Best Utility Knives 2025

A utility knife is a sharp and sturdy knife, traditionally with a fixed blade while the modern utility knife is available with different designs including retractable or folding blades.

The Utility Knife, also known as a Stanley Knife in the UK, come in a range of shapes and sizes. In this article I will take a look at some of the best utility knives available.

Bibury Heavy Duty Utility Knife

The Bibury Utility Knife is a thoughtfully put together tool with a stainless steel body and blade, and a durable and ergonomic design. Hard-wearing and rustproof, this knife makes light work of carpet, rope, leather, and even plastic.

Pros:

• Outstanding durability
• Superior cutting power

Cons:

• Slightly pricier than other knives on the market

Craftsman Utility Knife

Ideal for crafting projects and for easily cutting through paper and cardboard, the Craftsman Utility Knife features a three-position retractable blade, patented interlocking blade grip, and handle storage. The pack includes two knives and three utility blades for each.

Pros:

• Precision cutting,
• Comfortable to hold
• Good value

Cons:

• The retractable blade occasionally has a tendency to stick

Sheffield Ultimate Lock Back Utility Knife

Small but powerful, the Sheffield 12113 Ultimate Lock Back Utility Knife features a patented mechanism for the super quick changing of blades, making it the ultimate time-saver. This knife also features a lock-back release safety feature that keeps the blade in place whether open or closed. The Sheffield is a great tool for cutting through leather, fabric, and sheetrock.

Pros:

• Great design
• Good safety features
• Effective cutting

Cons:

• The knife can be difficult to open, sometimes requiring tools

Outdoor Edge SlideWinder

With its nifty, compact design, the Outdoor Edge SlideWinder is a multitool, which can be used as a knife, screwdriver, or bottle opener. With a durable glass, nylon, and stainless steel construction, the knife is lightweight with a safe and secure design.

Pros:

• Small and compact for easy carrying
• Has multiple uses

Cons:

• The tool is not compatible with all universal utility blades

Stanley Retractable Utility Knife

The Stanley Classic 99 Retractable Utility Knife is a sturdy, no-nonsense retractable knife with a three-position retractable blade and interlocking nose for secure blade grip. The pack includes one knife and three 11-921 heavy-duty blades.

Pros:

• Easy to use and take apart
• Both sides of the blade can be used for extra flexibility

Cons:

• Tools are needed to fix and replace blades
• Some quality control issues.

What are Utility Knives Used for?

The strength and versatility of the utility knife lend itself to a number of different uses including industrial use such as box cutting, hunting purposes like cutting through hides and cordage, and general kitchen use such as cleaning fish and preparing fowl.

Is a Utility Knife the Same as a Boxcutter?

Not quite. Although the two are similar, a box cutter is generally smaller and usually has a long snap-off blade to keep it sharp while working.

Utility Knife Blade Rundown

Depending on your requirements, there are generally six kinds of utility knife blades that are commonly used, and these are: 

• Hook Blades (Example) – Super sharp with a hook on the end, hook blades are used for cutting extremely thick and heavy materials such as carpet, linoleum, and roof shingles.

• Scalloped Edge Blades (Example) – Mostly used for household purposes, scalloped edge blades are often used for cutting lightweight foods and objects such as styrofoam and cardboard, and produce a clean, smooth edge.

• Serrated Edge Blades (Example) – Not dissimilar to the scalloped edge blade, serrated edge blades are used with a sawing motion to cut through denser materials.  

• Pointed Tip Blades (Example) – Probably the most commonly used type of blade, pointed tip blades can be used for a variety of everyday activities including crafts and the cutting of fabrics and soft plastics. 

• Rounded Tip Blades (Example) – Serving the same purpose as pointed-tip blades, the rounded tip blade is designed for extra safety and to eliminate the risk of puncturing softer materials when cutting.

• Snap-Off Blades (Example) – Snap-off blades are hugely popular for the cutting of materials such as fiberglass insulation and are a great time-saver due to the fact that the blades have multiple seams. This allows sections of the blade to be snapped off to produce a fresh sharp edge without having to stop and change blades.

What is the safest kind of Utility Knife?

The best utility knife when it comes to safety is generally thought to be the auto-retracting knife. These ‘Smart’ knives have an added safety feature whereby a finger or thumb is kept on a slider while in use, and, once the slider is released, the blade is automatically retracted via a spring mechanism. This means that blades are never accidentally left exposed when not in use.

How to Use A Utility Knife

Before beginning a project, always make sure that you’re using the right kind of knife and blade, and that the blade is sharp. When possible, wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris.

Hold the knife firmly and place the object to be cut on a firm, stable surface, using clamps if possible. Always cut away from the direction of your body and ensure that hands are well out of the way of the blade. When cutting a straight line, use a ruler or straight edge for extra precision. Cut slowly and steadily, removing dust and debris as you go, and always ensure that the knife and blade are safely stored when not in use.

The utility knife is an incredibly useful tool and one which should only ever be used as intended. Whether you’re using a knife for working, cooking, hunting, or crafts, always make sure that you buy the best utility knife for your requirements for optimum results.

If you’re planning on using a utility knife regularly, it really is worth investing in a good quality brand. If looked after properly, a good utility knife can last for years. As with any kind of knife, extreme care should always be taken in the use and handling of a utility knife, and these should, of course, always be kept out of the reach of children.

We hope that this guide has given you an idea of the kinds of knives and tools that are available so that you’re able to figure out which one will make the cut for your requirements.