Customer Reviews for Stanley 3 Blades Curved Quick-Change Utility Knife, Silver, Each (10-788)
155 reviews
Most helpful positive review
Posted Dec 23, 2025
USA Made
USA made which is my favorite part overall good design, smooth glide, easy blade change, good design for the blade storage & comfortable grip.
VS
Most helpful critical review
Posted Jan 21, 2026
Can’t get the =coated paper tag out of the knife
Brand new. I can’t get the coated-paper tag to release from the knife, . Instructions say tear here. Coated paper does not tear, Used .scissors. Bought this because of the brand and “instant change.”
georgediddly
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Mar 15, 2026
I have two of these. One doesn't retract
I have 2 of these. One works great.
The other binds up and has trouble retracting the blade. I have to push the point of the blade into a hard surface to get the blade to retract.
This review page wil not let me type in a full title even though it says 48/50 maximum!!!! Plus it says my nickname is already taken up!!! It is mine!!! More IT problems....
The other binds up and has trouble retracting the blade. I have to push the point of the blade into a hard surface to get the blade to retract.
This review page wil not let me type in a full title even though it says 48/50 maximum!!!! Plus it says my nickname is already taken up!!! It is mine!!! More IT problems....
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
not so easy
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Jan 21, 2026
Can’t get the =coated paper tag out of the knife
Brand new. I can’t get the coated-paper tag to release from the knife, . Instructions say tear here. Coated paper does not tear, Used .scissors. Bought this because of the brand and “instant change.”
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello, We appreciate your feedback and we are sorry to hear the issues that you are having with your unit. We have reached out to you via email at the address you have provided and have assisted you with this issue.
Thanks
Stanley®
Social Media Team
Stanley Tools, January 22, 2026
Stanley 10 788
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Dec 23, 2025
USA Made
USA made which is my favorite part overall good design, smooth glide, easy blade change, good design for the blade storage & comfortable grip.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Stanley 10788
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Dec 9, 2025
Not that great for a Stanley product
This knife is horrible. I cannot get it to take the blade. Even after taking it apart to look to make sure the blade mechanism is in place properly, it still will not accept the blade. I'll be returning this product.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello Stanley 10788, I appreciate your feedback on the knife and I'm sorry to hear you are having issues. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We will be reaching out to you via email at the address you have provided to assist you further.
Stanley Tools, December 10, 2025
Just_Me
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Oct 4, 2025
Not impressed
I have no idea if it is a good product or not. I have wasted a lot of time trying to load the blade and continually trying to manipulate the blade manually is not safe. There are no instructions. This is definitely not an improvement in design. I wish I kept the receipt to return it.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
We're sorry to hear you are experiencing difficulties with loading the blade. Here are the steps and I will send you a video link to the email provided. To load the Stanley 10-788 utility knife, follow these steps:
Open the blade release: Push on the yellow release tab to release the old blade. Insert the new blade: Place the new blade into the slot with the sharp side facing up. Lock the blade: Snap the blade release shut to secure the new blade in place. Reinsert the blade guard: Slide the blade guard back into place to complete the loading process.
This process allows for quick and easy blade changes without the need for additional tools, ensuring your knife is always ready for use.
Stanley Tools, October 6, 2025
Tinlgz
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Aug 24, 2025
Blade change is anything but easy.
Unable to change the blade. I tried for about two hours and finally had to take it apart to change the blade which is very risky working with a sharp blade. My fingers are sore from pushing the yellow button.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello, We appreciate your feedback and we are sorry to hear the issues that you are having with your unit. We have reached out to you via email at the address you have provided and have assisted you with this issue.
Thanks
Stanley®
Social Media Team
August 27, 2025
Just Me DIY
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Aug 11, 2025
This is easy to use and safe - easy blade changes!
This is a great knife and it works well. I have had it for at least 10 years. I cannot understand why people give this a bad rating. Blade changes are very easy. Extend the blade fully past the last locked position. Press the yellow button (which will be extended) and the blade slides out EASILY and a new blade slides in easily. This is a large knife and it is easy to h...
Read full review
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Bob101
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Jul 3, 2025
Stanley instant change utility knife 10–7 88
There is no video that shows how to use this thing. Nothing I do opens it up or gets rid of the cardboard attachment that comes with it. I don’t wanna destroy it cause I wanna take it back if it doesn’t work right
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello. We appreciate your feedback on the 10-788. We are sorry to hear that you are having problems with your tool. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We have reached out to you via email at the address you have provided to assist you further with this matter.
Thanks, Mitzy, STANLEY
July 9, 2025
Old handiman
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted May 30, 2025
Stanley knife
My favorite quick change knife, easy and fast for blade changing. Do not wear gloves while changing blades.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
GZ57
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted May 29, 2025
Unsafe blade latch
Blade lock system fails to stay locked in place and too often the blade unlatches and pops completely out. When the blade comes out there is high risk of being cut by the blade. Unsafe to say the least. I do not recommend this knife nor do I recommend the Irwin version for the same reason. Both are unsafe and not durable. Now to see how good the lifetime warranty is.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
We appreciate you bringing the knife 10-788 to our attention and regret any inconvenience caused. Your safety and satisfaction are our top priority, and we will contact you shortly via email.
Thanks, June 4, 2025
shame on you
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted May 26, 2025
DO NOT BUY
This thing simply does not work. The blade does not come forward out of the handle. The money I spent on it is wasted and I’ll be choosing any other brand before STANLEY from now on
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on 10-788. We regret to hear about the knife blade not moving forward out of the handle. Your satisfaction is very important to us, and we will be contacting you at the email address you provided.
Thanks, June 4, 2025
Bigboballoo
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Apr 18, 2025
Terrible design for a simple product.
What were you thinking? The first thing wrong is that you need to work at getting the knife separated from the package. Then you need to load a fresh blade into the knife. Per online videos the thumb lever is supposed to sllde all the way to the front of the slot. Good luck! The lever almost makes it to the end and I was able to jiggle the new blade in. However,...
Read full review
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
We apologize for the issues you are experiencing with the 10-788. According to our records we have an agent assisting you with this and will be reaching out with a solution via Ticket # 12819252
Thanks, April 23, 2025
Frustratedhandyman
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Jan 28, 2025
Do NOT buy
I absolutely HATE this knife. Do NOT buy it. I spent 15 minutes trying to load the first blade in. It won’t go past the first notch, and the knife can’t retract. I nearly cut myself a few times trying to push the stupid blade in. Finally I gave up leaving it sticking out too far and it can’t retract. You can’t take the knife apart to nest the blade correctly. And no mat...
Read full review
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello Jordan. I appreciate your feedback on the 10-788 Retractable Knife, and I'm sorry to hear (Specific Issue of Problem). Your satisfaction is our top priority. We will be reaching out to you with the email provided to assist you further.
Lee, January 31, 2025
Stanley instant change
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Jan 16, 2025
Installing blade is dangerous
Just bought it and some instructions on how to load the blade would be extremely helpful. Ridiculously poor picture instructions on a very small piece of cardboard that show you how to remove the blade but not how dangerous it is to have to push the new one in. Not to mention new blades always have a light coat of oil on them making them slippery. I'm stuck with it now ...
Read full review
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello. We appreciate your feedback on the 10-788. We are sorry to hear that you are having problems with your tool. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We have reached out to you via email at the address you have provided to assist you further with this matter.
Thanks, Mitzy, STANLEY
January 24, 2025
Stanley Instantchange
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Jan 6, 2025
Difficult
Terrible utility knife. It took me 20 minutes just to take the package off - who ever invented that should be in a different line of business. The utility knife itself is fine but it's not easy to install new blades or to change blades out. The instructions are terrible as well. Very frustrating.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello. We appreciate your feedback on the 10-788 Retractable knife. We have documented your comments and sent them to our product team for review and future consideration. It is feedback like yours that allows us to make improvements.
Lee, January 9, 2025
Badcatsmom
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Dec 20, 2024
Piece of trash
I can’t get it out of the packaging! When I tried to take the packaging off the knife a piece remained behind & is stuck inside. There is no way to remove it & the utility knife won’t work with it inside the knife. After making dozens of attempts to get the piece of packaging out & failing & becoming more frustrated by the minute, I threw the useless thing in the trash.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello Badcatsmom. Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. I'm sorry you weren't pleased with the 10-788 6-5/8 in INSTANTCHANGE® Retractable Knife. Your feedback is valuable as we take into consideration every piece of feedback that we come across. I will pass this along to our team for review. It is feedback like yours that allows us to make improvements. Thanks Roxy Social Media Team To remove the 6-5/8 in InstantChange Retractable Knife from its packaging, follow these steps: Open the Knife: Press the button on the side of the handle to release the blade and open the knife.
Locate the Packaging: The packaging is usually inside the handle, near the blade storage area. Remove the Packaging: Carefully pull out the packaging from the handle. It should come out easily.
December 24, 2024
Jeff1003
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Oct 3, 2024
Making the simplest things complicated
Could be the sorriest design/revision to what was a very simple, functional design. Good luck getting it out of the package. Then it's a miracle to get a blade installed, I just hope no one gets injured trying to use it. Broke the first one we purchased trying to get it out of the packaging... I know this sounds crazy, but some instruction on the packaging would go a lo...
Read full review
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
"Hello. Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. I'm sorry you weren't pleased with the 10.788. Your feedback is valuable as we take into consideration every piece of feedback that we come across. I will pass this along to our team for review. It is feedback like yours that allows us to make improvements.
Thanks, Mitzy, STANLEY
October 4, 2024
X Stanley
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted Sep 22, 2024
Impossible to use. Who designed it?
Big disappointment from a company known for its engineering. After spending 15 minutes on trying to insert a blade, I finally gave up. Such an unintuitive design! Please recall this product and hire some usability engineers.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello X Stanley, I appreciate your feedback on the 10-788 6-5/8 in INSTANTCHANGE® Retractable Knife and I'm sorry to hear you are having troubles with the knife. Your satisfaction is our top priority. Someone from our customer service team will be in contact with you via the email address you provided to assist you.
Thank you, Roxy
ROXY, September 26, 2024
Stanley Knife
Reviewed at:
stanleytools.com
Posted May 23, 2024
Worst Utility Knife
This is the most poorly designed utility knife I have ever owned in over 45 years. Non-existent instructions. No idea how to get to the blades. Finally disassembled and the blades fell out of storage area. Then it took me 15 minutes to put it back together successfully with a blade installed. Poor design at a high price.
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report
Response from Staples :
Hello Valued Customer, I appreciate your feedback on the 10-788 6-5/8 in INSTANTCHANGE® Retractable Knife and I'm sorry to hear you are not happy with the design. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We will be reaching out to you via email at the address you have provided to assist you further.
Thank you, Roxy STANLEY
June 6, 2024
MARIA K.
Reviewed at:
Staples Business
Posted Apr 29, 2024
Stanley Instantchange Utility Knife
My main complaint In order to insert a new blade I had to unscrew the housing to remove the attached label (this was done after cutting to label to remove it there was a piece inside the housing that blocked the path of the new blade. It was very difficult to put the whole together. At least I have no other reason to open the housing again. packaging should NOT inse...
Read full review
0up votes 0
0down votes 0
Report