Folding Knife or Box Cutter/Utility Knife for EDC?

I use my Gerber EAB a lot. I also really like the Milwakee Fastback utility knives/box cutters. That fastback action is really handy and the prices are so cheap, why not pick one up? They have two models of fastback utility knives a smaller version and a larger one that stores extra blades.
 
TL; DR: think about the tools you most commonly need and what you do with them. I open letters and packages. I need a small knife, and a cap opener. I enjoy carrying a folder out of habit, more than anything else. Rule # 1: This is a hobby. Unless required by occupation, it is not a necessity.


I have owned both since I was about 14. I was a High School kid in the suburbs and in my school, scouts was mandatory. I found both to be useful in their respective tasks. Kept the box cutter for most school projects and even preferred the smaller cutters to craft knives.

I love owning and using knives and playing around with them, but I also baby my knives. They are more of a fun thing to learn and collect.

I work in an office and shop online so the majority of my cutting tasks are pretty much limited to opening packages and envelopes. Even though I own a Work Sharp Ken Onion, I do get lazy with having to maintain my blade edges, and would rather just swap out a blade. No shame in it.

I currently alternate between a Griptilian and a Para Military 2 Left Handed, as I am a lefty. It's more as an accessory than a tactical necessity. I live and work in Safe Areas, and my commute is pretty dull.

Gerber and Outdoor Edge make Hunting Knives with replaceable blades, so that is a great compromise. I own an Outdoor Edge Onyx EDC. it's light, has replaceable blades, and looks good to me for a cheap knife. Some people would bitch about the steel used but those idiots didn't realize those cartridges are made from the same steel used in their CRKT Snap Lock knives.

For box cutters, I prefer big long ones with snap-off blades. They handle everything I need except maybe food. Small blades like those used in the Gerber EAB Lite and Screwpop? I prefer keeping those as backups while traveling, and use ceramic blades with them. I don't experience hassle with an empty screwpop or my tiny round tip scissors in my carry.

In conclusion, I get why people spend on folders as I am one of those people. I also get that a box cutter does everything I need it to. I just stop sweating it. If I want to buy a cool looking knife, I'll buy one if affordable. If I would rather bring a cutter to work than a folder, I do that too. The only time I feel restricted is travel by air or boat to places with strict knife laws. Then I just stick to my cutters.
 
knowsnoknife said:
Folding Knife or Box Cutter for EDC?

Well, I think it's obvious what majority of people here at bladeforums would choose.

I know different people from different places have very different days, but let's say EDC for urban to light rural environments. Nothing that involves cutting trees etc....

It was just something that crossed my mind.

Why have a folder when you can have a box cutter for 1/50-1/400 of the price?

How much of your/my normal EDC chores can't a box cutter do and a folder can?
How much of your/my average day involves heavy duty cutting if at all?
What everyday tasks would a box cutter not cut it?

And what do you guys and girls say to those who ask you why carry a knife when a box cutter could do the job cutting? (Let's say they asked you when you were opening a package with a knife)

Thanks for any opinions on this thought that probably has popped up in other people's minds as well one way or another...then maybe just dismissing it to get that oh so nice knife. :D
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I fomeone ask you that then ask him back . Why do you buy Iphone or Samsung mobiles , if you do not use even half of their functions and possibilities ? What can't do a Xiaomi mobile that can IPhone for you ? What everyday calls would a Xiaomi not call it ? Ok IPhone has better graphic card inside. Do you really play an super 3D heavy games that Xiaomi could not handle ? IPhone records better quality video ? Do you really bother recording videos then doing montage them then storage on the special flash memory or micro SD card ? No you just delete it when bored of that video.
 
Let’s talk about cost. Utility knives are cheaper right? Wrong!! A good $50 pocket knife, treated well, will last a lifetime. A utility knife has ongoing costs of replacement blades. Therefore the “cost” of a utility knife is always increasing. In ten years you probably spend more than the $50 it cost for a pocket knife.
 
I'm a painter by trade I carry a razor knife on me everyday the blades are cheap and they can handle more than people think I also carry a leatherman Supertool 300 and a spyderco tenacious but my razor knife gets the most use
 
BladesmanUSA said:
Let’s talk about cost. Utility knives are cheaper right? Wrong!! A good $50 pocket knife, treated well, will last a lifetime. A utility knife has ongoing costs of replacement blades. Therefore the “cost” of a utility knife is always increasing. In ten years you probably spend more than the $50 it cost for a pocket knife.
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Necro thread, but there's a good reason for an EDC to be a replaceable blade knife. TSA and no checked luggage. I'm going to attempt this next week. Wife and I fly to USVI, so no knives. BUT, I can take a folding pocket box cutter with no blades and pick some up after we arrive. It's far from perfect, but is an option I'm going to try...

ROCK6
 
I struggle with box cutters and food. Because I think they are a bit hard to clean.

So if my knife use involves picknicks then I will take a wharncliffe or something instead.
 
ROCK6 said:
Necro thread, but there's a good reason for an EDC to be a replaceable blade knife. TSA and no checked luggage. I'm going to attempt this next week. Wife and I fly to USVI, so no knives. BUT, I can take a folding pocket box cutter with no blades and pick some up after we arrive. It's far from perfect, but is an option I'm going to try...

ROCK6
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You can get some really nice and very expensive box cutter frames by the way.
 
My EDC is a Leatherman Wave carried horizontally on the belt. Unobtrusive in that orientation and perceptually non-threatening to most. Yet useful for about anything except serious self-defense..
 
I use 5" butcher knife for box opening tasks since decades
And yes, I got several box cutters, they Rest In drawers Peace :^))
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