Utility knives do everything from sharpening pencils to cutting drywall and one of them belongs in every tool bag. Models with retractable knives, like this Model 10-099 from Stanley, are safer than fixed-blade knives and are less likely to damage the bottom of a tool bag (or inadvertently slice open a finger). The handle holds several extra blades. Blades are changed by backing out the screw that holds the tool together and dropping in a new blade (save the old ones because they are easy to re-sharpen). A small thumb-grip on the top of the tool pushes out the blade to one of three positions. The 10-099 is 6 in. long and weighs just a couple of ounces. The tool also has a modest price about $6 in September 2004.
Supplier: Stanley Toolworks
