I love utility knives. There is just something sweet about using a blade for all the dirty chores with no fear of ruining it, as the blades are easily replaced and are plentiful and cheap. I especially love folding utility knives for their compactness.
Well it comes as no surprise that I have a few knives of this type. Today, I would like to take a closer look at the various styles of locking the replaceable blades into the blade carriage. I find such things fascinating. Not all blade locking systems are created equal. It is also a bit surprising at how many different types and variations of blade locking mechanisms exist.
Interestingly enough, the least desirable is that found on the Superknife, the originator of this type of knife. This is because the system uses a screw. You will need a precision screw driver to get this one opened and replaced, not to mention all the fun if you ever dropped the screw.
(A simple screw holds the blade in place. This is not very convenient. But at least, it is solid and you will get no side to side blade play or rattling)
I would have to say the most common style is the swing arm. I have no clue what it is called, but I have several folders with this type of mechanism. It does seem overly complicated and may have some accidental finger cutting if you’re not careful. It works by swinging the top locking mechanism off the back of the blade, and rotating a metal plate. The big advantage to this type…no other tools required. Also, you can clean the tool if it gets all gummed up as it opens right up for easy access.
(I have almost cut my fingers a few times when closing the tool after a blade change, as some folders may not have a very deep bottom ledge. You just have to watch out)
Next up on the list of locking mechanism is the button type. There are many variations of this type, and overall, I find this the easiest and safest way to change and lock in a blade.
(Sort of a lock back. Press down on the metal stud, and safe and easy blade exchange is in your future. This style suffers from a bit of blade play and rattling)
(In this example, pressing down on the black plastic button will release the blade. Simple, effecting, and feels utterly cheap)
(A better implementation of the type as seen above. Works the same as the one above, but it conveys a better feeling to the end user as in…”Hey this thing isn’t utter junk!”)
(In this example, you have to pull up away from the blade carriage. However, it is a bit stiff, and the act of pulling away and yanking the blade out sometimes taxes my fine motor skills somewhat. In other words, there are better solutions out there)
(Here is the better solution. Same idea as the above, pull up and remove the blade. This example gives you more to grab however, making it seem a whole lot easier to use)
(This one is probably the worst quick blade removal implementation I have seen so far. Instead of pushing up like the previous two examples, you have to push sideways to the blade…if that makes sense)
So there you have it. Who knew there are so many different types of utility blade removal and locking mechanisms out there? If you know of another style, I would love to see it.
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