ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (New for 2019!)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Best Multi-Bit Screwdrivers
    • Best Cordless Impact Drivers (2015)
    • Best Cordless Circular Saws
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Cordless Oscillating Tools
    • Best EDC Gear
    • Best Multimeter
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Modular Tool Boxes
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee NPS19 Tools
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Hand Tools > EDC, Pocket, & Multitools > Where is the Milwaukee Fastback 3 Utility Knife?

Where is the Milwaukee Fastback 3 Utility Knife?

Nov 9, 2016 Stuart 16 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

milwaukee-fastback-3-utility-knife

Where the heck is the Milwaukee Fastback 3 utility knife?

I’ll answer that in a moment but before I do, let me ask and then answer a question of my own: why is this important?

Advertisement

Milwaukee says that they redesigned the Fastback 3 to be even better than the Fastback II, which introduced on-board blade storage to the Fastback folding utility knife line.

milwaukee-fastback-3-utility-knife-blade-storage

They’ve increased the number of blades you can store within the tool, without having to make changes to the ergonomic shape of the knife, or changing how it opens. This new version can now hold 1 blade in the tool, and 4 more in the storage door.

But the Fastback 3 isn’t just about built-in blade storage. It also offers a new 45° cutting position, which Milwaukee says should make pull cuts easier.

With that angle, you can hold the knife handle in a more relaxed and ergonomic position.

You also get a built-in cutting hook, formed wire pocket clip, and a wire stripper.

Ok, so where the heck is it?

It looks to me that the Fastback 3, which Milwaukee simply describes as the Fastback flip utility knife with blade storage, replaces the Fastback II. And why not? With the Fastback 3, there Fastback II has been made redundant.

Look for the Fastback with model number 48-22-1903.

If you want to buy it in-store, Home Depot say they have it, but they seem to have merged product pages for the Fastback II and 3 knives. Acme has it online.

Price: $15

Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Buy Now(via Acme Tool)

milwaukee-fastback-compact-utility-knife

Oh, you don’t need or want on-tool blade storage? You don’t need a cutting hook? You want something smaller?

Say hello to the Milwaukee Compact Fastback utility knife, model 48-22-1906. It’s a new smaller Fastback knife, and it still takes standard utility knife blades.

Price: $9

Buy Now(via Acme Tool)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)

Related posts:

Milwaukee Fastback 5-in-1 Knife Multi-Tool OpenNew Milwaukee FastBack Knife and Multi-Tool (“5-in-1”) Leatherman Free T2 Knife Multi-ToolNew Leatherman Free T2 and T4 Multi-Tools

Sections: EDC, Pocket, & Multitools, Knives, New Tools Tags: Milwaukee 48-22-1903, Milwaukee 48-22-1906, Milwaukee FastBack, Utility KnivesMore from: Milwaukee

« Makita $25 off $100 Holiday 2016 Deal
New Klein Multi-Nut Drivers »

16 Comments

  1. schill says

    Nov 9, 2016 at 8:13 am

    My guess is that the wire stripper is the notch in the blade holder that is exposed when the knife is open. But, it doesn’t seem much different from using the cutting hook to do the same thing, and that would probably be safer.

    Reply
    • schill says

      Nov 9, 2016 at 8:14 am

      Sorry. I guess you meant “Where’s the knife?”, not “Where’s the wire stripper.”

      Reply
    • Stuart says

      Nov 9, 2016 at 8:18 am

      That hook can be difficult to use, and there’s almost no available control. I don’t strip wires with utility knives, but a lot of people do. The shallower stripping zone might provide for greater results.

      Reply
  2. Dennis says

    Nov 9, 2016 at 10:48 am

    After looking at the Milwaukee website last night I figured out the ruse. I remember reading a post about the Fastback 3 coming out and the picture had “Fastback III” engraved on the knife body. So subsequently I have been looking for that knife a Home Depot. But apparently I should have been looking at model numbers, because the 3 doesn’t have any special engraving in it’s finished form. Fastback model numbers are :
    48-22-1901 – Original
    48-22-1902 – Fastback II
    48-22-1903 – Fastback III

    I’m going to have to change what I’m looking for the next time I’m there.

    Reply
    • Stuart says

      Nov 9, 2016 at 10:53 am

      Well, it’s not exactly a ruse. It’s actually smart what they did, to create distinctions without having to label the knives as Fastback original, II, III, IV, etc.

      There’s now the original with no blade storage, the (3) Fastback with blade storage, and the compact.

      I’m pretty sure the Fastback II will disappear once sold out. It wouldn’t make sense to keep producing them.

      Reply
      • Dennis says

        Nov 9, 2016 at 6:53 pm

        I knew it wasn’t really a ruse, I was being facetious. It’s more of a scheme…

        Reply
  3. Nitsan says

    Nov 9, 2016 at 11:28 am

    I got the new compact. Had to order from the USA to UK so cost me about $46 instead of $9. lol
    Worth it though.

    Reply
  4. Brent says

    Nov 9, 2016 at 11:48 am

    Just to let you know that I got what I thought was a Fastback II from Amazon on Friday, and it turned out to be a 48-22-1903 (Fastback III). The site billed it as a Fastback II and it has the 48-22-1902 model number in the product description but what I got is the -1903 unit (as stamped on the handle).

    It is probably not worth a separate marketing effort to try and establish a separate identity for the Fastback III. It’s certainly going to be a hassle to get big box and online retailers to have multiple SKUs for a product that’s a mild incremental upgrade to the Fastback II, which hasn’t been in the market all that long.

    Reply
  5. Chris says

    Nov 9, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    I’ve had the Fastback 3 for a few months and I definitely prefer the Fastback 2. Pressing the button to open or close the Fastback 3 takes a too much strength. Minor detail, but I’m happier with the Fastback 2.

    Reply
    • Jeff @ Tool Box Buzz says

      Nov 9, 2016 at 12:31 pm

      I agree with you, Chris. I prefer the FB2 as well. The 3 clicks into the 45 degree position when I try and fast deploy to 90 degrees. I wonder if the carrier (swinging portion) on the 2 is interchangeable with the one on the 3.

      I have somewhere around 10 FB utility knives (between all iterations) but the compact is the one that gets the most use.

      Reply
  6. Sam says

    Nov 9, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    I like the compact knife alot.

    Reply
  7. Pete says

    Nov 10, 2016 at 12:13 am

    That compact looks awesome! I will buy one the second i see it!

    Reply
  8. Nate says

    Nov 10, 2016 at 7:34 am

    Only problem with the compact being the absolutely most awesome folding utility knife is the fact it can get really hooked on the sewn part of pants pocket making it really hard to get out. Other than that. ….great!

    Reply
    • KL says

      Nov 11, 2016 at 2:57 pm

      This EXACTLY! I really like my compact but the clip plus molded body (you’d have to see it to understand) is AGGRESSIVE! It catches on the hem (ironically a term I know only because of sheetmetal work) of pockets and does not want to be removed from your pants for use. On the bright side, you won’t accidentally lose this knife!

      Reply
  9. Dan Chabert says

    Apr 4, 2017 at 4:10 am

    The Milwaukee Compact Fastback utility knife looks interesting. I would love to have this one on my collection. Is it still available on the market?

    Reply
    • Stuart says

      Apr 4, 2017 at 7:53 am

      Yes.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • Mike on Giveaway: Milwaukee Packout 3-Drawer Tool Box + Wall Shelving Rack!: “This would come in handy with my garage refurb and reorganization. Go along with my other Milwaukee tools.”
  • John on ToughBuilt Aviation Snips – Coming Exclusively to Lowe’s: “I would’ve laughed hysterically if this article had said “why you shouldn’t buy aviation snips at Home Depot”.”
  • fred on ToolGuyd Misc Tool Talk and Social Media Summary (1/23/21): “You may know that Halder (Erwin Halder KG) also owns Picard (Joh. Hermann Picard GMBH) and Ruthe (Ruthe Hammerfabrik GMBH).…”
  • David Parkhurst on Giveaway: Milwaukee Packout 3-Drawer Tool Box + Wall Shelving Rack!: “To be honest I just got out of prison for child support I had quit paying it because I have…”
  • TMC on New Dewalt 20V Cordless Mowers, Powered by Dual 10Ah Batteries: “I don’t get the obsession with the larger OPE and cordless. The value prop isn’t there yet, it doesn’t make…”
  • David on New Bosch 18V 6-Port Battery Charger: “Bought on dec 16 2020. Sending it back January 22 2021. I plug all batteries in then plug into charge.…”

Recent Posts

  • ToolGuyd Misc Tool Talk and Social Media Summary (1/23/21)
  • Interesting ToughBuilt "Shock Block" Hammer Concept
  • Giveaway: Milwaukee Packout 3-Drawer Tool Box + Wall Shelving Rack!
  • ToughBuilt Aviation Snips - Coming Exclusively to Lowe's
  • New Oneida BenchTop DC Personal Dust Collector
  • Milwaukee Tool Flash Sale - Save $25 off $100+ (Ends 1/20/21)
  • Dewalt Tools FLASH SALE, Today Only 1/19/2021
  • Woodpeckers Auto-Line Drill Guide
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Cordless Impact Drivers
  • Best Cordless Multi-Tools
  • Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Modular Tool Storage Systems
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure