Needed: Cardboard eater

thedmasterr

thedmasterr

Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Messages
347
So I'm starting one of my summer jobs again and it involves me opening lots and lots and lots of boxes. I work at a bike shop so whenever I need to build a bike, it involves cutting 20 or so nylon cable ties, cutting through tons of tape, and basically reducing a giant cardboard box to bits. Over the past year, I have become too attached to my knives to designate one of them to the job so I am looking for a new one (ok, fine, I just want a new knife :rolleyes:) I am going to beat the hell out of this knife so it will have to be a beast.

Here's the specs I'm looking for:
Blade length: around 3", could go a bit either way.
Blade thickness: Thick as can be, I'll probably tear out heavy duty staples with it.
Lock: One that won't shut on my hand even if I abuse the knife.

And of course, price, trying to keep it under $30 since I'm going to ruin the knife in less than a year.

Thanks in advance. Have at it!
 
p.s. assisted, manual, doesn't matter which. Right now I'm using a cheap bali which scares the sheepies so any folder will do.
 
Do you have the option for fixed blade?
 
I thought about fixed blades but my boss gives me enough crap about carrying a knife as it is. He typically expects me to use the shop knife (ironically, one I brought and left there two years ago) which is a POS and dull as anything. That and it is nearly impossible to find amongst the billion tools. So I'd prefer folder over fixed blades. My last paycheck was bigger than I thought it'd be so maybe if you have a recommendation for a fixed blade just for kicks I'd be interested :)
 
I'd take a serious look at the Kershaw Volt II. It's got a very thick spine that tapers to a keen edge and you can get it in a serrated version if you so choose.
 
Pretty sure it comes out at the end of the month, or so pre-orders say. The mini-tuff might do, but I am looking to get one in the next day or two, so preorders are probably a no go.
 
My go-to trio of $30-or-less knives is the Kershaw Nerve, Ontario RAT-1, and Spyderco Tenacious. I've cut a ton of cardboard with all three, and all have acquitted themselves superbly.
 
I know I'd also rather have a knife cause its a knife and knives are cool (obviously..)

but i worked at a Harley Davidson dealership when i was in high-school, and i used to unpack 10-20 motorcycles (you wouldnt imagine the amount of cardboard they can pack around a bike) and i was eventually fed up trying to use knives and used one of these:

IRWIN_Folding_Utility_Knife.jpg


makes things *so* much easier.

just pop a new blade on everyone once in a while (you can buy them in 100 packs for pretty cheap) and youre good to go.
as for prying the staples, i always just cut around them.

Sucks about your boss, i would have suggested something like the Scrapivore (with a prybar on the back, you could remove staples) plus you wouldn't ruin it no matter how many boxes you have to open. You could ask him if you can use one, and tell him its a small (under 3") knife + staple remover on the back, he might be ok with that. Tell him you want to "be as efficient as possible" ;)

As for a folder, the rat-1 looks like a good one especially for your price range.
 
For what you are doing, a retractable box cutter with bimetal blades and a separate tool for prying staples sounds like the best way to go. A 1" blade that is very thin works wonders at reducing cardboard boxes to small pieces, and the big handle gives power and control. Stanley sells a combo box cutter with a folding 3" blade on the other side. Maybe that would work for you.

Rat-1 folder is decent for boxes, and a high value knife at around $30. Blade is Aus8 and 3.5" long.
 
When I worked at a shop when not fixing bikes I would build. I'd tear open the box by hand, snap the tape around the head tube, down tube, seat stays and all that crap with my fingers and cut the cable ties with wire cutters(not cable cutters). The shop had a safety knife which I rarey used. Just couldn't be bothered to use a knife when I could quickly all get it done by hand. And beaten up your tools! Lol. I HATE a messy shop
 
Spyderco Mili if you can avoid the staples. Remember a thicker spine will probably make it more difficult to push through the rigid cardboard. Also IMO a hollow grid will not do well because of the high angle created as the grind thickens.
 
You aren't going to want a very thick blade if you are cutting a lot of cardboard, the thinner the blade the better....

You will find that if you do get a knife instead of a box cutter that in the long run you will want either a higher end knife with better steel or just end up getting a box cutter.
 
muskyhunter said:
Cardboard will ruin a nice edge within 30-50 strokes, just get the folder box cutters.
Click to expand...

The Premium steels like S90V, M390 etc can cut enough cardboard to fill a bailer before needing to be sharpened. ;)

A box cutter is still best though, I carried both.
 
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