Automatic Box Cutters?

Moxy

Moxy

Joined
Oct 30, 2011
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My job requires me to open and destroy boxes all day long. They supply us with these cheapo silver razors but I find them hard to use and dangerous. So I opt for my Kershaw Chive. But sharpening it constantly is annoying, and even though the blade is pretty sleek I really should be using a knife that uses replaceable razors. My question is, is there such thing as a automatic liner/frame lock folder, like the Chive, but that takes razor blades? I don't really prefer OTF box cutters. Any ideas?

-Tony
 
There are a bunch of cheap folding knives now that use replaceable utility blades but I have never seen any that are assisted or automatic.
 
I've never seen an auto or assisted either, but one probably exists through some low end Chinese model.

I personally used a Gerber EAB before, but stopped as the knife soon began falling apart.

whatever knife you use, strop it on the cardboard you're cutting once a while to make it last a bit longer.
 
I think you're mistaken on what an automatic folder is. Autos are deployed with a switch or button, not a flipper or thumbstud, or anything attached to the blade. The button mechanism also usually serves as the lock, so there aren't many framelock or linerlock autos.
 
Tsujigiri said:
I think you're mistaken on what an automatic folder is. Autos are deployed with a switch or button, not a flipper or thumbstud, or anything attached to the blade. The button mechanism also usually serves as the lock, so there aren't many framelock or linerlock autos.
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There are plenty, they're just double actions! :D
 
Superknife makes a folding box cutter (utility knife) with an Aluminum handle, thumb stud, pocket clip, and liner lock. It can be carried in a belt pouch which has room for extra blades. The newer models have quick blade change features. Irwin makes premium hardened blades which if purchased in the 100 pack are not ridiculously expensive. They out last regular blades about 3:1.
 
I have a Bessey and it's great. I used while working construction for a summer and it was much like carrying a folder. It took a WHILE to make it smooth (oil and graphite), but once it was broken in, it's become one of my favorites. It's not the best quality, as the handle is really soft metal and I've dropped it few times, so a few deformations here and there; but, for like 20 Bux it's a steal! The one in the picture has plastic handles, but mine has metal ones. No need to sharpen anything, as it uses replaceable standard double tipped razors.

37998783-260x260-0-0_Bessey+Bessey+Dbkah+Quick+Change+Folding+Utility+K.jpg
 
for cutting cardboard all day I think a toothy steel like D2 would be pretty handy, and the thinnest D2 blade ive seen is a CB leek, which also has a flipper and is assisted like the chive
 
Meyerco makes an assisted opening one, Blackie Collins design, runs about ten dollars. Not sure if it's considered 'deal-spotting' for me to post a link, but if you do a search it should be pretty easy for you to find. As far as I know it's the only assisted box cutter out there. I've got one and I like it, but it wouldn't be my first choice. It works fine, but if I'm going to be opening/breaking down boxes, or cutting carpet etc. all day I'll grab something else. Personally I really prefer a well designed OTF box cutter if I'm going to be using it a lot; just as fast/faster to open, faster to close, adjustable blade length, and to me they're almost always a lot more comfortable for extended/heavy use. Not trying to knock the folding ones though, you know what you like, and they're definitely handy. Anyway, if you want an assisted/automatic, I think the Meyerco's your only option, and at about $10 it won't break the bank (although I don't think I've ever seen a box cutter that would).

Edit: Also meant to mention, I completely agree with Tiguy about the Irwin 'Bi-Metal' blades. They're great, you should think about getting some.
 
ampersand314 said:
Meyerco makes an assisted opening one, Blackie Collins design, runs about ten dollars. Not sure if it's considered 'deal-spotting' for me to post a link, but if you do a search it should be pretty easy for you to find. As far as I know it's the only assisted box cutter out there. I've got one and I like it, but it wouldn't be my first choice. It works fine, but if I'm going to be opening/breaking down boxes, or cutting carpet etc. all day I'll grab something else. Personally I really prefer a well designed OTF box cutter if I'm going to be using it a lot; just as fast/faster to open, faster to close, adjustable blade length, and to me they're almost always a lot more comfortable for extended/heavy use. Not trying to knock the folding ones though, you know what you like, and they're definitely handy. Anyway, if you want an assisted/automatic, I think the Meyerco's your only option, and at about $10 it won't break the bank (although I don't think I've ever seen a box cutter that would).

Edit: Also meant to mention, I completely agree with Tiguy about the Irwin 'Bi-Metal' blades. They're great, you should think about getting some.
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I have had a Blackie Collins Meyerco assisted opening box cutter for about 8 years; I use it everyday, beat the crap out of it,and it just
refuses to die. Mine has a button lock rather than a liner lock. The spring is getting a little weak and the spring loaded pin that holds the
blade in place snapped off (use a zip tie now), but for $10 the thing has been amazing.
 
Oh, I agree, for $10 it's great. I'm just biased toward the retractable ones. I put mine through it's paces (not nearly as long as you have though) and it's held up great for the most part. Only thing that hasn't held up so well on mine is the liner lock, it'll fail from light-moderate thumb pressure now (my fault, I accidentally dropped it on a concrete floor while it was open). Really doesn't bother me though, wouldn't get cut if it tried to close on me anyway, a nasty little pinch is about the worst that would happen. I just think of mine as a beefy, assisted, slipjoint box cutter now.
 
I have the Blackie Collins assisted opening boxcutter from back when they were marketed by Camillus (Camco). Liner lock model. Pretty junky. Looks identical to the current Meyerco version. It'd be funny if the Meyerco branded one was actually better put together. The design itself is typically Blackie Collins: though functional, needlessly complicated and less than carefully thought out. I also have another Blackie Collins non assisted folding boxcutter, all plastic (FRN?) with a Axis-like lock. This one is a worse design.

There are tons of gizmo-y new folding and retracting utility knives, almost all of them very inexpensive. Some are crappy, some are good. But for all day work, a plain old Stanley retractable or fixed is probably the best bet. Reliable, comfortable, cheap, common.
 
I have one of these folder-styles that I got for free with some other tool purchase. After playing around with it for awhile, there is a basic flaw with this design. The thumbstud/opener is also the blade release. I just think that this may cause an accident sooner or later.
 
Kershaw "Needs Work" makes an awesome box cutter, and it sharpens up pretty easily.
 
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