I stopped by my local Home Depot store last week and came across this promotional display of Dewalt hand tools.
I had my kids in tow and they cooperated – barely – because our next stop would have been to pick up some hot mac and cheese and chocolate-covered pretzels from Whole Foods. What this means is that my decision-making was compromised. There’s no checking for online ratings, no price-comparing, no deep thinking.
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My decision making is simple – do I buy or not buy?
I picked up the newest version of Dewalt’s folding retractable utility knife, plus some other tools, and headed to checkout.
The Dewalt DWHT10035 folding retractable utility knife first launched 10 years ago, and I was fairly pleased with the design and quality. That knife was relatively easy to open and easy to use.
It was an interesting concept – a utility knife that folds for compact storage and still provides a retractable blade with multiple extension positions for better cutting depth control.
I kept mine in a tool box and used it for years. It wasn’t my first choice when it came to utility knives, but I had it conveniently placed and it was a good knife.
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Now, Dewalt has the DWHT10035L, which is an update to the original design. From appearances, it looks like there are only very minor changes to the knife, but the user experience is very different.
Not to mince words, I greatly dislike this knife, and I can’t understand what has happened to the design. How can a utility knife look so similar but deliver such a terrible user experience.
Here are my two major complaints. First, the knife pivot is tight and doesn’t seem to be breaking in. Maybe that will change in time. Tools like this aren’t designed to be adjustable, and so loosening the pivot screw will likely just make the knife feel sloppy. It doesn’t open smoothly, and this increases the time and effort it takes for the knife to go from fully closed to ready-for-use.
Second, the blade change mechanism is terrible. I don’t remember having a tough time with the preceding model, and so why is this one so hard to use?
Pressing the blade down doesn’t work, or at least it hurts my thumbs and I can’t exert enough pressure to unlock the blade. I keep asking myself if I’m doing something wrong.
Pushing down and up on the blade change button works and makes it easier to unlock a blade, but it’s still not an easy process. I put together a video review last night, and my thumbs are still sore from fiddling with the blade change button so much.
Okay, so I learned to press down and up to make it slightly less impossible to release a blade. Inserting a new blade is then a huge chore.
Sometimes I can get a new blade to slide in straight, but other times it jams in.
Fighting with a utility knife blade is a sure way to land in the ER for some stitches.
Ah, so there’s a trick – inserting the blade at a slight angle makes it easier to get into position. You then have to press the blade change button again to seat the blade.
Finally, you need to pull or push the blade until it clicks into position. I had to do this with the original knife, but the whole process used to be easier.
This is not the ideal style of utility knife for me. I tend to keep retractable knives in the workshop and kitchen tool cabinet, and I sometimes carry them in my pocket. But when I need a more pocketable knife, I grab a simpler folder, such as the Milwaukee FastBack compact.
Whether I’m using a retractable or folding utility knife, I tend to open and close them as needed. Sure, you can fold the Dewalt knife open and keep it open until you’re ready to pocket it again, but then there’s not much benefic compared to a compact retractable blade knife.
But, that it’s not well suited for my needs and usage habits isn’t a big deal. What bothers me is that its usability is compromised.
The knife isn’t as easy to open as I expected or would like. This isn’t a deal-breaker by itself, but the difficult blade change mechanism certainly is.
There should be minimal frustration when handling a bare utility knife blade. If a knife’s blade change mechanism is awkward, clumsy, or difficult to work with, it becomes a potential safety risk. If it requires any amount of force, there’s risk of slipping, and that’s something you don’t ever want to happen when handling a bare blade.
I find myself unforgiving about this knife.
Ben experienced an issue with Dewalt’s retractable knife, and it turned out that his knife was missing a small part. I recently had a bad experience with a new Milwaukee Fastback Compact knife, and realized that the blade guard wasn’t fully tightened. A quick turn with precision screwdriver fixed it.
But here? There’s nothing that could fix this.
Maybe it’s a fluke and just my knife is bad?
Looking online, it seems I’m not the only one experiencing these issues. User complaints on Dewalt’s website also reference the “ridiculously tight folding mechanism” and frustratingly difficult blade change mechanism.
If you’re intent on buying this folding and retractable utility knife to suit your needs, I put together some blade change tips in a quick video review. After too many attempts and practice, my thumbs are sore, but I found ways to make the blade change process a little easier and a lot more consistent.
Here’s the video review:
The Dewalt DWHT10035L is made in the USA with global materials.
Price: $10 (promo price)
I would very strongly consider alternate knives, such as the FastBack series.
See Also: Milwaukee Fastback Compact
See Also: Milwaukee Fastback
Joe H
DeWalt seems to have decided that they want the competition to get more sales. They will probably push these heavily during the holiday shopping season.
Matt the Hoople
This design makes no sense to me. A straight retractable knife is quick into action with one simultaneous press and slide motion required. A standard folding knife like the Milwaukee’s are good for compact storage in a pant pocket but slower into or out of action. That’s the trade off for always being in one’s pocket. The Dewalt requires unfolding AND sliding? I also don’t get the storage benefit. How much room does a standard utility knife take up in a tool box or tool belt pocket?
My go to are the straight sliders. The folding push button Milwaukee if I need one in my pants pocket. A fixed blade Lennox if I know I’m gonna be doing a lot of heavy cutting that requires bearing down like breaking down cardboard boxes or cutting out flooring cause it’s wider and more stable.
Pete Hammond
Wow! You are usually pretty positive about tools. You must really hate this knife
Stuart
I absolutely do.
I still have the receipt and packaging and might return this to the store. Otherwise, I will NEVER willingly use this tool, and it’s so bad I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving it away.
Sure, it’s functional, but in the same sense as blending together a steak, spinach, carrots, and chocolate cake.
Skye A Cohen
Could be a QC thing too. I have had a lot of dewalt knifes (of the not folding variety) with similar looking blade change mechanisms and one of them was like you describe, very difficult to swap blades. In my case it looked to be that the plastic part that is the button was too thick on the nub that interacts with the notches on the top of the blade. I modified it and it worked like all the other ones which indeed worker well.. So it could be you just got a lemon
Stuart
I thought so too, but I have since looked at user reviews, and there are a LOT of complaints. I’d like to think this wasn’t a known problem that they failed to address.
Yohann
I’ve been very happy with my Husky version of this that I’ve had for a couple years. Currently a 3 pack is $20, but I’m pretty sure when I picked mine up that they were under $15.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Folding-Lock-Back-Utility-Knife-3-Pack-99732/303741400
Folding and sliding seems like too much frankly.
Ball_bearing
Have one in red. Was a bit stiff at first, but it has gotten easier to open and close. Really useful
Josh
I second this. I have the husky knives at work and at home and they work well for me as well.
JoeM
Yeah, I suggest a return to the store, sale or not, and write DeWALT asking them what they’re smoking.
The original was perfect. This new L variant is lacking a huge number of the features the original had to make it a great tool. It seems like they redesigned it to be more constructed, and less useful. The design only has aesthetic grip to it, and that makes all the difference. The original had real grip, and real gripping surfaces. Plus you could use the edge of the knife, where the slide button is, as a thumb-stud, left or right handed. And you could also use a screwdriver to simply put a little pressure into loosening it, and it would go from “Okay, only got it open half way” to “Fully Opens with a Flick” in a heartbeat.
Plus the new blade storage hood/handle back door looks cheap, and was a compromise for people not wanting to leave the knife open a little bit to hit the door release button on the bottom.
I really hate when DeWALT discontinues perfect designs, and replaces them with cheaper garbage versions… What’s worse is, I’m not sure the original was made in North America, or Overseas… but if returning manufacturing to the US means huge errors like this? I’d rather Move to Asia than have the US make these tools.
ca
Can the knife be folded while the blade is extended?
Stuart
No.
Travis
Stuart, I could not agree more. Someone gave me this model for my birthday and it has been a total disappointment (even for free.) Why they went with this design is beyond me. If this product went in front of a focus group, I would like to meet them!
Stuart
The design isn’t the problem – their original had a similar design but far better execution. That knife was usable, this one is not.
It’s not me to judge – this unique style has been largely unchanged for a decade now, and so there must be some demand and preference for it.
JoeM
I’m willing to bet people complained about the original’s semi-hidden hatch release tab. Forced you to unfold it a tiny bit so the tab would actually move. Otherwise the folded design held the hatch release in a locked position. Which is a safety measure, if you ask me, but like many Fastback fans prefer, they want everything at their fingertips right away.
So, they redesigned (and seriously messed up) the entire design, just so they could have that rear hook release for the hatch. Now bolts are too tight, there’s less room for the original mechanism, and somehow they’ve managed to alter the inner loading mechanism, so it doesn’t line up properly with the slot opening… Which means they let it leave the prototype stage with a malfunctioning key component.
I have the original and I’m pretty angry that they released this L variant at all. They had it right the first time, and yet they still caved to those who wanted a great knife to be made for a simpler demographic… And they failed at it as well.
As to the “It takes two steps, who would want that?” complainers… It takes two steps because it has at least 5 modes. 4 blade positions, plus an embedded wire notch that can either cut cord, or be used to cut around the insulation of a wire to strip it free. Yes. It folds. Yes. You then have to slide out the blade, or use the cord cutting notch… but you’re folding out 5 different uses for the knife. Something the Milwaukee Fastback can’t claim.
Note: The wire stripping idea takes practice, and may not be the original intent of the notch, but I have used it on speaker wire that way. Wedge it into the insulation, hold the wire, turn the knife to cut around the insulation, slide away from the blade, pull insulation off the wire. Voila. Wire stripper. Likely not recommended by DeWALT for that use.
Jerry
I’m with you. The original was a very good knife. Oh, and it doesn’t have to take 2 steps to use. If you are going to use it repeatedly just leave it open, and put it in a knife pocket like a standard utility knife. But if you don’t have a tool belt on you at all times the folding feature and pocket clip are very helpful features. I liked the old model enough I bought a second one. My wife asked why I needed two of the same thing and I said it seems whenever I find something I like it gets discontinued or changed. Guess this is more proof of that.
Jim Felt
Stuart.
You’re normally so pleased while reviewing a new product I’d forgotten you occasionally have the opposite reaction.
Good for you. And really really good for us your readers!
Good job well done.
Dewalt? WTH?
Stuart
I usually have 3 default settings:
1) Woo, something new and improved!
2) This isn’t worth the time or digital ink.
3) Wow this is so bad, nobody should buy it.
The “wow this is so bad” tools usually surprise me. They’re the ones you think are decent but perform completely contrary to any positive expectations.
Jp
I have and old husky variant of this knife. I love it. This just seems fat and ungainly not to mention your professional opinion on top of that. I love the husky, its my #2. Olfa la-x is my #1 which I learned about from your site
Robin
Craftsman came out with a similar knife in a 2 pack. I noticed the similar blade change mechanism. If the mechanism gets dirt inside, the blades do not stay locked in. You have to make sure the blade is locked in before you use it.
Serendipity
I have the Craftsman version of this, I got it on closeout for a 5 bucks and I over paid.
Bob
I recently threw a retractable blade knife into the scrap bucket. It was either dewalt or stanley – same thing. It had an uncommon release for the blade, i stumbled onto it several times. The last time, i gave up and threw out.
Corey Moore
Last DeWalt I liked was the auto-loader, but even that loosened over time to the point that the blade holding thing would pop open when putting pressure on a cut. Must have had too much wiggle room for the blade to be able to shift and push the backside into the holder. In any case, I’ve loved the fiskar pro folder since the day I got it.
Leo B.
Fiskars utility knives are great! I use the fixed blade version in my tool belt, and it’d be a great quality for double the price you pay. If I ever started drywalling or painting, I would definitely be looking at their speciality models as well.
Corey Moore
I was about to pick up their fixed blade with the folding jab saw lol It’s hard to find a “quality” jab saw these days, but I’ve been in a maintenance position for awhile now and haven’t had to mess with sheetrock so I never pulled the trigger. Great to hear good opinions of it, though!
X lu
I have the original which was mediocre at best. Hard to imagine making a weak tool even worse.
Gregg
I have a Dewalt knife similar to this but it’s smaller more compact. It’s my backup knife if I misplace my Milwaukee knife or it grows legs. Not the best knife but it will do in a pinch.
MPech
I agree completely and had the same experience some time ago. I returned the new design next day. The grip is terrible, everything is stiff. I really like the old design and have several of them. So easy to flip open and slide with one hand and close it with one hand as well. I suspected that good things would not last and stockpiled the old design.
Rob
What’s worse than a cheaply made wannabe framelock frankenstein Milwaukee fastback? A cheaply made wannabe be milwaukee fastback frankenstein standard utility knife.
MT
If anyone compiles a list of simple tools made needlessly complicated, the utility knife will surely be on it. Are there really situations where people are so pressed for space that being able to fold one really makes a difference? Genuinely curious.
JoeM
Pocketable EDC, yeah. Say you just moved, and need to tear down a lot of boxes? Sitting there with it out on a box can get it lost if you suddenly take a bathroom break. But lock it down, slip it in your pocket, and go? All is good, and you go back to the boxes with a relatively quick flip.
Same may go working for a shipping company or store front? A Book Store that receives large quantities of books? Hell, a Home Depot employee who has to be able to open straps wrapped around lumber on the fly. Maybe unpack a palate of tools for the show floor?
Jerry
They genuinely take up less space plus the clip holds it securely in a pocket. It is not so much the best choice for a dry wallet with a tool belt but better suited for someone who wants a more compact utility knife that still has a full sized handle and spare blade storage. Also when folded, it doesn’t really LOOK as much like a knife to most people and is less intimidating to those scared or offended by one.
bobad
Amen. I make my own, have several. I use a thin piece of steel spring used to retract a hose reel. I heat treat it file hard and wrap epoxy-impregnated cord for the handle. Matches my Rioba saws. The blade is shaped like an extra-extra-long box cutter. They’re the go-to knives in my shop, by far.
bobad
Looks like a rattling piece of junk. Box cutters are for the workplace, not your knife display box. If DeWalt made it too nice, the boss knows it would walk away. 😁
JML
The DeWalt DWHT10295 PREMIUM RETRACTABLE UTILITY KNIFE is the best non-folding utility knife I’ve found. The smoothest slide to open and close, which can be made even better with some lube that dries up. Easy blade changes (if you bother to figure out how to do it easily – I don’t understand who anyone has trouble changing the blades on this one. https://www.dewalt.com/products/hand-tools/knives-and-blades/premium-retractable-utility-knife/dwht10295
Stuart
Agreed! I like mine, although I’m a little miffed it came with a defective carabiner clip.
Wes Anderson
Hey Stuart,
I came across your review and thought I might weigh in on one of your two major gripes with the knife. I bought two of this model and one was very hard to open while the other unfolded easily with one hand. I took them apart to investigate and found that one had a preload washer and the other did not. I assume a factory mistake on the one missing the washer. At any rate, I removed the washer from the hard to open one. It now opens freely and there is not much slop in the blade assembly. You might try doing the same. It may make this a more usable knife for you.
Stuart
Thanks! I’ll consider this in the future. I was so disappointed about the knife that I ended up returning it.
Martian
Most newer utility blade knives are junk lousy factory fast made with no quality control only if it opens closeres it gets shipped .just get old style slide out straight handle ones and inspect it if possible