What’s the utility knife?
This word must be familiar to you. You can hear it in the kitchen, warehouses, construction sites, factories, and classrooms.
And in Wikipedia. there has a formal explanation of these tools.
A utility knife is any type of knife used for general manual work purposes. Such knives were originally fixed-blade knives with durable cutting edges suitable for rough work such as cutting cordage, cutting/scraping hides, butchering animals, cleaning fish scales, reshaping timber, and other tasks.
It is a broad concept. It seems like all the knives you hold in hand can be called utility knives. And utility knives can be foldable, retractable, and replaceable. To differentiate them, in shape or in usage, people have given each of them a unique name.
Categories of utility knives
Here we are going to discuss and explain the 7 most common types of utility knives.
1. Craft knife
Craft knives, or hobby knives, are small utility knives used as precision-oriented tools for finer, more delicate tasks such as carving and paper cutting. It usually composes of two parts: a blade and a handle. The common handle people use in daily life is one made of metal material.
As for blades, here are sorts of blades for a craft knife. And here is an article that introduces the differences between these blades. The craft knife blade is very sharp and easily slices through light material. So knives are used for cutting and shaping light materials, such as cards. They are very useful during the model-making stage of the design process.
2. Snap-off knife
Snap-off blades might be the most popular option for utility knife blades. A Japanese manufacturer called Olfa Corporation invented the snap-off blade in 1956. These blades are uniquely designed as one long, sturdy blade that you can expand to cut through fiberglass insulation.
And snap-off means faster change-out. It applies a one- to two-second technique involving a pair of pliers or blade snapper, which yields an instant sharp edge the second the dual-edge segment of the dull blade is snapped. There are three different common sizes of hobby knife blades: 9mm, 18mm, and 25mm.
Hobby knives can be used in a variety of ways. They’re not just used by hobbyists, but by artists, designers, seamstresses, soap makers, and DIYer’s, to name a few. They’re used to trim, carve, cut, and make shapes in materials like plastic, paper, leather, and even wood.
3. Hook knife
Designed for carpet cutting and linoleum, hook blades are easy to install and feature hooked ends for cutting thick materials cleanly. The appearance of blade resembles a cow’s horn, which is very easy to recognize. For different needs, you can require the manufacturer to design the blades with different notches and holes. Xirui has rich experience in OEM/ODM service, welcome to contact us.
4. Scalloped edge knife
A scalloped edge blade is a popular knife used in the kitchen. This kitchen knife is perfect for cutting vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers. Chefs use this scalloped edge blade to cut fish. In addition, it is used in factories to cut polystyrene foam. Cutting with this blade keeps all the little balls intact and reduces the hassle. This blade cuts really smoothly and cleanly. You can find smooth edge blades in the market in different shapes and sizes.
5. Serrated edge knife
Serrated edge blades are fantastic utility knives for cutting dense materials. Serrated knives, with their scalloped, toothlike edge, are ideal for cutting through foods like a loaf of crusty bread with a hard exterior and softer interior. The principle behind a serrated knife is similar to that of a saw: The teeth of the blade catch and then rip as the knife smoothly slides through the food. They typically range in length from 4-7 inches. Usually, long knives are suitable for cutting carpets and vinyl flooring. In addition, they can be used to cut a variety of foods, such as bread.
There is no difference in design between a serrated blade and a scalloped blade. What makes them different is the style of cutting or shredding the material. Serrated blades are used for sawing, while people use scalloped blades for cutting. The serrated blade has a rougher edge than its counterpart, and this design provides protection for the user.
6. Pointed tip knife
As the name suggests, a pointed tip blade has a very sharp point. This tip is needed to pierce something before continuing to cut. These pointed blades can be found in many scenarios, such as where fabric, flexible plastic, and drywall need to be cut.
7. Rounded tip knife
The rounded tip blade is a very versatile slicing knife for faster slicing of roasts, poultry, and fish. Use this blade when you don’t need to pierce anything but slices. Compared to pointed knives, round-tip knives are a relatively new type of blade. You can also use it to slice through wood and rubber if you wish.
this long and narrow shape and a razor-sharp edge blade are highly durable and have a smooth slicing motion. Most of these knives have an ergonomic handle for a non-slip grip. And the weight and balance of this knife are excellent for easy handling and comfort.
FAQ
Here are some questions you may want to figure out.
1. What are craft knives made of?
The blade of a craft knife is usually made from steel. Steel is a material often used in the manufacturing of tools due to its strength and comparatively low cost. The steel used is often heat-treated, to bring the blade to a hardened state. Connect us if you are interested in the manufacturing process. You are welcome to visit our factory at any time.
2. When should I replace the blade of my hobby knife?
- Rust.
Because of its single-use nature, the blade of a utility knife tends to rust more quickly than the blade of a regular knife. If you’ve been using the knife long enough that it rusts, it’s definitely time to replace it.
- Problems with extending and retracting the blade.
These can point to structural problems with the knife itself, so make sure it’s not damaged or stuck with some kind of debris. However, it is also possible that damage to the blade is preventing it from working properly. Very dirty or rusty blades often cause these problems.
3. Can I sharpen my utility knife?
Of course, you can. In order to protect your utility knife from rusting, sharpening your knife from time to time would be a good idea. Or else, you will have it simply replaced. However, there will always be an option to remove the blade from its handle and sharpen it on a wet stone or other sharpening kit. This is why you need to know how to sharpen your utility knife. Snap-off blades don’t have this question. Once it does not work well, snap off it.
4. Are utility knives universal?
Yes, most of them are although their certain shapes might not look the same. Keep in mind, however, that some snap-off utility knives won’t accept a standard blade.
So before purchasing, you can ask for details data on the knife from the supplier, and if you have special requirements, you can contact manufacturers to customize it.
5. Which kind of utility knife is best for me?
It all depends on your needs. Each of these 7 utility knives is excellent in its field. In the event that you are unsure of which one would be most suitable, we have professional sales representatives available to assist you in analyzing the issue and finding a solution. Welcome to connect xirui blade.
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- Over 18 years of OEM, ODM, and OBM experience
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