When it comes to cutting carpets, the quality of the tool matters just as much as the style of tool you’re using. You don’t have to buy the best carpet knife, but you shouldn’t settle for the worst.
The range of carpet knives out there can make it difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. For someone new to knives, it can become an almost impossible search.
My Top 3 Carpet Knives
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Crain 217 Hook Handle Razor Carpet Knife |
$18.35 |
Buy Now | |
|
Utility Knife, BIBURY Upgraded Version Heavy Duty Box Cutter, Pocket Carpet knife with 10... |
$9.99 |
Buy Now | |
|
Stanley 10-525 6-1/2-Inch Retractable Carpet Knife | $17.29 $13.79 | Buy Now |
With the following selection of carpet knives, however, you’ll have an easier time. As an expert on knives, I’ve made each selection with the utmost quality and care. Each pick is one I can vouch for and one I would use myself.
In short, each of these carpet knives is one that you won’t regret.
The Best Carpet Knives You Can Buy Right Now
Below are my picks for the best carpet knives you can currently buy.
1. Crain 217
The Crain 217 is unique among both carpet knives and knives as a whole. It features a unique hook-shape design with one end of the knife curving in. This isn’t a stylistic choice, however. This allows the tool to easily fit in your hand and stay there too. Very few knives out there can match the level of grip that the Crain 217 offers.
Aside from that, the Crain 217 is fairly typical without too many standout features.
Pros:
- Hook-shape design allows for better grip
- Sharp out of the box
- Great for making precision cuts
Cons:
- Handle is somewhat lacking
- Doesn’t come with extra blades
2. BIBURY Utility Knife
The BIBURY Utility Knife may seem an odd choice in a list of carpet knives, but don’t let the name fool you. This little knife can cut carpet just as well as any other carpet cutter. In some cases, it even does the job better.
This heavy knife is durable with a great grip. It can handle any carpet cutting job you throw at it. The handle does get uncomfortable after awhile though. Despite that, the BIBURY is still worth the price.
Pros:
- Durable and sharp
- Has a hefty weight to it
- Great grip and handle
- Can be used for more than carpet cutting
Cons:
- Can be hard to open
- Handle can become uncomfortable after a while
3. Stanley 10-525
The Stanley 10-525 is easy to use. It has a retractable blade that allows you to easily control the depth of the cut. The handle has an angled design that makes it easy to reach hard-to-access areas. This handle can also store up to 10 regular duty .015” blades. Despite the name, 11-530 carpet blades also work with the knife.
Overall, the Stanley is a great choice of carpet knife that is easy on your wallet.
Pros:
- Can store blades inside handle
- Easy to use
- Has an angled handle design
- Blade is retractable
Cons:
- Can be difficult to assemble
- Can be hard to change blades
4. Roberts 10-215
The Roberts 10-215 is one of the most customizable carpet knives I have seen. It’s designed in a way to make small adjustments easy to do. Blade changes, although time consuming, are easy to complete. A checkered handle with a slip-resistant grip gives you the option of storing up to 10 additional blades inside of it.
Overall, the blade has a nice lightweight feel to it. It makes a good choice for difficult carpet cutting work that needs a light touch and deep precision.
Pros:
- Built sturdy with a good blade
- Easy to adjust
- Can store extra blades inside of handle
Cons:
- Difficult to change the blade
- Can start to loosen after a while
5. Robert Carpet Tools Cut And Jam
The Cut and Jam by Robert Carpet Tools is fairly basic when it comes to carpet knives. It doesn’t have much that separates it from other knives. What it does offer, however, is a dual-function design. The back of the handle can be used to jam carpet into gullies.
The handle is designed with this function in mind while still allowing you to easily cut carpet without problems. It’s made with strong die cast aluminum with a long lasting baked epoxy finish.
Pros:
- Safe to use
- Cuts through carpet easily
- Comes with extra blades
Cons:
- Hard to remove blades from handle
- Screw that holds knife together needs to be tightened
6. M-D Building Products Linoleum Knife
This knife by M-D Building Products is primarily designed for linoleum. Despite the name, however, it can also be used for carpet, vinyl tile, and wallpaper. In short, this knife makes a great choice when it comes to cutting some carpet.
It has a great grip with a powerful handle. It’s comfortable to hold over long hours. And finally, it’s all wrapped up in a budget-friendly price.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly price
- Great grip with a strong handle
- Comfortable to hold over many hours
Cons:
- Can be difficult to find the best cutting angle
- Quick to dull
7. IRWIN Utility Knife
The IRWIN Utility Knife is designed with an eye for function. The angled design allows you to easily hold the blade without fear of losing your grip. A groove in the knife’s design helps to hold the blade and keep it steady. The handle can be used to store extra blades.
Overall, the IRWIN is a solid carpet knife and a great fit for any toolbox.
Pros:
- Handle can store extra blades
- Angled design provides great grip
- Groove holds the blade in place and keeps it stable
- Comes with extra blades
Cons:
- Can be hard to close
- Blade is exposed even when closed
Buying Guide: What To Look For In A Carpet Knife
When you need to cut carpet, just any old knife isn’t enough. You need to find a knife that can handle carpet and that also won’t break the bank. Finding the best carpet knife, however, isn’t easy.
Luckily, it’s easy to look at certain qualities that certain knives have and zero in on one that won’t disappoint you.
Cost
Cost is the most obvious point to look at, but it’s also the least important. You rarely need to pay top dollar, but you also don’t want to buy the cheapest knife you can find.
Blade Size
The size of the blade and the handle are both important things to look for. A tiny knife may fit easily in your hand, but it can also be difficult to use when you’re trying to cut a lot of carpet. Likewise, a large knife can make it difficult to get good precision-based cuts.
Knife Materials
The quality of the materials that a knife has is easy to miss. A cheap plastic knife may seem like a good deal, but it’ll only end up being a mistake when it breaks halfway through the job.
Quality Of Life
Extra features are great, but not at the expense of function and form. It’s never a bad idea to look for a knife that offers great quality of life features, but it would be a mistake to buy if those same features make the knife harder to use.
Finding the best carpet knife is a balancing act, and one that is well worth the effort.
The Best Way To Cut A Carpet
Carpets come in many different forms. The best way to cut a carpet can easily differ just as much. Depending on your preferences and the tools you’re using, it’s difficult to give an exact answer. A little experimentation, however, can go a long way in finding it.
What Makes A Carpet Knife Different From A Regular Knife
Although it may seem like a good idea to just use a normal knife, the problems that can arise can quickly turn it into a bad idea. A carpet knife provides you with various options that makes it easy to cut carpet and avoid any last minute problems.
Can You Cut Carpet With Scissors?
If you have no other option, a pair of scissors could cut through the carpet. Just like a regular knife, however, there are a host of problems in doing so. The most obvious one being ease of use. Scissor design makes them a poor choice when it comes to cutting carpet.
How To Use A Carpet Knife
Most carpet knives are easy to use. Simply hold the blade at the proper angle and cut along any measured lines you have drawn. A 45-degree angle is usually best, but that can differ depending on the knife.
Cutting a carpet pad follows a similar process.
Carpet Knives And The Importance Of Quality
Whether it’s the hook-like design of the Crain 217 or the ruggedness of the Stanley 10-525, there’s a carpet knife that is perfect for you. It can be hard to find, but once you do? You won’t regret the effort.
When it comes to carpet knives – and knives in general – quality matters most.
Last update on 2024-04-19 at 05:49 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
