,but I won't use them for drywall work. I have this Stanley Fatmax knife that I use most often. Fixed blade,with a thumbwheel release to open and close for blade changing.

 

[Ntrotty]

Milwaukee makes a nice utility knife.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have a drawer full of them...Stanley 99, Klein, some no-names etc.
In my main toolbag I have an Irwin ProTouch. Always carry a Kershaw Leek in my pocket, that gets used the most.

 

[SARG]

I've tried many but finally settled on the Milwaukee.

 

[kjbenner]

Do any of you guys have quick-change knives you're happy with?

I've been thinking about something like the 10-499

I just have the standard Stanley knives and unscrewing the thing to change blades can get real old when I'm working on something that dulls the blades quickly.

 

[Boog]

I'm partial to the stanley 199 (also the smaller version 299). If I see one at a garage sale/estate sale, I'll grab it. Probably have about a dozen scattered between the garage, shed and work area.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Do any of you guys have quick-change knives you're happy with?

I've been thinking about something like the 10-499

I just have the standard Stanley knives and unscrewing the thing to change blades can get real old when I'm working on something that dulls the blades quickly.

The Irwin that I have is quick-change. Works well for me.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Two sizes...for small, the Olfa 9MM in stainless is absolutely great, looks and feels quality.
I buy one or two everytime I go to the toystore and hope to eventually have enough that one will be in reach wherever I am in the house. Uses essentially cover the range between Exacto #11 and a full size utility knife.
I keep Gerber EAB's around in car and where I open mail and stuff. The folding is a neater and simpler solution to pocket carry that all the fancier retractable stuff.
At actual workbench and in portable tote of household tools, ancient cast-iron Stanleys, I think they are 1299...these are ergonomically PERFECT. They just aren't suitable for pocket carry since blade does not retract and the whole thing is heavy.

 

[mbatarga]

I bought several of the Lenox knives at a "garage sale" event held by a local promotions company. They had lots of tools and were downsizing their facility space. This knife model is carried by HD and other stores- nice an hefty, great ergonomics, and very easy and quick blade changes.

 

[JR 42]

Best one I ever used was just like this....it was made in England bt Stanley though...this in pic appears to be a knockoff? If anyone knows model number or a link to one just like it, I would sure appreciate it. Great knife. Simple. Long lasting. Bug enough to get two hands on to score stuff well. I lost mine, I had it for many many years (pic snip)

Looks like the Stanley FatMax Xtreme.

I have one around here somewhere. It's so ridiculously large I hardly ever use it.

I own a decent number of tools, and a pile of knives, and my most used tool is a utility knife. I picked up a couple of the Irwin retractable quick-change knives (made overseas) six or seven years ago, and they've held up well to daily use cutting flooring, pad, plastic, cardboard, etc. etc. The quick-change blade change feature is incredibly handy. The Irwin model in the stores now appears to have a bunch of plastic parts.

I'll check out the Dewalt next time I'm in a box store- it looks pretty durable.

 

[rhuff86]

I've tried many but finally settled on the Milwaukee.

x2 I used to carry the sheffield's and tried various others. I love this milwaukee. You just push the button and it "free hinges" allowing you to flip it open very easy with one hand. The push button retention thing is recessed into the handle when closed so there is no chance of it dropping the blade in your pocket. I had a Irwin for awhile but it had the same button style blade retention and it seemed a little to exposed for my liking, would hate for it to get bumped and have a blade in your pocket. I have had a few people mistake it for a switch blade when I open it.

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[carterbeauford]

Do any of you guys have quick-change knives you're happy with?

I just have the standard Stanley knives and unscrewing the thing to change blades can get real old when I'm working on something that dulls the blades quickly.

Snap-On UTK 100, change blades in seconds

 

[usmc_noma]

I had to make a return at Lowe's so I decided to look at the utility knives. There were several cheapies along with the Kobalts. I did see the Fatmax there. Nice handle and good feel in the hand. A lot of the cheap ones were so lightweight.

I had no intentions of purchasing anything, but found a Stanley hi vis in green that was folding on clearance for $1.98, believe it's an 823? Item 95015. I also found a brand I never heard of, Personna. It resembles the 199 I originally posted. It was also on clearance for $3.58. It's all metal with a fixed blade. Best of all with the Personna is it was Made in the USA. Pics to come once I get home. The Stanley was USA with global components.

 

[whyNick?]

Add another vote for the Gerber EAB, it works great and doubles as a money clip too.

 

[usmc_noma]

Here's the Personna I found at Lowe's.

 

[soulstryke]

i use a little fold up irwin knife that i carry on me anything bigger i go get the 25mm olfa.

 

[Doug B]

Do any of you guys have quick-change knives you're happy with?

I've been thinking about something like the 10-499

I just have the standard Stanley knives and unscrewing the thing to change blades can get real old when I'm working on something that dulls the blades quickly.

I like the Stanley 10-399 for a quick change knife