I have been using “Husky” brand folding utility knives -with the lifetime guarantee. Keep about 5 or 6 in various toolboxes, pockets and such. Today, when I tried to exchange one at HD because the lock mechansim was broke, I was denied. This has never been a problem in the past- they last me 3 months maybe. Manager told me they have to be able to put the merchandise back on the shelf for resale if I want an exchange – I asked “even if is broken?”. Husky was fine, but I get a little raw about advertising a lifetime warrenty and then not honoring it.
So what are you using?
Replies
retited the one Gramps used ...
found a fixed blade Irwin I really like.
Have 2 in the tool box ... one in the wrapper in the van ... and one in the wrapper at home waiting to go into action.
don't like retractable ... but carry 2 cheap lime green ones ...
one in the electrical bag and one with my plumbing stuff.
also have 2 of those folding knife types ... one on the dash of the Jeep and one on the dash of the van.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
>>>>>>found a fixed blade Irwin I really like.I don't know why I don't buy fixed blade knives. I never retract 'em and I get pissed of if somebody uses my knife and closes it. But, I've got a couple of "Alltrade" brand knives that have a squeeze handle that shoots the old blade out and inserts a new one flawlessly. I keep waiting for them to mess up, but after a year, so far so good.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
"We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart?"
Good Grief, you all seem to prefer the non-retractable knives!! You couldn't give me another one!!
I bought one several years ago and dropped it in one of my nail pouches. When I reached in the pouch, I damn near sliced a finger off. When I got the bleeding stopped, I threw that knife in the dumpster and went back to a retractable knife. It's instinctive now to close it as I put it back in the pouch on the tool bucket. - lol
I prefer a non-retractable blade. It holds the blade much better. But I only have one and I keep it in a tool pouch (on my tool belt) that was made specifically for a utility knife.
All of my other utility knives (that live in various buckets/tool boxes) have a retractable blade for safety.
I have an old Stanley non-retractable that belonged to my Dad. I never use it. Now that you mention a special holder, maybe I will. He used that thing all the time.
How are you doing? I rode with you last September in BikeFest. My best to you and your brother. He's probably been riding all winter!
"With every mistake we must surely be learning"
Hey mike, I hope all is well. My bike riding has been sporadic due to weather and work. My brother (Rich) had to cut back temporarily due to some medical issues, but he should be fine soon.
As for that utility knife sheath, I haven't seen one around in a while that works good for a non-retractable blade.
Here's a picture of mine:
View Image
Edited 3/16/2007 5:57 am ET by DonCanDo
I'm always pushing down hard to cut thru too much of something ...
retractable's fold under the pressure and always "almost" cut off my finger!
I think a fixed blade to be way safer.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Link, Jeff, link! Which Irwin Knife??
the cheap one from Lowes!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
View Image Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I have the Irwin retractable, looks identical to the one in the picture.
Fairly good knife. Blade storage kind of sucks.
I can't have fixed blade knifes. I am too injury proned to have an exposed razor blade in my posession. :) Thoughts determine what you want,Action determines what you get
I prefer non retractable for the stability, but mostly use retractable for the safety. Retractable is for day to day carpentry, rougher stuff, non ret is for the finish & cabinet making.I use Stanley 199 non, the Stanley retractable, and keep 2 Huskey folders on me and around at all times, even in church. I have a bunch of others somewhere that I never use.
I picked up one of the Kobalt brand knock-offs of the Irwin knife in the picture. The blade change and the way the blade is held in place with a magnet while you close the knife is identical as far as I can tell but the blade storage is by magnet rather than the heavy spring that Irwin uses that is such a hassle to deal with. It's a rare situation where the knock-off is better than the original. I liked it so much I bought them for my whole crew and an extra for my truck. ------------------
"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
I'll look for one, I have cut myself a few times getting hook blades out of my Irwin. Thoughts determine what you want,Action determines what you get
Jeff and All
These are the BEST knives I've ever used!!
You can bear down as hard as you want on it with noproblem at all. It also folds up (safe).This model which is the one I have (in purple :) stores blades in it and comes with the case (that I threw out) for about $15-17 at HD.
The blades come out really easily for changing them...great designed knife.
IMO the best design I've ever seen/used!
The only thing the case might be good for now that I threw it out was that the knife folds up small and can get lost in your pouch.
It also has a pretty good belt clip.
They come in pretty colors too : )
View Image View Image
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFexyK8J1Iw
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Edited 3/16/2007 10:31 am ET by andybuildz
Olfa is the only way to go.
>>> Olfa is the only way to go.
yes.
Favorite right now is the Grabber K1992, and I have about 4 of those. Also have at least that many Stanley 199. Those are all fixed blade knives. Have a few Lenox 357 and use those once in a while, but I don't like retractable blades much.
Grabber K1992<<<
David,
I have that as well...nice knife but whats nicer from that company is the wet and stick drywall tape...I bought that knife when I bought the tatape among a few other things...I bought a cpl of rolls a month or so ago and after getting the hang of it I'll never go back to regular paper tape again...unless I run out of W&S!!! Has a bit of a learning curve to it but once you get it youre good to go forever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFexyK8J1Iw
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
So how is the grabber wet and stick drywall tape applied differently? What took getting used to?
So how is the grabber wet and stick drywall tape applied differently? What took getting used to?<<<<You don't use mud under the tape. You skip that whole step. Only two coats of spackle are needed. Just two top coats.
You simply wet the tape in a bucket of water and smooth it on the seams.
Thing that takes getting used to is not to let it pick up dust or debris which means cutting it into smaller pieces than I'm used to which isn't that big of a deal. I usually roll out a full seams worth but you can't really with this stuff cause once its wet it picks up the smallest bit of anything that touches it. They DO sell however a tool that allows you to pull it out wet in long lengths but thats hundreds of dollars.
"When you point your finger, you got three long fingers pointing back at you". Mark Knophler
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I have a fixed blade Stanley in my pouches, and at Costco several years ago bought a pack of the cheap retractable Stanleys. Have 1 in shop, 1 in bucket, 1 in tool box, and a couple more floating in neverland. So far, as long as the blade is sharp, style doesn't matter. Of course, I don't miss what I never had.
Nah, the only good one is the aluminum tool-less Stanley retractable, with the yellow push-button on the side to release the blade lock, and the swing-down underneath part that hold blades - I keep a fresh hook blade in there because it's always there when you need it!
Forrest
Yesss, I use the earlier version of the Stanley with the push button and the blade storage that swings out, same one for 12 years. If I ever lose it, or somebody walks away with it, it will be a black day.
I just started to use the white Lennox blade with the titanium edged blades. It retracts well and I havn't lost a blade yet. The blades are almost indistructable.
I use a retractable made by Klein Tools. Cost $7 at my HVAC supplier store. This one is similar to the All Trades..it too shoots out the spent blade and a new one can be reinserted all by pushing the yellow button. It has a storgae compartment that easily opens up at the back of the knife...it can hold quite a few blades.
I personally hate non-retractable knives. I also like to carry my razor knife in it's own pouch , rather than in a tool (nail) pouch.
Davo
The blades are almost indistructable.
I'll never buy any other blade, those things rock!
Their knife is cool for the quick opening, but is on it last leg for me.
Probably go back to Stanley 199 Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
McD,
Same here, get a kick out of fellow workers asking to use a screwdriver to change their blade.
Saw
Several years ago I was digging a foundation. The GC on the job needed a knife and I handed him my retractable. He said he never uses them - they cost more than the fixed blade and they break too easily. Afew days later I noticed he was walking around with his hand all bandaged. Seems he had reached for his fixed blade (usually carried in his back pocket) and sliced his hand. I'm thinking "how much did that cost - possible Dr. fee and lost production?"
The only problem I have is "which tool box is the darn thing in?" I have a half dozen now just so I can find one when I need it.
I like the non-retactable when I'm using the hook blades for cutting in roof vents, Skylites etc. With the retractables the blade will pull out or they get all gummed up and dont retract anyways. They are good for drywall too.
For everyday use I like the retractables with the quick blade change feature.
The Lutz and Stanleys are both good, and I have more than I can keep track of.
My current favorite is the Lutz 357, holds a ton of blades, easy to keep clean and change blades, and cheap.
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
- Fyodor Dostoyevski
I never retract mine either, as it goes into a designated pocket in my bags. An electrician told me 30 years ago to put a large ring in the hole in the back end (key ring type). It is simple to pull the knife out with index finger. Tryyyy it, you'll liiike it !!!