Electricians knife

fsatsil

fsatsil

Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
839
Just curious if there are any fellow electricians here? I'm curious what kind of knives you guys/gals use? I've tried many different knives from Sebenzas to $5 utility knives and I've always found that the utility knife works best. I mainly do residential work here in the NYC and Long Island area and I've found that a cheap utility knife works best.
 
I usually have to say a utility knife will be the best, and has been the best for me over the years. Although I have been keeping my Gayle Bradley Spyderco as my only knife for the past few months. I tend to see that I make my cuts more carefully and slowly with it versus the hacking I would generally do with a utlity knife.

I used to use a klein splicers knife for resi. It worked well when sharp, but I was no good with a sharpener back then. I know I gave you no good answer, but a utility knife may be best. The GB is pretty slick too. M4 has been a good user steel
 
I worked electrical about four decades ago. In my pouch I carried a Klein electrician's knife. Three carbon steel blades: Hawkbill, spear, and screwdriver blade. I used to keep the knife with the hawkbill blade open standing upright in the pouch. We did a lot of wiring for remodel contractors. We often had to work with the old (1940's) romex that was wrapped in paper with twine running around it. The hawkbill was ideal for cutting lengthwise through that so we could expose the conductors. I occasionally used the pen blade. Never touched the screwdriver blade. Hawkbills are also good for opening boxes when you have to star the cut in the middle of the surface.

I still have my Kleins, including my knife...

100_2845.jpg


Klein still supplies electrician's knives, including the same design I used to carry.
 
You really never used the screwdriver? I use it more than the blade it seems. I dont work strictly electrical but still, a scraper, screwdriver, pry bar is so handy when you're wedged in somewhere or on a ladder and dont feel like getting out.

Connor
 
Hello. My brother did electrical work as his full time job for a few years and he is pretty good in all things construction, mechanical, etc... He used a Spyderco "Harpy" for years. I believe he still has one or more of them as his preferred utility knife. Regards, Adam
 
Thanks guys I'm gonna have to try one of the folding Electricians knives like the Klien or Victorinox.
 
I use a buckingham 7089 .Been a electrician for 30 yrs. licensed in MD,DE. Have used many knives over the years.I change knives usually when I lose one.I use a file to get a good edge.I like the victorinox electrician but a fixed blade is much easier in freezing weather with gloves on.Even with a folding knife I leave the blade in the open position in my pouch
 
Last edited:
Thirty-five years in the trade as a master electrician/contractor. I use a Klein cable splicing knife and a Old Timer 34OT (USA Made) everyday on the job. I will take utility knives away from my workers if I see them using them for stripping wire, had too many guys getting stitched up because of their misuse of them, my insurance company frowns on that and so does my wallet :(.
 
Last edited:
I use the buckingham ergo blade skinning knife, but i work outside on larger wires and cables with thicker sheathing and insulation.
 
Yeah, I'd agree with that sd550. The worst knife accident I ever had as an apprentice (3 total), was when I was using a utility knife to scrape the flux and excess solder off an earth splice. I slipped and flapped my whole thumb. Right before the red waterfall, I was able to confirm that we are in fact made of chicken mince. After that my work insisted everyone use those crappy auto-retracting safety utility knives, which drove everyone nuts. I do still just use a utility knife (oooooh), plus my Spyderco Native 5 FRN, which FYI is just delicious. I did think about trying one of those SOG electrician folders - the Kilowatt - but... meh.
 
Not a tradesman myself. I do not see any of the high dollar knives we discuss on this forum being used by tradesmen. We just had our kitchen redone and the only knives I saw were the Husky utility knives. The lockbacks with blades that change out. I have yet to see any tradesmen with anything else. I have a friend who is a construction supervisor and he said that the Husky type of knife is all his guys use. Maybe they know something we don't? When you think about it, the blade on those is not very large. That leads me to believe that small knives are used more than large knives for real utility.
 
Electrician here. I use the utility knife for anything that will chew up the blade. I have a ZT 566 I carry for other cutting. I bought the Mora fixed blade for electricians and it's great for terminating.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top