I came across this WorkPro “premium titanium utility knife” again, and it’s considerably less expensive than I had expected.
At the time of this posting, it’s just $32 at Amazon, with a list price of $35.
“Titanium? Sure – kind of.
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It actually has an aluminum handle. WorkPro says it’s “elegant,” and I have to agree with them – this does look to be a clean and tidy design.
WorkPro says it features a CNC-machined unibody handle.
Ah, so the blade holder is made from titanium, and the handle is aluminum.
It features a thumb stud, liner lock, and deep carry belt clip. The price tag includes a 10-pack of extra utility knife blades.
Price: $32
Aside from the “what do you mean the premium titanium utility knife has an aluminum handle” part, this looks like a value-offering, as far as EDC-style folding utility knives go.
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I also don’t quite understand what they mean by “CNC unibody” given how the two halves of the handle look to be screwed together.
It’s also available with a black G-10 handle for a few dollars less.
Jared
I’m guessing the only reason the blade holder is made of titanium is so they could call it a “titanium utility knife”. Like if they thought they could get away with just making it “titanium” color and still using that name, they would have.
Workpro is a weird brand. I can’t quite settle my impression of them. They do seem to make (or maybe I should say “commission”) novel tools and sometimes even decent ones, but then they also sell in the “cheap as possible” category. The former would help build a recognizable brand, the latter seems to undo it.
That knife looks thick. Is it maybe aluminum scales over steel liners? I see the graphic says “aluminum handle”, but there are clearly two parts on each side of the blade section.
Stuart
Probably steel liners, aluminum handle slabs, Ti front holder part.
WorkPro’s parent company is an OEM that’s very good at B2B and, like many such companies, they’re a bit awkward in the B2C space. They seem focused on sales rather than brand-building. That’s not bad, but it’s why things start to get blurry when you step back and look at the brand as a whole rather than individual tools.
I’m pretty sure they made one of my favorite tool bags ever – a hard-bottom Stanley FatMax.
I think there’s little room for a recognizable brand outside of Amazon, and that might have been one of the intents for their acquisition of SK. Many Amazon entry price point shoppers don’t look closely at brands anymore, and this is supported by the success of brands with gibberish names.
I also think they could benefit from improved brand familiarity and recognition, but I also understand why they don’t want to invest in that or tighten up their image.
TomD
If you read some of the history of branding, you come to realize that there’s a pull between the brands and the retailers about who gets the dollars – Amazon is clearly working on (or at least permitting) the demphasization of brands.
Which will work to a point – until people don’t trust yumcha brands anymore
Stuart
Amazon permits it because it’s profitable for them, and because a lot of people like cheap stuff even if they’re not backed by known companies.
CMF
This 100%, there are many that do not even know what a “known” company is.
MM
Agreed about the “titanium” being a marketing angle.
Also, yeah, this knife is an odd thickness. From what I’ve seen, folding knives that use utility blades tend towards either of two categories: those made for working like the Milwaukee Fastback–which tend to have a large, thick, ergonomic handle–and those which are optimized for carry–such as the Gerber EAB–which are usually super slim and have a minimalist handle. This is shaped more like the slim EDC kind but it is rather thick?
PW
Agreed. I actually avoid Workpro because I never know what they’re offering. Is it a “good bang for buck” product? A decent price on an oddball tool? Or is it cost-cut crap?
As best I can tell it completely runs the gamut. The median offering seems pretty OK, but there’s a lot of other real brands I can get pretty-OK from with better assurances.
I’m surprised that with success of some Amazon-oriented brands in the US (Anker comes to mind) more of these Chinese companies haven’t absorbed that part of the success formula is consistency.
Stuart
I spoke with a US-based product VP there a long time ago, about some junk they made from a home center’s private label brand. “That’s what the client wanted.”
The WorkPro mini pliers I just bought are not Knipex or NWS quality, but I also feel they can hold their own against Husky, Harbor Freight’s better brands (maybe Icon?), Craftsman, and other mid priced brands.
I feel that the pliers above are a small risk. And if they’re terrible, I’ll send it back to Amazon.
With this particular style, there’s no competition. There’s this and Snap-on’s, with nothing in between yet, at least not that I’ve seen.
Jared
Were those Workpro’s mini water pump pliers? I bet those sold great compared to Knipex Cobra XSs. They’re no longer available on Amazon.ca.
I was definitively curious when I saw them. The price for Cobra XS pliers is tough to stomach for their size (even though I bought a pair).
Stuart
Yes. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNM3HJW1?tag=toolguyd-20
CMF
A lot of Knipex stuff can be tough to stomach at first. Then you see them around for a while and, myself, I sort of become desensitized to the feeling of when I first saw the price.
Someone has them on special for a couple of dollars off, and I grab them.
S
I rank everything on a cost-for-the-item basis. Every brand out there has losers in their lineups, and it’s just as weird to dedicate a tool box to a singular brand and deal with the loser as it is to discount an entire brand because of a niche tool.
My home tool box is full of tool store house brand tools that will never compete with knipex or old craftsman, but their cost competitiveness for basic usage is unbeatable. Not every single use demands a $600 tool.
Jeff
Workpro is indeed a strange brand. I have their spring clamps, they’re not great. The pads are always falling off. I also have their bar clamps, they’re fine, I’ve used them for several simple woodworking projects. I have their big cabinet telescoping support poles, and I love them. Very solid and easy to use.
fred
Workpro (Hangzhou Great Star) branded items seem to come and go on Amazon. Last year I bought a batch of their belt loop bit holders on carabiners as $4.99ea. stocking stuffers. When I looked to buy more – they had disappeared.
Stuart
I bought the same ones I posted about – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJZ4FBHZ?tag=toolguyd-20 . They had the 3pc set, then a larger set, and then nothing.
Aram
A similar concept that IS solid titanium for a few dollars more:
https://countycomm.com/collections/featured-products/products/madco-design-utility-blade-knife
D3t
Too bad us lefty’s are left out once again.
Griffin Klema
I’ve been following now for a few weeks, and first time commenting. Great site Stuart.
Given this is a knife, I think the correct terminology here for the aluminum parts are “scales” and not “handle” or “slabs.”
The first Workpro product I bought were their utility knife blades, and then their vise clamps for my pocket hole jig (considerably less expensive than the Kreg). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081RHSRNK ($17.50 back in 2021). They’ve been solid, and the price point makes them a good value in my opinion.
Stuart
Thank you! Yes, “scales” is the correct technical term. When in mixed company, I tend to use more descriptive terms.
CMF
Looks like a nice knife. I have some Workpro stuff and most of it is good, they do the job. Many years ago, HD had their 25ft tape measures dirt cheap, like $1.99. I would buy a couple every time I found myself at HD. Easily have a dozen scattered around workshop and sheds. They definitely aren’t fancy, but they all work well and if you lose one. it’s $2.
I might have to see the knife in person to see if I would want to pay the price for it.
CMF
Even though Workpro may be in the cheap category, they work for me and I am sometimes surprised by items that are cheap.
Case in point
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B243L7DN/
I bought these. I was expecting plastic housing; they are metal! 30 for $23. They do not compare to my Tajima 9mm or NT Line, but they are shocking good and will do any job my better ones can do.
There are cheap tools that have let me down, Workpro is NOT one of them
D
Are these guys in trouble with the competition from Workpro looks like from the same manufacturer.
https://exceeddesigns.com/product/tirant-razor-v3-utility-knife-50-50-stonewashed-6al-4v-titanium-slash-edition/
J. Newell
Had one, lost it, ordered its replacement the same day. These are truly exceptional little utility knives.