Stanley and DeWalt Utility Knives

A utility knife is used to cut cardboard, carpet, membranes, plastics, upholstery fabric and thin materials on site or in the workshop. A sturdy body and an ergonomic handle help keep control on long cuts. For daily work a model with a snap-off blade is best, as it can be changed without effort when the cutting edge is worn. Choose according to the material to be cut and how often you use it.

The 18 mm blade is the recommended size for general use: it cuts materials of medium thickness and is easy to change. The 25 mm blade is wider and stronger, designed for more demanding cuts in thick, heavy materials. The collection includes 9 mm utility knives for precision work, 18 mm for everyday use and 25 mm for heavy-duty cuts.

In the titles you will find utility knives with a locking wheel and utility knives with a slider, that is, two different systems for extending the blade and locking it in position. With the slider, a control slides along the body to advance or retract the blade. With the wheel, the blade is locked in the chosen position. Try the model in your hand and choose the one that gives you a more secure grip.

The self-locking utility knife, like the Stanley 18 mm model in the collection, locks the blade when pressure is released, reducing the risk of it slipping out or retracting during work. The single-blade model, like the 25 mm FatMax knives, is simpler and lighter, useful for short, controlled cuts. Choose the self-locking one when working on the move or on unstable surfaces.

A utility knife with a built-in blade snapper has a device that snaps off the worn section of blade along the break lines, without having to pull it out by hand. The magazine for spare blades keeps them always to hand. After snapping off the segment, advance the new blade and check that it is firmly secured before resuming work. The system is useful for people who cut a lot and want to change the blade quickly.

Blades must match the width of the utility knife, 9, 18 or 25 mm, and the fixing system. An 18 mm blade does not fit a 25 mm body, so check the size shown on the knife or on the pack. Snap-off blades are used along their whole length, and when the cutting edge is blunt they are snapped off at the next segment. Do not reuse blunt blades, because they cut badly and drag the material.

Always cut away from your body and rest the material on a sacrificial surface, such as cardboard or a board. Do not push the blade with your thumb on the side of the knife, and always retract the blade when you put it down. Wear cut-resistant gloves if the material is irregular or heavy, and do not put the knife in your pocket without a guard. Keep the knife away from other people when working in a team.