Utility knives are a necessity and a staple for any toolkit, regardless of whether you work in the industrial space or you’re a do-it-yourself expert or household renovator. They’re versatile tools that can slice through a multitude of materials, from triple-wall-corrugated cardboard to plastic to vinyl flooring and much more.
Of course, knives are dangerous, especially if wielded incorrectly and if they’re made poorly. It’s not uncommon for different brands to market their wares as “safe” and “sharp,” but are they really? There are certain components that make utility knives both safe and sharp. Let’s dive into what those are.
What Is a Utility Knife?
Utility knives are hand tools geared toward manual use. Utility knives usually boast a blade that’s composed of stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, zirconium oxide, and titanium. Their handles are sturdier and thicker than the slender body of a craft knife. These handles are typically made of aluminum, wood, stainless steel, and/or glass-filled nylon.
Additionally, utility knives come with a variety of blade control options. There’s manual retraction, auto-retraction, and smart retraction, all of which are intended to keep the user safe from cuts and lacerations. Quality utility knives give the wielder more control over when the blade is exposed and retracted.
What Makes One Both Safe and Sharp?
Blade Material
What goes into your utility knife blade determines how safe it keeps you and how long it can maintain its sharpness. You may find that certain materials only fulfill one half of that equation. Perhaps you have a sharp blade that dulls quickly, which can jeopardize your safety.
However, there is one blade material that stands out from the rest. The zirconium oxide in these safe utility knives gives you the best of both worlds: They’re safe to the touch and effective. Zirconium oxide is an advanced ceramic that’s extremely hard. In fact, its toughness surpasses that of steel. That means you won’t have to change blades as frequently, and this will save you money in the long run.
On top of that, its effective edge lasts longer than steel. This gives you the freedom to cut a wide array of materials with a longer-lasting sharpness.
With zirconium oxide, you’ll also have a cutting edge that won’t rust or dull while simultaneously minimizing the risk of injuries.
Knife Handle Material
While having a solid knife handle doesn’t necessarily make your knife sharp, it can make it safe. For example, glass-filled nylon is a sturdy and durable material for your utility knife handle. A glass-filled nylon handle sits comfortably in your hand, so it’s easy to use if you need to work for extended periods of time.
Having this type of handle helps prevent repetitive strain injuries (RSI). RSI is a term utilized to describe the pain caused from repetitive movement and overuse, particularly in the lower and upper arms.
Blade Control Options
Blade control options are fantastic to have if safety is your primary concern. As mentioned above, there are three options you should bear in mind when purchasing a utility knife. Manual retraction gives you the ability to lock the blade in two positions: exposed and retracted.
Auto-retraction is possible with a spring-loaded slider that automatically retracts the blade when the user releases the said slider. Lastly, smart-retraction self-retracts the blade when it loses contact with its cutting material. By and large, the latter is the safest choice.
Implementing these blade control options not only keeps you safe while you work, but it also protects those around you from accidental cuts and lacerations.
No-Tool Blade Change
Changing blades on your utility knife can be an unnecessary hassle when extra tools are involved. But what if you could purchase a utility knife that didn’t require another tool to switch blades? Not only will this protect you from inadvertent injuries while handling that extra tool, but it’ll decrease your downtime and get you back to work faster.
Ambidextrous Design
Lefties don’t have to suffer in silence anymore. Another component of a safe utility knife is an ambidextrous design. Not all knives are made for left-handed folks. However, when you can use a knife that’s suited for you, you’re automatically lessening the risk of getting hurt.
There are some knives that only require a simple switch of the blade orientation to make it usable for left-handed people.
Conclusion
Purchasing a top-notch utility knife can make all the difference when it comes to effectively cutting materials and keeping you safe from harm. You want a knife with longevity—one that’ll be more bang for your buck. If you keep the above points in mind, you’ll find the right utility knife in no time.
