Knife Blades

The term Stanley blade has become the go to term to describe utility blades and knives from any manufacturer. However much like Hoover and Velcro only Stanley hold the rights to the name. Cromwell stock a wide range of utility knife blades from big name brands including Stanley, as well as our very own brand Kennedy, so you can be assured of quality.

What are utility knife blades?

Utility knife blades come in several different types are designed for use with a folding or retractable utility knife. The blades themselves typically resemble that of a razor and are incredibly sharp cutting tools.

What are utility knife blades used for?

Depending on the shape of the blade (more on that later) utility knife blades have several functions. The most common uses of these types of blades is opening cardboard boxes as the razor sharpness of the blade makes a quick and clean cut. Other types of blades can be used for cutting drywall and stripping wires and cables.

Types of utility knife blades

There are several different types of blades available for utility knives, all with their own features and benefits. Below you will find some of the most common types.

• Single ended blades - These blades feature a singular cutting end.

• Double ended blades - These types of blades have a cutting edge at either end making them reversible.

• Snap-off blades - These long thin blades are usually found in wallpaper knives and feature segments. Once the cutting edge has worn down the blade can be snapped off to expose the next segment and a fresh cutting edge.

• Hook blades - These are primarily used for cutting carpet and linoleum. They feature a curved inner edge towards the tip which is where they get their moniker.

• Serrated edge blades - These resemble the typical type of Stanley blade but instead of a clean razor edge, the blade features serrations and are used to cut through tough and dense materials.

• Pointed tip blades - These blades are ideal for materials that require puncturing to cut, such as fabrics, flexible plastics and drywalling.

• Round tip blades - A newer blade design and much more aggressive in their cutting power. These blades are ideal for cutting tough materials like wood and rubber.

As well as the different styles, utility knife blades also come in a range of materials, the most common types are outlined below.

• Carbon steel

• Stainless steel

• Carbide tipped

• Titanium alloy

Considerations when choosing a utility knife blade

• The toughness of the material to be cut - If cutting a carboard box then a standard single ended or double ended blade would suffice. However, for tougher and more specialised applications then a different blade would be suitable. For example, cutting carpet is much more easily achieved using a hook blade, whereas wood would be best tackled with a round tip blade.

• The size of the knife - Matching the size of the blade to your utility knife is paramount, a blade that is too small will not lock in place correctly leading it to move around in its holding. This will cause the efficiency of the cut to suffer as well as risking potential injury to the user.

FAQ

Can I sharpen a utility knife blade?

In short yes. The most effective way to sharpen the blade is with a whetstone. In the cases of snap off blades you can simply remove the worn segment to expose a new cutting surface.

How do I snap off utility knife blades?

Snap off blades feature score lines, once the segment of the blade is blunt then they can simply be snapped off to reveal a new sharp edge. To snap off the worn segment, use pliers NEVER FINGERS even if wearing gloves as the slightest slip could result in a nasty injury. Eye protection should also be worn as a precaution.