The Best Utility Knives
- Internet's Best Premium Utility Knife - Best Overall
- Husky Folding Utility Knife - Runner Up
- WORKPRO Folding Utility Knife - Honorable Mention
- REXBETI Utility Knife - Also Consider
- FANTASTICAR Folding Utility Knife
Have you been abusing your regular kitchen knives and cutting shears to rip through sturdy cartons and materials? The constant struggle is frustrating: unsteady cuts, dulled blades, and a lot of mess. How about investing in a tool that could efficiently cut, slice, and rip through heavy-duty materials? That’s why we have curated a list of the leading utility knives in 2024 that will save you time and effort.
The term ‘utility knife’ is a broad term used interchangeably to describe anything from a chef’s knife to switchblades. But, let’s single out a folding utility knife as a multipurpose tool that will do all the heavy lifting without the blade giving up on you. So, whether you want to slice through thick ropes and flexible twines or the order of the day is to cut through roof shingles, carpets, wood panels, and even cardboard boxes (because let’s be honest, it’s not just me struggling to rip open every package I order online), the right utility knife will do it all.
However, this amazing tool comes in all sizes, shapes, and blade types. So, how do you determine if the retractable utility knife is better or if a folding variant is better suited for you? Just scroll through our top picks and comprehensive buying guide on the very best utility knives below.
The Best Utility Knife of 2024 in Detail
Internet’s Best Premium Utility Knife
– Best OverallOf all the knives I tested, this utility knife delivered on its promise of a premium tool, which is why I made it the “Best Overall.” The ergonomic design from tip to end, which was made with high-quality material, added to the knife’s stability as I cut through my test materials. You won’t have to worry about the blades breaking or pulling apart easily, at least I didn’t, and with its retractable mechanism and quick-release feature, this particular option fit easily in my hands.
This 2-pack knife set is an economical option, and it also includes 5 extra blades for replacement. Whether it’s thick boxes, woven material, carpet, or paper, the Internet’s Best utility knife was a breeze to use.
- Easy to grip
- Hassle-free blade removal and installation with the button feature
- Sturdy durable blade
- Comes in a pack of 2
- 5 replacement blades included
- The quick-release button becomes loose with extended usage
- The sturdy build makes it feel slightly heavier to hold
Husky Folding Utility Knife
– Runner UpThe Husky utility knife is a fantastic yet affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality despite its price point. The manufacturers of this knife have a reputation for developing designs that not only feel great in hand but are also capable of top-notch performance. In testing, I can confirm the truth behind this reputation. I cut through heavy-duty materials like butter, with the textured handle providing an ergonomic, controlled grip.
The notched aluminum base with the blade attachment and textured surface offered stability and grip when using it. It came with additional blades that will last you for a long time (like thousands-of-Amazon-packages-ordered kind of long time). Additionally, it’s easy to store/carry in your pocket; if you’re sans pocket, the lanyard loop provides an additional way to carry it around with you.
- Offers extensive functionality
- Compact size is easy to carry around
- Cut wires, ropes, and thick materials
- Comes with additional blades
- The button for the folding mechanism requires what I felt was excessive pressure
- Color on the outer surface scratched easily
WORKPRO Folding Utility Knife
– Honorable MentionFolding utility knives such as WORKPRO offer safety against any injury or accident as you can easily put the blade away when it’s not in use. Safety protocols aside, this folding utility knife is a collector’s piece with its contoured, aged rosewood handle and luxurious stainless finishings. However, it’s not just a pretty and shiny tool that would appeal to you.
The WORKPRO utility knife works like a charm on stubborn material. With an easy-grip handle and supremely sharp steel blade, you can cut through thick rubbers, rugs, carpets, vinyl surfaces, and cardboard materials. This utility knife is a mean tool to carry in your pocket. The sturdy manufacturing adds to the product’s durability and long-lasting usage.
- Attention-grabbing design with ergonomic wood handle and engraving
- Flawless cutting performance
- Torx screws maintain the sturdiness of the unit
- Provides stable grip
- Flip and folding mechanism requires extra pressure
- Feels heavy
REXBETI Utility Knife
– Also ConsiderIf you want a great bang for your buck, I recommend the REXBETI utility knife that comes with a retractable and folding design along with 10 additional blades. This box-cutter knife is great for everyday use and even better for DIY projects, cutting through all kinds of fabric, paper, foam, or card-stock materials.
REXBETI is not your run-of-the-mill box cutter. Instead, it’s an elevated utility knife with an adjustable blade length and angle that allowed me to achieve precise cuts. The convenient knife design also includes a storage compartment that holds up to 3 blades for quick replacement. This utility knife is a great all-rounder tool for home, office, and warehouse use.
- The sturdy build and hard plastic shell enhanced its durability
- Rubber handle enhanced grip
- Can be folded or retracted
- Comes with 10 additional blades
- The slide button didn’t function smoothly 100% of the time
If a utility knife is capable of having a designer vibe, this one did. You can also choose from a number of color choices, including pink. Manufactured with carbon steel and aluminum, the Fantasticar knife was both aesthetically stunning and high performing. The polished exterior of this knife minimized slippage and didn’t feel flimsy at all.
A simple flick of a button reveals the razor-sharp, high-strength blade that can cut through any rigid material. The plume series knife in pink color would look appealing on your work desk, but the carbon-steel blade can also slice through pipes, rubber, and ropes without any struggle. This utility knife is a perfect gift option for the femme fatale in your circle.
- Well packaged product
- Contoured handle felt great in my hand
- Sturdy enough for multipurpose use
- Screw and clips were somewhat fragile
Best Utility Knives Buying Guide
What Is a Utility Knife?
A utility knife is a multipurpose cutting tool used interchangeably for stationary knives, carpet knives, box cutters, and razor knives. This might be confusing for users to categorize and identify a folding utility knife. However, the term utility knife is used to describe cutting tools, so finding a distinction between the variants can be cumbersome. For further clarity, a utility knife is used to cut through the lightest to most heavy-duty materials.
Types of Utility Knives
There are different types of utility knives based on their opening and closing mechanism along with blade positioning.
Fixed
This kind of knife has fixed blades that stay intact in their position. Attached to a sturdy handle, the fixed-blade utility knife is an excellent option if you want clean and precise cuts on heavy-duty materials. In addition, this variant does not face the blade-wiggling issue that is often common in retractable knives.
However, since a fixed-blade utility knife remains erect, it is not a safe option to carry around for everyday use. It is meant for your toolbox and is great for cutting carpets and other rugged materials without the need for constant blade replacement.
Retractable
The retractable utility knife has a sliding mechanism that pushes the blade outwards. With retractable knives, users can easily control the blade depth that they want. For smaller and more precise cuts, only the tip of the blade is pushed out. For longer cuts, users should slide out a large chunk of the blade for maximum efficiency.
Retractable knives have the added benefit of blade replacement. However, the replacement mechanism depends on the product’s manufacturing. Most users appreciate the quick-release mechanism with a flick of a button for blade replacement.
Retractable knives have long been the go-to if you need a knife that you can take with you on the go; in fact, paratroopers in WWII used them when in the field. We hope you’re not in the market for a utility knife for this reason, but it is a testament to their popularity.
Folding
Folding utility knives are compact cutting tools that conceal the long blade in the thin handle notch. Contrary to the retractable blade that slides upwards, the folding knife blade snaps towards the side. This type of utility knife is extremely safe to use and should not cause any unwanted injuries.
Consumers appreciate the ease of use, compact size, and safety aspects of a folding knife. Most folding knives are smaller than retractable ones; therefore, they can easily be clipped on via hook or placed in your pockets. In terms of blade strength and cutting efficiency, folding knives perform exceptionally well.
Breakaway
Breakaway utility knives are also called snap-off blades. This type of utility knife is similar to a retractable design; however, the blade replacement mechanism is entirely different. The breakaway utility knife has a segmented blade that you can take off once it’s worn down. In addition, these blades are longer in length, so you can snap them off multiple times to reveal a new one.
Types of Utility Knife Blades
Utility knife blades come in various shapes, sizes, and materials. The most commonly used blade material is stainless steel and an affordable one as well. But, here are the different blade types based on shapes.
Serrated
Serrated blades have saw-like edges, which are suitable for cutting through any material. The rough edges increase the friction on the surface, and you can easily use it for dense and thick materials.
Plain-edged
A smooth edge blade has no markings, and it offers minimal friction when you are cutting through a surface. A plain edge blade is great for making longer cuts on thinner surfaces. Plus, these types of blades are also an affordable option.
Pointed
Pointed blades have a small knife-like shape with increased precision. The grip and stability with a pointed tip are more enhanced, and it is a great alternative to standard blades.
Factors That Matter When You’re Buying a Utility Knife
A multifunctional utility knife feels like a perfect fit the moment you lay your eyes on it or touch it. However, the calling does not always come easy; so, you can narrow down the factors that will help you find your perfect cutting tool.
Handle
The handle of your folding or retractable utility knife is an essential factor in enhancing its workability. Handles made with wood, fiberglass, and metal are often sturdier compared to plastic-made ones. Additionally, look for a utility knife with a contoured handle, as it will cause less strain on your hands.
Proper grip
The grip of a knife comes from the handle’s material, texture, and shape. For instance, some utility knives have a rubber surface on the outer handle to avoid slippage and promote an easier grip. Similarly, a groove design or textured surface also helps maintain a stable grip while cutting. What you end up choosing will typically come down to personal preference.
Quality & value
Utility knives are available at great prices. However, when investing in such a tool, always investigate the quality and longevity of the material. For example, getting a low-priced knife with plastic material and a flimsy blade that wouldn’t survive through the first few cuts is useless. Instead, invest in a utility knife manufactured by a reputable brand with a sturdy blade and long-lasting durability.
Which Features Should You Look For in Your Utility Knife?
The utility knives game has really amped up with multiple features. We appreciate the extra features since they enhance the overall user experience.
Blade replacement mechanism
The manual blade replacement method, which involves removing screws, is extremely time-consuming and requires too much effort. Nowadays, utility knives that come with quick blade replacement mechanisms are more convenient.
However, you can also sharpen your utility knife blade if you don’t want to replace it entirely. To learn how to do so safely, view this tutorial from Blade HQ:
Blade storage
The top utility knives will have a blade storage compartment. This feature ensures that you have extra blades within your reach at all times. As soon as the existing blade gets dull, you can pull out a new one from the built-in storage compartment and get right back to work.
People Also Asked
Utility knives are used for cutting through various materials and surfaces. From cutting wood chips to trimming wood shims and scouring guidelines on plywood or veneer surfaces, a utility knife is an effective tool. It is also handy for opening and ripping packaging materials, wire cables, thin pipes, foam, fabric, and anything in between. In short, there are endless uses for the utility knife, from everyday usage to heavy-duty repairing and handy jobs.
It is easy to replace old blades with a quick-change mechanism. Depending on the utility knife model, find the hinged button (mostly located on the sides) and press it to release the dull blade. Then, pick a new blade and, while pressing the button, insert it in the hinge. Release the pressure on the button once the blade fits into the housing notch.
As long as you use utility knives with the proper precaution and follow safety tips, you are good. Always ensure proper disposal and timely replacement of dull blades. Because with dull blades, you tend to put more force while cutting, resulting in scrapes and cuts. Plus, retract or fold back the blade immediately once you are done using it. Safety lock for blades is also a great safety to avoid any possible injuries.