A utility knife is a type of knife commonly known as a razor blade knife, a carpet knife, or a stationery knife. This knife is usually used for paper cutting crafts and removing various soft to medium-hard peels or skin.
Besides, we also use these knives for cutting small fruits and vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, lemons, oranges, etc.
However, you have to be careful while using a utility knife since they usually use sharp razors as the blades.
So, if you do not use it carefully, there is a risk of an accident. Therefore, it is essential to know the precautions and guidelines for using this knife.
What are utility knife blades made of?
Utility knife blades are usually made of carbon steel. But, some utility knives and box cutter blades are also made of stainless steel.
These stainless steel blades typically do not show any rust or discoloration. But they are not strong enough to keep the sharp edge.
What are the parts of a utility knife?
Below are some basic parts of the utility knife:
- Button to stretch and pull back the blade.
- Handle.
- Quick Blade Removal Button (optional)
- Blade.
- Line/String Cutting Notch (optional)
- Built-in blade storage (optional)
How to snap blade off utility knife?
We usually know those utility knives are used for cutting. But we often see that utility knives’ blade becomes blunt while cutting.
Then, instead of cutting, this knife drags the cut material onto it. Therefore, to reveal a new sharp edge, we need to snap off the blade of this knife.
Yet, many people do not know how to snap blade off utility knife. Therefore, due to not knowing the correct method, the blade of these knives often breaks during snapping off.
The 4- steps on how to safely snap off the blade of a utility knife are given below:
Step-1:
First, you need to use a plier, goggles, and cut-resistant gloves to safely turn off the utility knife’s blade. You can easily grip the knife and open the blade securely with less effort.
In this case, goggles and cut-resistant gloves provide excellent safety against any accident.
Step-2:
Then, you need to hold the edge of the blade tightly. If you can perceive it from a point near the dividing line, it will be much easier and safer for you to snap off the blade.
If you hold the edge of the blade tightly with pliers, you can easily break it with less force.
Step-3:
If you use the pliers with a controlled force, you can safely break the blade’s edge. Therefore, the broken end of this blade will not fly off anywhere. In this situation, there will be no chance of an accident occurring.
Step-4:
Finally, you can continue your cutting with the remaining edge of the blade after the breaking is done. Now, you can also avoid unintentional injury by the broken edges of this adjustment.
What precautions should I take while snapping off a utility knife?
The blades of the utility knives are very sharp. And so, we can often cut off our fingers. So, it is essential to use these knives safely.
Therefore, never try to snap off the blade with bare hands. Wear gloves and hold the blade component you wish to snap off with a pair of pliers.
Also, you should wear safety goggles when snapping off the blade. Most importantly, you have to remember that you need to snap off the edge before it gets entirely dull to perform any cutting job.
How do you keep a utility knife at home?
To keep a utility knife at home, you must follow some guidelines and precautions, which are given below:
- First, you need to keep your knife always dry and clean.
- Before using it, always wash your hands with warm soapy water.
- Never put your knife through the dishwasher or soak it in water.
- Carbon steel knives require some extra care to keep your blades durable.
- Carbon steel is especially responsive to elevated acid products.
What is the difference between a box cutter and a utility knife?
A utility knife has a blade that we can fold. These knives are usually good for everyday carrying. We use utility knives to cut a variety of small food and vegetables. Besides, they are also used for a wide range of cutting works.
On the other hand, a box cutter retracts the blades. They are specially made for box opening. These box cutters are also compact and easy to store. Overall, both these knives are beneficial in their respective aspects.
Are utility knives safe?
Because of the razor, the blade of this utility knife is very sharp. Hence, it is essential to be very careful while using it.
A single carelessness can cause a massive accident. Moreover, it is also important to take safety measures like wearing gloves and goggles while using them.
Conclusion
Although utility knives are convenient, they have risk factors while snapping off. But if you stay careful while snapping it off, you can keep yourself safe from any unwanted accident.
In this article, we have covered everything about snapping off the blade of a utility knife. We hope you will find this article helpful indeed.