Quality Folding Replaceable Razor Blade Knife ?

Pointshoot777

Pointshoot777

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2001
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748
Hi everyone - - I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of a quality made folder that uses replaceable razor blades please? I would prefer a lightweight nylon type handle, a clip, the abilty to use the heavier/thicker razor blades (and also being able to use the thinner ones would be a bonus). - - The only versions I've found were made in China junk. Lightweight fall part plastic jobs, or made from low quality pot metal that made it too heavy. - - A Spyderco nylon handle version lockback for using replaceable razor blades would be perfect. Thanks for any suggestions you can provide. Regards, - -
P.S. - - why would I want such a thing ? Guess I'm a confirmed 'knife knut' and while I sometimes have the need for a razor blade type cutter, I can't stand the junk I've seen - -
 
Pointshoot777 said:
Hi everyone - - I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of a quality made folder that uses replaceable razor blades please?...
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Do you mean shaving type razor blades (single-edged, double edged) such as those used in knives for scraping off decals, etc. OR Do you mean razor-sharp replaceable blades such as those used in box cutters?
 
I use them at work, so I have tried several.

The Superknife, at least the one I have, requires a small phillips screwdriver (keychain driver is included) to change blades. It's well made but lots of metal, so somewhat heavy.

Stay away from the Meyerco assisted model. The blade is held on by a spring metal tab and often falls out. Suitable only for extremely light work.

The one I like is the Camillus Crossfire. They are out of business, but I'm pretty sure they can still be found at places like knifecenter.com. Cost is $12-15. Blades are easy to change, it was made in US, and it's light but very durable. It's designed by Blackie Collins, so he'll hopefully get somebody to starting making them again.
 
Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions. - - -

wutitiz - you jogged my memory! I dug into some old boxes and found my Camillus Crossfire. I bought it quite a few years ago, but didnt like & never used it. I found it too awkward to open. Also, I wasnt a knife knut at the time - just a user. So, the name 'Blackie Collins' meant nothing to me.I thought it was something of cheap quality made in Taiwan. ---I pulled it out and began playing with it & see that its a terrfic design. You have to place your hand lower on the handle to properly engage the thumbstud for opening. When so positioned, your hand is perfectly placed to give you maximum leverage for cutting & comfortably using the blade. It only weighs 2 ounces with the blade installed. You can carry up to 4 extra blades in the handle. You don't need a tool to replace the blades, & unlike other competitors - you can use several diffent styles of blades, including the thick, heavy contractor type. - - - After finding the Crossfire, I went at some heavy cardboard box containers that held a weight training bench & need to go to the dump. It made fast work of it and was very comfortable to use. They don't carry them at Knife Center anymore. - - -
 
The current SuperKnife doesn't require a tool to replace the blade, and it takes any thickness of blade also.
 
I have both the Sheffield MFG Folding Utility and one of the Kershaw Utility knives. I like both, the advantage to the Kershaw is it's lighter weight.
 
The Camillus Cross-Fire was mentioned---That's the one! It's clipped to my carpenters pouch.
 
The best thing about these utility knives is when someone says "hey, can I borrow a knife?" you never have to wonder if they really need a screw driver or pry bar. No matter what they do to it, it can be undone with a simple blade change.
 
I have used the Crossfire for a few years under abusive conditions and never had any breakage. Sometimes there are problems getting the 'door' on the compartment for spare blades to stay closed, but I consider that minor. I have lost several, but now I tape my name in the little smooth rectangle that is thoughtfully provided. I bet that if you just google Camillus Crossfire you'll find somebody who still has some. I bought 4 or so from knifecenter once I learned that Camillus had gone under.
 
There are several versions of the Superknife. The one I have I think is the most recent, with a disk-like opening stud that doubles as a tool-less blade change latch. Places like SMKW and bladematrix practically give them away. In fact, my Superknife was a giveaway, tossed in with my last order from SMKW. It's OK. Pretty bulky, IMO. I may as well just use a generic retractable Stanley knife. Not much bigger, and generally more ergonomic and reliable.

The Sheffields seem to be about the same as the Superknife. I'd love to find some of the hawkbill blades like the ones in this set. It would be interesting is someone made serrated utility knife blades, too.

I like the Gerber EAB for it's compactness. But they seem to be about the top of the line when it comes to replaceable blade utility knives. Not a very high bar, really.
 
wutitiz said:
I have used the Crossfire for a few years under abusive conditions and never had any breakage. Sometimes there are problems getting the 'door' on the compartment for spare blades to stay closed, but I consider that minor. I have lost several, but now I tape my name in the little smooth rectangle that is thoughtfully provided. I bet that if you just google Camillus Crossfire you'll find somebody who still has some. I bought 4 or so from knifecenter once I learned that Camillus had gone under.
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Yeah, I'm learning to stock up on things I really like & use alot if theyre no longer in production. I went on ebay and bought several Crossfires last night. Should last me awhile through those that get lost, given to friends/brothers (some are contractors), etc.
Thanks again for jogging my memory about this 'cheap plastic box cutter' ;)
 
It's not "cheap" "plastic." It's an "inexpensive" "polymer" box cutter! lol.
 
mp510 said:
The material was the one thing that kept me from buying a Cross Fire when they were in production.
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I know exactly what you mean - and why I haven't even thought about or looked at mine until it was mentioned on this thread.
Actually this whole class of tools is pretty darned useful when it comes right down to it. I was cutting multiple heavy plastic wire ties & cardboard containers with mine today (using extra heavy contractor type blades). Afterwards no problem shaving very thin wisps of paper from some sheets. There's a lot of jobs this 2 oz ugly looking thing will do (or the less ugly other versions out there.) - - Regards,
 
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