Milwaukee has announced a new compact-looking multi-functional utility knife, 48-22-1517, which features a prying bar at the end.
The Milwaukee compact utility knife is retractable with 3 positions, and can be used with standard blades.
The pry bar at the end was designed for pulling nails and staples, as well as prying and scraping tasks. It also has a cutting slot.
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There’s a pocket clip on the reverse side, and of course a bottle opener.
From the dimensions provided, it looks like the new Milwaukee utility knife with pry bar measures close to 4″ when closed and 1.32″ wide. It measures 4.33″ long with the blade at full extension.
Price: $17
ETA: January 2026
The new Milwaukee utility knife looks a lot like the Gerber Prybrid, which has similar features.
I didn’t like the Gerber’s blade change mechanism, but a lot of people have commented to say they haven’t had any issues. See: Gerber Gear Prybrid Utility Knife – Instant Regret.
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Bruce763
I don’t know. I don’t see this as an improvement over the smallest of the folding Milwaukee fastbacks, which is 4.03 inches closed, weighs next to nothing and slips right into a pocket. It’s $9.47 @ Home depot. (Stuart, you should put up a link) Model # 48-22-1500
UPC Code # 045242534395
Sure, it’s a scraper/pry bar, but I’m not sure how useful that is or how much leverage you’ll get a tool this size. Plus, the new one here is $8.00 more. For $17, Milwaukee has a whole range of these that I think are better.
John
That’s funny. The first comment I read and it was just after I put my tape measure down to measure mine and I’m thinking that’s not so great. This one’s narrower and shorter and lighter LOL. Sometimes just can’t improve. You know when it gets that good
KokoTheTalkingApe
So why do people carry around little pry bars? I’ve never understood it.
Anyway, it looks like that guy, and the Gerber, will wear a hole in your pocket pretty quickly.
Stuart
I use small pry bars in place of small screwdrivers I don’t want to ruin. But I rarely carry one “just in case,” although I do like the idea of it.
Brad
I agree 100%! I like the size and functionality of this new Milwaukee product. I use small pry bars all the time. Much more than I do small screwdrivers. Which is usually the extra functionality of a product like this. There’s always a screwdriver with a switchable tip, especially with other brands.. It would be nice to have small pry bar instead. I believe I would use this a lot more than any of my other Milwaukee fastbacks.
Jon
I have so many knives with damaged tips. Prybar comes on clutch instead of possibly ruining a knife tip.
MCox
The prybar is great for construction – opening cans of paint/material. Alas, my concern aligns with yours – the sharp prybar edge poking holes in my pockets. Too bad it doesn’t have a cap or extension mechanism like the blade.
TomD
That thing looks like a disaster waiting to happen when you forget the blade’s extended
Matt
I really love the Milwaukee fastback utility knife with flip out screwdrivers. It’s always in my pocket at home for opening boxes, tightening cabinet knobs that are somehow always loosening, changing toy batteries for kids etc. I use the flat screwdriver for gently opening paint cans. Incredibly useful tool.
Not sure I ever need a tiny pry bar though. Maybe I’d reconsider if I got my hands on it for a few days though.
Jordan
Those are the best.
This tool would be way more useful without the pry bar at all. Just make it a super small knife, with a removable pocket clip and it’s perfect EDC or tool to toss into whatever toolbox/bag you have.
Dave
Those are my go-to as well, and anything that can’t be pried with the slotted driver head is probably worthy of a real pry tool. Just picked up a couple more for myself and a bunch to add to my employees’ year end goodie bags from the HD sale…
JP454
Honestly I might pick one up to leave in my painting bag. Seems like it would be handy to pull nails and staples that shouldn’t be there anymore and if it’s thin enough to use as a flat head to take plate covers off it’d be perfect. Wouldn’t use it much but could replace several tools that are always way to big for the easy stuff I need them to do before painting.
Tdot77
There is a little one without the prybar on it
https://www.acmetools.com/milwaukee-compact-side-slide-utility-knife-48-22-1516/045242746484.html
William Adams
Unfortunately, that looks to be significantly more bulky than my Gerber EAB.
I’d like to find a small utility knife which is pocketable, has multiple blade extension positions, a very secure mechanism for storing the blade, a very robust system for holding the blade, and simple blade changes — the EAB does well on all those fronts save for multiple blade extension positions.
Alexk
Why are there bandaids on the hand in the Gerber photo?
Stuart
It’s discussed in the linked-to post, I don’t know what happened, maybe there was a bur or something.
blocky
Not to pry…
Stuart
Could have been the bottle opener hook that’s bear the pry bar.
ElectroAtletico
Without the pry bar Ive 3d printed dozens of variations of that similar design and given them away as gifts
Will
I’m in the maintenance industry and the prybrid is terrible. The blade moves when used hard and can and has slipped out multiple times during use. It’s not a safe tool. I’ve gone back to using an old reliable Stanley.
EBT
I prefer a utility knife as its solid on hard to cutup boxed, drywall and quick to change worn blades.
However, I won’t refuse a gift horse… I got a Gerber (the EAB, that is just a blade) for Xmas a few years back and it sits in a drawer for when I get packages or need to cut up the cardboard for recycling. I like it. And it can clip in a pocket for me to forget.
Alexk
After two mentions of the Gerber EAB in this post, I looked it up to see what it’s about. From the images I’ve seen, it leaves a lot of the blade out and to me, seems dangerous. I like having only enough of blade extension as needed.
On the Milwaukee, I don’t like the hook at the end. The prying aspect is okay, if there is enough length of the tool for leverage and if it is built well and won’t break the handle.
It does look nice and if I was gifted it, would file down the point, if it is as sharp as it looks.
William Adams
Yes, the blade protrusion is the major drawback for the Gerber EAB.
My father carried a miniature Stanley utility knife:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-fully-functional-mini-utility-523243850
(to the point where the chrome plating on the button wore off revealing the brass)
which Excel used to make a clone of it and still makes their #96 Micro blades which should fit it.
I keep it in a drawer and bought a Sears labeled one as a spare but can’t bring myself to carry either — apparently Omega also made one, so maybe that would be an option….
Caleb
I just preordered the NexTool E20 and I love it. Very similar to this design.
The E20 has a super cool blade change design.
https://nextoolstore.com/products/explorer-e20-nextool%C2%AE
Stuart
Also on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/NexTool-Retractable-Storage-Utility-Magazine/dp/B0FPQKCYGQ/?tag=toolguyd-20
Looks interesting, but is double the price. Please let us know what you think of it after trying it out!
Caleb
Its well built, really easy to use. the pocket clip sits a little low so it sticks out of your pocket too much for my liking. But the blade change is just awesome.
Alex
Kobalt had a model called the slider a couple of years ago. All metal, built like a tank, amazing knife. Bought a two pack, used them till I lost them, now, two years later I can’t buy the Slider any more, and the compact equivalent they’re selling this year is garbage. I’ve looked for the old model everywhere, no one sells them, not even used on eBay. I’ll give this model a try out of necessity but I’m grinding out that stupid prybar, bottle opener thing.