It’s easy to confuse utility knives and craft knives, especially when there are a handful of different names for the latter. For example, you may have heard some call craft knives hobby knives, precision knives, and X-Acto knives. Granted, both knives can be utilized for a wide array of tasks, and sometimes those overlap. That being said, each type serves a distinct purpose. Let’s dive into what these knives are, the main difference between them, and what to look for when buying them.
What Is a Utility Knife?
A utility knife is a hand tool that’s used to cut a wide variety of materials such as corrugated packaging, plastic, rope, foam insulation, drywall, carpet, vinyl flooring, plastic sheeting, dried caulk, and nylon window screens. You can utilize it for industrial and household tasks.
Utility knives normally sport a small blade and a thicker handle that’s composed of plastic, stainless steel, glass-filled nylon, wood, and aluminum. Common blade materials include stainless steel, titanium, zirconium oxide, and carbon steel. These utility knives also boast different retractable features.
There are three main retraction options for the utility knife. The manual retraction feature enables the user to lock the blade into two positions: exposed and retracted. You control when the blade is exposed and vice versa.
The auto-retractable option boasts a spring-loaded blade that retracts automatically when you release the slider. Lastly, the self-retracting feature self-retracts when the blade loses contact with the cutting material.
What Is a Craft Knife?
A craft knife is a kind of precision knife with a long blade and a slender, pen-like body. Additionally, a craft knife usually boasts a safety cap to prevent accidental cuts and lacerations. Most craft knives have a textured anti-slip control grip over the handle so you get more control over your tool.
Craft knives are normally utilized for paper crafts and other artistic creations. You can use a craft knife for candle making, sewing, leather applique, nail art, metal art, colored pencil art, rubber stamping, wall decorations, model making, carving, paper cutting, and more.
Craft knife handles are typically made of aluminum, plastic, metal, nylon, rubber, and wood. Craft knife blades are usually composed of carbon steel, zirconium oxide, titanium, and stainless steel.
While most craft knives are used in the arts sphere, they can be applied to electronics manufacturing, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals.
So What’s the Main Difference?
Craft knives are generally utilized for finer, more delicate tasks that require precision, whereas utility knives are best for general use and more industrial settings. Craft knives are better for thinner, daintier materials; utility knives tend to fare better with thicker materials.
That being said, if you purchase the best utility knives and craft knives on the market, you’ll find that they can be incredibly versatile. Of course, it’s always best to do your own research regarding the latest in knife technology.
What to Look for When Buying a Utility Knife
There are prominent features you should be on the lookout for when buying a utility knife. For example, you want a blade that’s safe to the touch without forgoing its effectiveness. Zirconium oxide is an advanced ceramic that has the best of both worlds: It retains a hardness that’s tougher than steel while also effectively cutting a myriad of materials.
In addition, you should consider investing in a utility knife that boasts a glass-filled nylon handle. It’s a sturdy and durable material that’s also comfortable to hold. This is especially helpful if you need to use a knife for extended periods of time. This material can help prevent unnecessary muscle strain from overuse.
A retractable feature is also great for that extra layer of protection, notably a self-retracting utility knife. The last thing you want to do is injure yourself while you’re cutting or inadvertently hurt the next user with an exposed blade.
What to Look for When Buying a Craft Knife
There are features and qualities you should look for when purchasing a craft knife. Some features to consider are similar to utility knife features. Like the utility knife, you should invest in a blade that’s made of zirconium oxide if you want a safe and effective cutting experience. It’s sharp enough to cut but much more finger-friendly than other types of knives.
Additionally, you should think about buying a craft knife that sports a textured anti-slip grip. While it’s already beneficial that craft knives have slender, pen-like handles, the grip adds another element of control, which is what you need when you’re doing delicate tasks.
Consider investing in a craft knife that doesn’t require a tool to change blades. Easy, no-tool blade changes are best to avoid potential injuries and ensure that your workflow is uninterrupted.
Utility knives and craft knives boast some differences, but if you really invest in high-quality knives, you’ll find that you can perform quite a bit of the same tasks with both of them. Having a sturdy, reliable utility knife and craft knife in your arsenal can make a world of difference.
