Folding Box Cutter Review - SuperKnife SK Edge vs. Lowe's Kobalt (lots of pics)

bruner

bruner

Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
29
I recently bought two folding box cutter knives. A SuperKnife SK Edge and a Lowe's Kobalt lock-back. Both were under $10. I was interested in comparing the unique mechanisms that each knife uses for holding the blade and for locking the blade open.

Here are some profile shots. The blue knife is the Kobalt, the black knife is the SuperKnife.http://img114.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc051779rp.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc051707ey.jpg

Front, closed:


Back, closed:


Lock side, open:


For locking the knives in the open position, you simply fold them open. The SuperKnife uses a liner lock, which contributes to is lighter weight and narrower profile. The Kobalt has a lock back which is the same as you would find on a common lock blade knife. This adds weight to the Kobalt as well as prevents if from being a one-hand open and close tool.

The following images show how to remove/replace blades on the Kobalt:








The following images show how to remove/replace blades on the SuperKnife:







The SuperKnife SK Edge comes with one SuperKnife blade installed. It should be noted that although the packaging states "holds standard & contractor grade utility blades", I only had some common Stanley blades to try and they didn't fit well at all. SuperKnife replacement blades are advertised as "twice as thick as a standard utility knife blades" and in fact they are. The SuperKnife blade was too thick to be used on the Kobalt knife. This problem I had with using standard utility blade replacements may be due to a defect in my SuperKnife. When testing the knife on a cardboard box using the SuperKnife pre-installed blade, it failed to hold the blade during normal use leading me to believe that's it's most likely a manufacturing defect. I have sent an email to the manufacturer asking to have mine sent in for repair/replacement. Only time will tell how that works out and I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Here's a picture of the SuperKnife failure:


As you can see with the Kobalt model, blade replacement is much more involved. The Kobalts blade holder is very similar to other generic folding box cutters that I have seen for sale. For me, it truley ads a lot of unwanted bulk to the knife. It works fine, but I much prefer the SuperKnife's blade holder.

In a nutshell, yes the Kobalt succeeded where the SuperKnife failed, but... Provided SuperKnife repares or replaces my defective unit, I rank SuperKnife the winner.

The SuperKnife is less bulky, has a thinner profile, weights less, can be one-hand open and closed and simply looks and carries better.

These are just my opinions and observations. If I can answer any questions you might have, I'd be happy to.

Thanks for looking,
Dan

EDIT (05/29/06) Unhappy with SuperKnife:

Gerber Knives received my faulty SuperKnife on Monday (05/22/06) and sent me a brand new on which arrived Saturday (05/27/06). I was impressed with how fast they reacted, however the new SuperKnife they sent me is in worse shape than the first one. I'm sending it back for yet another replacement.

At this time I rescind my SuperKnife reccomendation... Soon I will be receiving two other folding box cutters, The Camillus Camco Razor Blade Speed Assist and the Camillus Crossfire. Once those are in, I will be doing a review comparing all of my folding box cutter knives.
 
Great review, Dan! Thank you for taking the time. I have been considering buying a Superknife, and just may do so now.:)

Best wishes,
3G
 
The handle shape on that Superknife is different than mine. Must be a newer design. My Superknife Edge has more of a pointed butt end.

I have not had any problems with my Superknife Edge holding blades from either Stanley or Lennox.
 
I've got a few of these laying around. One of them's a "Husky" brand from Home Depot, and it REALLY looks a lot like the Lowe's model. Have you noticed if, when closed, the tip of the blade pushes against part of the frame inside, dulling the point of the blade? I've noticed that on the Husky and wanted to see if the Lowe's model had improved that flaw, as I assume they share some guts.
 
stevekt said:
I suspect that Husky, Lowes, Craftsman, etc are all made by Sheffield.
Click to expand...

I don't know about the others, but I have a Husky and it has Sheffield as the warrenty address (Husky C/O Sheffield) I agree with the blade holder review. I always feel like that top hinged part doesn't really snap in to place, but I haven't had a failure yet.
 
Thanks for the responses.

I was busy the last couple of evenings and didn't check back to see if anyone commented. Strange though, I'm set up for "instant email notification", but I never got notified... Maybe it's broken since the problems last week?

3Guardsmen,

Glad I could help. Make sure you get at least the SuperKnife SK Edge (like mine). If you buy an original SuperKnife, you have to have a special tool to remove the blade and not having to do that on the SK Edge is what makes it special to me.

ohmyheckinslc,

My Kobalt doesn't have that problem with the point touching anything. In fact there is a bit of springyness to it, when closed that holds the tip away from touching the interior back surface. If I push down on it when closed, I can make the tip touch, but that's only if I push on it.

stevekt, pablo486,

The packaging for my Kobalt says "distributed by www.lgsourcing.com". I didn't see anything about Sheffield. The website references Lowe's for you to make purchases, but other than that all the website shows is a phone number for parts and service related issues.

I called Gerber Knives about getting my SuperKnife SK Edge fixed and the lady I talked with said to just send it in. They didn't need proof of purchase or anything, I was surprised. She said that it definetly sounded like a manufacturing defect and that they would repair or replace it free of charge. I just sent in in yesterday, so I'm hoping to get it back asap. I really like that thing regardles of my defective unit.

Another fellow over on candlepowerforums told me that he has a SuperKnife Roundel and is very happy with it. The Roudel is slightly bigger, has a lanyard hole and a different blade holding mechanism. If I end up having a good experience with my SK Edge being fixed, I just might have to spring for a Roundel too.

Thanks for looking,
Dan
 
Interesting, and it's assisted open too.

That Meyerco has a blade holding mechanism very similar to THIS one from Camillus. That Camillus model is also assisted open.

Can you take any pictures of the clip and how the blade holder works?

Thanks,
Dan

 
That Camillus is very nice. Looks the same as Myerco but much sturdier. I can't post pics but will try to explain it. You simply lift the bar(has a small pin on it) on the blade holder and slide it downward. The blade slides out the front to be replaced. Slide the bar back up and the pin falls into place to engage the blade. The Myerco uses a button lock while the Camillus is a liner lock. I'm gonna definately look into the Camillus:)

Thanks for the info!
 
Hey Bruner,

Just ordered the Camillus for $10 (9.99) from SMKW. Thanks again.

What part of Pa. do you live in? I am originally from east Pa., went to school at Shippensburg University.
 
Hi Bilker,

Thanks for explaining that blade holder. No picture needed, I think I understand how it works just from your description.

I'm originally from West PA (Somerset). Now I live in Williamsport, which is kind of North-Central.

You'll have to let us know how that Camillus works out for you. I might get one myself.

Thanks,
Dan
 
Got the Camillus in the mail yesterday. Initial reaction was that the clip protruded out from the knife too far, opening was slow, and the metal on metal swish sound it made upon opening was disturbing. But then I oiled it here and tweaked the blade pivot there and took it to work. The clip is actually about perfect as it sits very well in jeans pockets and provides a solid grip for the index finger or thumb depending on use. After a few openings it got smoother and faster. The liner lock sits high enough in the frame to access with work gloves left or right handed but is not so high that it disengages if you grip it tightly. Changeing out blades is quick and easy. Knife is very sturdy with strong liners but is still light compared to most other folding razors. The liner lock is tight and solid. The clip had to be tightened after a night of heavy use as it was used as a grip point. This is the only potential problem that I can see so far, but locktite should cure it if need be. I still can not see what is making the swish noise but it will show itself soon enough. I still need to tear it down to see just what type AO it uses.
Overall, for $10 a damn good deal:D
I will let you know if a manage to tear it up at work:)
 
A little late here, but I've been carrying a husky at work for about a year now and have a few comments to add. First, the good things about it- it's low price and easy to keep with me. I always have it on me, and between that and my Leatherman I have saved a thousand trips to my toolbox or van. The bad things- doing some very heavy cutting (thick, hard plastic) the blade holder tweaked a little and the blade came half way out. Second, it thouroghly failed the spine-whack test, even though it locks good enough for normal use.
Conclusion: I still carry it all the time, but I know its limitations. And I don't think twice about abusing it, which is nice.
 
EDIT (05/29/06) Unhappy with SuperKnife:

Gerber Knives received my faulty SuperKnife on Monday (05/22/06) and sent me a brand new on which arrived Saturday (05/27/06). I was impressed with how fast they reacted, however the new SuperKnife they sent me is in worse shape than the first one. I'm sending it back for yet another replacement.

At this time I rescind my SuperKnife reccomendation... Soon I will be receiving two other folding box cutters, The Camillus Camco Razor Blade Speed Assist and the Camillus Crossfire. Once those are in, I will be doing a review comparing all of my folding box cutter knives.
 
I just got this Meyerco non-assisted one-hand-opening lockback. It was $3.99 when added to the cart. Not too bad. The clip sticks out quite a bit, adding significant girth. Pretty blue color, feels fairly solid in function. Has a .025" thick blade that fits rather snugly. Blade replacement is simple and tool-less, as Bilker described. Came with a nylon belt sheath, with a small pocket holding extra blades and a spanner tool for the knife pivot. The price was right for a utility razor/boxcutter.

One thing is interesting. The included replacement blades are a different size than the one installed. They're longer by about 3/8", and as a result, they don't fit quite as well when installed. The tip of the blade contacts the inside rear of the handle, forcing the blade holder to rest about 1/4" higher out of the handle. Would be interesting to find that this knife is a "second" of some type, using non-standard blades.
 
I’ve had 3 Superknife Edge box cutters: black, red, and blue. The detent on the blue is a bit too stiff for easy one hand opening. Another problem is that I was using it hard and the liner lock went all the way over to the other side. I fixed it but it was never quite the same. My red knife has a bit of wiggle in the lock up which I find annoying.

My black handle knife is perfect in every way. It opens easy, locks up solid, and the blade is perfectly center. I loved that knife and carried to work every day. Unfortunately, I lost the damn thing a few days ago!

I just ordered 2 more Super Knife Edges. Their quality is hit and miss so I’m hoping for the best. They are not that expensive so no big loss if they are not quite perfect.
 
stevekt,

It's interesting to hear your experiences with the SuperKnife Edge. Today makes one week since I sent in mine for replacement (for the second time). They don't seem to be responding as quickly as they did the first time around.

Dan
 
I have a Sheffield one which seems the same as Husky and Kobalt, beat it up for a year now with no problems at all. I highly recommend them.
 
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