Why are people cutting so much cardboard?

Haven't read through the comments yet, so my opinion has probably already been stated by many folks, but the way I see it is: why not? The fact of the matter is that everything in our lives is more prepackaged and disposable now than ever before. You can rip open an Amazon box without a knife, you can open the items that came in the box without a knife, you can tear open an envelope that came in the mail, pull the scissors out of the pencil cup at your desk to snip that errant thread, or cut that sheet of paper in half. You can use a kitchen knife in your kitchen for food prep, most cheap chef's knives will do. Camping? You can pick up deadfall off the ground, along with some leaves or pine needles, because that and a lighter are all you really need to start a fire. Food prep? Another cheap knife in your mess box does the job. And for the example that was posited in the OP, a cardboard box? Just rip that tape seam at the top and bottom, fold flat, boom done.

BUT. This is a forum for folks who love knives, love using knives, and who work to find uses for knives, because we enjoy knives, and using knives. There doesn't need to be any other reason than that. A good knife makes all of the above tasks more interesting. A knife on your person helps you feel more prepared for whatever the day may bring when you leave the house. Knives are man's oldest, most beloved tool for a reason.

Doesn't need to be any deeper than that.
 
I've used pocket knives many time to cut and apple, orange, or something similar but I'd never used one in a "food prep" manner. I was going to cut a sub roll and didn't feel like reaching for the bread knife. Popped out the base line PM2 with the S45VN that still has the factory edge on it. I guess I don't keep my kitchen knives as sharp as I thought because that PM2 sliced through the bread into the cutting board. I know, wow, you cut bread. Zero resistance. I didn't feel the edge gouging into the cutting board. So slicing though a little card board for it to all fit in the bin last weekend did nothing to that edge. This is a golden era of knife steels.
 
Quiet said:
Haven't read through the comments yet, so my opinion has probably already been stated by many folks, but the way I see it is: why not? The fact of the matter is that everything in our lives is more prepackaged and disposable now than ever before. You can rip open an Amazon box without a knife, you can open the items that came in the box without a knife, you can tear open an envelope that came in the mail, pull the scissors out of the pencil cup at your desk to snip that errant thread, or cut that sheet of paper in half. You can use a kitchen knife in your kitchen for food prep, most cheap chef's knives will do. Camping? You can pick up deadfall off the ground, along with some leaves or pine needles, because that and a lighter are all you really need to start a fire. Food prep? Another cheap knife in your mess box does the job. And for the example that was posited in the OP, a cardboard box? Just rip that tape seam at the top and bottom, fold flat, boom done.

BUT. This is a forum for folks who love knives, love using knives, and who work to find uses for knives, because we enjoy knives, and using knives. There doesn't need to be any other reason than that. A good knife makes all of the above tasks more interesting. A knife on your person helps you feel more prepared for whatever the day may bring when you leave the house. Knives are man's oldest, most beloved tool for a reason.

Doesn't need to be any deeper than that.
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I agree with everything you said except actually those dang blister packs do require something sharp and a lot of persistence.
 
I cut down cardboard boxes so I fit more stuff in my recycling bin. I cut stuff, my knife gets dull and I sharpen it. That is kinda like the whole purpose of having a knife and sharpening equipment.
 
I work at a small Amazon warehouse, and trust me, cutting cardboard is pretty much an everyday thing. When you’ve got to go through 100+ boxes a day, a good knife is your best friend! I can’t imagine trying to do it all by hand—it would take forever, and your hands would be wrecked.

We’re always getting shipments in different sizes, so it’s not just about opening the boxes but breaking them down after. I’ve gone through a few different knives, always looking for one that stays sharp and makes the job easier. The best part is, since it’s a smaller, privately-owned warehouse, the owner doesn’t mind me trying out different tools as long as we get the work done. So yeah, lots of cardboard cutting, but a good knife definitely helps make it way less of a pain!
 
BigAl62 said:
I agree with everything you said except actually those dang blister packs do require something sharp and a lot of persistence.
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You know, that's entirely fair! I actually purchased one of the new Victorinox's with that new tool specifically for opening packages and it works well!
 
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