Top 7 Utility Knives Tested - 1 Winner

[@RANDOMPEPSIBOTTLES]

A foreman told us that when stripping feeder wire, to use a bulky regular sliding blade utility knife where the blade is locked in. A guy stripped feeders with a fastback and the blade popped out and fell down 3" conduit in the panel. They had to fish it out with a magnet tied on mule line. So i carry an old school stanley one.

[@shawnglass108]

Strip feeder wire with a hawkbill knife. There are some great ones that you can resharpen and will last for decades. They are shaped perfectly for stripping feeders and they’re way safer than using a utility knife. Milwaukee even makes one in their fastback shape. Trust me. Once you use a good hawkbill you won’t want another knife for electrical work. They’re also the best for opening boxes and other packages. There is always a hawkbill in my pocket.

[@joeweatlu5169]

I have had an Irwin for about 3 years. I carry it around in my pocket all the time. It's rugged, has a compartment for spare blade, and the thing I like most is the blade release mechanism can't accidently release while the knife is in the open or closed position.

[@ozzlayer]

I started EDCing about 24 years ago. I spent a lot of $$ always finding the best gear. I learned over time that I only need the basic items to get the stuff done. Flashlight: Phenix E01 Multitool: leatherman Rebar or SAK Huntsman Pocket Knife: OKC Rat1 / Izula 1 Lighter: True Utility mini keychain lighter.

[@americanelectrician]

It really depends on what you do then. That’s a great edc set up!

[@ozzlayer]

​@americanelectrician LOL sorry. I don't know how this comment ended up here. I meant to comment in a different video. Cheers 🍺

[@2illuminati]

Milwaukee fastback is my absolute favorite. Especially after they upgraded their pocket clips. I’ve got the one with the screwdriver on it and I use it every day. Didn’t realize there were so many other options. I’m gonna have to try out the fiskars around the house

[@americanelectrician]

The Milwaukee’s are great! I would definitely check out the Fiskars!

[@Spanky8402]

The Fiskars, I put some rubbing alcohol in the pivot, to wash out any grit and lube, after using it for a week and it's the smoother than my pocket knives that don't have ball bearings and drop shuts alot easier. It's my favorite utility knife I ever used. I only have and used the Milwaukee folding utility knife, but I have the 1 with the bit driver. That's the only thing that would make the Fiskars even better. I carry the Milwaukee over the Fiskars because of that bit driver.

[@timmadison5610]

They are utility knives, not pocket knives. The most important thing is that the blade stays in the knife when you use it. I used an old stanley for over 30 years. You have to unscrew the body to change the blade. I have all kinds of folding utility knives, but Stanley was the best

[@ElectroAtletico]

Milwaukee fastback (without that silly bit in the end). Cost ($10), ruggedness, reliability. Tops.

[@americanelectrician]

It’s a fantastic knife

[@LuminairPrime]

Great video, thank you for your work! It makes sense that you like the Fiskars so much, because comfort matters more the more you use it!

[@johngarza424]

Milwaukee fastback 6 in 1 is a beast just bought the klein version of it, ill see how it goes

[@americanelectrician]

Bro let me know if your model is like mine. It’s super stiff

[@Roger_Icce]

Much as I like the Fiskars that knife is just to bulky and heavy for me to pocket carry. I'll take the Milwaukee any day for EDC, I'll keep one of the Fiskars in the toolbox and another one on the bench. I've had different luck with the Kobalt. They are hit and miss. Some are smooth as butter and some, like yours are sticky. I'm going to agree with your assessment of the Klein, not up to their standards. I wish they would steer clear of offshore products.

[@JediNit2]

Fiskars has a compact version as well.

[@Roger_Icce]

@@JediNit2 now that I've looked it up, I do have their compact model. It is much heavier and fatter than the Milwaukee compact fastback I EDC. Don't get me wrong, I love the Fiskars, it's a great knife that is very well made and comfortable in hand and I use mine often. It's just that I don't want it in my pocket all day, every day. Now I'm going to have to try their full size version. I would definitely pick up a straight non retractable non folder (like the old Stanley 199) if they made one as well. P.S. those Fiskars titanium plated utility knife blades are really awesome if you work anywhere where rusty blades might be an issue.

[@kellenmadagan3712]

Your videos are helpful. I have been looking to get some upgrades. I use my grandpas hammer, who was over 80 before he died. God bless you brother.

[@americanelectrician]

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback!

[@hamachi21]

Another excellent video. Helped me make the choice for my main bag. Appreciate it.

[@americanelectrician]

Which bag did you pick up? Let me know your thoughts! I really appreciate it!

[@hamachi21]

I got the Veto Pro Pac Tech-MCT. It's popular on the tool channels on you tube for a reason. Love it.

[@hamachi21]

PS: I am not a professional but I learn a lot from you guys.

[@americanelectrician]

The MCT is amazing. I love a good set up. It’s not just my tools but a lot of my stuff is top tier so I get that

[@cadewhittlef7185]

You didn't list the hands down best utility knife ever made on this list. Mine is the EASIEST blade change of any you have ever listed, with an ergo handle almost as comfortable as the Fiskars. It is VERY durable at about the same weight as a Fastback. It flicks out so easy you would think it has ceramic ball bearings in the pivot and the detent is near perfect. It is the only one with a flipper deployment and nice liner-lock w/ easy pass thru access. It's the only utility knife with a blade up deep carry clip (like an actual knife). You can choke way up on it for heavy push/pull cuts because it doesn't have a worthless wire stripper slot in the way and it's the only utility knife that has perfect balance, grip and ergonomics for pinch grip and detailing work. This knife can also be easily taken apart with a torx bit if you want to clean or KLP it after a long week of cutting shingles and it is UNDER $20! Try the Crescent Hybrid Folding Utility Knife - CTKFHEDC

[@americanelectrician]

I’ll check it out! Thanks for the heads up!

[@cbee213]

My go-to knife is the Toughbuilt 5 in 1, I swapped out my fastback for it and haven't looked back since! It's absolutely amazing and I've put it through absolute hell at my job. I wholeheartedly believe anyone that likes the fastback would like the Toughbuilt 5 in 1 even more, it just has more functionality (Has a prybar built into the metal frame) and is more user friendly! (One-handed flick out bitdriver) I feel like your video was super fair towards all the knives, I've been eyeing that Fiskars for a while and it's good to know that it's as good in the hand as it is!

[@americanelectrician]

Bro thank you! I’ll have the give that ToughBuilt a try!

[@Metal_seer]

I just ordered the Fiskers based on your recommendation, mainly based on ergonomics. I have preferred gentlemens' every day carry pocket knives, but I will carry this when doing DIY work. Thanks for the review. All for his glory. God wants us to enjoy and take pride inour work, feel productive, and be happy.

[@americanelectrician]

You won’t be disappointed for a work knife. Glad the review could help! I couldn’t agree more

[@ramvox]

You can adjust the pivot screws and set the opening to however you like it.

[@shawnglass108]

The Fiskars has an adjustment screw for the blade swing action. You can make it as loose or stiff as you want. I’m pretty amazed at how well the Fiskars utility knife is made for $12.

[@americanelectrician]

That’s good to know! Love mine

[@RANDOMPEPSIBOTTLES]

Husky ones are pretty good and blade doesnt wobble like klein and fastback.

[@dantimber]

I recently lost a 20 year old professional utility knife. It had a lift and rotating (yellow) metal handle for blade change and storage (no removable screw to open). The design was very safe compared to other rotating handles. I purchased it a professional electrical storage supply. For the life of me I can't remember the brand. i don't think it was a Klein. Help!

[@jakobhough9175]

I carry a 1505 for EDC/light work and a fiskars for demo/drywall cutting

[@Griesinho]

I‘ve been using the Fiskars for more then four years: brilliant and easy to change the blades 👍

[@americanelectrician]

Couldn’t agree more. It’s a great knife

[@DubG89]

Yeah Klein is reaching. That was a greedy move on their part, since they didn’t want to take the time to engineer a quality knife. They were just jealous of the fastback sales. I hate when companies do that.

[@americanelectrician]

I was pretty disappointed with it

[@Ryan-pb2rm]

The opening on my tyrant razer v3 that I’ve had for like 3 years is getting a little crunchy. Maybe it has to do with cutting holes in drywall cealings for awhile…

[@scowy_sg2125]

Have a look at the Bahco Squeeze knife. Makes changing blades a breeze. Good for someone who goes through blades frequently.

[@americanelectrician]

I'll have to check it out!

[@Ashton.everydaycarry]

Nice round up. I have the smalle version of the fiskars and love it, and it has a great pocket clip.

[@robertdeforest9682]

I enjoy the testing videos man, I know how much longer it must take to make videos like this though.

[@americanelectrician]

Bro thank you! I probably put 20 hours into this video alone and spent a solid $400 so hopefully it was worth it🥲

[@orlovszki]

I totally agree with the Fiskars. Super smooth and ergonomic but a bit heavy and the clip is annoying. I also have an Irwin, but not very convinced. The Stanleys are just way behind. My next one will be the Fastback. Still. I use a cheap Chinese twin blade knife. It is not a good tool, but i need a knife with both blades.

[@texasmetalman777]

It’s funny you mentioned Klein “fanboying”. Starting out in the trade I was a fan of the age old saying, “if it ain’t Klein, it ain’t mine.” As I’ve gotten more experienced and being given more “professional tasks” Klein hasn’t been holding up to my standards in the field. I’m not saying they suck, they are definitely capable of holding their own, but I’ve noticed other brands have started to surpass Klein, and I feel Klein is just trying to get into the rat race of mimicking other brands for the sole purpose of competition and not quality.

[@americanelectrician]

It’s hit or miss for me with Klein. I agree that some of their stuff isn’t up to par but the pass through sockets and 7-1 nut driver are amazing

[@texasmetalman777]

@@americanelectrician I could not agree more

[@Rooster000]

i have to agree klein makes really good tools but some really bad ones as well not a fan of screw drivers but i love the pliers. I bought the new fastback style knife it’s just a milwaukee painted orange. My go to box cutter is the older klein with the slide blade and folding, especially for scoring wire anything fastback style i hate for feeders blades fall off to easy. Also was never a fan of the klein modbkx i feel a lot of what they are doing now is just ripping off others but they have also made some really good stuff recently like the pass through box wrenches.

[@dejandjokic5919]

I would take any of them in blink of the aye Thanks brother Great video Glory to God

[@americanelectrician]

Thank you!!

[@velvetine74]

This video is a good example of why form and function have their own places but it's really hard to do both.

[@americanelectrician]

I feel like like the Fiskars does both extremely well. The smaller knives that are built to be compact don’t tho

[@velvetine74]

@@americanelectrician I think that's the issue. I love collecting small ff ti cutters. But when I actually need to go to work on something that needs a lot of cutting I reach for my cheapo Gerber.

[@DamionJR4923]

I don’t like the Milwaukee utility blades. They get dull really fast.

[@markkempton4579]

They did really well in the Project Farm showdown, but I was not impressed with the one that came with my first Fastback. I mostly cut up cardboard and I did not find it very sharp. Took a lot more effort to cut than some others. I ended up with the Stanley that he also rated highly for a lot less money.

[@PaulchenPanter]

Take a look on the Bosch Professional No.: 1 600 A01 6LF - couldn't be better 👍

[@vicpetrishak7705]

The Milwauke razor knife does not use a proprietary blade , they use standard utility knife blades .

[@calebmorris6687]

I prefer Kobalt's lockback (the one where it does not have two locking positions).

[@gregs7800]

I have a civivi utility knife. The blade change is comparatively harder. But as a trade off i get the whole blade. Which i found a big improvement.

[@americanelectrician]

Blade space is a huge factor! I haven’t seen that one yet but they make some good knives

[@ljubooks1783]

I'm a young electrician and since I'm a beginner in this job, I don't know which brand of tool to take😅. Do you have any recommendations since I'm new to the channel🙂

[@americanelectrician]

Welcome bro! I would go with the Fiskars for sure!

[@ElectroAtletico]

Milwaukee fastback (or go HF and get the Doyle). Dude don't spend over 12-13 on a box cutter knife.

[@ljubooks1783]

@@ElectroAtletico thanks man

[@americanelectrician]

It’s $3 more. HF is the same price as the Milwaukee. The Fiskars is $3 more

[@SalvadorDaliLama]

I miss the small huskey utility knife. They gave it a redesign and now it's much larger 😢

[@Roger_Icce]

New, but not improved, it's maddening how often companies take a proven design and change it just so they can call it new and improved.

[@americanelectrician]

Tough. I can’t stand when companies do that

[@ironsmith9769]

thank you for the excellent reviews.

[@americanelectrician]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@GabrielDeMfromNY]

A great idea is to show the actual product more. Interesting video... ty new sub.

[@BTeezy82]

Have you seen the new Reate EXO-U? Gravity utility knife.

[@americanelectrician]

I have not. I just added it to the list!

[@HVACR_ToolNut]

Great video! I like the fiskars above all the rest, then milwaukee. Klein utility knife is junk, which was suprising. The tirant v3 seems more like a gimmick. I didn't even know they existed!

[@americanelectrician]

Love the Fiskars! I was definitely disappointed with the Klein. The v3 is more of an every day carry thing and less of a working knife. I just wanted to compare it to the others to see what it was like for the price difference

[@stephen_b6069]

I would agree with the fiskars but it is just way to fat and bulky to not even have any blade storage if it had storage for a few blades at the size it is i could probably deal with it but as it is i hated carrying that much bulk and still didn’t have a blade when i needed it

[@decline1129]

Any out there that are 100% plastic besides the actual blade? I cut ~500 lbs of salt bags a day and these last less than a month

[@americanelectrician]

Honestly I can’t think of one. You don’t like the metal?

[@decline1129]

@@americanelectrician No, cutting salt bags ruins them after ~3 weeks. They rust, chip paint into salt tanks etc. Been searching for a plastic one for a few years now with no luck.

[@nrttra007]

So that Exceed knife looks like a knife a businessman would carry in his suit. Nobody in the trades or mfg. would ever carry that for EDC work

[@Ryan-pb2rm]

I have for months lol

[@jfeher5358]

Toughbuilt clips stink. I knocked my knife off my pouch and it jacked the clip up. Metal is way too thin

[@bogdan_d82]

I have the Milwaukee Fastback basic model. As an electrician I already have a lot of screwdrivers in my backpack so I don't need the more fancier models and also EDC an Victorinox Compact when I'm at work, so I'm pretty much covered. I guess it depends on what you want to do with this tool, really hard use buy the more comfortable and beefier model, for EDC a more slimmer one, but 120$ for a box cutter forget about 😅

[@Ifishmo]

none of these have spare blade storage? For a utility knife that's meant to go in your pocket, has a clip (transporting with you etc), and has no spare blade?...worthless to me, these are fidget spinners that happen to have a sharp thingy on them.

[@rickdeckard1646]

Try some good oil!

[@americanelectrician]

For which one?

[@Iam_jardow]

I have easily 50 box cutters. Odd addiction

[@Iam_jardow]

Side note, those TB blades are Tb specific. They will work on other knives but they're made specifically for their knives

[@americanelectrician]

Thanks for the heads up! I noticed the notch but didn’t know it was proprietary

[@annquach6613]

Cob flood lights next 😊

[@aarondonnelly101]

Can you skip to the end and just tell us the results. Jesus I might add a new test of how fast an ambulance can reach me as I test those blades. What way is it for attention ?

[@JackElectrician]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@americanelectrician]

You’re the man!

[@JohnSmith-ix4es]

Klein has gone down hill

[@DamionJR4923]

Klein has some good Ideas but the quality isn’t the same. All of the flip sockets are innovative but the magnets seem to turn into dust.

[@chingonbass]

I had a fastback, then I got a Fiskars and learned the fastback is for the gays