Tools: Retractable utility knife

Reviewed by:
Scott Gibson, Contributing Editor

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.