THE LOWLY UTILITY KNIFE
Choosing the best tool for your everyday use
The lowly utility knife, everyone has one, or six, to make the occasional cut or use as a serious tool on the job site. They come in several iterations, from plastic to metal handles, snap-off or replaceable blades, retractable or removable blades, all depending on how much you’re willing to spend based on how much you use it and for what application.
It was time to make some space in my tool cabinet by testing my existing quiver of utility knives and a couple of new ones, using fresh blades, a stack of boxes, and then discard the offensive tools.
The razor blade holder shown on the far left is designed for gentle shaving more than cutting as the handle is too short and too thin to get a good grip for cutting. Since it is great for shaving and scraping, it’s a keeper (and much safer than wrapping electrical tape on one side of a double edged razor blade for grip).
The smaller yellow knives have retractable blades, which wobble and occasionally unintentionally retract. The loose fit makes it difficult to cut a straight, accurate line.
The plastic handles are also thin and smooth so working with them tires your hand and arm over time as you attempt to control the blade. These come with snap-off blades demonically-possessed with the intention to take out one of my eyes. They are useless if not dangerous for any serious work. Nonetheless, they are an affordable option for infrequent use - like opening Christmas presents.
The orange utility knife is from Stanley. The metal grip is wide and opens to hold additional traditional utility blades, but unfortunately, it’s coated in a smooth painted surface, counting on the bent design for you to get a good grasp. Comparing it to my newest blades, I see now that the steep-blade angle makes cutting a straight line more difficult unless you are working overhead or in tight corners. I’ve had the knife for years and it has plenty of experience cutting drywall and carpet at an amateur level. Unfortunately, the moving parts, including the handle that splits and the retractable blade, have worn, so now the blade wobbles and self-retracts. It has to go.
My dissatisfaction with my current quiver evaporated when I picked up one of the new blade grips on display from Monument Tools. They have a comfortable, ‘grippy’ rubber wrapping around a solid metal shaft with a good heft, and the blades slip in firmly and securely without play once in place. There are no screws or moving parts to wear out either. The ergonomic angle of the holder puts the blade at the best cutting angle to accurately and easily slice through the material you need to cut, in the same way that a hand saw works best at a low angle.
The shorter Scorpion All Purpose Utility Knife has a 13 cm (5 in) grip, perfect for most cutting applications – boxes, carpets, and drywall, while the longer Leverage Knife is a strong tool for two-handed work like cutting a windshield free for replacement. It comes in 13, 18 and 23 cm (5, 7 and 9 in) sizes. All Monument Knives have a lifetime warranty.
My tool cabinet is cleaner now as I’ve just kept the double-edged razor holder and the new utility blade holders from Monument Tools. I’ve been working with them for eight months now, having discarded the demonic plastic disasters and worn out Stanley. Regardless of how often you use a knife, investing in a quality tool pays for itself over time, achieving better quality work and longer lifespan.
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