SK Tools launched a new utility knife.
I haven’t heard from anyone at SK Tools in a long time, and so I took to Amazon to see what’s new. It seems that I missed their launch of this utility knife last year, so let’s take a closer look.
At first glance, it’s a folding utility knife with built-in-blade storage.
Advertisement
Additional features include a cutting notch and sharp blades with a “diamond edge” that lasts “28X longer for super cutting performance.”
They show it off cutting a variety of materials, including wire being cut via the cutout notch.
I’ve used other utility knife notches to cut thin cords, but not copper wire – at least not cleanly or sometimes successfully.
SK advertises that this can be used for camping, climbing, fishing, hiking, hunting, or backpacking.
Price: $17
Discussion
This is the first new SK tool I’ve seen since a year ago. I guess everyone can use a utility knife.
Advertisement
With respect to the design and constructions, look to me like SK incorporated more premium features than in their sibling brand Workpro’s utility knives.
It’s another “press and flip” style utility knife with more rounded edges than most of the others I’ve seen.
SK apparently also came out with a hawkbill folding utility knife for “cable skinning, carpet, linoleum, carboard, rope, wire cutting.”
It can be used on “wide applications,” such as working on Romex and NM wire that is most certainly not used in cars, trucks, or other vehicles.
The utility knife and how it’s marketed seemed interesting and notable, but it’s apparently not a one-off.
Digging around a bit more, SK seems to have moved beyond a focus on mechanics tools and into the realm of general purpose tools.
It’s been the trend for tool brands to expand beyond their specialties, and I’d say it looks like that’s what’s happening here. It’ll be interesting to see how this evolves.
Jared
What’s a “diamond” edge? Just marketing I assume?
I’m wondering if the purported 28x increase is due to metallurgy, heat treatment, geometry, a coating, etc…
CA
Should be interesting to see how they hold up. Stanley has always been my go to for utility blades but always open to giving new ones a try.
Stuart
WorkPro (SK sibling brand) knows how to make good and even great utility knives.
I’m unsure about the direction of the brand, but I’m very confident about this likely being well executed.
Jared
That sounds promising. I’m certainly willing to accept the blades last 28x longer compared to something. I don’t think many reputable companies would make up a specific claim like that without having a comparison in mind.
I realize it might not even be one thing – e.g. perhaps part of it is more acute geometry, but that requires a different steel grade and heat treatment to avoid chipping, which also has improved abrasion resistance and a higher hardness level etc.
It’s just that calling it a “diamond edge” isn’t very informative. I assume there aren’t any actual diamond particles involved. Maybe it’s hinting at hardness?
fred
It’s been some years since I was buying blades in bulk – but many of the guys asked for Tajima rather than Stanley.
https://www.amazon.com/TAJIMA-Utility-Knife-Blades-Dispenser/dp/B00PX98JT2/
S
A lot of it comes down to the usage as well.
DeWalt might still sell them, but a number of years ago, I got some DeWalt Carbide edged razor blades.
They worked very well for first uses. Some of the sharpest blades I’ve used. But carbide is a brittle material, so as an electrician, cutting in/over/around metals and hard/thick materials like PVC decking would always cause the blades to chip out very fast.
It was a blade very much suited to soft woods, rubbers, etc. and when kept within that area of use, lasted obscenely long. But halved a normal blades lifespan when subjected to materials outside that scope.
CMF
I also like the Tajima over the Stanley.
But one day I was shocked by Fiskar’s blades…premium line, I think they call them Carbonmax These are super sharp new, more than anything I have ever seen and stay sharp quite well.
Ohio Andy
If SK claims that the diamond edge lasts longer than it has to be a coating of some sort.
Of the three hawk Bill knives, SK has the best steel. SK uses D2, Klein uses 9CR13MOV, and MADI uses 8CR13MOV.
I did not like the spring assist MADI so I gave it to a friend. I do like my other MADI for ease of opening, but the Hawk is so pronounced that for my uses I prefer the SK.
Normally I would sharpen using narrow stones on my hapstone sharpener, but I don’t think that will work well with the MADI. Of the three, the SK seem to do a more uniform sharpening job than even the Klein because the Klein’s concave edge is a little more pronounced and the SK.
So my favorite so far is the SK, Even if the MADI is much easier to open. And for sure the SK has the best deal.
D3t
So basically a razor blade knife just like everyone else. Wow…
Nathan
So the other items are made in China rebrands or ?
Utility blades . I wonder if it’s bad marketing for carbide tipped blades. DeWalt has something similar from about a decade ago. I bought some and still have gone through the 10. But I also don’t utility knife much
Stuart
The Dewalt have a carbide edge. Diamond is just carbon.
Kevin Cutler
I have that utility knife and use it daily. It is without a doubt the smoothest actine knife I’ve ever used. Press the button and it will gravity open. No “flick” needed. Press the button again and it will gravity close. The belt hook is well designed and easy to use. The blades are very sharp and last well. I just haven’t found replacement blades from SK yet. Best utility knife I’ve ever owned!
IronWood
I’m assuming those are AI “use” photos? They’re just weird. The perspective is all wrong on the GFCI buttons (and is that really a device?); I don’t know what the heck is going on in the “Romex” pic; nobody is holding the larger stranded wire as they plow through the jacket into the strands; the rope pic looks like someone that’s never held a knife before trying to shave a rope. It just all looks off. Not the kind of advertising that inspires me to take the new China SK seriously.
Justin
ive been using the utility knife for a few months as an electrician. i like it i find it comfortable
JML
Seems that the blades have a “diamond” coating. Searching the blade info this comes up from their sibling brand: https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Premium-Diamond-Coated-Replacement-Dispenser/dp/B0BJ39Q428?th=1
KMR
I’m guessing they’re using a DLC coating or variant of DLC.
DLC = Diamond-Like Carbon.
You’ll see it used on high end industrial cutting tools for CNC machining like very expensive end mills. You’ll also find it on some OE and performance automotive engine components, like valvetrain lifters where you want an extremely hard yet very low friction coating. The substrate needs to be properly hardened and have an optimal surface finish for DLC to maintain a durable bond in use. I also wasn’t aware that you could DLC coat just a blade “edge” and not the entire blade. I guess the process tech has matured significantly over the last 20 years and also come down in cost a lot considering it is used on relatively inexpensive disposable utility knife blades.
mark w
It’s hard for me to wrap my head around why you would buy a tool brand known for a legacy of American manufacturing and then just immediately switch to generic tools that look private label and a dime a dozen.
Who is the target audience? The partially alienated previous customer base thinking they just don’t look at COO that much, or hoping to sell on Amazon and blend in with no name brands? Get real estate in HD or Lowes where a product like this doesn’t stand out compared to Milwaukee Klein husky etc etc? I just don’t get it.
Stuart
Brand name and IP.
Chervon bought Skil from Bosch and started over. SBD bought Craftsman from Sears and started over. It doesn’t seem that uncommon.
ElectroAtletico
A folding utility knife with a built-in storage for 5 blades…..just like the Irwin in my pocket.
CMF
This knife looks nice. Cost more than a basic utility knife, but nothing outrageous.
For me the price is OK but having additional functions does not do much for me.
JML
The bearing and lock action on this knife really is excellent, especially for the price. It’s very rare to have something built this well, with smooth polished parts in the button lock and pivot bearings. The Fiskars folding knife also has a very smooth bearing and lock. So did a now-discontinued Klein.