The Humble Utility Knife.

[ThePeacent]

It was interesting, exciting and a very nice piece of Chako's collection.   
I love your threads, this one was no exception.
Read through all of it and wanted more   

As many types of utility knives as there might be, I think that's not too many compared to the types and styles of folding knives we have today.
Especially considering that this utility blades are older, and probably wider available and more used, sold and carried around the world than modern folding knives

[King_Gorilla]

Thanks for taking the time Chako!  So interesting to read about all those utility knives.   

I love that black one with the auto-loading feature and the texturing that looks like truck bed "rhino-liner"!   
I Love the idea of that Fatmax one with the bit driver and the pliers.  It looks like it just needs a redesign.  The pliers don't look small or wimpy in the picture.  Are they about the size of LM Juice or Skeletool?  or do they just look big in the picture?

Is there one that you would say is your absolute favorite?

[Chako]

King_Gorilla, that same compact auto loader that looks like a truck bed liner.

I did find a few more in my collection...

[Chako]

Fuller Sliding Utility Knife.

This type of one piece metal utility knife tends to be heavy duty in construction, and this Fuller does not disappoint. Like the majority of this type of knife, there is a hidden blade storage inside the handle. The handle in this case, requires a flat screw driver to access. As with many other similar models, the sliding mechanism has several stops allowing for blade depth adjustments. Nothing fancy about this Fuller, but I must say, the handle ergonomics are very good, with a shape that will prevent your hand from sliding on the body which is good considering there is no texturing to the metallic body whatsoever. Of interest, the extra blades are packaged in some anti-rust paper.

Pros:
- all metal body
- good ergonomics
- good sliding mechanism
- screw held in position by a C washer, meaning it won't get lost during a blade swap

Cons:
- need a screw driver to open the knife up

Overall, this is a nice basic knife of this type that offers no extra features.

[Chako]

HDX Utility Knife.

Here is another no frills sliding type utility knife. The biggest exception with this model is the lack of extra utility blades. I do believe the knife will hold a few extras, but you will have to include them yourself instead of relying on a few extras at the time of purchase.

Pros:
- sturdy all metal design with grippy side panels
- Sliding mechanism offers several blade depth stops

Cons:
- A Phillips or a flat screwdriver is required to gain entry
- no extra blades included although there is space for some inside the handle

Overall, a no frills utility knife with excellent grip due to those side panels.

[Chako]

Milwaukee Safety Utility Knife.

Here is a great tool for those who need quick and safe access to a box cutter. This utility knife is considered "safety" because of an internal spring which pulls the blade back inside when the user releases pressure on the thumb slider button. There are several good design features at play here. There is no need for a tool to access the interior of the knife. Likewise, an include wire cutter function adds versatility. There is extra blade storage inside the handle with included extra blades. The spring mechanism is easy to use and doesn't get in the way unlike some of the other safety monstrosities seen in this thread.

Pros:
- all metal heavy duty construction
- no tools required to access the extra blade storage compartment
- wire cutter
- thumb slider button angled to ensure thumb will not slide off of the sliding mechanism
- internal spring hides the blade without user input
- C washer used to prevent the loss of the handle screw

Cons:
- I can't think of any other than the constant force needed to deploy and re-deploy the blade during a job may get tiring over time

Overall, here is a nice safety utility knife that works well. The ergonomics are excellent, and the included feature set makes this one a winner in my books.

[Chako]

Stanley FATMAX Utility Knife.

Here is an other Stanley FATMAX utility knife, but with a difference. Like all FATMAX Stanley's this one is very wide. I tend to like the FATMAX family because this extra width does translate into more comfort for my big paws. This model does not require any tools to gain access to the internal extra blade storage. Simply twist the big black locking mechanism and the whole knife scissors out via a spring mechanism. So far so good. However, this is where things get a little negative. The blade storage is angled outwards, and held in place by a strong spring. Pulling one out isn't an option as the whole glued together due to the oil blade clump resists the removal of a single blade, or they will all come out together. Loading the extra blade storage compartment is a bit tricky due to that strong retention spring.

Pros:
- no tools required
- very comfortable ergonomics
- extra blade storage in handle

Cons:
- strong retention spring and angled blade storage makes this one dangerous knife to add or remove blades from the storage compartment

Overall, not a bad knife if you don't mind being extra careful in adding or removing blades from the storage compartment. The whole knife springs open which took me by surprise the first time I opened the knife to gain access to the interior. Other than that, the ergonomics on this knife are excellent. The extra width and sculpted rubber finger panels make this one an easy knife to work with for long extended periods of time.

[styx]

I think you might have an issue. You'll need more space to store all those utility knives

[Chako]

Got to love those first world problems. 

[redmond]

I just received this Olfa Craft Knife from Japan. Impressive feel to it. SAK Classic in photo for scale. Hefty beast - I think it believes it is a tanto or even wakizashi.

[Chako]

That is a nice one redmond. 

[Chako]

Rapid Edge Quick Change Utility Knife.

Another sliding utility knife with a lot of good features. This one has a very easily accessible extra blade storage in the handle, a wire cutter, and the blade swapping mechanism is a good one.

Pros:
- very curvy and ergonomic
- easy access to blade storage via a trap door
- wire cutter feature
- sliding thumb button will not get hung up on other things

Cons:
- none that I can think of

Overall, a nice slider with the right features.

[Chako]

Starkmann Auto Utility Knife.

If you see this hanging on a pegboard in some hardware shop, run the other way as this Starkmann auto utility knife suffers from one of the worst fit and finishes in the industry. Every seam is so erratic, it truly hits home that it is 5 o'clock somewhere...



...I think time stopped at the Starkmann factory if someone ever asked me!

See that door, well it comes off easily at that. Even when that door is locked. See, that door is held on by 2 half hinges. Oddly enough, the half hinges are in the wrong direction, and they don't hold onto the metal pins all that well. When locked you have to press hard on the top of that door to slam it home otherwise, it will pop right off. Now I think you would have to work hard at making something like this...so my hats off to probably the happiest go lucky crew slaving away in some factory in China. Give me another shot supervisor...I got to make me another Starkmann!

All jokes aside, this one is one poorly made knife. Even the seems don't mate up all that well. On the plus side, it is an auto knife, and these things are one of my favorite designs out there. Remove the blade, slide the rail mechanism all the way back, and it will automatically reload the next blade.

Pros:
- it is automatic

Cons:
- fit and finish
- horrible blade well door that wants to fly across the room

Overall, stay well away from this unless you are very hard up and don't care that the fit and finish was done my a bunch of drunk preschoolers.

[Chako]

Starkmann Folding Utility Knife.

Now if I only had the above auto Starkmann, I would remember the name and stay well away. However, this somewhat generic model seen here is a large step above that auto loader. This one is of all metal construction (a good thing as the above auto knife shows, their plastic component machine(s) are not all that good). It also has a good blade swapping mechanism, and a good pocket clip. Heck, even the liner lock is good.

Pros:
- all metal construction
- good pocket clip
- blade swapping mechanism is of a good design

Cons:
- the colour?

Overall, this knife redeems the Starkmann name. It is of a good if generic design.

[Chako]

Kobalt Utility Knife Set.

This set feature both a full and not so full sized utility knife. Both have extra blade storage accessible via a rear sliding switch. Both have very sexy gold blades. Both are also unfortunately mostly made of plastic. The larger knife also has a poorly designed pocket clip. The smaller one is too small to have one, but does feature one of those metal bead loops. The larger knife has a good blade swapping mechanism. The smaller one suffers from a not so good mechanism.

Pros:
- very ergonomic with good texture on handles
- good blade storage in handles
- sexy gold blades (does this even matter?)
- metal blade carrier


Cons:
- poorly designed pocket clip on larger knife
- all plastic handles

Overall, these Kobalt knives are very comfortable. Due to their mostly plastic construction, they tend to be light to carry. That pocket clip on the larger knife is a bit of a let down however.

[King_Gorilla]

    cool

[italophil]

Great collection! I bet no piece of cardboard is safe in your house.

[Chako]

cardboard    at He who is named Chako. 

 

[Chako]

X-Acto Utility Knife.

Here is an older model that has resided in one of my garage located tool boxes for quite some time. A very unique shape is this utility knifes claim to fame. Very ergonomic and exceedingly fat, its size does get in the way of precision work however. Oddly enough, for its size, there is no extra blade storage. Furthermore, the body hinges, making blade swapping something of an awkward affair.

Pros:
- ergonomics and fatness = comfort

Cons:
- hinged body design makes changing blades a bit of an exercise in dexterity
- shape, although very comfortable does come at the cost in blade control
- no extra blade storage

Overall, this model offers a unique shape at the cost of some conveniences.

[King_Gorilla]

   it's like a little green derringer

[captain spaulding]

The utility knife I use for work is excellent. Pics later. 

[Spartan19]

Here's my two for work. The bottom one'e what's left of a EAB lite, and the top is my new Lenox gold.

[Chako]

The Lenox Gold is a good knife.

[styx]

Looks like Gideon on youtube got the same idea

[ThePeacent]

indeed

[styx]

I prefer Chako's version

[kaput]

I just received this Olfa Craft Knife from Japan. Impressive feel to it. SAK Classic in photo for scale. Hefty beast - I think it believes it is a tanto or even wakizashi.

(Image removed from quote.)

I have one too in my tool bag. Just a slim line olfa, Japanese made. 

[Spartan19]

The Lenox Gold is a good knife.

I like it so far. Haven't had a need for the combo tool (yet!  )

[zoidberg]

Unknown Brand Sliding Utility Knife.

Here is a different looking knife. Much like the Sears mentioned above, this model works on the sliding principle as opposed to a folder. An improvement over the Sears model, the main sliding button is protected by two metal protrusions much like what you see on a Gerber MP600. This model is striking because it is made of clear plastic with a metal foundation underneath. Not sure how the finish would last out on the job site, but if left pristine, this one is a looker. Another thing done better than the Sears model mentioned above, is the quick change blade mechanism. This one offers more of a purchase, making it easier on the fingers, and also making the whole process that much more convenient.

Pros:
- sliding mechanism
- Protected sliding mechanism button
- good quick exchange blade mechanism

Cons:
- Plastic is visually stunning, but I have to wonder at its longevity
- pocket clip is narrow with not much of a lip at the tip

Overall, this knife offers a few upgrades to the above Sears model but at the price of possibly poorer handle material.

Great post Chako. PM me your postal address and we'll send out your prize. Something Pretty Cool

[Chako]

Info sent via PM...and thank you.