Utility knives have two general purposes: they can be used
to perform a wide variety of cutting tasks and when a blade becomes dull
there's no need for sharpening. Simply remove the dull blade and replace
it with a new blade.
Utility knives are designed for safety, but no design is foolproof.
Blades should always be retracted completely into the body of the knife
when not in use, however accidents do happen and that can lead to cuts
and puncture wounds. Anyone who has ever pocketed a utility knife that
they mistakenly though was closed will probably have a cautionary tale
to share with you.
Important Utility
Knife Safety Tips
- Before starting, be sure the blade is properly seated and the
knife is completely closed.
- Always use a sharp blade. Dull blades require more force and are
more likely to slip than a sharp one. Change the blade whenever it
starts to tear rather than cut.
- Protect your eyes. Always wear safety eyewear when working with
any hand tools, including knives.
- Always keep your free hand away from the line of your cut.
- When making a cut on a surface below you, stand or kneel to one
side of the line of the cut.
- Always pull the knife toward you when making a cut on a flat
surface. Pulling motions are stronger and more positive than the
pushing motion and your knife is less likely to slip.
- When using a straight-edge to guide your cut, either clamp it down
or keep your free hand well away from the cutting path of your
knife. Be sure the straight edge is thick enough to prevent the
knife from "riding up" over the edge.
- Utility knife blades can snap quite easily. Do not bend or apply
side pressure to the blade. NEVER use a utility knife to open cans,
pry loose objects or for any other task other than cutting.
- Patience pays off when using a knife to cut think materials. Make
several passes cutting a little deeper with each pass rather than
attempting to cut completely through the material in one pass.
Many cutting tasks require a knife edge but not a sharp point. For these
tasks you can add additional protection against puncture wounds by
utilizing a hook blade or round-tip utility blade.
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