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Folding Utility Knife

T

technician1

Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
214
Well, I think I came full circle. When I started becoming interested in blades it was because of a Kobalt folding utility knife, which I bet the crap out of. Three years later..... I found this Kobalt knife again. In between this three or four years. I have found the likes of popular production blades and one custom. Oddly enough this Kobalt knife I found at my house in a box, seems to be the one I'm EDC'ing these days. I don't know, in the end I'll most likely do the circle again. :) But since I'm "here" again. What do you guys and gals think about this ? Does anyone know of another "like" blade ? I do like not caring about what I cut.... Just slide a new razor in and she's as good as new..... Thanks
 
If I were happy with using a folding utility knife, I wouldn't be here at this forum replying to this thread.. :D
 
I have the same knife in my kitchen drawer. The Kershaw "Needs Work" is what spings to mind when I think folding utility knife.
 
The gerber artifact uses hobby razor's as the blade.

(not my image)

gerberartifact.jpg
 
someone gave me a Gerber E.A.B. as a gift years ago and i really like it as a money clip, i also had a brass and wood x-mas edition Husky folder many years ago, my friends dad actually stole it
 
I suppose that if:

1) I was unable to sharpen a knife and

2) I was satisfied with what they pass off as a sharp edge on utility knife blades and

3) I could carry out all my cutting tasks with 1" of straight edge made from mediocre steel, then

I might settle for a folding utility knife. I have a bunch of them, including a Camillus with a Bolt Action lock designed by Blackie Collins. Unfortunately for my bank account, 1-3 above are all false.
 
I've heard things about Superknife. Haven't had a chance to lay hands on one yet, though.
 
Have you checked out the Cold Steel Mini Tuff? Features the Triad lock, AUS 8A steel, better ergos and can be had for around $20.
 
I have used and tryed to like the folding utility knives on the market .I will never be able to carry one ;I just can`t. I often cut things I would rather not cut with my EDC but thats why I have 40 pocket knives;) . I can`t fault people who like and use them they are just not for me.
 
I got a whole Superknife kit. :D I got the knife, a sheath for it that holds spare blades, I got a few blade styles. I don't use it regularly but these knives are good to have around.
 
I just make sure my EDC is something I'm not really afraid to hurt. On Thursday I cut a metal trailer Seal off a truck at my job. 30 seconds freehand sharpening when I got home fixed it. On my Recon 1 btw.
 
Of the folding utility knives, the nicest I've probably seen is the Superknife SK2.

An alternative is this Stanley knife. Very plain, traditional, looking and cheap. It's also a one hand opening manual OTF. Originally, they were bare cast metal. Most recent ones were painted gray. Though it looks like Walmart may have stopped carrying them. The way I modded mine, it's insanely practical. This is something I edc on a regular basis.

SMKW had a balisong utility knife for a while for about $5. It's kind of funny, flippable, even CA legal. I never actually carry the thing, though.

Gerber's EAB models are very nice, money clip/gentleman's folder-like.

The Superknife and Gerbers accept their extra thick .040" blades rather than the more standard .025" thick blades. Some folks really like the extra thickness. I get along with the thinner ones just fine, however.
 
For cutting cardboard, the thinner blades are superior. Blades used to be made at 0.018" thick, too. However, the 0.025" seem to be the industry standard, and I don't see the 0.018's for sale at the places I shop.
 
i dont know why someone would go back to a utility knife over a good quality folder or fixed blade. im in agreement with
yablanowitz on this one.
 
I don't make much distinction between utility knives and "quality" knives. A utility knife is far more practical than a whole lot of fixed or folding knives for a whole lot of things. If it cuts well, it is a quality knife.
 
For zipping through cardboard.... very few things beat utility knives... it's a function of blade geometry more than it is of actual sharpness.

But in my experience when it comes to 4 layer thick cardboard... my Rift cut better, though I'd wager that a paring knife would have been even better.
 
i carry the same kobalt folding utility knife while on the job. when i'm hanging sheetrock all day i don't have time to stop and properly sharpen a knife so the quick change blades are a god send to me. on other jobs i like the ability to cut or saw through whatever i need to without worry unlike i would with one of my "regular" knives.

my kobalt stays in my pouches though, once the tool belt comes off at the end of the day a "regular" knife goes back on duty in my right front pocket.
 
Thanks for the replies, I didnt know the superknife would accept the extra thick blades. I bought some of the extra thick ones and the kobalt will not accept them. :thumbdn:. but then I thought if they made extra thin blades like you said " .018" the blades may cut better, as you I could not find any. I kind of think of utility blades as the AK-47 of knives. cheap, reliable, been around forever.
 
I've bought a lot of folding utility knives (FUKs as I call them). They go on sale at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. around the holidays for about $5 for a two-pack. Harbor Freight sells a full-size packaged with a mini for around $8. Superknife sells theirs for about $6. The best one I've found so far is a Stanley 10-855 (Stanley-branded knives are made by United Cutlery). Black aluminum handles, linerlock (no blade play after hard use), removable right-hand tip-down deep-carry pocket clip, easy blade change, open construction, hex construction so it can be taken apart, thumb studs, smooth opening (courtesy of dual nylon bushings). I got mine at Wal-Mart for $9, but I didn't see them the last time I was there. Here's a link to my favorite FUK on Amazon, but don't pay $30 for it...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BYEBP2CP8CPDCBB7KCJ
 
I've had a Meyerco Blackie Collins design assisted utility knife at work for 8 years. It has had the crap beaten out of it
as I use it for all my worst knife chores such as tape and cardboard; still going strong at around a $10 investment.
 
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