Best Utility Knife | Tested & Reviewed
Part of being prepared is having a knife that will be ready and functional every time you need it. The obvious choice for that is a folding pocket knife. But what if you need to cut something you know will dull the blade? You need a replaceable blade, which means a utility knife. There is a wide range of utility knife types and brands to pick from.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best utility knives, tested them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a budget option, and an upgrade option. If you need a knife for daily tasks and prepping projects, one of our picks will give you an edge.
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Best Utility Knife
Milwaukee Fastback
Durable, Effective, and High Quality
The folding design, handle blade storage, and a gut hook all combine with the classic Milwaukee quality you might expect.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Milwaukee may be better known for its power tools, but some of its hand tools hold up just as well. The Fastback is smartly engineered with plenty of high-use extras, like the gut hook and wire stripper, that make it even more versatile.
Specifications
- Aluminum frame and steel parts in a folding design
- Wire stripper, gut hook, magnetic blade holder, wire clip
- 2 straight blades included
- 6.15″ length
- 2.8 ounces
It folds down to a compact size, has integrated blade storage, and is lightweight with an aluminum design. The main downside is that it is pricey for a utility knife- but if you don’t want to buy one ever again, it’s a solid investment.
With a solid build and frequently used versatility, it’s easy to see why the Milwaukee Fastback Utility Knife is the best choice out of all of the competition.
EDC Utility Knife
Outdoor Edge SlideWinder
Small, Versatile, and Inexpensive
This tiny and effective knife packs some versatility into a small package with replaceable blades.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
This little knife wasn’t on my radar at first, but it was gifted to me. Since then, it’s grown on me and become my everyday pick. It is great for popping open boxes, getting dirty, and getting that tape gunk on because it’s cheap and uses disposable blades.
Specifications
- Stainless steel frame, polymer handle
- Button lock
- Flathead, Phillips, bottle opener, and clip
- 3.5″ length
- 1.7 ounces
It has saved my Spyderco, Benchmade, and OKC folders plenty of pointless wear and tear on things like Amazon boxes that my wife surprises me with. To replace the blades (or reverse them), hold down the slide button to pull the blade out entirely. This same slide lock button prevents the knife from coming out in your pocket or while you have it clipped.
Pick up an Outdoor Edge SlideWinder Utility Knife to add a versatile EDC utility knife to your loadout.
Fidget Utility Knife
ToughBuilt Reload
Fun, Effective, and Well Made
This knife is a blast to reload with unique magazine cartridges that release and load just like a pistol.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Let’s be honest- we didn’t pick this knife because of its utility. The reload is the best part of the Reload. The knife itself is bulky, and it doesn’t make sense to carry around multiple magazines for extra blades- but this thing is just too fun to put down.
Specifications
- Aluminum frame, rubberized handle, polymer parts
- 2-blade magazines
- 5 straight blades, 5 hook blades included
- 6.5″ length
- 9.3 ounces
It’s basically a grown man’s fidget spinner and impossible not to fiddle with. Ejecting the knife magazines and slapping them back in will become your favorite brainstorming activity. Each magazine holds 15 blades and has a toggle indicator so you can see whether you have a standard or hook razor loaded.
If you are looking for a knife that will add some joy to your life (or one that makes an excellent gift), pick up the ToughBuilt Reload Utility Knife.
Comparison Table
| Utility Knife | Recommendation | Price* | Frame | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Fastback | Best Overall | $18 | Powder Coated Steel | 2.8 oz |
| Outdoor Edge Slidewinder | Best for EDC | $11 | Stainless Steel | 1.7 oz |
| ToughBuilt Reload | Best for Fidgeting | $30 | Aluminum | 9.3 oz |
The Utility Knives We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to several utility knives that we tested: Stanley, ToughBuilt, E-Z Glide, WorkPro, Milwaukee, Craftsman, DeWalt, Klein, Outdoor Edge, and more.
We’re unreasonably knife-obsessed, so it was nice to get a bunch of box cutters to save our fixed blade and folder collection from dulling on cardboard. Now I won’t have to use my knife sharpener nearly as often.
We’re always looking for new and better equipment, so if you have a utility knife that you swear by, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually, so we can always get it in the next roundup and see if it makes the cut, and we can see if it will beat out our top picks.
Testing & Analysis
The best utility knives have several important features to look for:
- Value
- Ergonomics
- Durability
- Size & Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find a reliable knife that you can use and abuse. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the utility blades that set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like a knife shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. Don’t go overboard or overdo it. Budget according to your risk and your needs rather than just spending lavishly.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like a knife. It’s better to diversify your preparedness gear to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios. There is a sweet spot where you get high value with not too high of a price, which is where our top pick sits.
Ergonomics
One of the nice things about a utility knife is that you don’t really have to worry about the blade. A safety razor is what it is, and as long as your utility knife handle holds it securely, you’ll be good to go.
Some safety knives add knurling or rubberized grip, but a little bit of handle girth helps too. The utility knives that have blade storage in the handle make is so this space isn’t completely wasted, but it also makes the knife easier to hold onto and grip.
Durability
Utility knives are made for abusing, trashing safety razors, and replacing them. While the durability of your safety razor isn’t at the top of mind, you don’t want the rest of it wearing down or breaking quickly.
The main area where you see this happen is with the moving parts. As you can extend and retract the blade, it can wear on the frame, and any springs inside can wear out over time. The real difference we saw in testing is in the quality of those parts, which affects the knife’s durability.
Size & Weight
A utility knife you keep around the shop is very different than one you might have on hand throughout the day. Everyday Carry (EDC) is always concerned about weight and profile, and utility blades are no different.
The size and weight of a utility knife can’t get that big, because they do just house safety razors after all.
Versatility
Utility knives have come a long way from the snap-off box cutters we all used a quarter century ago. Many are now considered ‘multitools’, and they rely on safety razors rather than snap-offs much more often. You’ll find integrated wire strippers, gut hooks, screwdrivers, pliers, and more.
After Craftsman came out with a folding model in the early 2000s, many have copied that design. It makes it much better for pocket carrying since you won’t have a razor surprise you. Now we even have models using cartridge ‘magazines’ that load like pistols, and I’m here for it.
How to Use a Utility Knife
Using a utility knife is pretty straightforward:
- Open the Knife: To open the knife, use your thumb to push the blade out of the handle or use the flipper mechanism if your knife has one.
- Secure the Blade: Make sure the blade is locked into place so it won’t close on your fingers while in use.
- Cut with Caution: Hold the knife securely and apply steady pressure as you make the cut. Keep your fingers clear of the blade’s path. If you need a saw, get the correct tool!
- Wipe the Blade: Get any gunk off of the knife blade- don’t jam it back into the handle dirty or let dirt build up in the washers.
- Close the Knife: Once you have finished using the knife, close it carefully and securely lock the blade back into the handle.
You will also want to get comfortable with disassembling the knife and reassembling it so you can clean and replace parts.
Quick Note: Always use caution when using a knife, and be aware of your surroundings. Dispose of razor blades when they dull for maximum effectiveness and safety.
Who Needs a Utility Knife?
A survival knife can save your life, but a utility knife is your everyday workhorse.
It may not be an essential part of any survival kit, but you want one around so that you don’t have to borrow essential tools from your survival kit.
If you’ve ever opened a box or done any projects around the house, you know a utility knife can come in handy.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best utility knife is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical military and prepping experience:
Cottrell, C. (2018). Power with Protection: Choosing the Right Safety Knife. Professional Safety; Des Plaines. Volume 63. Issue 6. Page 66. (Source)
Horsfall, I., et al. (2005). The effect of knife handle shape on stabbing performance. Applied Ergonomics. Volume 36. Issue 4. Pages 505 – 511. (Source)
Smith, S. (2006). What To Look for When Buying a Folding Duty Knife. Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine. Volume 30. Issue 4. Pages 36 – 46. (Source)
Conclusion
I love my pocket knife and carry it with me everywhere. But the real workhorse in my shop is my latest generation utility knife. I abuse it and just swap out the blade, and it is just like new again. I recommend one for anyone working on prepper projects, for cutting paracord quickly, and for any handyman working around the house.
Here are some more guides our subscribers have found useful:
- The Best Folding Survival Knife for EDC
- Best Survival Multitool for EDC and Outdoors
- Everyday Carry List | 25 EDC Essentials
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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Outside the box thinking. Good.
Nothing wrong with having one around, or several, but don’t forsake a good folder or sheath knife for one of these…….I’ve broken more than one blade.
Excellent Point! These knives are special-purpose. Also, broken blades can fly at your face. Eye protection is a good idea.
The GERBER GEAR EAB Mini Utility Knife is on my keychain. Good solid lock and I find its size more secure in hand.