We already posted a video preview of Dewalt’s folding retractable utility knife, but figured now’s a good time for a hands-on review.
Features, Functions, and Feel
What separates this knife from the rest of the pack is its retractable blade and folding geometry. There are retractable knives, and folding knives, but this seems to be the first that combines both features.
The blade can be locked in 4 cutting depth positions, and there’s a very positive *click* when the blade snaps into place. The liner lock is strong, offering sufficient rigidity when the knife is open, while still being easily disengaged. With the blade retracted and knife folded close, a small notch can be used to cut through small wires or cord. Tool-free blade change is quick and easy, and up to 3 spare blades can be stored in the knife’s handle beneath a rubberized door.
Overall, the knife has a great feeling to it. Subtle grooves and features first appeared to be decorative until my fingers came across them. The grip is comfortable, and the ergonomic accents (for lack of a better description) made it easier and more comfortable to open, close, and use the knife.
Pros:
- compact
- tool-free blade-change
- room for 3 spare blades
- extremely comfortable to hold and use
Cons:
- deployment is slower than with a retractable or folding knife
- one-handed opening is slightly awkward
Conclusion
Dewalt’s new retractable folding knife is very robust and comfortable to use. I like it, a LOT. The knife offers the best of two worlds – a retractable adjustable-length blade and a folding handle. I can find no fault in the knife’s construction. But, inherent to the knife’s design and to keep things compact and tidy, you cannot close the knife with the blade still extended.
Dewalt Retractable Folding Knife via Amazon (~$10)
Here’s our brief video overview in case you hadn’t seen it yet:
I have lost the small nut and bolt to my small Husky razor knife(folding) and I need a replacement.
Michael Brewer
address-removed
city-removed, WY zip-removed
email-removed@yahoo.com
Ed. note: personal information removed
One of the best folding knives I have ever owned, and I have owned many. It is much more comfortable than it looks. A very solid feeling knife and I look forward to see how it holds up over time.
I bought this knife earlier this week. I like it a lot. It is a bit bulkier than a Stanley utility knife that I had bought earlier this year, and slightly more difficult to open. However, this is now my go-to utility knife.
One gripe I have about it is that it’s hinging action is tight and that slows down opening the knife for use. I can one hand it, but it’s easier right now to use both hands. Hopefully it will loosen up slightly after more use. I oiled it lightly, but that hasn’t seemed to help.
The only other gripe I have about the knife is that the black blade storage cover is plastic. I wish that Dewalt would have opted to make that piece out of aluminum or some other lightweight metal for added durability. I have worries about that piece not holding up and breaking somehow.
The knife does have a lifetime warranty, not exactly too sure about the details of it. But, I would rather something hold up than to have to utilize the warranty process.
Regardless, the Stanley knife I bought earlier in the year, and my go-to Lenox retractable are going to be seeing a lot more of the inside of my toolbox.
It really is a nice knife – the more I use it, the more I like it. It’s not yet my favorite, but it’s in the top 3.
I’m not worried about the plastic blade storage cover – it feels pretty durable to me, unless I forcibly bend the hinge back the wrong way when opening it.
I gave up trying to open it one-handed, it’s just quicker to use two hand. If I need one-handed deployment, I leave it in my pocket unfolded but blade fully retracted. It collects a bit of lint, but does the job.
I agree.
My blade storage cover has a bit of wiggle however, and I just wish they would have beefed it up. What also bugs me is the release on the inside. It is about as stout as plastic could be, but the release may fatigue over time.
I may be seen as an*l, but I always try to improve upon things.
If it ever does fail, Dewalt will probably replace the entire thing. According to those that I spoke to, they LOVE having broken tools returned to them to learn from.
On another note, these are available online at Home Depot, with quite a few in stock at my local store. I headed over there and there were no Dewalt hand tools to be found. For those of you buying these in store, where are the displays being set up?
That is good to hear about the return policy!
In my local Home Depot store, the Dewalt hand tools were located on an isle end-cap, near the contractor/help desk. They weren’t anywhere near the rest of the Dewalt tools.
Good to know. Thanks Stuart for the inside information.
My local Home Depot has a new Dewalt hand tools display.
Just yesterday I bought a Dewalt 15 oz. mig welded framing hammer.
I test swung it in comparison to the old faithful 28 oz. Estwings in stock.
At first I had worries about the head being so light that it would have a tendency to bounce off the heads of nails on a light/ short swing (being as it’s so lightweight) and not have the same driving force. But after putting it to use today, that was really a non-issue.
I haven’t used any of the “top of the line” titanium hammers to compare it to, but to me the Dewalt is sweet beyond words.
It was twice the price of the comparable Estwing, but I have no buyers remorse.
These finally appeared at my local HD, and I picked one up. I have the two “new” Milwaukee utility knives, and my old favorite, the Stanley Quickslide, but I really like this one so far.
What’s unusual are the tolerances in the folding mechanism and the blade locking mechanism. They’re tighter than any of the others – particularly impressive is the total lack of lateral movement in the pivot, when compared to the Milwaukee. The DeWalt variation on a liner lock is well done; far better than Milwaukee’s button-lock copy.
HD also had DeWalt snap-off blade knives. I picked up the middle one, which takes 18mm blades. All-metal handle, heavy, and nicely executed.
I did not see the snap-off blade version at Home Depot yet, but I have one on the test-bench, and it is quite nice. Replacement blades are readily available, and the knife’s all-metal construction is very welcome. I swore off snap-blade knives years ago, but this has a good chance at changing my mind.
I understand that the blade must be retracted before it can be closed. If so, that’s not a good design IMO.