We recently talked about the new Kobalt Triple Cut utility cutters, which are new at Lowes this year for about $20 for the pair of small and large sizes. I had mixed feelings about the Triple Cut multicutter design, mainly since the large cutter requires a specialty blade size, but decided to buy a pair for testing.
As you can tell from the rating, I was not very pleased with the Triple Cut design. The design is nothing special, they’re not very comfortable to use, they’re not at all versatile, and they perform mediocrely.
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In a college-level introductory physics class, 11 out of 20 is a B-. Here on ToolGuyd, anything under 14/20 severely worries me.
You can buy the Kobalt Triple Cut utility cutter set for $20 via Lowes, and a special multicutter set that includes a free bonus carrying pouch will be available during the holiday season (check availability).
Update: Special holiday price is $15.
Small Kobalt Triple Cut
The Triple Cut set comes with two cutters, one small and one large. The small one takes standard 2″ utility knife blades.
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You can use these cutters in a shears-like manner, or pivot and lock the lower jaw back into the handle to use them as you would a utility knife or small saw.
I didn’t really feel comfortable using the knife with the jaw pivoted back, as this exposes two full inches of razor-sharp steel. Gripping the two handles as one also reduces the feeling of control over the tool. It’s not very imprecise, but it’s not as precise as even the cheapest utility knife. If I need a utility knife or a saw, I’ll grab one of those instead of the Triple Cut.
The replacement blade compartment holds two spare blades until you need them, and can be opened with a fingernail. There are no instructions about how to change the blade, but I found that it requires loosening two screws on the left side of the tool. In the absence of instructions, I did find a little pamphlet advertising Kobalt’s hand tool boxes.
The small cutter comes with a built-in 3-foot/1-meter tape measure with metric and inch markings. It’s a little flimsy, but I suppose it might come in handy for measuring out small lengths of materials for cutting.
Large Kobalt Triple Cut
The large Triple Cut cutters are designed around a 4-inch blade. Lowes carries 5-blade replacement packs for about $5, but it is unclear if they will still be available one or two years down the road. That’s always a risk when you buy a cutting tool that takes proprietary blades. Extra-long utility knife blades do exist from other makers, but might not work with the Triple Cut.
As with the smaller cutter, this size also features ruler scales on both sides of the lower jaw.
Folding the lower jaw back on this one exposes a 4-inch razor-sharp blade. In this image, the lower jaw is not pivoted back far enough. If you want to use the Triple Cut in its saw-like configuration, the lower jaw has to be pushed back further into the handle until it locks in place.
The larger cutter comes with (2) straight edge blades, and (1) serrated saw blade. Replacement blades are available in both edge styles.
The serrated saw-tooth blade is fairly dull. I thought maybe this blade would be good for use on cordage, rope, webbing, and other such materials. It’s not. It’s not that great for sawing wood either.
Since the larger Triple Cut cutter has longer jaws, there needs to be a larger opening in the handle to receive the law jaw for when the tool is converted to its utility knife or saw mode. The sharp edges of the grip corners dug into my hands a little bit.
Cutting Performance
I typically use shears and plumbing cutters to cut things like fabric, cardboard, paper, tubing, hoses, small pipes, zip ties, plastic straps, and things like that.
It can’t cut cardboard.
It can’t cut disposable shop towels (Scott rags in a box).
It can’t cut a paper envelope.
It can’t cut the corner of an envelope.
With firm pressure it managed to partially cut through the first layer of envelope. I enhanced the area in the small rectangle to show this a little clearer.
It can cut tubing and hoses. This is a reinforced air hose.
It didn’t cut through all the way very cleanly though. In the video I show this a little more.
These aren’t the worst cuts I’ve made, but they’re not exactly clean and precise.
Soft vinyl tubing cuts a little better.
With the larger Triple Cut in saw mode, there’s not much that can be cut, as the cutting depth is very shallow. Any more than about half an inch, and the top of the tool interferes. If you can rotate the workpiece, you can work with slightly larger materials. Still, after seeing how slow the tool cuts with the serrated saw blade, a hand saw would definitely do a far better job – even if it’s a very small one.
Safety
When the handles are squeezed closed, a sliding blue safety switch can be pushed forward to prevent the spring-action handles from accidentally opening. This is necessary, since you don’t want the handles opening accidentally in your tool bag while you’re reaching for something else. The safety switch can get stuck somewhat easily, but only presents a minor nuisance. I prefer a stubborn safety switch than one that’s sloppy and fee-sliding.
Conclusion
I’m not going to sugar-coat this. I don’t like these Kobalt Triple Cut utility cutters. They offer nothing for me. They don’t cut cardboard, paper, or heavy paper towels. They easily cut soft small tubing, but bog down a little with anything thicker or harder.
Maybe the included blades are garbage, maybe the tools’ handle geometry is off and they need far more leverage.
I would return these without hesitation, but need to keep them around in case any readers want me to test them on certain materials.
I get it, they’re designed to cut three dimensional materials, such as vinyl trim and tubing, and that’s why they don’t work all that well on flat materials like paper and cardboard.
You know what would make these better? V-groove jaws that allow the blade to follow-through on cuts. That way it wouldn’t jam up on paper and other thin flat materials.
If you’re still interested, don’t forget that Lowes has a great return policy and satisfaction guarantee on Kobalt tools. These Triple Cut utility cutters don’t work that well for my needs, but maybe you’ll have better luck.
Buy Now(via Lowes)
Buy Now(Bonus set via Lowes, with limited availability)
These other Triple Cut-like cutter options might perform better, but I haven’t tried them yet: Craftsman Handi-Cut, Alltrade CutZall, Utility Cutter (via Amazon).
Jason
Wow, that’s pretty bad it totally looks like a crappy holiday season tool :/
LORDDiESEL
I have the Stanley version. They look pretty close to the same thing. I’m not very impressed with them.
Phil
The reason it did a passable job cutting hose is because the original variant of the tool is sold as a tubing/hose cutter. I have one, it’s made by Lisle I think. same idea, but without the foldaway anvil, tape measure, ruler, etc. I use it for cutting fuel lines, vacuum hose, shrink tubing, weather strip, etc. It stays out in the garage with the rest of the mechanic’s tools. This is another case of Pimp My Tool failure.
Jerry
Craftsman also makes a nice one. The features I like most about mine are that it uses standard utility knife blades, and has a tool free quick blade change mechanism. You open the handles to the stop, then sharply pull them open a bit more past a fairly strong detent, swap blades, and close the handles to lock it in place. Takes maybe 10 seconds to do. Also has on board storage for spare blades.
Matthew Sumner
One thing they will surely cut is your finger! When I saw the commercial on tv I knew I wouldn’t like these. Thanks for the review. I have a Cornwell version with V shaped blade for cutting hoses, and a craftsman version that I have used very little. I’ll just keep what I have.
burton jones
so…how does 1 change the friggin blades?
Stuart
Very carefully and with a Phillips screwdriver.
With the tool closed, loosen the two screws on the left side of the multi-cutters. Unlock and open the handles, carefully pull out the blade. Carefully slide the fresh blade into place. Close the handles and lock them in place. Squeeze the two halves of the blade holder together (I loosened the top screw too much), and tighten the screws. If the spare blade compartment no longer moves, the screw is too tight and should be backed out a little.
I didn’t want to show this in a video or photos because swapping blades is a scary and risky procedure.
Kobalt’s product team should ashamed of the product for its poor performance, and the packaging team should be scolded for not including basic instructions on how to change the blades.
burton jones
THANK YOU, STUART!!! I did ‘zactly as u said…worked perfectly. hand slippd (oil on blade) when reinsertg, minor cut but not deep ’nuff to lose any “red stuff.”
John S
Man – I was hoping these might actually be decent. back to the drawing board…
Duayne
I hear you, John S. — I really wanted to ask for these as a Christmas present.
But kudos to the Tool Guy for another timely, honest, money-saving appraisal and review.
john
I just bought one of these Kobalt Triple cut tools. Unfortunately I didn’t read this review before purchasing it. It’s junk. The design, the angle of the blade is not configured so the blade slices through whatever you’re cutting. The blade hits the object to be cut flush/flat and doesn’t cut it. I tried cutting some vinyl plank flooring and all it did was make a slight mark and not cut it at all. I’m going to return it and get my money back tomorrow.
Randy B
Thanks for the test. I figured as much and love the add on tv where the saw is half way through when it bottoms out and they cut to the next shot. Personally being a sheet metal worker I use my Wiss duck bill pattern snips v19’s cut even hair if you know how to use them -squeeze the handles such the blades tighten towards each other while closing. Thats also how to use them to prevent burrs on sheet metal as well. 10 years old miles of 26 ga galv steel and cut like crazy.
gardener
“in case any readers want me to test them on certain materials”
Thoughful of you. Yes, I have this in mind for cleanly snipping little stems
of various plants (some tender, others semi-woody),
without crushing or tearing, and without stringy /fibrous result.
Stuart
It seems like it would do an okay job on very thin and tender plants, but would not be suitable for use on semi-woody stems. Have you looked into using tools with cutters on both sides, such as the Kershaw Two Can? It seems that shear-style cutters would be better. This, and other tools like it, have one knife blade and a flat anvil. Two knife blades might give you a cleaner cut.
Thomas Loo
They work pretty good on small branches and I predict the serrated edge will cut like a bow saw since my other serrated edges can cut thru most anything.
Brandon
How are they at cutting wooden dowels? My buddy has the Stanley version of these and they cut through wooden dowels like butter. I cannot find another tool that can do that.
john
Where can I buy extra-long 4 inch blades for this ?
Stuart
Replacement blades: Plain edge, serrated
Hems
are these cutters good for cutting Popsicle sticks or Tongue Depressors. I am a hobbyist looking for a cutter which can make a clean straight cut(Vertical, Horizontal and Diagonal) through Popsicle sticks.
Ray Morris
What they ARE good for is highly flammable materials, such as fuse. When cutting anything with flammable materials or residue you don’t want particles squeezed between metal blades.
Gary
I have tried several places to get the 4 inch replacement blades. No one has them……
Bummer.
Way to go Kobalt, another tool heading to the trash.
Kenneth Hickey
where can I purchase blades for my kobalt swing saw it came with 3 smooth blades.
Anthony Pendleton
I purchased my second pair thru Amazon. I get a lot of use out of them, and I consider them to be an excellent addition to my gardening tools. My only concern is where to obtain the 4 inch replacement blades.
Leroy Byrd
Same QUESTION as Gary, Kenneth H., Anthony P. (excellent tool). WHERE can I get the 4″ replacement blades?
L. Byrd
dale geraldson
Have been trying to get blades and they are nowhere to be found Lowes can not get them at least by the guy at our store here
MCavada
I used these for cutting things from vinyl moulding to a quick pruning of twigs and cutting dog treats that were too difficult to break.
They were never perfect for many things but they really were handy to have.
Funny that I never knew about the tape measure.
The spring snapped in the smaller one and I thought of returning it for a free exchange under its lifetime replacement guarantee but now that it’s discontinued, I’m going to attempt to fix it myself… Unless someone here wants to give me theirs. 🙂