The Humble Utility Knife.

[Chako]

Stanley No 199 Utility Knife.

Another heavy duty knife from Stanley. This one harkening even further back in time than the 99E, and still sold to this day. This is a no frills knife that features a fixed blade with room to store extra blades in the body. My main issue with this knife is its over-simplicity. How do you store this knife safely away with a naked blade always present? I didn't bother to show the knife with blade present because I didn't feel like rummaging for a screwdriver for a simple photo.

Pros:
- simple design.

Cons:
- naked blade always present (sort of the antithesis of the Mastercraft Safety Utility Knife mentioned a few post up)
- requires a screw driver to change blades

Overall, a nice looking classical knife lacking any safety features other than a textured handle to prevent hand slippage.

[Chako]

Fix It! Rotary Utility Knife.

Here is something ultra strange, or at least in my books. The Fix It! Rotary utility knife is an odd duck. This utility knife has a fat rear end because that is where the rotary knife blade cartridge goes. Rotary cartridges are supposed to eliminate the chances of cutting yourself because you do not come into contact with any sharp edges. Used ones just back into storage, and new ones are dialed in. Yeah, this is another safety feature that sounds great on paper, but when implemented is a terrible idea. The knife looks awkward and ungainly because it is. The knife comes with a cheap vinyl holster.

Pros:
- comes with 15 blades in a rotary cartridge

Cons:
- awkward handling with all the weight aft of the hand
- cartridge blade system is hard to find
- vinyl holster wouldn't last a season on the job site

Overall, another knife hampered by a safety issue.

[Chako]

Unknown Brand Utility Knife.

Here is something so basic that it is dangerous to use. This one does not use standard utility knife blades, but razor blades. The concept is starkly simply. Have a metal sleeve slide up and down a body to expose and protect the blade. Problem is, the sliding isn't all that smooth, and it is quite easy to cut yourself on the razor blade if not careful. It is a simple and effective tool for box cutting as well as finger lacerating.

Pros:
- I can't think of any

Cons:
- everything

Overall, if I absolutely had to cut something and this is all I had, I would use it. Otherwise, I would search for anything else to do the job.

[Chako]

Kobalt Utility Knife.

Here is a very nice utility knife from Kobalt. This one features both a utility knife as well as a plain edge blade and a serrated blade. The quick blade exchange mechanism on the utility knife is well done and executed. This knife also comes with a belt sheath.

Pros:
- good ergonomics and textured handle
- includes a utility, plain edge, and a serrated knife blade
- compact for having 3 blades

Cons:
- no pocket clip...but with the addition of a belt sheath, is this even necessary?

Overall, the Kobalt utility knife brings a lot of functionality in a well designed package.

[Chako]

RONA Utility Knife.

Here is another sheath supplied utility knife, but this one is from RONA, a hardware store chain. Unlike the much better Kobalt in the previous post, this one is all plastic and cheap feeling. The quick blade exchange mechanism does work, albeit it is of the push inwards design. At least the part you push in isn't some sculpted crappy plastic oval button. The pocket clip is a great design.

Pros:
- ok blade swapping mechanism
- included sheath
- awesome pocket clip

Cons:
- plastic cheapness

Overall, this is a very lightweight utility knife due to the materials used in its construction. At least the blade carrier is all metal. That pocket clip should be on more utility knife models out there.

[Chako]

Kobalt Utility Knife Kit.

Every now and then, I come across these hard case kits. This one is from Kobalt. This kit includes one utility knife and a lot of different blade types. Much like the Kobalt utility knife mentioned in a few post upwards, this one shares the same great ergonomic body but without the added knife blades.

Pros:
- the kit adds to the functionality of the knife
- nice ergonomic body
- good quick blade swapping mechanism
- good pocket clip design

Cons:
- can't think of any

Overall, these type of kits are a great way to store extra blades of different types. The kit is a bit bulky, but that is a small price to pay for convenience.

[Chako]

Tooltech Utility Knife Kit.

Similar kit to the Cobalt kit mentioned in the previous kit, except with a different utility knife. This one doesn't have the best quick blade swapping mechanism. Likewise, the tool clip is of the narrow design. Thus this kits utility knife isn't as good as the Kobalt Kit's offering.

Pros:
- the kit adds to the functionality of the knife

Cons:
- Poor blade exchange mechanism
- pocket clip

Overall, the kit does add functionality and keeps all of your blades in one spot.

[Chako]

Mastercraft Utility Knife Kits.

Here are two offerings from Canadian Tire. Both kits are mostly the same, except the first having the now discontinued utility knifes and the second being the one that you can still find on sale.

Pros:
- Kits add extra functionality
- a standard and key chain utility knife are included
- newest knife kit offers a wheel blade exchange mechanism
- older knife kit offers a lock back

Cons:
- older knife kit has a poorly designed blade exchange mechanism
- newest kit offers a liner lock...albeit these are solid
- both kits only offer a limited range of blade styles

Overall, both kits are fairly similar as far as blade and knife options go. Both kits have pros and cons to their included knives.

Older discontinued kit:




Newer kit.

[Sazabi]

I don't know about everyone else, but this is a very interesting thread; one thing to note about the EAB, which I don't blame Dan for not mentioning, is that prolonged usage will cause the metal projection (that allows for a smooth deployment of the blade) to etch a trough into the liner lock of knife.  This trough will make the deployment very gritty, but there's no way to prevent this from occurring.  Mind you, this will only happen after two-plus years of daily usage, and thus far (five years in) hasn't affected safety or functionality, just the butteriness.

That Stanley No. 199 is an interesting knife.

[Chako]

Craftsman Shark Utility Knife.

This is a very visually stimulating utility knife that was designed to look like a shark. This one packs a wire stripper and of course a utility knife...more aimed at electricians. Also included is an internal storage compartment for extra blades. The utility knife part is a slider with a thumb button that sticks out enough that it could catch on things. The wire stripper pliers has a rear locking mechanism ensuring the handles won't deploy until you are ready to do so. A plastic tab on the underbelly allows access to the hidden blade storage compartment which swings out. The blade exchange mechanism is effective and easy to use. I am not usually a fan of these push types, but if done right, are just as good as anything else on the market. No pocket clip...but then, this tool is too large to have one anyways.

Pros:
- included pair of wire strippers
- extra blade storage
- sliding mechanism and blade exchange mechanism are well designed

Cons:
- on the plus size
- thumb stud could catch on things

Overall, a really neat utility knife for someone who wants to combine two quite often go together tools.







Here is a related video..

[Chako]

Mastercraft Maximum Auto Utility Knife.

Much like the above Shark, this is one big utility knife. This one from Canadian Tire offers an auto reload feature. On the side of the knife is a removable hatch with a blade storage well. When it is time to remove a blade, simply release the spring loaded handle fully and the rail carrier will pick up the next blade in line. You can do this until you run out of blades, necessitating a refill. This is an interesting slider design. To extend the blade, the user needs to press on the spring loaded handle. This makes using this knife very quick and efficient.

Pros:
- unique lever mechanism
- auto loader
- easy blade exchanges via that yellow oval push button

Cons:
- on the large side
- easy to loose blade storage door

Overall, a neat auto loader.






-

[Chako]

Mastercraft Auto Utility Knife.

Much like the above auto loader, but this time using a thumb stud slider mechanism with the improvement of having the blade storage well door attached to the knife. This knife works much as the above, except instead of a lever, you have a sliding button. Yank a used blade out, slide the carrier all the way back, which will pick up the next in line blade. Repeat until you have to re-fill the blade storage well.

Pros:
- attached door so you won't lose it
- auto loader
- thumb button will not hang up on stuff

Cons:
- now if only this one had the lever like the one above...perfection
- on the large side

Overall, a good if large auto loader.

[Chako]

Gerber Transit Utility Knife.

This is a very compact, and due to the materials used, cheap feeling utility knife. The pocket clip is narrow and sub par to wider ones...in my opinion. The little folder has a sketchy liner lock, or at least my example has. Very light and portable, it does require a screwdriver to change the blade. \

Pros:
- light and portable

Cons:
- Poor fit and finish
- sketchy liner lock
- no quick changing blade mechanism

Overall, I bought this one for my Gerber collection. Not a very good utility knife all in all.

[Chako]

Unknown brand Utility Knife.

These came in a kit with an equally colourful pliers based multi-tool. Fairly generic in features. Good ergonomics.

Pros:
- all metal construction
- ok quick exchange blade mechanism

Cons:
- pocket clip of the narrow variant

Overall, average utility knifes that have cool graphics on them.

[Chako]

Sheffield boxed set.

This boxed set has an included utility knife. The utility knife boxed with this set is one of the more dressy knives that feature wooden insets for the handles, and highly polished metal surfaces. This one looks smart. With that said, it has one of the less desirable blade exchange mechanisms. On the plus side, the pocket clip is a winner. The knife also has the superior lock back, which won't get unlocked if you accidentally hit if during knife use...something I have seen a liner lock do.

Pros:
- high end looks
- excellent pocket clip
- lock back

Cons:
- blade exchange mechanism could be improved

Overall, this knife is a beauty to behold. It has a nice weight to it. Fit and finish are excellent.

[Chako]

Heritage boxed set.

Here is another boxed set, but this time from Heritage. I won't get into how wonderfully built everything is in this set as I want to only focus on the included utility knife. Yes, it is the same exact utility knife as the Sheffield branded one above, except this one features brass coloured metal..

Pros:
- high end looks
- excellent pocket clip
- lock back

Cons:
- blade exchange mechanism could be improved

Overall, same as the above Sheffield.

[Chako]

Kendo Tool Sets.

These Kendo tool sets included a utility knife which aren't as bad as they looks. They both feature a good pocket clip, as well as a good quick blade exchange mechanism. These knives also features a rubber textured  thumb rest. The only thing that differentiates these two sets are looks.

Pros:
- all metal construction
- rubber thumb pad
- good blade exchange mechanism
- pocket clip

Cons:
- not any I could think of.

Overall a nice utility knife bundled with a not so bad plier based multi-tool. Not top notch, but neither junk.

First set.








Second set.

[Chako]

Stanley 10-499 Utility Knife.

If the Stanley 99E did not offer you enough convenience, there is the 10-499 with its quick exchange blade mechanism and easier to get to extra blade storage.

Pros:
- heavy duty
- added wire cutter feature
- extra blade storage
- good quick blade exchange mechanism

Cons:
- plastic door to blade storage has some lateral wiggle

Overall, a very nice knife with more modern features.

[Chako]

Stanley 10-788 Utility Knife.

If the above Stanley didn't float your boat, and you want something that looks very modern, then the 10-788 should fit the bill. Basically the same features but with different aesthetics. The 10-788 does have more plastic in it, making it a bit lighter.

Pros:
- ergonomic
- added wire cutter feature
- extra blade storage
- good quick blade exchange mechanism

Cons:
- more plastic in body

Overall, another nice Stanley utility knife.

[Chako]

Stanley Fatmax Sliding Utility Knife.

Another iteration of the Fatmax family. This one is rather nice with rubber grips at all the good spots. The sliding mechanism is silky smooth, and the blade exchange mechanism works good. There is even a place to store extra blades. Best part, you won't have to press or pull on a small plastic hard to reach piece...as access is super easy via a nice big round red rear button.

Pros:
- good ergonomics
- easy to access blade storage
- thumb button will not catch on stuff

Cons:
- can't think of one.

Overall, this is a very good utility knife. Easy access to extra blades, and the blade exchange mechanics works like a charm.

[Chako]

Stanley Fatmax combo utility knife.

One of the strangest in my collection. If memory serves me right, it was sent to me from a fellow member who hails from the UK. This Fatmax features a built in interchangeable bit driver and pliers. Each rotate and lock separately via that big rear yellow round button. There is storage room for an extra driver bit built into the handle. Surprisingly, there appears to be enough room to throw in an extra blade storage compartment, but there is non to be found on this model.

Pros:
- driver and pliers are thrown in for good measure
- good blade exchange mechanism
- sliding thumb button won't snag on stuff

Cons:
- Big and clunky

Overall, this odd duck is an interesting concept.

[Chako]

Mastercraft Utility Knife.

Another Canadian Tire offering. This time with an upgraded exchange blade mechanism. This one is a winner as it gives you plenty of purchase to push upwards to replace the blade.

Pros:
- all metal construction
- excellent blade exchange mechanism
- pocket clip is good
- rubber thumb rest aids in fine control

Cons:
- uses a handle button to lock the main blade open or closed

Overall, this one is a good utility knife. It has a lot of good pluses going for it. I must admit, although I am not a fan of the handle buttons, they are more positive than some of the liner locks out there.

[Chako]

Mastercraft Maximum Auto Utility Knife.

Now here is something special, or at least I think so. This is a much smaller svelte auto loader from the folks at Canadian Tire. Not only is this the most compact auto loader I have yet to see, that texture which covers the whole tool is a winner. The good stuff doesn't stop there. The pocket clip is excellent being wide and well designed. The extra blade storage compartment is easily accessed via a well executed pull tab and hinged door under the pocket clip. Furthermore, the blade exchange mechanism is also good. like all auto loaders, remove the spent blade, and slide the blade holder all the way back. This will automatically pick the next blade in the storage well. Repeat until you have to refill the storage well with blades.

Pros:
- auto loader
- super small size compared to the other auto loaders in my collection
- pocket clip
- quick blade exchange mechanism
- textured surface
- included attachment ring

Cons:
- I can't think of any

Overall, this compact auto is a great utility knife. Probably one of my favorites.

[Chako]

Paper Knife E.D.C. Utility knife.

Very compact and light weight, the Paper Knife E.D.C is a sub compact utility knife designed to use standard utility blades. There is also an included bottle cap opener and pry-bar/flat screwdriver. The operation of this knife is simple, but also can be dangerous. You can stow the blade completely inside the knife by pulling and pressing the top part. This disengages and engages the metal locks into the top grooves of the utility blade. By doing this, you can extract and retract the blade. This is somewhat dangerous as it is somewhat easy to cut yourself as you are busy yanking on that top piece of the knife handle. My copy arrived in good working condition. I have heard others had difficulties with the blade not being retained and falling out.

Pros:
- compact
- bottle open and pry-bar/flat driver
- if you get a good copy, the blade can be retracted into the knife blade for safety

Cons:
- fiddly blade locking mechanism
- you may get a not so good copy

Overall, not a bad little design...if it works properly. Just about the maximum size I would consider attaching to my key-chain.

[Chako]

That is about it for my collection. These type of threads are time consuming to make, but I think they are also great fun and hopefully somewhat informative. You might disagree with my opinions, and that is ok. I hope that at least the photos won't steer you onto looming shoals, and you can learn much from them.

Here are two bonus photos of my two overflowing collection drawers devoted to the humble utility knife.





I am sure I may have missed a knife or two in this thread wrangling. With that said, it still amazes me at how many different utility knives there are out there. You could group them on their similarities such as the type of blade exchange mechanism used, or if the knife is full sized or folding type. You could further break down the folders by sliding or fixed blade holders. There are even those with added features such as extra blade storage, or an included extra knife blade, or even a driver, pliers, and wire stripper. Add to this mix the auto loaders and safety knives, and this all adds up to a shocking amount of variety. So the next time you are at the hardware store, go check out what is available. Maybe just maybe, you might bring one home with you.

Hope you enjoyed this trip through my collection of humble utility knives. 

[SteveC]

Impressive as alway Chako 

[Chako]

Thanks SteveC. 

[Ron Who]

Great thread and I enjoyed it very much. A wonderful collection of items most people wouldn´t collect. 
I´m hoping I´ll run into that three blade Kobalt sometime (or something similar).

[styx]

It's over already? 

[Chako]

Sorry styx. I worked long and hard to post the majority of my collection as quickly as I could. I know I wouldn't have the patience to post a knife a day.