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?
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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.
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)
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
schill
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.
schill
Sorry. I guess you meant “Where’s the knife?”, not “Where’s the wire stripper.”
Stuart
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.
Dennis
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.
Stuart
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.
Dennis
I knew it wasn’t really a ruse, I was being facetious. It’s more of a scheme…
Nitsan
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.
Brent
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.
Chris
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.
Jeff @ Tool Box Buzz
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.
Sam
I like the compact knife alot.
Pete
That compact looks awesome! I will buy one the second i see it!
Nate
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!
KL
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!
Dan Chabert
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?
Stuart
Yes.