Since there are razor blades involved, we emphasized safety features in our search. Forgoing this feature typically saves you less than $5, so wed rather pay for our picks added convenience and capability. Wow blast from the past.I remember having one of these. The downside is that its simply not as comfortable or grippy as the Fastbacks. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. A utility knife is a fantastic tool to have in the home tool box or junk drawer. As a matter of fact, a couple of years ago when DeWALT came out with their carbon-fiber stapler, it was only available in the 90210 area (and some other zips in the LA area as well). and remove the blade. https://photos-us.bazaarvoice.com/photo/2/cGhvdG86aG9tZWRlcG90/14fbfec0-ccfb-5a00-979d-3524d755f4a7. There is also this Stanley that has a utility blade end and a sport blade end: https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-10-813-Quickslide-Sport-Knife/dp/B0015O2RLA. The Alltrade Squeeze Utility Knife is large and has a massive, 10-blade storage compartment. Without it, the knife would be shorter and lighter, or it could store spare blades or use that space some more usefully. Although, rather than being able to use two blades, I would prefer it be half as long. But its sort of a whatever feature for the homeowner, unless youre planning on working on your electrical systemin which case its a nice added bonus. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. This is one of those tools I would buy if it interested me, and return if it didnt work out or if I had any safety concerns. Instant no for me. Its also still quick and easy for me to close the knife by unlocking and then pulling back on the blades. Thanks. Looks unsafe. After more than 60 hours of researching knife sets and testing 11, were confident that you wont beat the Wsthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece Walnut Block Knife Set. They have an awkward thumb open that usually needs two hands, and theyre nowhere near as comfortable to hold. LOL I hope youre right about it being launched in other markets later. 2000-2022 Home Depot. When unfolded, the two are about the same length, so there is no loss of grip area with the folded versions. Im not a fan of the bottle opener, but I suppose it adds a function. We also appreciated the belt clip. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. This is a deep cutaway at the back of the handle that exposes a small portion of the blade when the knife is in the closed position (dont worry, its nearly impossible to cut yourself on it). Building paper, sheet plastic, drywall, tarps, rope, and even roofing shingles can all be cut with utility knives. Looks nice and slim. Its not hatred as much as, why is it there? I might actually prefer the Husky though, for its pocket ability. Blade storage usually adds only a few dollars to a knifes total cost, so it makes sense to get that feature, as long as it doesnt add considerable bulk to the body. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. But the blade retention on the bostich was a bit weird and I always wondered if the blade was going to accidently come loose when cutting something that was really dragging on the blade. More Mogwai, less Black Forest, if you know what I mean. Maybe they have a warehouse there? *At the time of publishing, the price was $10. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Unfortunately, there is no belt hook, and this knife is too big for any standard pocket. Send link if this is wrong. We also used the tools to cut out some old caulking and dice up a sheet of drywall. Are the advantages over other types of utility knives? I will say this I purchased the utility knife at retail at a local Home Depot store, and if I knew then what I know now, I would absolutely buy it all over again. The knife also has a small cutaway under the blade holder thats designed to strip electrical wire. EHS Daily Advisor, a Business and Legal Reports newsletter, reported that up to one-third of all manual tool injuries come from utility knives like box cutters. Also, changing the blade out requires undoing a flathead screw and cannot be done quickly or easily. You can solve this whole problem by using Stanley Heavy-Duty Utility Blades (100-pack), a healthy supply that should last most people years. Thats good to know! You can compare them side by side and its the same knife but double ended (no bottle opener!). This can be easily done with your hands coming at the tool from above the blade, increasing the safety level. Someone using this as an EDC knife may already have strong opinions on how the knife should be oriented while clipped on a belt, and the Fastback may not fit into those parameters. Hes a very friendly Gremlin. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Tri-lobe ergonomic handle design provides maximum grip control, Locking screw chuck holds blades securely for cutting accuracy, Comes with hard storage case and assorted interchangeable blades. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Absolutely nothing wrong with that but craft beer crowd would beg too differ about the utility of such a thing. For comparison purposes, we tested out a wide variety of retractable models in addition to the folding ones. For further research, we had conversations with Marc Lyman, editor of HomeFixated, a website devoted to tools and home improvement. To change either blade, open the locking lever, depress the locking spring. Theres a craftsman one available at lowes usually in store and has lifetime warranty I switched from the Stanley to the craftsman just for the warranty. Thanks for clarifying that, Stuart!! This two blade holder does seem like a nice option fo some use cases. He spent 10 years in high-end construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor. I cannot make any guarantees about safety, but in my experiences so far, there is no contact (or at least minimal contact potential) between palm and blade. This holds tightly, but at the same time, theres enough spring so you dont have to force the knife down over a belt or struggle to get it free. You can load the same or different blades into the two slots. This, combined with the pronounced bend at the leading edge of the hook, means its almost effortless to clip the knife onto a belt or the rim of a pocket. All Rights Reserved. Other tasks can include sizing a small patch for a linoleum floor, trimming a rug pad, or even freeing a toy trapped in a blister-pack nightmare. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. The Irwin 2088600 Self Retracting Safety Knife, has a spring-loaded blade thats tensioned so it always wants to retract back into the tool. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Need Help? 2000-2022 Home Depot. For the drywall cuts, we really sunk the blade into the material and tried to work it around to see whether the blade would disengage from the knifea constant annoyance during longer projects. 2000-2022 Home Depot. According to Lyman, Ive never used a retractable with a mechanism that doesnt eventually get really crud-filled and clunky. There are two slots at the front where the front and rear blades can be extended from. Our one gripe about the Fastback 48-22-1502 is that the belt clip is not reversible. The knife is easy to use. Ive got mine on my workbench, and I think it could handle some rough and tough handling as well. The back of the grip area contours to the hand and the top edge of the tool is flat, giving the thumb a solid place to sit and press against during cuts, particularly tougher ones. All Rights Reserved. Are carpet cutting blades recommended for this tool from the manufacturer? Correction Gremlin is reaching out and pointing to a tiny error: To change either blade, open the locking lever, depress the locking spring. I do have the Bostich twin blade holder mentioned above and I like having both a straight and curved blade handy. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Might be an interesting quick write up! The 100-pack, which typically runs about $10, also comes with a nice little case that stores the blades safely and allows you to slide one blade out at a time. But the finger notch is only one portion of the handles overall superiority. It just doesnt have any features that stand out against the rest. The 48-22-1502 Fastback can be quickly opened and closed with one hand, and it provides a secure grip and a spot to store five extra blades. Once the candidates were in hand, we put identical blades in all of them and proceeded to break down and slice up a pile of about 50 cardboard boxes of varying sizes. That is neat. Because of the very stiff hinge and locking mechanism, the Greenlee has a two-handed open and close. Ive been trying to look into what the graphic means, but it doesnt seem to be a standard. Blade storage: For a pro contractor, storage for additional blades is a crucial feature in a knife, but the benefits exist for a homeowner as well. Its still not available in-store but shipping was free with no minimum purchase! Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Replacement Blades for 9060 Carpet Knife, Round Corners (100-Box). Your second and third picture have me a little worried. In our experience, were typically already holding what we want to cut before we even pick up the knife, so one-handed operation makes work more efficient. DeWalts Folding Retractable Knife is an interesting model in that it is both folding and retractable. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Retractable-Utility-Knife-4-Blades-9044/314328097#overlay. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. This knife shares many of the characteristics of our pickthe same shape, the comfortable and secure grip area, the sturdy belt hook, and the fast, one-handed open/close. Besides, what if you dont have your Johnny Square Pro handy to open your favorite IPA at the end of the work day? This is useful for bearing down on the knife, such as when youre cutting a thick cardboard box or scoring a piece of Sheetrock to patch a hole in the wall. In general, the fewer moving parts, the better. But the price looks right and Ill definitely buy one in a heartbeat when its available! The knives in the Irwin FK Series (FK100, FK150, and FK250) share some similarities with the Milwaukee Fastbacks, but theyre far less refined. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. In my opinion, this is not built as a heavy duty tool, as it is somewhat slim, and so its not as comfortable for high demand cutting tasks. Safety blades are better suited for the task of scraping. And the handle has room to store five additional blades. A more handy feature for the casual user is the gut hook, which allows you to cut string and other thin objects without having to open the blade. It feels secure during use, and I like that the blade change lock also helps to prevent unintentional pull-out. Thanks so much! Its not our first choice for around-the-house use, but if you think youd want to be able to extend a longer blade, the Olfa XH-1 is definitely the most comfortable snap knife weve held. For blade changing, the Fastback has a simple, spring-loaded push-button release. We put in 50 hours of research and tested 26 different knives to find that the Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Utility Knife with Blade Storage is the best utility knife. https://www.johnsonlevel.com/P/450/ProfessionalAluminumRafte, And yes, I realize that most folks visiting this site have a whole bag of other tools that can improvise as an opener:). Need Help? That knife is reasonably priced too. The Olympia 33-200 Turbofold has the easiest blade-change mechanism of all the tested models, but two hands are required to fold and unfold the blade. Ive also regripped an entire set of clubs, and found myself replacing hook blades to finish the job. The thin body, recessed slide button, and the rubbery padding make this one of the more ergonomic knives weve used. One-handed open: We much preferred knives that can be folded and unfolded with one hand. Very clever way to carry a second blade, not just as a spare, but available for use. Pretty sure someone said that even for the Dewalt cooler. Wsthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece Walnut Block Knife Set, Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Utility Knife with Blade Storage, Milwaukee 48-22-1501 Fastback Folding Utility Knife, Stanley Heavy-Duty Utility Blades (100-pack), Our pick: Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Utility Knife with Blade Storage, Runner-up: Milwaukee 48-22-1501 Fastback Folding Utility Knife, Also great: Stanley Heavy-Duty Utility Blades (100-Pack), Stanley STHT10432 Control Grip Utility Knife, Irwin 2088600 Self Retracting Safety Knife, Olympia Tools 33-187 Turbopro Autoload Knife, Milwaukee Fastback II Folding Utility Knife, A Cut Above Milwaukee Fastback II Utility Knife Review, Why I Use a Chinese Cleaver More Than Any Other Knife. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. We tested some with a nice and simple push-button blade release, but others had a much more complicated (and frustrating) two-part system. When you buy blades in smaller amounts, it costs a lot more per blade. Im going to check this out later today! Husky says that this knife features the fastest blade switch possible. Lyman referred to the Fastback series of knives as the fastest blade youll deploy short of using a switchblade. But its not so much the speed thats important here as the one-handed ease of use. But, know the laws: Depending on where you live, there could be legal implications to owning a utility knife. We independently review everything we recommend. A friend who lived in the area at the time mailed one to me and then a few months later it was available everywhere. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. I use needle nose pliers but would love to have a bottle opener. None of the other knives had such a complete set of features. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. It would also be nice to have a second blade already in the tool to expedite the process. That way, there are no second thoughts about whether to swap in a new blade. I dont know comfortable I am in saying I recommend it, but I certainly dont recommend against I just dont know how suitable this will be for your needs, wants, or usage environment. These are the only parts of the tool that arent metal. Greenlees Heavy-Duty Folding Utility Knife is a large knife that can store five additional blades. That means this type of knife is ideal for all of the grunt-work cutting jobs that are too difficult for scissors and too dulling and damaging for a nice pocket knife. The included blade might provide a tiny bit better grip due to having a slightly raised thumbprint pattern, but I didnt have any problem extending or closing the other brands knives. As much as $75 off of purchases over $150.00. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Magnetic blade holder firmly holds the blades to avoid accidents, Rubber handle ensures a firm grip with excellent comfort, Easy to store as the compact case takes up minimal space. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Sorry, there are no products available online or in your local store. Utility knives are good for jobs like breaking down cardboard boxes, cutting carpeting, or slicing the painted seam on a stuck window. Because blades are disposable, sharpness wasnt a criterium, so we looked at overall ergonomics, ease of blade change, leverage on tougher cuts, and ease of the folding mechanism. Am I the only one that saw the thumbprint image before reading the article and assumed it was some sort of electronic finger print reader gimmick? I would be a little cautious of using it in very gritty environments, but so far the blade extension mechanism has been reliable and robust. 2000-2022 Home Depot. The large forefinger notch makes maintaining a firm grip easy. Replacement blades are easily inserted. Im guessing thats where they start launching new products? Easy blade change: For replacing the blade, we recommend knives that are simple and keep your hands away from the cutting edge of the blade. Good grip: No matter what youre doing, whether its opening a bag of ice melt or cutting an asphalt roof shingle, you want to make sure that you have a good grip on any dangerous tool. The front of the blade pushes the spring-action blade lock out of the way as it advances to its first locking position. I dont believe it does, just normal utility blades but they dont come with the thumb print on them. Along the inside edge of the blade pocket theres a plastic clip that swings out to reveal a storage spot. Lyman said, [The Fastback knives are] super easy to deploy and stow, but when stowed [arent] likely to accidentally deploy. I was shopping at Home Depot a few weeks ago, sorting out some tools for a DIY tool buying guide project (see also: The Best Basic Tool Kit for Beginner DIYers), when I came across a new Husky utility knife. The blade end of the Fastback locks in both the open and closed positions, so theres less of a chance that the blade will accidentally become exposed. Must not have been a big seller: https://www.amazon.com/BOSTITCH-10-501-Twin-Blade-Knife/dp/B003HGH4EY/. All Rights Reserved. Also, the comfort of the handle is nowhere near that of the Fastbacks. It never happened, but my lack of confidence in it meant that I was less likely to use it. Other than what looks like a safety oversight, I really like the practicality and potential this design has. This pack may amount to being a lifetime supply of razor blades, at a price much cheaper than smaller packs. HomeFixateds Marc Lyman is a huge fan of the Fastback knives: Theyre not the cheapest utility blades out there, but theyre the best in my opinion.. In addition to being a very credible and honest tool expert and reviewer, Lyman is also a self-confessed knife snob. Its just much simpler than working the thumb slide on a retractable knife or trying to work a normal folding blade open with your thumb or both hands. I was really hoping it would have a motion sensor. And your emergency beer should ALWAYS be a can. Do that Husky! I plugged in some zip codes and found some in California (90210 LOL). The advantages of the Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Utility Knife with Blade Storage come down to ergonomics and safety. A good value: The best value, in our opinion, is a knife that works better than expected for as long as possible. So its good to have a big supply of blades on hand. The blade end of the Fastback locks in both the open and closed positions, so theres less of a chance that the blade will accidentally become exposed. *At the time of publishing, the price was $12. Would You Use This Cheap AmazonBasics Multi-Tool? Im really liking the one I have now and would def get the four-blade version when its available. Required fields are marked *. We looked for the following things when deciding on our picks: Folding: Folding knives offer more safety and portability than retractable knives. Most importantly, that the blade can peek out while the knife is in the pocket, something that happened to us a few times during testing. The only difference is that there is no additional blade storage. The knife comes loaded with a standard blade and a hook-style blade. I agree I like having the 2-blade option and then 2 for back-up as well! Here are the knives we've come to love after decades in professional and home kitchens. Interesting design either way. After all of our research and testing, the Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Utility Knife with Blade Storage stands at the front of the pack. Clever and simple. Utility blades are disposable and not all that durable. Not sure how great the deal is, but if your looking for something Milwaukee check it out. And the tool offers a simple blade change and a sturdy belt hook. And Ive nicked my own knuckles and fingers enough times over the years to have full confidence in that statistic. The high point of the Fastback is its opening mechanism. The Fastback also has a storage area for five additional blades. Replacement blades are easily inswered. I had the fingerprint reader thought very briefly. Id like the four blade option 2 to use and 2 for backup. The utility knife features a smaller size and solid build quality, and thats on top of the new blade extension mechanism. The knife is designed so it can be opened and closed very quickly with one hand, locking in both positions. For safety. I just ordered the knife online today! I cant find it anywhere online so I guess it must be coming soon. The handle is another of the tools high points. I do leather work and the two different blades are quite useful (I have the one mentioned in this review right now). A word to the wise: a lot of Amazon buyers, The Best Basic Tool Kit for Beginner DIYers, recent Dewalt folding retractable knife purchase. The Fastback also has a spot for stripping electrical wire and an added gut hook, so you can cut string or open a bag of bird seed without ever having to unfold the knife and expose the blade. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Or they could make the other end a pry bar and beat Gerber at their own game. If you drink a beverage that needs a bottle opener you would still have the one on your Leather man, your keychain, screwdriver set, BBQ set, cooler, grill, and also the multitude of free ones businesses often give away as free gifts with their logo on it. Also, not another useless bottle openermust every knife come with one? Opening and closing the knife is easy, and the same for changing blades. The blade change locking lever is basically just a physical block that doesnt allow utility knife blades to be extended too far. Pliny is still bottled, and still amazing. In our experience, those cheaper tools are simply marred by poor manufacturing. I occasionally regrip golf clubs, and use the hook blades to remove the old grips. It does look like its available locally in parts of the country (just not within 100 miles from the Twin Cities, MN) . From hacking through bones and crushing spices to mashing pastes and making thin, precise cuts, the Chinese cleaver is the ultimate do-it-all tool. I wondered if Id be happier with a smaller tool if the bottle opener was removed, but the length and ergonomics work well for me, even if I never use this feature. Interesting design. SBD used to make a two blade utility knife under Bostitch brand. Amazingly this looks like an evolution of it with a double ended 4 blade setupnice! Despite its unconventional design, thus Husky utility knife is incredibly user-friendly. The knife is large for a pocket, so its likely to be clipped on a belt, making this a potential issue for some. Its unique contoured handle and deep finger notch make for a grip that is both comfortable and secure. Learn more. Theyre talking about the ToughBuilt knife that Leo referred to. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. I suppose there are, given its compact size and narrow thickness. All Rights Reserved. Other than Lunch by Maine Beer Company, I cant think of a beer that I drink out of a bottle. Some areas, such as New York City, have extremely prohibitive knife laws. Subscribe now for unlimited access. 2000-2022 Home Depot. Eagerly awaiting that day. Also, the comfort of the handle is nowhere near that of the Fastbacks. When compared with the speed of the Fastbackss blade deployment, the DeWalts thumb slide seems like an unnecessary extra step. When painting, removing flooring, general cleanup, etc, whats wrong with a beer or two? Read through the reviews. Also, in a true emergency, you can open bottles with screwdrivers, the edge of a counter, etc. (seems like they could have extended the metal divider all the way to the bottom). I could see something like that happening while fishing it out of a pocket or a tool pouch. From experience, I know that utility blades can wreak havoc. So if the bottle opener didnt exist it could be shorter? Rather than switching blades, Ive generally kept a separate knife with hook blades specifically for that application. Looking down at the top of the knife, the clip is located to the right of the body, connected up at the hinge point. I havent come across any issues yet, but I know this is not going to be a one-knife-fits-all type of tool. It cuts with a removable razor blade, so the edge is both incredibly sharp and very disposable. It moves the blade from normal position to a horizontal scraping position. There looks like theres a sign indicating a magnet in use in some way (see last photo) are the blades also held in place in some way by a magnet Stuart? Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Easily cuts wood, paper, plastic, metal, film and acetate, Uses replaceable blades for medium cutting and trimming, Aluminum handle with a sleek design fits comfortably in the hand. This seems much more convenient for someone who may use different blades on the same job. by Michael Sullivan and Christine Cyr Clisset. I cant find them on their website., Thanks for the tip! Need Help? Its not available online or my local area yet but Ill definitely keep my eyes open now!! What is to keep you from touching the exposed second blade? This may seem like a lot of blades, but it doesnt make economic sense to get smaller packs, since they can go for as much as $3 for five blades. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Replacement Blades for 9060 Carpet Knife, Round Corners (100-Box). If you follow your link to the Home Depot product page and watch the first video they mention a versatile 4-blade model (43 sec). Theyre very useful, but before you invest in one, make sure you understand your state and local knife lawsespecially if you intend to carry your knife in your pocket or hooked to your belt. Folders are smaller, so easier to store, and tend to come with convenient belt hooks. Since 2001, when I started carrying a utility knife, Ive probably gone through about 25 knives, most discarded due to poor features, bad ergonomics, or subpar durability. Ive carried a hook blade in the spare blade compartment of my current EDC knife and switched it back and forth.
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