Utility knife
If you need to cut along lines, trim plastic or wood, cut tape, cord, straps, cardboard, or any other packaging material, worry no more!
Your search for the best utility knife to add to your collection is over!
This article contains a list of utility knives that proved to be the best among the rest in quality, durability, and other metrics. We will give you the details about the final ranking and how we came up with it along with:
- The features and specs of each knife and what they mean;
- The pros and cons of each item on the list;
- How they compare against each other;
- What features stood out for us;
- Other useful tips about choosing a utility knife; and
- Lots more!
One of the knives in this top ten list surely has what it takes to be part of your garage, camping backpack, pocket, and even your fridge door.
That’s right!
Find out which one among these knives has this unique magnetic feature… and more!
Get your cardboards ready!
We’re tearing it all apart…
Introduction
Utility knives used to be all fixed blade types with pointed tips. But now, you’ll see all kinds like folding knives or pocket knives, with rounded tip blades or changing blades.
That’s right!
The world has changed.
Just as long as it has a nice, thick blade that can withstand floods and hurricanes – that’s a utility knife. Razor blades are not the only requirement, though. It has to be of durable overall build quality to use for many heavy-duty chores.
When my friends and I go out backpacking or camping, we like keeping our bags light. So we choose tools that can do just about everything. And so should you.
That’s why…
We bought all utility knives that we could lay our hands on. We tried them out inside our houses, took them out camping, and took note of everything we’ve observed.
And when all’s been said and done, we tallied the scores and came up with the verdict.
So scroll down to see the top ten best utility knives that will complete your toolbox!
Best Utility Knife
Best One-Handed Operation Utility Knife – Editor’s Choice Award
Screwpop Ron’s Utility Knif
- Blade Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 3.95 x 2.7 x 0.35 inches
- Blade Type: 4-step; slanted tip
- Handle Material: Metal
- Brand: Screwpop
Overall Score:
96
The Bottom Line:
This Screwpop knife easily slides open, close, and locks that you can use conveniently with one hand.
What’s Good
- Adjustable blade length
- Magnetic
- Durable blade and handle
- Excellent edge retention
- Comes with replacement blades
What’s Bad
- Small
- The handle is too flat
Summary
The Screwpop package comes with a replacement blade. That’s a huge plus for those who don’t like honing their knives. And for us who do, this knife is going to last ages.
Add to that…
It’s already durable, to begin with. The blades can cut through cardboard, open letters, carve wood, and other things. And it proved to have great edge retention.
It’s simple and small, which makes it great for the outdoors. Compact knives just make campers and backpackers crazy – especially if it doesn’t compromise the blade integrity. This retractable utility knife is one of those.
And if you’re not using it, you can store it where it can be very accessible – like the door of your fridge. That’s right! Because this knife is magnetic, it’s easier for you to find it in the kitchen when you need it.
Although…
It might be bothersome for others that it’s too small. After all, utility knives should be able to perform many tasks. Longer blades are generally more useful.
And the handle is too flat, so its grip might be a little loose.
But all those are minor inconveniences.
You’ll still find this affordable knife very handy, which is why it’s our Editor’s Choice. It doesn’t easily break and lose its sharpness, and it’s so easy to slide and lock you’d need only one hand to use it.
Related: Best Tactical Headlamp
Best Budget Utility Knife – Best Value Award
Outdoor Edge SlideWinder Utility Knife
- Blade Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 6 x 2.25 x 0.5 inches
- Blade Type: Multi-tool
- Handle Material: Nylon polymer
- Brand: Outdoor Edge
Overall Score:
94
The Bottom Line:
For a cheap price, you’ll have a versatile and sturdy multi-tool from Outdoor Edge.
What’s Good
- Compact design
- Versatile
- Very affordable
- Convenient handle and grip
What’s Bad
- Slightly less durable blade
- Less edge sharpness and retention
Summary
As we mentioned earlier – the world has changed. And so did these utility knife blades. This Outdoor Edge product is more than just a cutting tool.
Let me elaborate.
This pocket utility knife has a flat head screwdriver edge, as well as a Phillips one. There’s a bottle opener, a serrated side, and of course, a cutting edge.
Whether indoors or outdoors, this is one of the best utility retractable knives you’ll find.
To add to its compact design, it also features a pocket clip.
And the handle has that textured surface that keeps the knife from slipping off your hand. So, you have a handy and versatile tool with a convenient grip.
All these features…
For a very affordable price! That’s why it’s our Best Value awardee.
Don’t expect it to be as sturdy as the other knives on this list, though. And you’d want to be more careful where you use the blade. Its tip tends to go blunt.
But you have the option to swap blades when that happens. Considering its price, you wouldn’t mind that.
Overall, we got more than what we paid for with this item.
Related: Best Backpacking Knife
Best Folding Utility Knife – Top Pick Award
Husk Grip Lock Back Utility Knife
- Blade Material: Metal
- Size: 7.87 x 9.25 x 4.72 inches
- Blade Type: Pointed tip; folding
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Brand: Husky
Overall Score:
92
The Bottom Line:
The Husky folding knife has the best lock that secures the blades in place with an easy replacement mechanism.
What’s Good
- Comes with ten replacement blades
- Excellent safety lock
- Durable handle
- Safe grip
What’s Bad
- Not a very durable and sharp blade
- No added features
Summary
It’s not the most expensive knife on the market, but it’s perched at the higher end of the price range, which means we expected a more durable blade – plus more additional features.
It does have a belt clip. And the razor blade is sharp – that’s a good thing. But the edge goes blunt after only a few uses. You’d want better service than that from utility blades.
But in compensation…
The Husky package comes with ten extra blades. You can hone yours as much as you like and replace it only when it can’t go any further. Keep at it, and you’ll see that this knife will last you ages.
So, we didn’t mind the price, especially since its handle is very durable and easy to grip.
The aluminum handle has a textured surface. It’s something that we really love about this knife.
But our favorite thing about it…
Is the safety lock. It’s the feature that made this knife our Top Pick!
At first, we thought it was inconvenient because it’s a little hard to press. But once we got the hang of it, replacing the blade became a walk in the park.
And because the lock doesn’t go down easily, it secures the blade like prison bars. So, you won’t have to worry about your fingers!
Plus…
The blade doesn’t wobble when you use it. It works just like those fixed blade knives.
Related: Best Throwing Axe
REXBETI 2-Pack Utility Knife
REXBETI 2-Pack Utility Knife
- Blade Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 7.2 x 2.05 x 1.93 inches
- Blade Type: Pointed; retractable blade
- Handle Material: Rubber
- Brand: Rexbeti
Overall Score:
92
The Bottom Line:
The Rexbeti knife’s rubber handle is designed for a strong and convenient grip.
What’s Good
- Comes with ten extra steel blades
- Has internal blade storage
- Comes in packages of two
- Affordable
What’s Bad
- Less durable blade
Summary
The fact that there are two of them makes this a very affordable knife. And it has ten extra removable blades too.
But what really impressed us…
Is the handle of this Rexbeti product. It’s made of durable rubber with enough friction to remain inside your hand as you use it.
The material itself will give you a strong grip that won’t give your palms any blisters.
And the extra blade storage just sold us out! An accessible replacement blade adds to the convenience and ergonomics of this product.
Although…
The ten spare blades are necessary because they don’t stay sharp for long. None of us snapped a blade as we used it, but if you’re not careful, you just might.
But it’s still very functional. And considering the comfortable grip – also given that the handle isn’t too flat – this knife gave us more than expected.
Best Portable and lightweight Utility Knife
WORKPRO Folding Utility Knife
- Blade Material: Alloy steel
- Size: 7 x 1.3 x 0.85 inches
- Blade Type: Pointed tip; folding blade
- Handle Material: ABS
- Brand: Workpro
Overall Score:
90
The Bottom Line:
Its compact and lightweight design makes Workpro the best pocket utility knife in terms of portability.
What’s Good
- With onboard blade storage
- Durable steel blades
- Good edge retention
- Lightweight and compact design
- Comes with five extra blades
What’s Bad
- Relatively expensive
- Less durable handle
- Slightly uncomfortable grip
Summary
Who doesn’t love the portability that folding knives offer? And of all the folding utility knives we’ve seen on the market, we found Workpro to be the most convenient.
It’s not just because of its barely 6 ounces of weight – though that’s an impressive feature considering the extra blade storage in the handle.
What else?
We were pretty impressed by how this knife’s extra razor blades are very durable and sharp. And they don’t easily go blunt, which means that these blades will be with us for a very long time.
And of course, the sharpness makes this knife a very useful tool for many tasks.
The only problem…
Is that ABS is not the most durable material for the handle. It doesn’t go well with the impressive blades.
Or maybe we just expected too much because it costs more than the others that we tried.
Still, we highly recommend this compact and lightweight knife for your outdoor adventures.
Best Utility Knife For General & Precision Cutting
Box Cutter Utility Knife
- Blade Material: Ceramic
- Size: 6.75 x 0.75 x 0.75 inches
- Blade Type: Pointed tip
- Handle Material: Zinc alloy
- Brand: Home Planet Gear
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
You can retract the Home Planet Gear blade to such a small size that it’s the best retractable utility knife for precise cutting.
What’s Good
- Comes with five blades
- With onboard blade storage
- Comfortable handle
- Convenient grip
- Durable and sharp blades
- Easy and safe blade replacement mechanism
What’s Bad
- Expensive
- Lacks versatility
Summary
Just one look at this box cutter made us want to buy it. Unlike all the other posh utility knives, this one looks more friendly and cool. At least for some of us.
And it didn’t disappoint!
The grip was designed for comfort and convenience. Add to that the blade storage that’s hidden so safely, you’ll forget it was there, which is fine because it’s safe and secure.
And it’s surprisingly durable.
So is the removable razor blade. The edge remained sharp even after we tried it on cardboard, carpet material, and even softwood. And you won’t have to worry about bluntness because four other razor blades are waiting inside the handle.
But the main reason that we love this cutter…
Is because of how functional the blade length adjustment is. We’ve seen other retractable utility knives with 4-step adjustments. But this one, you can set to only an eighth of an inch.
That’s the best we could find in terms of precision. So if you have a wood sculpting hobby or any other similar craft, you’ll find this product useful.
Only…
It’s a little expensive compared to other products. And we hoped that it would have more features, or it would be more compact. But it’s a little heavy.
And the quality is just as good as other retractable knives.
But this is highly recommendable, especially if you’re keen on precision.
Best Value Pack Utility Knife
Beyond by BLACK+DECKER Utility Knife
- Blade Material: Steel
- Size: 7.44 x 2.2 x 2.01 inches
- Blade Type: Pointed tip
- Handle Material: Wood
- Brand: Beyond by Black & Decker
Overall Score:
84
The Bottom Line:
Excellent work boots with the perfect style quotient
What’s Good
- Two sets in one package
- Comes with a total of six razor blades
- With onboard blade storage
- Sharp and durable blades
- Affordable
What’s Bad
- Less durable handle
- Less secure safety lock
Summary
Beyond is a relatively affordable utility knife package because it has two sets inside. And each handle holds three blades – a plus for us.
Also…
The handle has that blade storage that makes the replacements accessible and safe to carry. But the handle itself is not so durable.
The grip is fine – it has textured surfaces that add to the friction.
But you need to be careful in using it because plastic is generally not a very sturdy material.
And another thing…
The safety lock is easily pressed, which slides the blade down automatically.
For razor-sharp blades such as these, you need to be more careful than that. So when you use this knife, just be more alert.
Speaking of the razor-sharp blade…
We have no complaints! It’s sharp, sturdy, and retains sharpness well. That’s a huge point for this affordable brand.
Best Material Utility Knife
KATA 2-Pack Utility Knives
- Blade Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 10.04 x 5.9 x 1.05 inches
- Blade Type: Pointed tip
- Handle Material: Thermoplastic elastomers
- Brand: Kata Tools
Overall Score:
84
The Bottom Line:
For a very low price, this Kata Tools knife set has durable materials.
What’s Good
- Has two different types of utility knife – one retractable and one folding knife
- Sharp and sturdy blade
- Comes with three extra blades for each knife
- Has blade storage compartments in each handle
- Very affordable
What’s Bad
- Not a very sturdy handle
- Less secure safety locks
Summary
The best utility knives come in sets. We all love that. But the Kata Tools package comes in a set of two different types of knives.
For the price of one, you’ll get a folding knife and a retractable one. We were quite amazed by that.
But what’s more impressive…
Is the number of utility blades you get for a very affordable cost. There’s a total of eight blades in the package – all of them are sturdy and sharp.
They can cut smoothly, and it’s also easy to remove and replace them. Not that you need to do it all the time. The steel used for these blades is excellent.
But in terms of safety…
We’re quite divided. There’s a different verdict for each knife.
The folding knife has a secure frame. The lock doesn’t get opened as easily as the retractable’s lock gets pressed down.
And the handles are too light. They’re plastic, making them less sturdy than the stainless steel body of other utility knife brands. But compared to others of the same material, this knife’s handle is alright.
Anyway…
It comes with extra features like the others – especially the built-in blade storage. For a cheap knife set, we highly recommend this one.
Best Smooth Action Utility Knife
TIRANT RAZOR (Stonewashed) 6Al-4V Titanium Utility Knife
- Blade Material: Metal
- Size: 7.64 x 4.53 x 1.77 inches
- Blade Type: Clip point
- Handle Material: Metal
- Brand: Exceed Designs
Overall Score:
84
The Bottom Line:
This Exceed Designs pocket knife has a super sharp blade that smoothly glides through any material as it cuts.
What’s Good
- Compact and lightweight design
- Has a belt clip
- Sharp knife edge with excellent retention
- Safe folding mechanism
- Durable
What’s Bad
- Expensive
- No added features
Summary
At first glance, you’d think that this knife is expensive. And you’d be right! It’s one of the most expensive ones we’ve found on the market.
Naturally…
We expected more unique features. Or even just at least one replacement blade. But there’s none.
It’s a simple foldable, lightweight pocket knife. But the durability and overall quality are exceptional.
We’ve seen these qualities before, even with cheaper knives. But we didn’t regret buying this knife. One of us even considers this their favorite just for its durability. And also, the edge retention makes sure that you won’t need an extra blade.
Plus…
It folds safe and snug. It has a slip joint mechanism, and it gave us a few nervous moments. But as it turned out, it doesn’t need additional locking mechanisms. Although, it wouldn’t hurt to have one.
If you don’t mind the price, this is an excellent knife. It cuts through any material like it’s mere paper. And the belt or pocket clip is a welcome feature.
Best 3 Position Retractable Utility Knife
XW Retractable Utility Knife
- Blade Material: High-carbon steel
- Size: 6.81 x 1.77 x 1.69 inches
- Blade Type: Clip-point
- Handle Material: Thermoplastic Elastomers, Zinc
- Brand: XW
Overall Score:
82
The Bottom Line:
Excellent work boots with the perfect style quotient
What’s Good
- Comes in a set of two retractable knives
- Has four replacement blades
- Safe and easy blade removal and replacement
- Affordable
What’s Bad
- Less sturdy handle
- Less edge retention
Summary
Here, we have two retractable knives from XW in one package. It comes with two additional blades for each knife. And it has blade storage built in the handle.
Plus, it’s a very affordable knife. We’d even say it’s cheap.
But…
The overall durability of this brand isn’t the best. You’ll find yourself needing the extra utility blades.
Still, it’s a great product, considering the price.
The replacement mechanism is easy enough. And it’s safe too. There’s no wobbling even while you use it. For cutting cardboard, thin carpets, and similar materials, these knives are good enough.
We can even say it’s the best utility knife at this certain price point.
Why Trust Us
We’re a group of people who love the outdoors and love to keep our garage tool boxes complete.
No, we’re not all engineers.
But…
Some of us have construction experience, and some are builders by hobby. And some are model household members who do repairs and minor renovations of our own.
We do our best to learn more and more about our chosen craft. Reading books, studying, and practicing how tools work are part of our lifestyle.
In other words…
We might not be knife experts, but we know what we’re talking about. We did enough hard work in our adult lives to differentiate a quality knife from one that belongs to the trash bin.
And we read online reviews too. That way, we have a basis on what to expect. And we value the opinions of others. But of course, first-hand information is the best kind of information.
So now…
This article is for you!
Trial and error are for enthusiasts like us. So we already did the hard work, so you’ll know what knife – or knives – will be added to your collection.
Buyers Guide: How To Choose The Best Utility Knife
What Are The Different Types of Utility Knives?
“Utility knife” is an umbrella term for such knives as the following:
- Cable knives
- Carpenter knives
- Letter openers
- Pocket knives
- Box cutters
- Film cutters
- Rotary cutters
- Pen knives, etc.
Other types include:
- Fixed blade knife – the knife is fully extended and is secured by a knife sheath.
- Pocket utility knife – compact design knife that’s small enough to fit in a pants pocket.
- Foldable knives – knives that fold at a joint to be more compact and safe.
- Retractable – knives with breakaway blades or snap-off blades that can slide in and out of the handle, serving as a frame.
Features to Look Out For
- Innovative knives have blade storage built in the handle for accessibility and portability.
- The best retractable utility knife has multiple length adjustments. It comes in handy when you’re doing chores with different levels of precision.
- Some knives have magnetic features because you can use them for tasks in the kitchen. Sticking them to the fridge makes them accessible.
- Brands now offer sets of two knives with several extra blades.
Utility Knives and Specifications Explained
A utility knife is any knife with a durable and sharp blade that can be used for several rough tasks. Cutting, scraping, opening, butchering, skinning, and splitting are only a few things that utility knives can do.
Specifications:
- Blade material – different materials have different durabilities. Carbon steel is generally more sturdy than stainless steel. But the latter is more rust-resistant.
- Handle material – there are many options for this, but the most common are stainless steel, glass-reinforced nylon, rubber, and plastic. Steel is the most durable, but rubber has the best grip, and plastic is lightweight.
- Size – the best pocket utility knife has a compact size. But a long blade can do more, perform heavier tasks, and are generally more durable.
- Blade style – different styles include serrated blades, gut hook blades, clip-point, rounded tip, etc. The styles and combinations of them allow for versatility and usefulness.
These are Things to Consider
- Foldable knives are safer to store than retractable ones. But while in use, the retractable knives are steadier.
- Take note of the ease of blade change. The smoother the process, the fewer risks of getting cut.
Jargon Buster
- Slip joint – the basic locking mechanism of folding knives where the joint clicks to secure the blade in its extended state.
- Edge retention – how the blade’s edge sharpness is retained; how the edge doesn’t quickly become blunt.
Utility Knives Top Tips
- Check the entire blade first before purchasing an item. Sometimes, you can find rust and dents in the middle.
- You need to be more aware of the safety lock of non-folding knives. The blades tend to fall off.
What is a utility knife used for?
Utility knives are knives used for any kind of manual work.
What is considered a utility knife?
Any knife with a durable cutting edge that can be used for heavy-duty work.
Is a utility knife a Stanley knife?
No, Stanley knives are not utility knives. Instead, they’re craft knives that are smaller and are used for finer tasks.
Our Analysis. Comparisons & Test Results
Value for Money
Not to sound entitled, but we don’t just want satisfaction from our purchases. We all want beyond that, right? This metric is the measure we used for how the product exceeded our expectations.
We found that some cheap knives can compete with expensive ones. And some items have high prices for valid reasons. All of those were considered in this criterion.
Value for Money Ratings
Blade And Edge Integrity
Utility knives are supposed to be used on heavy-duty chores. So this metric is very important.
The knife has to have a sturdy blade that doesn’t easily break or rust. And the edge doesn’t only need to be sharp. It has to retain its sharpness, so you don’t have to hone it now and then.
Blade And Edge Integrity Ratings
Features
The knife industry is a very competitive market. Lots of innovative designs keep on popping up from every corner. So we’re now looking for more than just the standard utility knife.
When trying these products out, we were on the lookout for additional features. This metric is the measure of how unique, versatile, and useful the knife is.
Features Ratings
Safety
Our lives are worth more than the usefulness of these tools. So in this metric, we consider how convenient and safe it was to use each knife.
We noted if the grip keeps slipping off our hands or if the sheath effectively conceals the blade. For folding knives, we checked if the frame could keep the blade from poking holes in our pockets – or palms, for that matter.
Safety Ratings
Handle and Grip
Here, we judged the integrity and durability of the handle. It’s also a big bonus if the handle has an ergonomic grip.
But more importantly, it has to be able to keep the blade in place and makes it easy for us to use the knife for its intended purpose.
Handle and Grip Ratings
Our Final Verdict: Best Utility Knife
After all the buying, trying, and observing… We’re finally here with the verdict!
Over all the folding utility knives, fixed blade knives, and other types we got our hands on, the Screwpop Ron won our Editor’s Choice award! Aside from its durability, we loved its unique magnetic feature.
Also…
If affordability without compromising quality is your thing, our Best Value awardee will impress you – Outdoor Edge SlideWinder.
And our Top Pick Husky Grip pocket knife has the best safety mechanism, which would be a great choice!
All of these knives…
Have their own strengths and weaknesses. But one of these, for sure, is the best utility knife for your specific need!
Best Overall Score
Conclusion: Best Utility Knife
Now you have the tallied scores and the final verdict. It’s your turn to choose!
Let me tell you…
You can’t go wrong with an affordable yet fully-packed and versatile knife like our Best Value, Outdoor Edge. But the posh-looking ones with a pocket clip like our Editor’s Choice, Screwpop, might be your taste.
If something else, there’s always the compact ones, like our Top Pick pocket knife, Husky.
Since the choice is yours…
We leave it to you now. And hopefully, this article helped you with your next great buy.
See you later, buddy!
Original post here: Utility knife
Comments
Post a Comment