What is another name for a utility knife?

Utility Knives can also be called box cutters, safety cutters, or safe cutters. All these terms can be used interchangeably, although there are nuances separating them. A box cutter is generally a simple razor blade in a metal or plastic sheath. A utility knife is a broad term for cutters that have more features than a box cutter. A utility knife is also called a razor blade knife, a carpet knife, a stationary knife, a cardboard cutter, or other trade-names.

Utility knives have different styles but all perform the same function. Some utility knives are foldable, retractable, ambidextrous, or have other specialty features such as an integrated film cutter. The kind of utility knife you need is based on your application.

If you are outside the United States, you may be familiar with a utility knife as a Stanley Knife. The Stanley Knife is like calling a soda a coke, as it references the brand that first developed utility knives. Their design had multiple fixed blade depths and were retractable for added safety. Stanley utility knives still exist but at SafetyCutters.net we recommend Pacific Handy Cutter for their superior quality, design, quality of life features, and cost effectiveness.

What is a Utility Knife used for?

Utility Knives are hand tools to cut cardboard, drywall, and other materials. If you worked in a grocery store or a warehouse, you’ve probably encountered a utility knife before. Utility Knives are the most efficient way to open large number of boxes, breakdown cardboard, and used in shipping and receiving when breaking down pallets.

Industrial applications of utility knives include drywall, construction and demolition, plumbing plastic components, and sizing raw materials. Hobbyists use utility knives and exact-o knives for cutting straight edges with ease.

All utility knives have sharp blades with high temperature tolerances. This means they can be used in high volume situations without accelerated degradation of the blade. A utility knife can cause injuries if used improperly. It’s highly advised to have safety protocols and procedures in place to prevent injuries and to treat them once an injury occurs.

SafetyCutters.net promotes Pacific Handy Cutter knives because we believe them to be the safest knives on the market. The S4 Safety Cutter is the best selling safety cutter of all time.

What is a Box Cutter?

A box cutter is a convenient way to safely cut cardboard, drywall, insulation and other bulky materials. When choosing a box cutter, it’s important to have your use-case in mind. The length of the blade, material, and country of origin. It’s best to ensure your box cutters are made in the USA and made of high quality carbon steel. The Pacific Handy Cutter HC100 is an ideal box cutter.

A box cutter should never make your job harder. The ideal compact, handheld box cutter can cut plastic and corrugated packaging with ease. According to OSHA, over 30% of workplace injuries involve lacerations. Box cutters should have safety featured designed to minimize the risk of lacerations.

Choosing the right box cutter may mean not choosing a box cutter at all. Other knives may have more robust safety features that suit your application. Box cutters are classic, timeless, and will always work as intended. Box cutter replacement blades can keep your cutter working perfectly for all time.

What is the difference between a box cutter and a utility knife?

It may seem like box cutters and utility knives are the same but they aren’t. Utility Knives and Safety Cutters have more robust safety features than a standard box cutter. The design of a box cutter hasn’t changed much in the last century, but utility knives like the pacific handy cutter s5 safety cutter is on the cutting edge of design and safety.

Box cutters have a barebones design. The functionality of a box cutter comes from the blade, so ensure you have a sharp one! A dull box cutter blade can cause serious injuries. Also, box cutters do not have auto-retraction and other safety features.

Some utility knives have features completely unheard of in box cutters. The Pacific Handy Cutter QuickBlade features an Auto-Loading Design, meaning you never have to stop to replace your blade. Box cutter by design do not have these safety features because they are meant to be utilitarian, efficient, and effective cutters. Many utility knifes have blade storage, tool-free blade change, and integrated film-cutters.

Is it illegal to carry a box cutter?

It wont surprise you to know that the TSA doesn’t allow box cutters on planes. Some states however have laws that create grey areas; the legislator may intend to outlaw knifes that function as weapons, but the law is written in such a way that box cutters have fall under its discretion.

In the state of California (home to SafetyCutters.net), people can carry folding knives such as utility knives, box cutters, swiss army knives, and safety cutters without issue (17235 PC). California outlaws other knives that don’t serve a industrial purpose and are intended to harm others. Dirks, daggers, and other stabbing weapons are outlawed in California (21310 PC).

In New York the law is more complicated with the case of People v. Oldham shining light. First, New York has restrictive laws against weapons, especially possessing weapons in public (265.01 PC). New York’s penal code specially outlaws people from possessing a “dangerous knife” which might include box cutters. It’s better to be safe and keep your work knives at work or in the home, as the cost of a criminal defense attorney isn’t worth it.

In general, if you don’t have a good reason to carry a box cutter in public, you shouldn’t.

If you’re outside the state of New York or California, check your local laws. It is likely that they are much more liberal than New York and you can safely carry your work tools to work without hassle. As always, SafetyCutters.net is not a licensed attorney and this is not legal advice. If you have problems with the law, contact a lawyer.

Are box cutters disposable?

Disposable box cutters can be thrown away when no longer needed. The blades remain interchangeable, so if you wish to replace the blade you may do so. However, the metal sleeve used to hold the blade may degrade over its lifetime. Because of this, many people consider box cutters to be disposable. Your disposable box cutter should last months, or even years with blade changes and basic upkeep.

To keep your box cutter lasting as long as possible, the metal plating that holds the razor blade can be adjusted to its original shape. For example, if it falls out of your pocket and gets bent, simply bend the metal back into place. If this is difficult, you can heat up the metal with a hair dryer to make it easier to bend it back into place.

With disposable box cutters costing around a dollar each depending on what volume you purchase them, it may be fine to simply throw your cutter in the recycling bin when no longer needed. Be sure to recycle your box cutter because the metal can be melted down and reused!

How much does a box cutter cost?

A box cutter should be reasonably priced and a single box cutter should never cost more than $10. Many stores on Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot significantly mark up the prices of their box cutters and sell them to unknowing consumers. If you search Amazon, you can find dozens of box cutters made in China. And what happens when your box cutter breaks? The store you bought from on Amazon has already changed names and is selling under a different brand. That’s how low quality suppliers operate.

At SafetyCutters.net we do things different. Here, customer service counts. We only sell quality box cutters that will hold up. Our Pacific Handy Cutter Box Cutters are $0.58 each! Made from high quality carbon steel, you’ll cut cardboard with ease.

What is a Safety Cutter?

Safety cutters excel at opening packing tape and cutting through cardboard in home and industrial settings. The best safety cutters are judged by their safety features that reduce injury without sacrificing a sharp cutting edge. An ergonomic, convenient handle must be able to be handled at different angles while maximizing cutting efficiency. Safety Cutter is also a broad term used for utility knives that prioritize safety in commercial settings. The PHC S4 Safety Cutter is the perfect example; the highest selling safety cutter of all time reduces laceration injuries and increase productivity.