Throughout history, tools have been created in response to the variety of challenges that man faces. Utility knives are a good example of this as it is designed to be one of the most versatile cutting tools ever devised.

This handy piece of equipment is the amalgamation of thousands of years of cutting innovation. It was intended to be able to cut, slice, pry, and nick most things that are not metal or stone. 

Utility knives are also more convenient, cheaper, and safer than many other types of knives. The blades are replaceable, so the tool can still be used. Their retractable nature also makes it easy to protect and preserve the sharpness of its blade.

To see just how amazing these tools can be, have a look at the five options you have here. They are durable, extremely sharp, convenient, and safe to use. 

Also, be sure to click the buttons below to see their best deals on Amazon! With that, here are five of the best options that we rounded up especially for you.

Best Utility Knives Comparison & Rating

Utility Knives

Features

Box Cutter Utility Knife - Retractable - Multi-Position Blade, Locking - 5 Sharp Blades with Storage in Non-Slip Handle Ergonomic, Easy Comfort Grip Design Great for Weak Hands!
  • lock-back design
  • excellent control and precision
  • five high-carbon SK5 blades
FC Folding Pocket Utility Knife - Heavy Duty Box Cutter with Holster, Quick Change Blades, Lock-Back Design, and Lightweight Aluminum Body
  • anodized aluminum design
  • anti-slip grip
  • heavy-duty carbon steel blades
Fiskars 770030-1001 Pro Utility Knife, Folding, Orange/Black
  • dual-locking system
  • reinforced metal
  • ergonomic design and a comfortable grip
Internet's Best Premium Utility Knife - Set of 2 - Retractable Razor Knife Set - Extra Blade Refills - Box Cutter Locking Razor Knife
  • two premium-quality utility knives
  • five extra blades
  • retractable to three different lengths
Sheffield 12613 Ultimate Lock Back Utility Knife, Folding, Box Cutter Knife, Carpet Knife, Drywall Cutter, and More, Quick-Change Blade, Back Lock Design, Black
  • lock-back release
  • smaller exposed blade
  • textured grip

1. Home Planet Gear Box Retractable Cutter Utility Knife

Box Cutter Utility Knife - Retractable - Multi-Position Blade, Locking - 5 Sharp Blades with Storage in Non-Slip Handle Ergonomic, Easy Comfort Grip Design Great for Weak Hands!
Specifications:
98% Overall

Dimensions

6.75 x 0.75 x 0.75 inches

Weight

9.4 ounces

Color

Blue

Material

Zinc

99%
sharpness
98%
safety
96%
durability
97%
ease of use
Pros:
  • Comes with a lock-back design that will lock the blade in place in any position.
  • Provides excellent control and precision when cutting.
  • Features an enclosed grip that also protects the knuckles.
  • The package includes five heavy-duty, reversible, high-carbon SK5 blades.
  • Comes with a zinc-alloy body for durability.
  • Features a comfortable, ergonomic TPR rubber grip.
  • Perfect for cutting cardboard, carpet, drywall, rope, vinyl, leather, flooring, and more.
  • Easy to use and store.
Cons:
  • Not the best tool for carving hardwood, but perfect for other purposes.
  • The blades can break when dropped while exposed, but the tool casing itself is durable.
Final Take:

This is an absolutely gorgeous utility knife with a unique design. It actually comes with a handguard, which can keep your hands safe from scrapes and bruising. Replacing the damaged blades is just a push of a button. This is a great tool for most light and medium jobs, from cutting paper to stripping a soft piece of wood. The retraction is smooth and consistent, as well, which helps with safety.

2. Fancii Folding Pocket Utility Knife

FC Folding Pocket Utility Knife - Heavy Duty Box Cutter with Holster, Quick Change Blades, Lock-Back Design, and Lightweight Aluminum Body
Specifications:
96% Overall

Dimensions

4.5 x 1.8 x 0.8 inches

Weight

4.8 ounces

Color

Red

Material

Aluminum

95%
sharpness
97%
safety
96%
durability
94%
ease of use
Pros:
  • Features a sleek, lightweight anodized aluminum design.
  • The anti-slip grip helps protect the hands.
  • The handle can be used as either a pocket or money clip.
  • Comes with heavy-duty carbon steel blades that stay sharp for a long time.
  • Folds at a press of a button.
  • Features a lock-back design for securing the blade in place.
Cons:
  • The material quality of the case is a bit low but the knife blade itself is excellent.
  • The position of the lock button risks accidental folding, but being careful can address this.
Final Take:

This is an absolutely beautiful piece of folding utility knife. It straightens out and folds back smoothly and safely. When locked in place, it stays that way, which makes it safe for cutting, puncturing, slicing, and carving. The folding action also makes this tool easy to put away and would even fit into your pocket. The blades themselves are exceptionally sharp, which makes cutting much easier.

3. Fiskars 770030-1001 Pro Utility Knife

Fiskars 770030-1001 Pro Utility Knife, Folding, Orange/Black
Specifications:
93% Overall

Dimensions

1.13 x 4.38 x 7.38 inches

Weight

7 ounces

Color

Orange

Material

Metal

92%
sharpness
93%
safety
95%
durability
92%
ease of use
Pros:
  • Features a dual-locking system to keep the blade locked in place.
  • Can be opened with one hand and a flick of the wrist.
  • Comes with an ergonomic design and a comfortable grip.
  • Made of reinforced metal to resist impacts and scratching.
  • Easy to use and carry around.
  • Changing the blade is easy and quick.
Cons:
  • Difficult to use with your left hand, but it will still do its job excellently.
  • The locking mechanism can make removing the blade challenging, but this also guarantees your safety.
Final Take:

This is a gorgeous utility knife that will serve you well. The handle is extremely comfortable in the hand and the deep groove provides you with an excellent grip. The body of the knife itself is exceptionally solid and enclosed. This ensures that it won’t rattle or wobble when you are using it. With the dual-lock feature, there is absolutely no chance that the knife is going to close by accident.

4. Internet's Best Premium Utility Knife

Internet's Best Premium Utility Knife - Set of 2 - Retractable Razor Knife Set - Extra Blade Refills - Box Cutter Locking Razor Knife
Specifications:
91% Overall

Dimensions

9.5 x 4 x 2 inches

Weight

6.4 ounces

Color

Black

Material

Metal

90%
sharpness
91%
safety
92%
durability
90%
ease of use
Pros:
  • Comes with a durable design with a rubber grip.
  • Works on boxes, plastic packaging, straps, and more.
  • The package includes two premium-quality utility knives.
  • The blade can retract to three different lengths.
  • Replacing the blade is as easy as pushing it out and pressing the release.
  • Comes with five extra blades for replacement.
Cons:
  • The sliding mechanism is a bit rough, but it secures the blades are secured from unexpected exposure.
  • The model rattles a bit, but it has no impact on the performance of the knife.
Final Take:

This is one of the most durable utility knives in the market. It is able to resist a huge amount of damage, both the body and the blade. The blades that came with the kit are exceedingly sharp and take a long time to dull. With its simple design, there is no need for instruction with regard to using this knife. It will easily cut through boxes, leather, paper, vinyl, and more.

5. Sheffield 12613 Ultimate Lock Back Utility Knife

Sheffield 12613 Ultimate Lock Back Utility Knife, Folding, Box Cutter Knife, Carpet Knife, Drywall Cutter, and More, Quick-Change Blade, Back Lock Design, Black
Specifications:
90% Overall

Dimensions

9.2 x 3.4 x 0.5 inches

Weight

1.6 ounces

Color

Black

Material

Aluminum

92%
sharpness
90%
safety
89%
durability
88%
ease of use
Pros:
  • Changing blades is quick, easy, and does not involve unscrewing anything.
  • Features a lock-back release for easily securing your blade.
  • Boasts a smaller exposed blade to provide more safety when used.
  • Features a textured grip to ensure no slippage.
  • Perfect for cutting carpet, paper, rope, rubber hoses, PVC, leather, fabric, and Sheetrock.
  • Extremely durable and guaranteed to last a long time.
Cons:
  • The lock-back feature can be quite stiff at first, but it gradually loosens with use.
  • Difficult to close with one hand
Final Take:

This is an undisputedly solid utility knife that will last a long time. Its heavy-duty construction ensures that it won’t break easily. Its heft also provides a lot of help when cutting into thick carpets and cardboard. Holding it is incredibly comfortable and you can feel assured that it won’t easily slip from your grasp. The blade itself will securely lock in place and can be replaced easily through a quick-release mechanism.

Best Utility Knives - Buyer's Guide

Material

Utility knives can be made of many different materials, including metal, plastic, rubber, and silicone. These will affect how reliable, convenient, comfortable, and safe the tool is to use. Ideally, you should match the utility knife that you get with the purpose that you have in mind for it. 

safety features

Utility knives need to have reliable safety features due to the fact that they contain sharp blades. You should not have to risk injury to push out or retract the blade. The same goes when holding it, storing it, or carrying it. The sleeve and cover should cover the basics, but the design of the utility knife itself will be an important consideration.

size

In terms of size, utility knives can vary from those that can fit into pockets and ones that can cut large chunks of wood. The size will play a major role in the kinds of things that you could do with the tool. Bigger utility knives will be able to do what smaller ones can, but they will be less convenient to carry or store.

durability

Thickness is something that you need to take into account when choosing a utility knife. Different brands, models, sizes, and designs can come with different thickness. The smallest ones are more likely to have thinner blades because they don’t really need thick ones. Likewise, utility knives meant for outdoor use are more likely to have thicker blades.

built

Although the basic designs of utility knives were roughly the same, they can dramatically differ in certain areas. The thickness of the handle, the smoothness of the retraction, the placement and positioning of the blade, and the length of the sleeve are important considerations. These will dictate how comfortable it will be to use, how long it will last, and how protected the blade will be.

Best Utility Knives - FAQs

Are a utility knife and a box cutter the same thing?

Essentially, yes, they are. They both share the same features of being retractable or foldable and being encased in protective sleeves. The blades themselves are replaceable so that if they become dull or are damaged, they can be replaced right away. In some cases, however, utility knives are made thicker and more durable, especially those used outdoors.

What are utility knives used for?

As its name might suggest, utility knives have a wide variety of uses, mostly involving cutting for opening, dividing, unsealing, and more. One of the names of utility knives is box cutters, which means that you can use them to cut through the sealing tapes. However, you can also use this tool for slicing paper, sheets of plastic, cardboard, and on some occasions, food. Some of the tougher utility knives could even be used on wood.

Are utility knives dangerous?

Considering that a utility knife is a bladed tool, this means that there is a certain amount of danger associated with using it. However, it isn’t anything too different than what kitchen knives involve. In fact, utility knives are built with certain safety features that make them safer. This includes being retractable, the protective sleeves, the ergonomic grips, and the tough outer cover. All of these combined make utility knives much safer to use than regular knives.

Can utility knives be cleaned?

Utility knives can be disassembled where you take the blade out of the sleeve. This then allows you to wipe them both down if they get coated in dirt or sludge. You do have to be careful when doing so, however, since the blades are quite sharp. If you haphazardly slide a piece of cloth over them, you could injure yourself.

Author

Jimmy Black started his career as a construction and carpenter foreman. After years of hard work, he decided to go on his own. Now, Jimmy is one of the trusted experts at SolidSmack who knows at first glance whether your hammer would do a great job or not. He still involves himself in various construction projects and works for individual clients. Behind formalities, he enjoys being a father to two lovely kids who keep on asking him why they can’t quit school and travel the world like Dora The Explorer.