DeWalt DWHT10035L 2-1/2" Rugged Metal Body Folding Retractable Utility Knife

***11-2024 Over a year later, with daily use and still love this thing and have no regrets on this purchase.***It was getting a little stiff, but a little WD 40 and a wipe down during the last blade change brought it back opening and extending the blade in all positions, like when it was new.In the review below, you will see me mentioning a co-workers knife... the knife I'm referring to above is that one. My other one is like new as well.Original review below...I started a new job in a distribution center and was unhappy with the knives that the company supplied.I had a Milwaukee Fastback, but as the blade opens fully with a flip of the wrist, I didn't think it was appropriate for this workplace. So, I began looking at other utility knives.This DeWalt was retractable like the company supplied knives as well as folding. The price was right and I gave it a shot.When it arrived, I was happy and disappointed.The knife looked great and felt great in my hand. But, there was no blade installed. So, I assumed that the knife had been shipped without blades.So, I ordered DeWalt blades in. In the meantime, I took the blade out of my Milwaukee and installed it in the Dewalt.For some reason, installing a blade the first time was difficult for me. After reading some reviews, it seems others have had the same problem.Once you get past installing the first blade, all is good and gets better.The knife works smoothly and has been comfortable to carry in the front pocket of my Levi's while clipped to the outside of the pocket. So comfortable in fact, that when I first bought the knife, many times I thought I lost it as I didn't realize it was clipped in my pocket. I still regularly bring it home with me because I don't realize it's clipped in my pocket when I put my things in my work locker at night.The best feature of this knife, for how I currently use it in the warehouse I work in, is the first blade setting. It gives you just the tip of the blade to cut tape on sealed boxes.The mechanism to release and close the knife took me a little while to figure out an easy way to close the it. I started out using two hands, then one hand with my leg, but now can easily open and close the knife with one hand. You will find it opens and closes a easier as you use it, but does not get loose.I also did a blade change and had no issues, unlike the first time I tried to install a blade.Now... DON'T BE A BONEHEAD LIKE I WAS....As I mentioned earlier in the review:I mistakenly thought the knife did not come with blades. I didn't see any blades in the packaging and there wasn't one installed. As my Milwaukee Fastback does not have storage for extra blades, I assumed the DeWalt was the same.When the new blades arrived, that was when I discovered that the knife had actually come with three blades that were stored in the knife body. I did not realize that the black rubber on the top of the body flipped open to access the spare blades. There were no clear instructions on the original packing and I actually watched a Youtube video on how to swap a blade when I was having difficulty installing the first blade, to learn this.I am embarrassed by my stupidity about the blades. But, hopefully my mistake helps others if they make this purchase.I have no regrets at all with this purchase and have recommended it to a co-worker.Unfortunately, my co-worker did not have a positive experience when they ordered this knife in.Their shipment was delayed for several weeks and when the knife finally arrived, it was "loose". The blade holder had side to side play in the handle when locked open. I thought it might be that the handle screws were loose and tried to tighten them for my co-worker with a torx screwdriver. That didn't solve the problem and my co-worker was so frustrated with the delay that they didn't want to bother with doing a return.Since I had referred my co-worker to this knife, I offered him my Milwaukee Fast Back. He tried the Milwaukee, loved it and gave me the DeWalt to use as parts for my knife.I completely disassembled my co-workers Dewalt and couldn't find the problem at first.After taking it apart and putting it together a few times, I saw that the coupling at the blade pivot was too long and wouldn't allow the handle to come together securely against the blade holder when the screw was tightened into the coupling.A few strokes with a file shortened the coupling a few thousandths of an inch and allowed the handle to be tightened properly with the screw.Now, my co-workers former knife has no side play and is as solid as the one I bought. It has also become my knife at work, while the one I bought is for use at home.While I'm happy with both of my knives... No one should have to do what I did to make my co-workers brand new product, fresh out of the packaging, work properly.In the end, if you purchase one of these, and it's "sloppy" when you open it if you are mechanically inclined, disassembly and a few file strokes on the coupling should fix it.Otherwise, exchange it for another one. I have absolutely no regrets on this purchase.

I am not a contractor. I have bought this knife to open shipment boxes. This review is based on initial impression. The price will buy you 10 cheap box cutters that feel really cheap, unsafe and inconvenient. This knife is much better than that, and it comes with 3 double bladesThe knife is compact and sits well in my (smaller) hand. My thumb is right over the lever that retracts the blade, and tip of my thumb is on the rubber area. I can easily retract the blade to any length (3 positions) with no effort. It seems to stay firm in position. The knife opens with no effort, and folds with light pressure on the internal spring. Once opened, it is held open with a spring latch - seems pretty secure. I have inserted a blade in 15 seconds. This was the first time I own a contractor grade knife, so this was VERY easy. I have also tried removing the blade, and it is also quite easy, just press a button, and the blade can be pulled out with no effort. I liked that the blade, when hidden, is still available in a little hook to be used as rope/wire cutter. It is hard for me to judge if it would be easy to remove the remainder of the blade (if it breaks). But hypothetically if there is any part of it protruding, using twitzers should work just fine. On the other hand, if nothing protrudes, you MAY be able to still remove the blade by accessing it through the rope hook or just hitting the knife against a hard surface while pressing the blade release button - the blade should go out. Otherwise it is probably not easy to disassemble the blade holder.The knife is actually quite pretty, and resembles a shark when open. Yellow/black color makes it hard to misplace. And of course it cuts boxes and wraps really well. Is it ready for a tough job? well, probably not poking at granite tiles - the blade could be brittle, although not that much if extended 1/3 of the way. The knife itself feels solidGenerally I find the knife quite nicely designed, and well made, although I do not have much comparison. An overkill for my needs. For $10 I can certainly afford it, and replace in the unlikely event if breaks. By the way, it has a lifetime warranty

Nice rugged