A utility knife, or Stanley knife as most of South Africa calls it, is the first tool into most tool bags. This collection holds utility knives, safety knives, snap-off cutters, folding knives and electricians' cable knives from Stanley, Stanley FatMax, Bosch, Makita, Knipex and MilesCraft.
Choosing a utility knife
- Fixed or retractable. The Stanley Classic 199 Utility Knife 2-10-199 is the original fixed-blade pattern, solid and simple. The Stanley Fatmax Retractable Utility Knife 0-10-778 slides the blade away for the pocket.
- Safety and snap-off. For warehouses and packing lines, the Stanley Spring Loaded Retractable Red Safety Knife 0-10-189 pulls the blade back the moment you let go. The Stanley Quick-Point Snap-Off Knife STHT10323-800 gives a fresh edge by snapping a segment.
- Folding knives. The Bosch Folding Knife 1600A03AC3 and the Makita Folding Utility Knife E-11520 fold flat and clip to a pocket. The Stanley Quickslide Pocket Knife 0-10-810 is a compact slide-open option.
- Cable work. The Bosch Professional VDE Cable Knife 1600A02NF5 and the Bosch Professional VDE Dismantling Knife 1600A02NF6 are insulated knives for electricians. The Knipex Stripping Knife With guide shoe and ratchet function 16 50 145 SB strips round cable cleanly.
Safety knives and cutters for the workplace
Safety knives reduce the chance of a blade being left exposed. A spring-loaded retractable knife, such as the Stanley 0-10-189, returns the blade on its own. A standard retractable knife relies on the user to slide it back. For cutting straps and opening boxes all day, a safety knife is worth the small change in habit. For laminate and edge banding, the MilesCraft Laminate Trimmer 8403 trims flush where a knife would wander.
Utility knives and blades are in stock at our Claremont, Cape Town shop, with nationwide courier delivery. Our staff use these knives daily and can advise on blade fit. See more from Stanley and Stanley FatMax, or browse all hand tools.
