Knife vs boxcutter vs ??

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I have a decent (albeit inexpensive) FDAW knife. That’s Five Days A Week for those of you not hip to the lingo. :D

The other two days I carry a cheapo tactical knife I bought off eBay. That’s because two evenings a week I drive street washers/sweepers and when I need a knife it’s usually something muddy/dirty. Problem there is the cheapo knife works just like it should for the price I paid...crappy. Ended up losing it last night, but I have a drawer full of backups.

However, when I started thinking about which one would be the next knife up, I had an ah-ha (or maybe duh-huh) moment that maybe I should carry a box cutter instead. 95% of the time I need a blade it’s to remove a strap, piece of netting, silt fence, or something else from gutter broom. Occasionally to cut a tube/hose or strip a wire for a get-back-home repair on a truck.

I think a box cutter would be a better option. Any recommendations? Or is there another product I’m not thinking of or even aware of that might be an even better option?

I’d stumbled across this one during a quick amazon check this morning, thinking the screwdriver bits would occasionally come in handy: Neocraft NET10032 Heavy Duty Folding Knife https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KMVGW9K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gTLGCbG4XHY7Y
 
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What you describe is not a knife but rather a "tool". You need to tailor the tool to your needs. If you cut most of the time an edge is essential but if you use it for a screw driver/prybar/whatever will a box cutter really fit that bill?
 
What you describe is not a knife but rather a "tool". You need to tailor the tool to your needs. If you cut most of the time an edge is essential but if you use it for a screw driver/prybar/whatever will a box cutter really fit that bill?
Never used it for anything other than cutting. I do have a couple screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, and a pair of pliers in my bag.
 
Never used it for anything other than cutting. I do have a couple screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, and a pair of pliers in my bag.


Then you might consider something like this. Box cutter on one end knife blade on the other and still meets you need for a folder.

https://www.sears.com/summit-gear-h...erId=FastMedia&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3


04c8d5b6-6c25-4f5f-be08-8258dba3b4d2.png
 
So, I’m going to go off the rails a little bit.

If you are using this blade to perform some job duties while you are on the clock I would check and see what blades are permitted by the employer. The reason that I say this is because my employer does not allow us to carry knives for cutting. We are issued box cutters that have self retracting blades. If we cut ourselves with something other than one of those box cutters we are ineligible for Worker’s Compensation.

If it is not a limitation by your employer, I would still recommend using one so that you always have the defense that you were using the safest tool possible while on the job.

I know it is a buzzkill kind of answer, but workplace hand injuries are a minefield of ways to get denied treatment that you should be entitled to.
 
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... I think a box cutter would be a better option. Any recommendations? Or is there another product I’m not thinking of or even aware of that might be an even better option?
Single edge razor blade utility knife. I will not use a knife that I would actually carry for that kind of chore on the theory that if the task might destroy the blade, then I'm using the wrong tool. I also do not use my pistol butt as a hammer. But that's just me.
 
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So, I’m going to go off the rails a little bit.

If you are using this blade to perform some job duties while you are on the clock I would check and see what blades are permitted by the employer. The reason that I say this is because my employer does not allow us to carry knives for cutting. We are issued box cutters that have self retracting blades. If we cut ourselves with something other than one of those box cutters we are ineligible for Worker’s Compensation.

If it is not a limitation by your employer, I would still recommend using one so that you always have the defense that you were using the safest tool possible while on the job.

I know it is a buzzkill kind of answer, but workplace hand injuries are a minefield of ways to get denied treatment that you should be entitled to.
They let me carry a G21, so it’s not an issue. Very small company. We were issued a hard hat and reflective vest...plus t-shirts. Everything else is up to us.

But thanks for making sure I wasn’t overlooking that. This place doesn’t have near the rules that my day job (AT&T) has. :D
 
...and then what I really need to learn is how to properly sharpen a knife. :oops:
 
I've been carrying one of these every day at work for 2 years:

Gerber EAB

I bought 2 of them because I expected them to be junk, but the second one is still in the package in my desk drawer. The one a carry every day still looks new. It gets grungy and gummed up with chemicals, and I just rinse it off in the sink and blow it off with compressed air.

It is tiny, and opening it one-handed takes a little practice, but it doesn't get in the way of using your pocket for other stuff when it's clipped in.

If you don't like liner-locks, look elsewhere, but I won't buy a folder that's not a liner-lock. I want to be able to open it, use it, close it, and clip it back to my pocket without taking my other hand off what I'm working on.
 
Have the offended not buried you in benchmades?

I would carry two, one like a folding box cutter in a pocket and a cheap mora in the toolkit. A fixed blade is really handy.
 
They let me carry a G21, so it’s not an issue. Very small company. We were issued a hard hat and reflective vest...plus t-shirts. Everything else is up to us.

But thanks for making sure I wasn’t overlooking that. This place doesn’t have near the rules that my day job (AT&T) has. :D
If you carry a G21, use that. ;)
 
I have something similar that I bought from Lowes under their Kobalt brand. For a utility tool I have no complaints.
I read one of the few poor reviews and it mentioned getting the one from Lowe’s instead...but I didn’t see it online. Maybe I’ll dig some more.
 
Have the offended not buried you in benchmades?

I would carry two, one like a folding box cutter in a pocket and a cheap mora in the toolkit. A fixed blade is really handy.
I’ll glady take a throwaway Benchmade if somebody wants to send it my way. :D
 
You're the guy who collects $200 tax stamps. I don't understand why you have to go super-cheap on a tool that you use to make your living? Not that you owe me an explanation, but I'm still curious...
 
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You're the guy who collects $200 tax stamps. I don't understand why you have to go super-cheap on a tool that you use to make your living? Not that you owe me an explanation, but I'm still curious...
I know. It’s odd.

I have a box full of knives I could already use. Was just curious if there was a different inexpensive product I could grab.

Tax stamps are lifetime purchases for the most part. This knife might get lost next shift. :D
 
I work in an heavy equipment shop.
For 12 years I carried a "nice" folder, broke the tip, arced off the edge jumping starter solenoids a few dozen times, broke the serrations cutting cable, etc. Abuse was coupled with having to go search a piece of equipment for it pretty regular.

This past year I decided a box cutter was a better option, I buy multi packs of whatever is on sale in the hardware store, I have not regretted the decision. The clips suck, and they all open opposite my old folder so they don't deploy quick, and I have to get a proper tool for heavy cutting, but it is offset by always having a sharp blade, and not caring if they get lost or destroyed. Another plus, I set them down all over the house so I never have to go far to find one at home.

Speaking of dumb knife rules, my employer has some silly limit on a pocket knife like less than 1.5" blade, unless you need a larger knife for your regular duties (approved by dept head) in which case you may carry one, it must be on the belt and not concealed by any garment.
 
I've been carrying one of these every day at work for 2 years:

Gerber EAB

I bought 2 of them because I expected them to be junk, but the second one is still in the package in my desk drawer. The one a carry every day still looks new. It gets grungy and gummed up with chemicals, and I just rinse it off in the sink and blow it off with compressed air.

It is tiny, and opening it one-handed takes a little practice, but it doesn't get in the way of using your pocket for other stuff when it's clipped in.

If you don't like liner-locks, look elsewhere, but I won't buy a folder that's not a liner-lock. I want to be able to open it, use it, close it, and clip it back to my pocket without taking my other hand off what I'm working on.
I've been carrying one of these for a couple of years
The original blade that was I it seems to be thicker than replacements
 
There’s obviously a blue million options when looking at replacement blades. Any of them stand out above the others?
 
If you find yourself cutting rope/straps/etc maybe look at the hook style blades?
 
I carry the same one regularly. My only complaint is the retaining screw is soft flathead. I'd prefer a nicer phillips at least...
It almost looks like it would fit in the watch pocket of my jeans. As in not much bigger than the blade itself. Is it really that small?
 
I'd put a couple or three box cutters on the sweeper rig and maybe a cheap long knife or two (think old kitchen or fillet knife) then keep my pocket knife in my pocket safe, sharp and clean ready for whatever life throws at you, like peeling an apple or cleaning your toenails.
 
It almost looks like it would fit in the watch pocket of my jeans. As in not much bigger than the blade itself. Is it really that small?

Right at 3”. May depend on your jeans but fits in the ones I have on now.

upload_2019-3-8_17-37-10.jpeg
 
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I have a decent (albeit inexpensive) FDAW knife. That’s Five Days A Week for those of you not hip to the lingo. :D

The other two days I carry a cheapo tactical knife I bought off eBay. That’s because two evenings a week I drive street washers/sweepers and when I need a knife it’s usually something muddy/dirty. Problem there is the cheapo knife works just like it should for the price I paid...crappy. Ended up losing it last night, but I have a drawer full of backups.

However, when I started thinking about which one would be the next knife up, I had an ah-ha (or maybe duh-huh) moment that maybe I should carry a box cutter instead. 95% of the time I need a blade it’s to remove a strap, piece of netting, silt fence, or something else from gutter broom. Occasionally to cut a tube/hose or strip a wire for a get-back-home repair on a truck.

I think a box cutter would be a better option. Any recommendations? Or is there another product I’m not thinking of or even aware of that might be an even better option?

I’d stumbled across this one during a quick amazon check this morning, thinking the screwdriver bits would occasionally come in handy: Neocraft NET10032 Heavy Duty Folding Knife https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KMVGW9K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gTLGCbG4XHY7Y


I went to a razor knife for work years ago. I carry this one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015R0HTQ...&pd_rd_r=f8f533be-41f6-11e9-982f-6fea4be7bb3a

I wanted something inexpensive with a clip and spare blade storage. This fit the bill. Keeping a standard knife sharp in a work setting is a ridiculous proposition.
 
I went to a razor knife for work years ago. I carry this one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015R0HTQ...&pd_rd_r=f8f533be-41f6-11e9-982f-6fea4be7bb3a

I wanted something inexpensive with a clip and spare blade storage. This fit the bill. Keeping a standard knife sharp in a work setting is a ridiculous proposition.
I’d imagine that thumb button comes in pretty handy?

That one looks fairly thick since it has the space for 5 blades. Not too bad clipped in a pocket?
 
I’d imagine that thumb button comes in pretty handy?

That one looks fairly thick since it has the space for 5 blades. Not too bad clipped in a pocket?

The thumb button is great. I require one-handed opening. It's not any thicker than the old buck knife I used to carry. I had a thinner one that didn't carry spare blades but it was often useless because it would get dull and then I'd have to go find blades to change it out.

Having the equivalent of 10 sharp knives on me at one time makes up for the extra bit of girth in my opinion...
 
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I’d imagine that thumb button comes in pretty handy?

That one looks fairly thick since it has the space for 5 blades. Not too bad clipped in a pocket?

That's a CRKT M-21 on the left and a Zero clone on the right. It's really not that thick. I carry it in my back pocket all the time. No issue.

20190308_183434-2268x3024.jpg
 
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