Dewalt’s new DWHT10261 folding utility knife features a quick auto loading blade change mechanism. When you want to replace a blade, remove the dulled blade and slide the blade retract button backward. Slide the button forward and a fresh new blade will automatically be loaded into the blade holder.
We’ve seen this type of design before, in Craftsman’s auto-load utility knife. I purchased that knife a little over two years ago, and it disappeared a few weeks after I reviewed it. To be honest, I haven’t missed it at all, but then again I don’t often change utility knife blades with every use or session.
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I liked Dewalt’s original folding knife quite a bit, and still use it often. What sets that knife apart from competitors’ is how it’s also a retractable knife. This makes it a little slower to open and close, as there are two steps instead of one, the ability to adjust blade depth is a very convenient feature. It looks like the new auto-load knife carries over this same functionality.
The new auto-loading version holds spare blades in the fold-out part and not the handle. This could potentially affect the balance of the knife, but we’ll have to see about that. One change I’m definitely happy to see is that there’s a lanyard hole built into the handle.
The auto-load knife can hold up to 3 blades. The product specs say that there is storage for up to 3 blades, but this probably includes the one actively installed in the blade holder. The knife will work with all standard utility knife blades.
Price: $15
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mike foley
I love innovation anywhere in the hand tool space, but I have to admit that when I am using a utility knife on the job, it’s always been incredibly important to have a smooth quick retractability but I never did get the reason for them to be capable of folding. I’m most interested in a very solid body for safety, precision and force or pressure control.
Ktash
This reminds me of the Stanley 10788 knife. I got a couple super cheap from Ace a while back. But then figuring out how to change the blade is a head-scratcher. Once figured out it’s easy, but clear directions were lacking. I do like it. Comfortable to use. The folding Dewalt looks good, too.
SteveW
I never use a retractable utility knife, they’re too dangerous. A lot of pressure and a quick slip and the mech doesn’t hold, the blade starts to retract and your hand slips, no good. I have a couple cheap folding ones, but don’t like those either (for different reasons) I use them for opening boxes and stuff. I try to use only fixed blade utility knives (I’m not a carpenter, but ask ’em and that’s what they use) or the only decent folding one I’ve found, the Milwaukee flipper, not a better one anywhere.