In a recent post, I presented arguments for and against retractable and folding utility knives, and asked about your preferences. To my surprise, quite a few readers mentioned their affinity for fixed-blade and snap-off utility knives.
For those who haven’t seen these types of knives before, snap-off knives are designed around a long thin blade that is deeply scored to create multiple blade sections. Once the cutting edge or point is blunted, you snap off and discard that blade section and advance a fresh blade section forward.
This style of knife offers a number of advantages. With standard utility knife blades, the leading edge often dulls first. Then, the blade is reversed. Once both sides are dull, the blade is replaced. Blade changes are quicker and easier than with older styles of utility knives, but can still be disruptive.
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Milwaukee’s FastBack and new FastBack II folding utility knives are clear favorites among tradesmen these days, but there are still a lot of workers that favor snap-off blades.
If you’re a snap-off blade fan, here’s some good news – Milwaukee has come out with a range of new snap-off knife styles and sizes. The new knives are ruggedly built and feature iron carbide blades for longer life and greater durability..
Milwaukee General Purpose Snap-Off Knives are available in 9mm, 18mm, and 25mm sizes, with common features including acetone-resistant plastic construction and over-molding for a more comfortable grip.
Milwaukee Precision-Cut Snap-Off Knives are similar to the general purpose styles, but have premium features such as over-molded grips and upgraded precision-cut blades.
Replacement blades are available in 3pc and 10pc packs in both general purpose and precision-cut styles.
9mm:
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- Model nos. 48-22-1960 (precision), 48-22-1963 (general purpose)
- 13 point iron carbide blade
- 5-5/8″ long
- Auto-lock slide
- Snap-off cap
18mm:
- Model nos. 48-22-1961 (precision), 48-22-1964 (general purpose)
- 8 point iron carbide blade
- 6″ long
- Metal lock (precision), durable lock (general purpose)
25mm:
- Model nos. 48-22-1962 (precision), 48-22-1965 (general purpose)
- 7 point iron carbide blade
- 7″ long
- Metal lock (precision), durable lock (general purpose)
The 18mm and 25mm knives have speed thread designs that allow for quicker blade adjustment.
The new knives and replacement blades will be available starting in October 2013 through authorized Milwaukee distributors.
Check Prices(Coming soon, via Home Depot)
Pricing starts at $5 for the 9mm general purpose knife and goes up to $18 for the 25mm precision-cut metal-lock knife.
SteveR
Stuart–These look very similar to OLFA snap-blade utility knives. Are they re-branded OLFA (which are manufactured in Japan), or possibly another manufacturer? In any event, I like the overmolded handle on the 18mm model, above, which provides a better grip. I also appreciate the fact that you can change to a fresh, sharp blade as often as needed during a job. These should do well in the marketplace.
John S
That was exactly what I was thinking… look a lot like Olfa…
Stan
This does look similar to the Ofla design, but I doubt this is made in Japan, as Ofla products. But to Milwaukee’s credit, chances are this WILL be made overseas though.
Makes me think Milwaukee mirrored Ofla’s design, just as Sears did with Loggerhead tools.
Stuart
These do look a bit like Olfa’s snap-off knives, but a lot of these styles of knives look alike.
I very highly doubt that Milwaukee hired out Olfa to design and manufacturer these knives for them; Milwaukee likes to as much as they can in-house these days.
Jim
I have been exclusively using the OLFA snap-off knives for years. I have several different sizes and styles scattered around the workshop. My best feature is the ability to extend the blade for additional cutting edge/length. You do realize how handy it is, until you break away several of the tips, resulting in shorter remaining blade, and then find yourself wanting to change the unused short blade just to have a full length blade available. I have several 2-3 length blade stubs in my workbench trough. OLFA makes a variety of different blades. I stumbled upon a high-end black blade ‘UltraMax’ that is noticeably sharper. This blade is installed in two knives. I find myself searching them out. Since the blades sizes are universal, I would suggest exploring the various blade styles offered by OLFA to expand its use or find a blade better suited to your particular task.
LORDDiESEL
Been using OLFA for 15 years myself. When you’ve used the best for so long, it’s tough to look at other products. OLFA is the industry standard. And this is one of those products where cost doesn’t come into question. I’ve seen guys get really hurt with cheap knives. Not saying the milwaukee is cheaply made, but i don’t feel the need to risk it.
Noah
I’m a big fan of DeWalt’s sliding knives, their all metal bodies make for very solid feelings knives. The cheap plastic bodied snap off knives have always scared me.
Will be keen on trying these out.
matt
I agree the dewalts are pretty nice
Javier
This kobalt snap knife is the one to beat.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=36362-16878-50072
It has an auto loading 5 blade magazine and a blade tightening screw and is very study. Hassle free lifetime warranty is nice too.
Stuart
A 5 blade magazine? I’m not sure if I’m intrigued or hesitant about this. “Very sturdy” makes me optimistic, but it also looks to be a short knife.
Stan
Stuart: With complete respect, the model T was “very sturdy” with the materials used but ultimately wasn’t a very safe car to drive though.
I’ve personally been using Ofla brand made in Japan snap knives and utility knives for a couple of years now and they really put safety as a main feature of their products, as well the fact the materials used are built to last hundreds of jobs more or less.
Stuart
While I wouldn’t think the Kobalt knife is very durable for $6, I am sure it’s safe. Big-name companies are not going to risk putting out unsafe knives, at least not knowingly.
As for Milwaukee, the company did well with the FastBack and I’m sure they didn’t go through any shortcuts with theses snap-off blade knives.
Javier
Dont knock it till you try it. I would be skeptical too based on the brand name and price. The online description is wrong. Same model number as mine and looks identical but it measures 6-3/4″ not the 4-1/2″ it’s listed as. It’s a 18mm snap knife.
fred
Funny how many different opinions there are among folks about utility knives and what they like best. We used to say if you got 10 people in the room you would have at least 11 opinions. We had guys who carried Lenox knives, Stanley knives and recently Milwaukee knives – with probably others that I can’t recall. Mypersonal favorite was an oddball AJC:
http://www.amazon.com/AJC-Hatchet-057-MCGA-Guardian-Angle/dp/B00004Z2F0
Hang Fire
Snap-offs are banned from my home and workshop due to safety issues. I use boxcutters where I can put the used blade back in the dispenser, or x-acto style where I can hold the dull blade in the handle while I run it through against the grinder and then tape it for disposal. Snapped-off blades with sharp portions flying off and landing who-knows-where lying around is simply not an option when kids are around. Even if I have a vise or vise-grip handy they are a pain to handle and tape, especially the tiny hobby-sized ones.
Stuart
While it has been a few years since I’ve used snap-off knives, I have never had any issues with flying blade fragments or anything of the like.
With the ones I used, the rear of the handle came off and had a slot for the blade. A little bending pressure and the blade snapped cleanly at the score line.
A piece of cardboard and masking tape, or better yet – a sharps container or metal can “blade bank,” and they’re safely discarded.
Otg
Plastic knob that holds the blade is not a good.It’s missing also
Stainless steel blade-sliding-track
Bob
I wonder when they will be available in stores. I didn’t really care for the dewalt snap off knives that they carry now.