Stanley knife

[PabloPicasso]

I seem to get through stanley knives at a fairly fast rate.

Various brands but all seem to fail where they grip the little half moon cut out in the blade. Often give up at blade changes at the most inconveniant moment.

Or the retracting mechanism fails.

Is there a good, reliable type that this does not happen to?

I would like one that won't corrode to dust in a boat locker.

 

[Wansworth]

The original Stanley of which I have two seems the best, in opinion

 

[Boathook]

Get a genuine Stanley knife. I've never been impressed by copies. My best one has a cast sliding blade holder which seems better that one with a pressed metal one.

 

[PCUK]

Never had a problem with any make. As said the cast ones seem best. I just seem to lose them!

 

[PaulRainbow]

I have a Parkside (Lidl) one on the boat, with a removable blade magazine, makes blade changes very quick and simple. Have a similar one on the van for work, must be 10 years old, can't remember the make, came from B&Q, will look later when i'm at the van.

 

[KevinV]

I have a bunch of these in various places - mixed reviews but they're doing well for me. Easy blade change too.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-retractable-knife/4620v

 

[WoodyP]

I prefer the type that fold. They seem much sturdier than retractable blades. Am l the only person who sharpens his Stanley blades rather than just getting a new one out.

 

[Refueler]

Being a Model maker ... for fine work I have a scalpel with clip in surgical blades .... once you've used one of those - anything else seems rubbish.

For general work though - I gave up with the 'Stanley style' with the reversible notched blade ... I use the snap-off knives .. that a long blade retracts into the handle ... you set the blade to depth / amount you want and tighten lock-nut ...

Go back to Stanley Knife ??? No I don't think so.

 

[wallacebob]

+1 for the Magnusson, with good quality blades.

 

[fredrussell]

If not the type Refueler mentions, any type with quick change blade feature, and a good supply of decent blades. If you have to unscrew the body to change a blade you’ll just try to get that extra bit of use out of a blunt blade.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

This is what I use, had it for years

 

[Snowgoose-1]

For occasion use I buy these for the price of a coffee.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-...KOJwMq2imQTldfl73KaQelVbpJzFX-UxoCWsIQAvD_BwE

 

[PabloPicasso]

I have a bunch of these in various places - mixed reviews but they're doing well for me. Easy blade change too.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-retractable-knife/4620v

Magnussen have been particularly rubbish. I had two of them and they both broke at the first blade change.

 

[noelex]

These titanium "Stanley" knives will not corrode or fail, but they are expensive :

Home

 

[KevinV]

Magnussen have been particularly rubbish. I had two of them and they both broke at the first blade change.

Curious - they're giving me excellent service. Are you perhaps a bit rough with your tools?

 

[The Q]

Being a Model maker ... for fine work I have a scalpel with clip in surgical blades .... once you've used one of those - anything else seems rubbish.

For general work though - I gave up with the 'Stanley style' with the reversible notched blade ... I use the snap-off knives .. that a long blade retracts into the handle ... you set the blade to depth / amount you want and tighten lock-nut ...

Go back to Stanley Knife ??? No I don't think so.

Yep I have a variety of scalpels to use, when modelling, bought some with " thick " handles for hand comfort .
I do have snap off type for some work.
But I use folding Stanley blade knives for when you need a little bit more strength in the blade.
There's probably some traditional Stanley knives in a tool box somewhere, not used in some years.

 

[penberth3]

I seem to get through stanley knives at a fairly fast rate.

Various brands but all seem to fail where they grip the little half moon cut out in the blade. Often give up at blade changes at the most inconveniant moment.

Or the retracting mechanism fails.

Is there a good, reliable type that this does not happen to?

I would like one that won't corrode to dust in a boat locker.

If you're breaking Stanley knives I suspect you're abusing them. One day you'll lose a finger!

They're a general purpose tool, there's usually a better and safer option.

 

[thinwater]

I've used Stanley knives for about 55 years. I think I've had one slide in about twice, only because I did not latch it properly.

You can always just get a non-retracting knife. I have one like that that is 60 years old, at least. Works great.

For most things, I use a quality but retired steak knife, ground down to a sheep's foot or similar. But I use both.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Its the mechanism that retains the blade that goes.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I like this kind:

• Amazon Basics Durable Folding Utility Knife with Aluminum Body
• TIMCO Folding Utility Knife & Blades - 60 x 19 x 0.6-1 Pack : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen
• Rolson 62841 Folding Tradesman Knife

Currently using an Amazon Basics one - the part that holds the blade is very solid, a million miles better than the STANLEY® Self-Retracting Safety Utility Knife I had, which didn't hold the blade securely.