Komelon recently launched a new dual mode utility knife that can be used as a typical folding knife or a scraper.
The new Komelon utility knife and scraper has a similar handle to their other folding knife, with the main difference being at the front part that folds out.
It opens up with a “press and flip” mechanism, and then you can pull back on the slide lock to change the blade configuration.
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It’s got built-in blade storage for up to 2 replacement blades.
It looks like the handle locks in place, although Komelon doesn’t specify how many positions there are.
Due to the nature of the dual mode design, the Komelon utility knife and scraper takes proprietary blades.
Price: ~$16, replacement blades are 10 for $4
See Also: Komelon is Launching a Folding Utility Knife
Discussion
Although you need the special blades for this utility knife, Komelon says you can also use the same blades for your other utility knives.
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This isn’t the first scraper knife on the market – ToughBuilt came out with a fixed-handle version a few years ago (see I Have Been Using the ToughBuilt Scraper Utility Knife).
I also spotted a nearly identical folding scraper knife from “YOIbuy Pro” on Amazon. This one came out before the Komelon, and from the images it seems the two brands share the same OEM.
Its handle can be locked into 3 positions – straight, right angle, and roughly 45°, and so we could assume the same is true for the Komelon.
The biggest downside of the ToughBuilt design – aside from the proprietary blade style – was its size. It looks like Komelon and YOIbuy – or their shared OEM or ODM – solved this by joining a simpler transition mechanism with a folding handle design.
I think this folding design provides improvements over ToughBuilt’s.
I’m not sure I need this in my kit, but it seemed like an interesting and handy approach to a 2-in-1 utility knife. I think this could work well as a scraper that can serve double duty as a utility knife.
Or do you think it would work well as a knife that doubles as a scraper?
Jared
The proprietary blades are what I don’t like about Toughbilt’s version. Reading the headline, I was hoping Komelon found a way around that.
Do they take the same blades though? It looks like they have a similar-shaped hole in the middle. It would be nice if this style of scraper-knife standardized on blades. Then maybe we’d see more options.
Also, with these multi-position knives, why not have an option that opens PAST 180 degrees for some knuckle clearance when cutting against a flat surface?
Stuart
It seems unavoidable as there needs to be a way to safety retain the blade when in scraper mode.
The blades look to be identical, but there are no guarantees they’ll work across different brands of tools.
Jerry
I have all 3 of those knives, and they all can use the same blades. Also, their blades work in regular utility knives, but not the other way around.
eddiesky
I’m glad you brought this up because when the Toughbuilt scraper was a deal, I used a code to get a couple as “Bro Xmas Gifts” for …well..bros! I never realized they were proprietary blades (hole in center of blade). The replacement blades are priced 4x more too. ($9US for 30pk vs $9US for 100pk of standard ute blades..YMMV with eBay for some 50pk sets at $9US). I’m sure there are trapezoid-hole cut blades from some online sources that might work. Once HF comes out with replacements…prices will be comparable to standard replacement utility knife blades.
Besides, if you go through 30 blades in less than a year, you must be in a trade like drywall or roofing.
JR Ramos
Knife that has accessory use as a scraper in limited scenarios.
These are just too bulky – it’s even pretty bulky for use as a utility knife for some applications. But y’know, they’ll get the job done, they work.
I’d much prefer a plain old normal utility knife or a snap knife, and some flavor of a real scraper that is less bulky, on point for the task, and easier to clean (whether that be paint, oily grime, adhesive and solvent, or whatever other buildup). This Pert shampoo-and-conditioner tool approach doesn’t always work so well but the EDC types love it.
Those two do look like carbon copies don’t they….probably 99.5% chance they really are.
Pao
just got one, it’s very nice. easy to open and close. push the little button and flip the wrist. I also have the toughbuilt one, I prefer the komelon. more compactness when closed.
Berg
Since you have both can you confirm whether or not the Komelon and Toughbuilt blades are interchangeable? Is the cutout I the middle the identical?
pao
they are, but I think the toughbuilt blades are cheaper priced
ElectroAtletico
“Proprietary blades”. Can’t get past that. It’s a “NO” from me.
Jerry
Ihave all 3 of those knives, and my favorite is the Komelon. The Komelon and the Yulby look the same at a glance, but they are not. They are more like fraternal twins, than identical twins. The Komelon will flip open and shut with a wrist flick, just like a Fastback does. The Yulby does not. Those two are almost but not quite identical. The grip handles have a different ‘feel’ in the hand which makes me think they are either slightly different shaped, or at the very least they have slightly different overmolds. One does not feel better or worse to me, just enough different to say they are different. I prefer the Komelon due to the Fastback style action. The part of the knife that holds the blade looks identical between the knives, as far as I can tell only the handle is slightly different. I got the Toughbuilt when it was the only game in town because I wanted a utility knife scraper and it was about the only one you could get that would fold or retract the blade for carrying in a pocket or pouch. I really don’t care for the Toughbuilt that much, it isn’t that great of a utility knife, and is much longer/bulkier than the others, and the mechanism that flips the blade from cut to scrape gums up and gets stiff over time (A squirt of WD-40 or similar every now and then keeps it working, but then it smells like WD-40). Both the Komelon and Yulby have a stop that will not allow it to be switched to scraper mode unless fully opened, and it cannot be folded until the blade is switched back, so that anytime it is folded there are not sharp edges or points exposed.
My advice after owning all 3: The Toughbuilt is a slightly better scraper than the others (by a narrow margin) but the other two are almost as good as scrapers, but are better knives. The Komelon especially is faster and easier to open, and both are more compact and pocketable. My opinion on all of them would be that they are the best tool if your primary use would be for a scraper, but still want to have a knife function. As a knife, a stand alone utility knife is a better choice as they are usually smaller/lighter, and replacement blades are cheaper. Where any of them shine are when they are used as scrapers: the blades are sharp, easy to replace, cheap, and they all fold or retract safely with no exposed edges or points.