Utility Knives: The Most Versatile Hand Tool Everyone Should Own

Whether a homeowner or tenant, everyone needs at least a few essential hand tools. Maybe it’s a tape measure to determine if a piece of furniture will fit in your space. You might also want a few screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, and a level while you are at it. While all of these are wonderful additions for your home, automobile, or workplace toolbox, there is one more hand tool that shouldn’t be overlooked: the utility knife.

Here are some reasons why everyone should own this versatile tool.

EVERY MAN SHOULD OWN A UTILITY KNIFE

Versatility at Home

Having a utility knife readily available around the house is a great idea. There are many ways to use it both inside and outside.

Most people shop online, and a utility knife comes in quite handy for neatly opening all those boxes that show up on your doorstep. Once you get inside those boxes, you can use a utility knife again to open clamshell packaging and remove zip ties.

After the excitement of tearing into all your new things has calmed, you might want to grab the utility knife one more time to break down the boxes so they can more easily fit into your recycling or trash bin.

Did you know that utility knives also make great kitchen gadgets?

They can remove a recipe, barcode, or label from a food box. Utility knives make opening things like vacuum seals and plastic wraps a breeze when prepping for a meal. Even the toughest food packages are no match for the cutting power of these practical utility knives.

People also find this tool handy for trimming photos to fit inside frames or doing minor pruning to houseplants.

Outside the home, use it to cut landscape fabric, open mulch bags, and replace worn-out window screens.

A Utility Knife is a Tool that Offers Versatility at Work

If your place of employment is a warehouse or other industrial setting, you likely already use a utility knife daily and know how wonderful it is. But what about other professions?

Suppose you work in a retail or a grocery store. In that case, utility knives come in handy for breaking down boxes when restocking inventory.

Restaurant workers often use this tool for tearing away shrink wrap from packages and opening bags of bulk food products.

Construction tradespeople rely on utility knives for various things like scoring drywall and foam board, stripping wires, and cutting carpet.

For employees who work in an office setting, a utility knife is quite beneficial for removing plastic strapping tape from a shipment of paper reams or opening cartons containing toner or ink for the printer or copier.

The thin blade of a knife makes it helpful in removing stubborn staples, and it can also take care of a loose string on your clothing in a pinch. Keep one in a resource room or desk drawer for easy access when the mail arrives as well.

In many cases, a utility knife can perform many of the same tasks as scissors but often are safer to use.

Tools That Offer Versatility on the Go

A utility knife can also be a great hand tool to keep in your vehicle. If you ever find yourself in an auto accident and need to cut through a binding seat belt quickly, a utility knife could be just the tool that saves your life.

Other practical applications that are not so life-altering include removing a wedged-in key fob battery for replacement, scraping off the foil label of a lottery ticket or gift card, and cleaning off a corroded battery terminal.

Utility knives are so versatile that many people even incorporate them into their everyday carry (EDC) routine!

Choosing a Utility Knife

Whether you are purchasing your very first utility knife or replacing one that you have used for years, take the time to shop around to find one that fits your needs. There are many different sizes, shapes, colors, and styles to choose from and various brands.

Ceramic blades are often preferable to metal, as they maintain their cutting edge longer and do not require oils or lubricants to keep them from rusting. You want to ultimately buy a utility knife that feels comfortable in your hand, and that is easy for you to use.

Durability is also vital because this hand tool is so versatile you might find yourself using it every day.

Time to Get Your Utility Knife

With all of these options above for work and home, from key fob fixes to removing stickers and opening boxes, it’s very likely that you can think of a few tasks that make sense for your needs.

Make sure to find a utility knife that is both safe and durable, and you’ll find yourself incorporating this versatile tool into your everyday needs.

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