The best utility knife is an indispensable tool in any household. It helps users cut most materials such as paper, rope, cloth, etc. Most of these products are pocket-sized and come with the best blades included.
However, there are many manufacturers and functional models for this type of item on the market today. Even the best types of products have a few flaws.
You want to find the best one that suits your needs and is affordable, but it also has to help you get the job done quickly and accurately. This detailed article will find out what the best utility knife is.
Table of Contents
- Best Utility Knife: In-depth Reviews of Top 6
- 1. Gerber Gear 31-003745 Prybrid Utility: Best Compact Knife
- 2. Kobalt Utility Knife & 11 Blades: Best Folding Knife
- 3. Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Folding Utility Knife: Best Ergonomic Design
- 4. Holtzman's Heavy-Duty Folding Pocket Knife: Best Versatile Knife
- 5. Husky Folding Sure-Grip Lock Back Utility Knives Multi-Pack: Best Pocket Knife
- 6. Klein Tools 44218 Utility Knife: Best For Electrical Work
- Why a good utility knife is required
- Important considerations while purchasing a utility knife
- Utility Knives Frequently Asked Questions
- Final thoughts
Best Utility Knife: In-depth Reviews of Top 6
Finding the box cutter knife or a folding utility knife may help sellers save time and effort. You may use one utility knife to cut cardboard, shingles, drywall, plastic caps, or carpeting.
More importantly, the overall ergonomics, folding mechanism, sturdiness, safety, and cutlass changes are the top criteria for choosing a utility blade knife.
More specifically, according to the experience of many researchers and surveyors, we refer to some of today's famous brands such as Milwaukee, Gerber Gear, Kobalt.
In addition, specialized brands like Klein, Holtzman or popular brands like Husky are also mentioned so you can have a better overview. The six items below have their benefits and drawbacks. Hopefully, this list can assist you in buying the best cutter for your tool pouch.
1. Gerber Gear 31-003745 Prybrid Utility: Best Compact Knife
Our rating:
- Brand name: Gerber Gear
- Length: 4.25 inches
- Weight: 0.26 lbs
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Replaceable blade: Yes
- Folding at different angles: Not foldable
The first impression of this knife model is its extremely compact size with the dimension of 4.25 x 1.3 x 0.4 inches and simplicity.
This product has a quite different design compared to the other five types as the blade is not foldable but can only be pushed out and in. Because of this pocket design, people can attach it to a keychain and easily carry it with a lanyard hole.
There are three slide lock positions: closed, open, and exchange. The knife's lock is designed in a sliding form. When it is necessary to replace the blade, you should slide it out as far as possible.
This mechanism also helps avoid over-extension of the blade until you are ready to substitute it with its tool-free replacement system.
Furthermore, Prybrid utility offers eight tools: full-sized utility cutlass, cord cutter, bottle opener, large flathead driver, wire stripper, nail puller, small flathead driver, and pry bar. This tool is available in green and tactical gray.
The knife is quite suitable for cutting strings, and the end can also be used to open bottles or cans. Even if your hand is wet, with its G10 scales, you can experience an enhanced grip on the job. G10 is also prized for its sturdiness, so you can rest assured to handle heavy-duty tasks.
One glaring defect of this type is no locking stops at ½" and ¼". Thus, it may be less safe to open the box and accidentally cut the content inside. Still, the Prybrid utility offers tremendous function as a compact knife.
Advantages
Disadvantages
2. Kobalt Utility Knife & 11 Blades: Best Folding Knife
Our rating:
- Brand name: Kobalt
- Length when folded & when fully opened: 4.30 inches & 9.00 inches
- Weight: 0.26 lbs
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Replaceable blade: Yes
- Folding at different angles: No
As a best folding utility knife, the Kobalt model can be a general-purpose and ideal folding lock back type. The special feature of this item is the spring lock. Therefore, it is quite safe for the user when the tool is in an open position.
At the same time, it does not close unexpectedly when the tool is not in the folded state. And when folded, the pocket clip is stiff enough to hold the product in place whether you are stepping up or squatting.
You can easily replace the cutlass thanks to the quick-change mechanism. They also do not need to worry about the cutlass becoming dull or rusting over time because it comes with the best utility knife blades.
The durability is also more assured thanks to the handle made of aluminum material.
In terms of structure, this somewhat large design causes many difficulties when opening with one hand. You’re better off using both hands when closing this type to ensure safety. Another minus point to mention is the lack of cutlass storage.
Advantages
Disadvantages
3. Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Folding Utility Knife: Best Ergonomic Design
Our rating:
- Brand name: Milwaukee
- Length when folded & when fully opened: 4.59 inches & 6.87 inches
- Weight: 0.28 lbs
- Blade material: Steel
- Replaceable blade: Yes
- Folding at different angles: No
Safety and ergonomics are the first advantages of this product. In particular, it has an additional metal extension on the front of the handle. This is beneficial in preventing the blade from being accidentally removed.
Having an ergonomic design with the dimension of 9.21 x 3.66 x 0.87 inches, the product has a deep groove and contoured sides, making it possible to have a firm and comfortable grip with the knife in hand. Besides that, the sturdy belt hook also makes this Fastback type portable.
In addition, its lock button is simple to operate and manage, requiring little effort. This knife has a flip and press mechanism with two separate locks to use one hand to open and close it.
The product also comes with five replaceable blades and a cutlass storage arm despite the thin profile. Thanks to an extra lever, it safely hides the storage inside this knife. What's more? The magnet also prevents edges from falling out of its storage.
Another indispensable feature is an integrated wire stripping tool, and it can cut up to about 12 gauge ropes and wires. This tool would also be the best option to accompany the pencil, hammer, or tape measure. More specifically, the notch makes it comfortable for users to drag the end of their tape measure.
So far, so good, but we find that this product has a single minus point, the refraction mechanism. It will be quite stiff at first. However, you can solve this problem by breaking it a bit.
Overall, the Milwaukee knife has one metal body which provides durability for versatility with a very safe design. In other words, this hefty utility knife is the favored purchase for a variety of work on this list because it meets the required criteria of the best box cutter knife.
Advantages
Disadvantages
4. Holtzman's Heavy-Duty Folding Pocket Knife: Best Versatile Knife
Our rating:
- Brand name: Holtzman's Gorilla Survival
- Length when folded & when fully opened: 3.80 inches & 6.50 inches
- Weight: 0.65 lbs
- Blade material: Carbon steel
- Replaceable blade: Yes
- Folding at different angles: No
This is a dual-blade kit that no others on this list can rival. Holtzman’s product is perfect for those wondering whether to bring a regular knife or a razor knife because it can do both.
Overall, this product is suitable for people who always carry a knife with them. With two different blades at two ends. You can wire up, cut the rug, or open the box.
At the same time, you can shave off something that needs more leverage and power but still ensures sharpness. Those are the times the razor blade can't do it.
With heavy and sturdy housing, it's completely durable over time. You can take it along and access it easily with the integrated belt clip. In addition, with a not too large volume, this product feels comfortable and solid to hold.
Like most folding knives, the folding design allows compact and safe pocket storage. Hence, you can easily open or close the item with one hand. And more importantly, its lock and safety mechanism will make your use safer.
On the downside, it is not easy to replace the blade. Understand this deal-breaker, Holtzman includes a screw and a clip in the package for easy replacement.
Advantages
Disadvantages
5. Husky Folding Sure-Grip Lock Back Utility Knives Multi-Pack: Best Pocket Knife
Our rating:
- Brand name: Husky
- Length when folded & when fully opened: 4.50 inches & 7.68 inches
- Weight: 0.88 lbs
- Blade material: Metal
- Replaceable blade: Yes
- Folding at different angles: No
The Husky brand is famous for producing high-quality pocket equipment items, and this pick is no exception. When the blade is locked out, there is no "slop" in it.
Its handle is composed of aluminum and is available in various colors. The checkered design with a textured handle also provides a secure grip for wet hands.
Unlocking the tool with one hand will be a bit difficult when you first buy it. With more use, this operation will be easier and smoother. Push a slider on its spine to change the blades, then swing down by half of a blade holder.
In addition, on the side of the product, there will be a belt clip, contributing to more safety when putting it in your pocket when you are doing your work. This item is sturdy enough to ensure it would not fall out despite the simple removal system.
Unfortunately, it is quite uncomfortable that half of the blade will rise when we fold it.
Advantages
Disadvantages
6. Klein Tools 44218 Utility Knife: Best For Electrical Work
Our rating:
- Brand name: Klein Tools
- Length when folded & when fully opened: 5.33 inches & 7.83 inches
- Weight: 0.36 lbs
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Replaceable blade: Yes
- Folding at different angles: No
The design of this product line is quite large, but the certainty is still there. Its curved blade makes it possible to strip wire easily. With this design, it can glide over the rounded shape of the wire.
An electrician may always be on the go, so something requiring little maintenance is the top priority. And this tool is considered the best alternative among many other knives because the blades can be replaced without frequent sharpening.
The blade's hawk shape further enhances the ease of use of this knife. Maybe many people find it quite thin, but it is very strong and does not break when the pressure on the blade is large.
Besides, the knife also has a locking mechanism with a release lever. It also has a simple design, and the rubber grip feels comfortable and firm when gripping. There is also one captive screw to hold the blade securely.
Like other best utility knives in this list, it can be opened easily with the thumb stud and pocket clips to make it more convenient for electricians to carry around.
On the other hand, its set screw that holds the new knife is regularly loosening. Therefore, you should tighten it virtually every time you use it since the knife may keep falling off.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Why a good utility knife is required
After you have gained some experience in cooking, certain mistakes which you have made when you started cooking will usually become obvious. One of the most important things that experienced cooks will realize after some time is that they will require a high quality knife which can be used for a variety of cutting applications. Though there are wide range of extremely specialized knives like fillet knives, slicers, boning knives, charcuterie knives and carving knives, changing a knife repeatedly while preparing food, or cooking is very inconvenient. So it is better to purchase a culinary utility knife which whose blade is versatile and can be used for a wide range of culinary applications.
While preparing food, a knife is required for different tasks like sectioning, peeling to remove the skin, trimming, slicing, removing the core. So most cooks prefer to have a utility knife since the same knife can be used for multiple tasks, and combines the features of a paring knife with a chef knife. In the kitchen, the utility knife is the most frequently used knife just like bottle openers, box cutters, pocket knives are used extensively elsewhere in the house. Having the right utility knife will it far more convenient to cook food and also complete the cooking tasks faster, saving time. So if you wish to purchase a utility knife, you should ensure that it is the best you can afford. Some of the features which a top-rated well designed utility knife should have are discussed in detail
Important considerations while purchasing a utility knife
Since the utility knife is being used extensively in the kitchen, one of the factors which you should consider is how frequently you use the knife. Typically chefs who are working in a commercial kitchen like restaurant or takeaway are using their knife for several hours daily, and can afford to pay more. In contrast, most home cooks will use the knife for a few hours or less daily, so they are looking for a more affordable knife.
Before discussing the best knife which a cook can afford, it is important to consider the main factors which determine the features of the knife purchased especially comfort, blade material, quality and knife size
Most cooks are likely to be using their utility knives extensively, so the comfort of the user is very important. The knife handle should be designed ergonomically, so that the cook can hold the knife comfortably for a longer time period, even for difficult cutting tasks, without feeling any kind of strain or pain. Cooks should be aware that if they are not comfortable holding the handle, they will feel tired more quickly and it may result in an accident which causes injuries. So being comfortable while using the knife is essential for safely using it.
The knife blade used in the utility knife should also be considered since it is usually a fixed blade, and cannot be easily replaced. The blade of the utility knife will be used extensively for making different kinds of cuts, so it should be sharp enough for cutting. If the blade is dull, a lot of time will get wasted while cutting and more effort will be required. Before purchasing the utility knife it is advisable to check the specifications of the knife blade, to get details of the blade sharpness and other related information. Some utility knives have ceramic blades which are break more easily compared to stainless steel blades.
Quality: The quality of the utility knife depends to some extent on the price. While the best utility knives of excellent quality are not extremely expensive, there is a significant difference in both price and quality compared to a cheaper knife. Often the cheapest knives will lose their sharpness after a few months, or cannot be sharpened using a whetstone. So it is better to spend some additional money and purchase a high quality, well-designed utility knife which is more durable to save time, effort and money in the long term.
Size: The size of most utility knives is similar to that paring and chef's knives used in kitchens. The knife blade should be between 5 inches to 6.5 inches in length. If the knife blade is longer than 6.5 inches, it may be too large for doing most of the tasks in the kitchen conveniently and is like a chef's knife. For blade lengths of less than 5 inches, the knife is suitable only for paring and similar applications. It is also important to ensure that the knife blades are stored properly when they are not being used.
Utility Knives Frequently Asked Questions
How to differentiate between a utility and paring knife?
Though some people cannot distinguish between paring and utility knives, a paring knife is usually smaller in size, and is used only for cutting and peeling fruit. Usually the blade of utility knife is longer, and it can be used for far more cutting and related applications in the kitchen.
What is the typical length of a utility knife?
Most of the utility knives available for sale are between five and 6.5 inches in length, though most are more than five inches long
Are there any other types of utility knives available for sale?
In addition to the utility knives for culinary applications specifically designed for cutting food safely, there are a wide variety of utility knives available for multiple applications. Some of the commonly used utility knives are retractable knife, boxcutter knife, folding utility knife and pocket foldable knife. Additionally there are some utility knives developed mainly for specialist applications like stanley knife, kobalt knife and fixed blade construction utility knife.
What type of utility knives are preferred by Michelin Chefs?
There are a large number of Michelin star chefs and they use different types of utility knives depending on the food they prepare. Dominique Crenn, a 3-star Michelin chef, based in San Francisco announced that she was partnering with Dalstrong to help in feeding the homeless population of the city. She has recommended the extremely popular Crusader series from Dalstrong. This series include the 5.5" Serrated Utility Knife and the 6" Utility Knife
Final thoughts
Above are the top options for the best utility knife for homeowners. The shape, size, and functionality of various products will vary. Hence, all you can do is pick one item that best suits your needs.
Among six products, the Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Folding Utility Knife is highly recommended since it has many features that one knife needs.
Compared to other brands, the price of this product is relatively affordable. Thus, if you're looking for a knife for your DIY, this item would be a good pick.
The final advice is to consider the safety carefully before you purchase one. Have a great cutting experience with your DIY projects!
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