Kershaw Analyst Exudes A Hard-Working Attitude

What’s your highest priority when choosing a pocket knife? Price? Versatility? Weight? We got our hands on the Kershaw Analyst to see where this affordable folding knife fits in the wide range of options on the market.

Kershaw Analyst Blade

The Analyst’s blade begins its life as 8Cr13MoV steel. Its highlights include easy sharpening and decent corrosion resistance. That corrosion resistance gets an extra boost and a more tactical look from Kershaw’s BlackWash coating. It earns a mid-range score for toughness and is on the lower end for edge retention. Overall, it’s a good material choice for a knife that needs to work every day while staying easy on your wallet.

The steel forms into a 3.25-inch tanto blade with its classic piercing tip and hard angle that forgoes a slicing belly. The back end of the blade features serrations. In terms of function, it’s a solid piercing and chopping shape with the serrations making rope/cord cutting easier. Without the belly of a drop point blade, it’s not as effective for slicing.

The blade quickly deploys with a finger flipper and spring assist. Jimping on the back of the spine helps secure your thumb or forefinger during use and there’s a notch cut out just in front of that.

Kershaw Analyst Handle

Kershaw turns to glass-filled nylon for the handle material, helping to keep the overall weight of this knife down to 3.5 ounces. With a length of 4.25 inches, it gives the Analyst an overall length of 7.5 inches with the blade open.

There is some light texture in select areas more for aesthetics than grip.

Inside the handle is a liner lock to secure the blade in its open position. While not as beefy as a frame lock, it avoids breaking up the look of the handle.

There’s a deep carry clip that can install in four positions. It comes on the tip-up, right-hand carry side. If you prefer something else, you can put it on the left or right for either tip-up or tip-down carry.

There’s also a lanyard hole if you prefer to tether your knife.

Kershaw Analyst Price

The MSRP on the Kershaw 2062ST is $53.99 and as usual, retail prices are a bit lower. We found it on Amazon for $36.49. Kershaw back this knife with a lifetime warranty.

The Bottom Line

The Kershaw Analyst is a great example of an affordable EDC that’s right at home on a jobsite. Its partially serrated tanto blade is highly functional and the material choices keep the price tag down. Throw one in your toolbox, another in your tacklebox, and one more in your truck for good measure. Wherever the day takes you, chances are that the Analyst is happy to go along.

Specifications

• Model: Kershaw 2062ST
• Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV with BlackWash coating
• Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon
• Blade Style: Tanto with partially serrated edge
• Opening: Spring assisted with finger flipper
• Lock: Liner
• Blade Length: 3.25 inches
• Closed Length: 4.25 inches
• Open Length: 7.5 inches
• Clip: 4-position (tip up/down, left/right)
• Weight: 3.5 ounces

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Kershaw Cannonball Transforms A Premium Winner Into An Affordable EDC

Some days, it amazes me that knife brands continue to come out with new models. It seems like there are only so many ways to combine materials and shapes. Then you get something in your hands like the Kershaw Cannonball folding pocket knife and know exactly why they never quit designing.

As soon as we took the knife out of the box, we had flashbacks to the Zero Tolerance 0095—a knife Clint still carries every day after more than 6 years. We dove deeper to see if Kershaw’s 2061 can be just as epic.

Kershaw Cannonball Blade

Kershaw moves toward the upper half of blade material selection with D2 steel for the 2061. In terms of edge retention, it’s significantly better than 8Cr13MoV that comes on Kershaw’s entry-level knives but not as good as the super steels. It remains easy to sharpen and has decent corrosion resistance. Overall, it’s a step up from value steels without getting into the pricing of premium blends.

The D2 is shaped into a classic drop point design with a big belly that’s great for slicing. The spine gets some additional angling and a grind that adds visual interest before finishing off with a section of jimping. It’s 3.5 inches long and gets it no-nonsense look from a BlackWash coating. At 0.112 inches thick, it’s not the beefiest blade we’ve ever used, but it’s plenty strong enough for nearly anything.

To deploy the blade, there’s a substantial finger flipper that makes up a generous finger choil when the blade is out. The opening is spring assisted and quick.

Kershaw Cannonball Handle

The handle is stainless steel and contributes significantly to the knife’s 5.4-ounce weight. It features a similar angular design to the ZT 0950 rather than the smooth curve of the Blur. It’s 4.5 inches long and just over an inch tall, filling your hand and offering a secure grip.

Rather than sharing the scratch-hiding BlackWash coating of the blade, the handle receives a grey PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating instead.

Set into the side is a strong frame locking mechanism. While there’s nothing wrong with a good liner lock, I personally prefer the security of a frame lock and I don’t mind that it breaks up the look of the handle. It gives the knife a look that matches its strong overall personality.

On the back of the handle is a deep carry clip that comes pre-installed for a right pocket, tip-up carry. If you prefer it in your left pocket, the clip is reversible to the other side.

Kershaw Cannonball Price

The retail price of the Kershaw 2061 is $86.99 and online prices are running closer to $54.99. For a D2 knife with the look, feel, and function the Cannonball has, that’s a good price. Kershaw backs it with a limited lifetime warranty and also offers a mail-in sharpening service.

The Bottom Line

If you’re obsessed with knives, you know your favorites by name. The Zero Tolerance 0095 has been one of ours for years. The Kershaw Cannonball takes what we love about the 0095’s design, gives it a Kershaw makeover at an affordable price, and we freakin’ love it! Get your hands on this model if you’re looking for a hardworking EDC built to take whatever your day has in store for you.

Specifications

• Model: Kershaw 2061
• Blade Steel: D2 with BlackWash coating
• Handle Material: Stainless Steel with PVD coating
• Blade Length: 3.5 inches
• Closed Length: 4.5 inches
• Open Length: 8 inches
• Lock: Frame
• Opening: Spring assist
• Clip: Reversible deep carry
• Weight: 5.4 inches

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OLFA’s SK-16 Safety Knife Makes The Cutting And Blade Changing Process Simple

From professional electricians to warehouse workers, it’s hard to find a Pro who doesn’t use a good knife to make their job easier. In many work environments, it’s doubly important to have a strong knife that also reduces the risk of injury. Accidents happen— and they can hurt! OLFA’s SK-16 concealed blade safety knife lets you achieve the cutting strength you need while making injuries less likely.

OLFA SK-16 Safety Knife: The Big Deal

The SK-16 safety knife requires no activation, you simply pull it through the material to start cutting. It comes pre-loaded with a stainless-steel replaceable blade head. The blades even feature flow-through cutting channels to minimize resistance for smoother cuts.

With tip guards on the ends and the blade’s middle section hidden in the housing, an adult finger is too large to reach the cutting edge. Additionally, those guard tips ensure you don’t damage the material or surface underneath the blades while you cut.

Blade changes are easier, too— you push down the red switch on the side to pop out the old blade. Then, you just place the new blade in the slot and you’re good to go. Contact with the sharp edges is limited even while you switch blades.

OLFA tells us that the SK-16 safety knife is seven times stronger than similar products in head-to-head testing in corrugated cardboard. It also promotes less waste than standard disposable safety blades common in warehouses and retail settings.

Additional Features

• 0.39-inch (6.5 mm) cutting depth
• Fiberglass-reinforced handle for durability
• Resistant to accidental drops
• Curved ergonomic handle
• Handle heel includes a metal tape splitter

Price

The OLFA SK-16 safety knife will be available starting September 2022 and retails for $15.99. The replacement blade heads will also release in September 2022, with a pack of 10 running $25.99. The knife is covered by OLFA’s limited lifetime warranty.

Specifications

• Model: OLFA SK-16
• Cutting depth: 0.39 in (6.5 mm)
• Blade material: Stainless steel
• Handle material: Fiberglass

The post OLFA SK-16 Concealed Blade Safety Knife appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Kershaw Flatbed Is An Affordable, Functional EDC Pocket Knife

Without even looking at the Kershaw Flatbed pocket knife, the name indicates a highly functional utility. Our knives have to work for a spot in our pockets and we wanted to know if there’s more to this one than just a name.

Kershaw Flatbed Pocket Knife Blade

Kershaw starts with 8Cr13MoV blade steel. It takes an excellent edge and while its edge retention isn’t great compared to the super steels, it’s easy to sharpen and has decent corrosion resistance. Kershaw’s Blackwash finish adds an extra layer of corrosion resistance and it’s a very attractive finish in my opinion.

Overall, it’s a respectable steel blend that we prefer over 420HC and makes for an affordable knife.

Kershaw shapes the blade into an American Tanto style that measures 3 1/8 inches. Its plain edge adds a slight belly to its leading section before hitting the classic Tanto angle. The spine of the blade introduces a curve starting at the tip before angling down and sweeping back up into the jimping.

It’s a good choice for cuts that require a solid piercing tip to get started and makes for reliable tactical use.

The blade deploys with a spring assist and finger flipper. The action is snappy and while the movement isn’t as smooth as some of the bearing-only models, it’s so quick that you won’t notice.

Kershaw Flatbed Pocket Knife Handle

The handle features a lightweight, comfortable black G10 material. Inside, there’s a liner lock that avoids disrupting the exterior look the way a frame lock does.

There’s a Blackwashed steel inlay on one side, breaking up the handle with an asymmetrical shape that adds interest.

The clip is left/right reversible and installs only in the tip-up carry position. It’s a deep carry style that only leaves ~1/4-inch of the handle exposed above your pocket.

Additional Highlights

• 4 1/8 inches closed, 7 1/4 inches open
• 3.2 ounces

Kershaw Flatbed Price

Kershaw’s price for the Flatbed is a very reasonable $39.99 and it’s running about the same at our favorite online retailers. Kershaw backs the knife with a limited lifetime warranty.

The Bottom Line

The Kershaw Flatbed folding pocket knife lives up to its name as a highly functional EDC. If you’re looking for a tough, reliable, and affordable pocket knife that’s comfortable in a wide range of applications, the Flatbed is a great choice.

Specifications

• Model: Kershaw 1376
• Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV with Blackwash finish
• Blade Style: Tanto
• Opening: Spring-assisted flinger flipper
• Handle Material: G10
• Clip: Left/right deep carry, tip-up
• Blade Length: 3 1/8 inches
• Closed Length: 4 1/8 inches
• Open Length: 7 1/4 inches
• Weight 3.2 ounces

The post Kershaw Flatbed Folding Pocket Knife Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Dremel’s Cordless Electric Scissors Are At The Cutting Edge of DIY Tools

Have a ton of cutting to do with manual scissors? Help is on the way for DIYers, crafters, and anyone who hates clamshell packaging with the release of Dremel 4V cordless electric scissors.

Dremel 4V Cordless Electric Scissors: The Big Deal

In the days of online shopping, it seems like everything is packaged with enough durability to withstand the tribulations of travel. This can be both a blessing and a curse since oftentimes this leads to an abundance of packaging delivered to your doorstep that you are responsible for disposing of. Not to mention trying to tackle that devilish clamshell packaging that’s enough to break your best pair of scissors and threatens to cut your hands.

Dremel’s 4V cordless electric scissors feature durable, sharp blades. Designed to cut through materials like hard plastic and cardboard without breaking a sweat, these electric scissors are great for DIY projects and so many things around the house. Just don’t use them to replace your poultry shears. Everything else is fair game.

Additionally, they offer compact convenience and are easy to store in a drawer or toolbox when not in use.

Using the USB-C charger that comes in the package, the scissors reach a full charge in around 90 minutes. Once you top it off, the 4V lithium-ion battery holds a charge for up to 18 months while you’re storing it. A battery indicator light allows you to always know the level of charge and never have to guess when it will run out of juice.

Additional Features

• Variable speed
• Safety lock when set to 0
• Includes two blade sets

Dremel 4V Cordless Electric Scissors Price

Dremel’s electric scissors are available now on Amazon. The set retails for $49.99 and includes the scissors, two blade sets, a USB-C charger, and a charging cable. They will also be available at The Home Depot and Lowe’s in summer 2022. Dremel backs the tool with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Specifications

• Model: Dremel HSSC-01
• Weight: 1.45 lbs
• Dimensions: 16.34 x 12.28 x 2.17 inches
• Batteries: 1 lithium-ion battery required (included)
• Material: Plastics
• Power source: Integrated lithium-ion battery
• Warranty: 2-year manufacturer

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Oh, Snap! Lenox Fast Snap Utility Knife Breaks New Ground

Most of us that use utility knives frequently can appreciate the convenience of snap-style blades. Breaking them off and finding where the pieces fly off to are challenges we have to deal with, though. The Lenox Fast Snap utility knife deals with these issues in a wonderfully innovative way.

Pros

• Snap blades easily with one hand
• Magnet captures snapped blade pieces
• Excellent handle comfort
• Durable build
• Excellent value

Cons

• No significant drawbacks

Editor’s Note: Check out our best utility knife article for our top picks in this category.

Using the Lenox Fast Snap Utility Knife

At first glance, the design of this utility knife looks very much like many sliding snap-off models. Using the plastic slider, you advance or retract the blade, or pull it back completely to replace it.

There’s no lock for your blade position, but positive stops keep it from sliding while you cut.

The shape of the handle clearly has some thought behind it and it fits well in our hands. The comfort and grip security levels come up several notches thanks to blue overmold on the base of the handle and the top back section.

If there was nothing else special about this design, Lenox would already have a winner on its hands… but it gets even better.

Instead of snapping off the used portion of your blade against the handle, the front section pivots out to snap it off. Start by pushing the front of the blade up to the indicator marked with an arrow. Press the red release on the top forward, then kick out to the left, and the blade snaps easily with one hand.

It’s very easy, but it’s worth noting that you need to do your snaps with your right hand (sorry, lefties).

Adding another layer of convenience, a magnet captures the section of blade you break off, so you can easily control when and where you dispose of it. We’ll take fewer razor-sharp blade pieces flinging around to our shop floor any day.

Lenox packs the Fast Snap utility knife with a carbide blade that we’ve enjoyed using. If you prefer other brands, such as OLFA, the 18mm blades ones fit perfectly.

Lenox Fast Snap Utility Knife Price

We expect retail prices to run $14.97 when this utility knife hits Lowe’s in December 2021. That’s a fantastic value for what you get.

The Bottom Line

Lenox knocked it out of the park with their Fast Snap utility knife. From the shape and feel of the handle to the snapping mechanism and magnetic capture, this is the best snap-style utility knife we’ve used. Unless your jobsite has specific safety requirements about the kind of utility knife you can use, we highly recommend giving Lenox a shot.

The post Lenox Fast Snap Utility Knife Review LXHT10597 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Knipex CutiX Snap Knife Cuts with Precision, Without Bending or Breaking

Snap-off blades are great for their utility. When your sharp edge dulls out, you simply snap off the tip to reveal a new, sharp edge. However, because of the design of the blade, you have to be careful with the pressure you apply while cutting. These knives tend towards bending and inadvertently snapping the blade. But, Knipex has come up with a solution for this problem with the CutiX Snap Knife.

Editor’s Note: Check out our best utility knife article for our top picks in this category.

What Is Knipex Saying About the CutiX Snap Knife?

The CutiX is designed to be a quick, precise and user-friendly universal snap knife. The stabilization bar keeps the blade from bending, which allows users to make quick and precise cuts in seconds.

Peter A. Grable, senior product manager, KNIPEX Tools

What’s the Big Deal?

The Knipex CutiX Snap Knife features an extendable stabilization bar that you can engage or retract based on your application. This allows you to apply more pressure directly on the blade without any fear of breakage. Plus, because the support bar exists on a different slide than the blade, you can set it independently. For added security, the CutiX also features a hardened steel pin to help hold the blade in place.

Knipex has constructed the CutiX Snap Knife with a lightweight magnesium housing with a non-slip surface. You can use any 18mm snap-off blades with the CutiX, and you can store two replacement blades in the handle. Replacing the blade is easy, requiring only the push of a button. The CutiX also features a tether attachment point at the handle as well, so you can work at height without fear of dropping the knife

Other Features

• Ergonomic shape gives you several gripping surfaces
• Suitable for cuts with various depths and different materials

Pricing

You can pick up the CutiX Snap Knife for $29.99. Knipex provides two replacement blades that have seven cutting points each.

Knipex CutiX Universal Snap Knife Specs

• Model Number: Knipex 90 10 165 BKA
• Handle Type: Plastic
• Material: Magnesium
• Lockable Blade: Yes
• Blade Type: Snap-Off
• Onboard Blade Storage: Yes; storage for 2 blades
• Length: 165mm
• Weight: 111 grams
• Price: $29.99

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Upgraded Crescent Aviation Snips Give HVAC Pros More Options

Crescent has upgraded the line of tradesman aviation snips with new handle colors and a black oxide coating. They claim these black oxide-coated compound Crescent aviation snips will deliver over half a million cuts. That’s enough to complete over 700 residential HVAC installs.

Crescent Aviation Snips: The Big Deal

The biggest upgrade that we can tell with the snips revolves around the tool handle material and color. The handles use a more aggressive design that still looks comfortable. The presence of black also reduces the colors to an accent design—leaving less to get dirty.

Crescent also uses a black oxide coating on the similar M3X series compound snips. Black oxide tends to improve the lifespan of a tool by decreasing rust and corrosion.

Compound Aviation Snips with Serrated Blades

The Crescent Aviation Snips continue to feature a free float design on the pivot bolt to provide longer tool life. Crescent puts blade serrations into the snips. Those help to hold the work material in place while spreading the cut force uniformly across the blade edge. Crescent claims that these blades extend the overall lifespan of the tool while also improving the actual cut quality.

According to the brand, this design also prevents tears at the end of your cuts by controlling the blade bypass, minimizing both folding and burrs.

Additional Features

• Cuts up to 18 gauge low carbon rolled steel
• Spring-action handle for an easier feed
• Handles have built-in stops, providing consistent operation and blade opening
• Single-handed latch operation for left or right-handed use
• Ergonomic, two shot material non-slip handle grips
• Built-in hang hole for convenient storage

Availability

You can find the Crescent Aviation Snips at any place where Crescent Wiss tools are sold. We found the line at Acme Tools, available for pre-order now; they’re expected to become available in August. All of the snips come with a Limited Lifetime warranty. Below is a list of the entire line of snips, along with prices you can expect at checkout.

Crescent Black Oxide Aviation Snips Lineup

• M1P 9-3/4″ Compound Action Straight and Left Aviation Snips – $16.99
• M2P 9-3/4″ Compound Action Straight and Right Cut Aviation Snips – $16.99
• M3P 9-3/4″ Compound Action Straight, Left and Right Cut Snips – $16.99
• M6P 9-1/4″ Offset Straight and Left Cut Aviation Snips – $19.99
• M7P 9-1/4″ Offset Straight and Right Cut Aviation Snips – $19.99
• M8P 9-4/5″ Offset Straight, Left and Right Cut Aviation Snips – $19.99

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Toughbuilt Tackles Three Tasks in One Tool

Toughbuilt launched a first-of-its-kind retractable utility knife. It pulls triple duty as a utility knife, scraper, and light-duty pry bar. We love to multitask and can appreciate a tool that combines a couple of key uses into one. The Toughbuilt Retractable Scraper Utility Knife makes for super simple transitions between applications. We could easily see this tool become a favorite of those in the construction, painting, industrial, or DIY fields.

Editor’s Note: Check out our best utility knife article for our top picks in this category.

Check out the Toughbuilt Scraper Utility Knife in Action!

Toughbuilt Scraper Utility Knife Design Notes

The Toughbuilt design team has engineered the Scraper Utility Knife with unique thumb switch mechanism that quickly flips the position of the blade. By pressing the button at the business end of the knife housing, you can unlock the blade from its normal cutting position and move it to a position more conducive to scraping away paint, putty, adhesives, labels, and more.

Because of this proprietary mechanism, this tool requires the use of special blades that include a central trapezoidal hole which it uses to secure the blade during travel. These blades also work on traditional utility knives, but standard blades won’t work with this tool.

At the back of the 6″ handle, Toughbuilt adds a mini pry bar. It won’t pull up any nails, but it seems well-suited for opening paint cans. This is a design element we’re starting to see on several recent utility knives, and it’s incredibly helpful.

Other Features

• Rubberized grip
• Carry loop for tethering the tool
• Blades made from 58% aluminum and zinc alloy, 15% ABS, PP, and TPE, and 27% steel
• Smooth blade

The Bottom Line

The Toughbuilt Retractable Scraper Utility Knife is the first tool we’ve seen with this sort of design, and it’s incredibly helpful. We’re often in need of a scraper, but that generally involves looking for a separate tool. By having these two tools tied together, and with the additional utility of the built-in pry bar, we can cover a wide variety of applications without spending any time trying to hunt down a dedicated scraper.

Pricing

You can pick up the Toughbuilt Retractable Scraper Utility Knife from Lowe’s. They sell it both in-store and online for $17.98. It comes with 5 blades, and it’s time to pick up more, you can get a 30-pack of the proprietary razor blades for less than $10.

Toughbuilt Retractable Scraper Utility Knife Specs

• Model: Toughbuilt TB-H4S5-01
• Handle Type: Triple injected plastic
• Number of Blades Included: 5
• Folding: No
• On-Tool Blade Storage: No
• Snap-Off Blade: No
• Retractable: Yes
• Handle Length: 6 in.
• Blade Length: 2.2 in.
• Blade Material: Steel
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• Price: $17.98

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Folding Utility Knives Designed for One-Hand Use

When you’ve got things to cut, but only have one free hand, well, that’s when the perks of the Irwin ProFlip Utility Knives really make a difference. With Irwin’s ProFlip mechanism, you can quickly open and close these knives with one hand. The Irwin ProFlip line includes both a compact model and a premium version with 5-blade storage.

Irwin ProFlip Compact Folding Utility Knife

The Irwin ProFlip Compact knife seems ideal for users who prefer a smaller knife and who don’t need to change blades super frequently. It has onboard storage for an extra blade.

Editor’s Note: Check out our best utility knife reviews article for even more options.

We like the flip mechanism that seems easy to access with your thumb while holding the tool in one hand. It reminds us a lot of the Milwaukee Fastback utility knife. Irwin also included convenient plastic swing-out storage for a single blade.

Irwin ProFlip Premium Folding Utility Knife

The full-sized Premium ProFlip Utility Knife is perfect for heavy users who will tear through blade changes. That’s because Irwin designed this model with onboard storage for up to 5 extra blades.

Both models feature a protected blade change that prevents accidental blade release. They both also have an aluminum handle that should stand up to plenty of typical jobsite abuse. Both utility knives also come with Irwin’s shatterproof bi-metal blades.

Pricing

You can find both of the Irwin ProFlip Folding Utility Knives at Lowe’s. The Compact model will run you $10.98 while the full-size model retails for $13.98. You can also pick up a 5-Pack of replacement blades for $1.98.

Irwin ProFlip Compact Folding Utility Knife Specs

• Model: Irwin IWHT10577
• Handle Material: Aluminum
• Handle Length: 4.5 in.
• Blade Length: 1 in.
• Folding: Yes
• Snap-Off Blade: No
• Retractable: No
• Onboard Storage: 1 blade
• Price: $10.98

Irwin ProFlip Premium Utility Knife Specs

• Model: Irwin IWHT10578
• Handle Material: Aluminum
• Handle Length: 4.875 in.
• Blade Length: 1 in.
• Folding: Yes
• Snap-Off Blade: No
• Retractable: No
• Onboard Storage: 5 blades
• Price: $13.98

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