Box Cutters & Utility Knives
A box cutter is a must-have tool for every warehouse, loading dock, or mail room. The thin, super-sharp blade of a utility knife slices right through cardboard and packing tape, and allows workers to open containers with a few quick strokes. When not in use, many box cutter blades retract into their casing, which protects the keen edge from damage and renders the tool safe to carry in a pocket or leave on a workbench.
Fixed Versus Retractable Box Cutters
There are two main types of box cutters, fixed and retractable blades. Fixed-blade utility knives have the thin, flexible blade of other models, but they are locked in place and permanently exposed. This design is simple and reliable, with no moving parts to break or jam, and it allows for a larger blade than retractable versions. It's a favorite for cutting drywall and flooring, which is why it's sometimes called a linoleum cutter.
The blade on a retractable knife stays encased in the handle until the user thumbs forward a sliding button to deploy it. Push the slide forward all the way to expose the whole blade and make deep cuts, or push until just the tip is exposed, which makes very shallow cuts and helps keep the strain on the blade to a minimum.
Types of Box Cutter Blades
Blades come in two basic designs: solid and break-away. A solid blade is a single piece of sharpened steel that eventually dulls with use. After its useful life, blades of this type can usually be removed from their mount and replaced with a new one, though some box cutter designs don't allow for this and have to be completely replaced when the blade wears out.
Break-away blades are often thinner and lighter than solid blades and are scored at intervals down their length. A break-away blade might have between seven and 13 diagonal lines where the metal has been scored to make it easy to snap off the worn-out tip.
Box Cutter Safety Features
Box cutters are very sharp, and so safety is always a consideration. Retractable knives are often designed with teeth along the slide track that let users lock the blade at a given length and reduce the risk of slips, cuts, or sudden breaks. Some knives automatically retract when you take your thumb off of the slide, so their default position is safe. This latter type is ideal for shared workstations where the knife is left out in the open for everyone to use.
Where Are Box Cutters Commonly Used?
Box cutters are widely used in commercial and industrial settings to slice open packaging, including shrink-wrap and cellophane, to get at the contents in the quickest and most efficient way possible. They are also used for cutting boxes for shipping and shaping materials such as drywall or linoleum.
How Is a Box Cutter Different From Other Knives?
A typical utility knife has a blade that's lighter and sharper than most other pocket knives. It is also usually designed with a minimum of aesthetic flourishes and often has a lightweight plastic casing. Knives of this type almost always deploy straight outward from the handle, rather than from the side like pocket knives.
Who Uses Box Cutters?
Just about anybody who works in wholesale, shipping, logistics, or transportation needs a good box cutter. They are used for so many different tasks, that it's rare to find a worker who hasn't used one in the warehouse, dock, or delivery van.
Fixed Versus Retractable Box Cutters
There are two main types of box cutters, fixed and retractable blades. Fixed-blade utility knives have the thin, flexible blade of other models, but they are locked in place and permanently exposed. This design is simple and reliable, with no moving parts to break or jam, and it allows for a larger blade than retractable versions. It's a favorite for cutting drywall and flooring, which is why it's sometimes called a linoleum cutter.
The blade on a retractable knife stays encased in the handle until the user thumbs forward a sliding button to deploy it. Push the slide forward all the way to expose the whole blade and make deep cuts, or push until just the tip is exposed, which makes very shallow cuts and helps keep the strain on the blade to a minimum.
Types of Box Cutter Blades
Blades come in two basic designs: solid and break-away. A solid blade is a single piece of sharpened steel that eventually dulls with use. After its useful life, blades of this type can usually be removed from their mount and replaced with a new one, though some box cutter designs don't allow for this and have to be completely replaced when the blade wears out.
Break-away blades are often thinner and lighter than solid blades and are scored at intervals down their length. A break-away blade might have between seven and 13 diagonal lines where the metal has been scored to make it easy to snap off the worn-out tip.
Box Cutter Safety Features
Box cutters are very sharp, and so safety is always a consideration. Retractable knives are often designed with teeth along the slide track that let users lock the blade at a given length and reduce the risk of slips, cuts, or sudden breaks. Some knives automatically retract when you take your thumb off of the slide, so their default position is safe. This latter type is ideal for shared workstations where the knife is left out in the open for everyone to use.
Where Are Box Cutters Commonly Used?
Box cutters are widely used in commercial and industrial settings to slice open packaging, including shrink-wrap and cellophane, to get at the contents in the quickest and most efficient way possible. They are also used for cutting boxes for shipping and shaping materials such as drywall or linoleum.
How Is a Box Cutter Different From Other Knives?
A typical utility knife has a blade that's lighter and sharper than most other pocket knives. It is also usually designed with a minimum of aesthetic flourishes and often has a lightweight plastic casing. Knives of this type almost always deploy straight outward from the handle, rather than from the side like pocket knives.
Who Uses Box Cutters?
Just about anybody who works in wholesale, shipping, logistics, or transportation needs a good box cutter. They are used for so many different tasks, that it's rare to find a worker who hasn't used one in the warehouse, dock, or delivery van.
Box Cutters & Utility Knives FAQs
Below are common questions our customers ask about our Box Cutters & Utility Knife deals, prices, ratings, and more. These FAQs will help you find the top-rated Box Cutters & Utility Knives, products with the lowest prices, and other info to help you land the right Box Cutters & Utility Knives.
There are 169 different Box Cutters & Utility Knives in our stock. All of them starting as low as $1.49. The questions below will also help you separate out the Box Cutters & Utility Knife options you’re aiming for. Round out your research with the information below and make sure you’ve found the best Box Cutters & Utility Knife from Staples today.
What are the best Box Cutters & Utility Knives according to Staples customers?
- Scotch™ Titanium Utility Knife, 9mm (TI-KS): 4.9 stars from 109 reviews ($4.79)
- Irwin® Hi-Visibility Orange Standard Retractable Utility Knife With 3 Blades: 4.8 stars from 4 reviews ($9.49)
- Slice, Inc. Ceramic Pocket Cutter, Auto-Retractable: 4.7 stars from 7 reviews ($8.96)
What are the least expensive Box Cutters & Utility Knives?
- Garvey® 2 Notch Standard Blade for Utility Knife, Silver, 5/Pack (CUT-40477): $1.49 with 4.5 stars from 1 reviews
- Garvey® 13-Point Snap Knife Blade, Silver, 5/Pack (CUT-40458): $1.79
- Garvey® 13-Point Snap Blade Knife, Black/Orange (CUT-40454): $1.89 with 3 stars from 3 reviews
What are the most popular Box Cutters & Utility Knives on Staples.com?
- Scotch™ Titanium Utility Knife, 9mm (TI-KS): 4.9 stars from 109 reviews ($4.79)
- Staples Retractable Heavy-Duty Utility Knife (10619): 4.4 stars from 88 reviews ($8.29)
- Staples® Refill Blades for the Staples Medium-to-Heavy-Duty Utility Cutter: 4.4 stars from 88 reviews ($2.79)
What are the best rated Box Cutters & Utility Knives brands?
- Scotch Box Cutters & Utility Knives: $4.29 average price, 4.8 average rating
- Westcott Box Cutters & Utility Knives: $42.99 average price, 4.5 average rating
- Greenlee Box Cutters & Utility Knives: $20.99 average price, 4.5 average rating
What are the best rated Box Cutters & Utility Knife colors?
- Green Box Cutters & Utility Knives: $24.32 average price, 4.6 average rating
- Blue Box Cutters & Utility Knives: $12.67 average price, 4.5 average rating
- Orange Box Cutters & Utility Knives: $16.24 average price, 4.4 average rating
What are the best Box Cutters & Utility Knives if you're on a budget?
- Scotch™ Titanium Utility Knife, 9mm (TI-KS): $4.79 (4.9 stars from 109 reviews)
- Irwin® Hi-Visibility Orange Standard Retractable Utility Knife With 3 Blades: $9.49 (4.8 stars from 4 reviews)
- Slice, Inc. Ceramic Pocket Cutter, Auto-Retractable: $8.96 (4.7 stars from 7 reviews)