Survival kit box cutter

D

davek14

Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
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What is a good box cutter blade holder for survival kits. Needs to be small enough to not take up much room in an Altoids tin and cheap enough for me to get a bunch on a fixed income.
 
Are you needing just a cutting tool, or something that will be useable with cold hands, or other considerations?
 
I’m not sure about the overall length, but the olight utility knife might be worth looking at.

*just checked, it’s 3 3/8” x 1.29

 
davek14 said:
What is a good box cutter blade holder for survival kits. Needs to be small enough to not take up much room in an Altoids tin and cheap enough for me to get a bunch on a fixed income.
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Need more information.

Do you need something just to store the blades?
Do you need a small box cutter that uses utility knife blades?
What do you intend to use this for? Single-edge razor blades are much sharper and cheaper than utility blades, but, they dull faster, can't be resharpened, and break easier.
Both single-edge blades and utility knife blades are made from carbon steel and will rust if they get & stay wet.

If it's just blades you need - Harbor Freight is your best bet. I get all of mine there. They are the same blades you pay more for at the home centers when you buy the house brand (Husky).

If you just want to include a small super sharp blade, will an Exacto blade work? Those can be had for cheap.
 
Lee D said:
I’m not sure about the overall length, but the olight utility knife might be worth looking at.

*just checked, it’s 3 3/8” x 1.29

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I bought one of these a couple months ago. I don’t recommend it.

It uses SATA 93434A type razor blades that have four holes in them. They don’t use the standard utility blades that you find everywhere.

Replacing the blade requires taking a screw out and exposing two tiny springs that aren’t ideal for a survival tool.

The quality is there and it works well but you won’t find blades at your local hardware store or in the bottom of an old tool box when scrounging in a survival situation.
 
I've been using a WorkPro utility knife (pn W000004A) for general use at work. Simple design and compact.

- uses a standard utility blade (I have one that I keep a hook blade in too)
-no tools needed to change blade
-stainless steel construction
-can be opened one handed
-liner lock
-belt clip

Got a set of 3 for about $15 at the big river company.
 
Rupestris said:
I bought one of these a couple months ago. I don’t recommend it.

It uses SATA 93434A type razor blades that have four holes in them. They don’t use the standard utility blades that you find everywhere.

Replacing the blade requires taking a screw out and exposing two tiny springs that aren’t ideal for a survival tool.

The quality is there and it works well but you won’t find blades at your local hardware store or in the bottom of an old tool box when scrounging in a survival situation.
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That’s a stupid design…the only thing I’ve read about it says it accepts standard blades. I’d be pissed if bought one.
 
Lee D said:
That’s a stupid design…the only thing I’ve read about it says it accepts standard blades. I’d be pissed if bought one.
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I was a little disappointed in myself for not noticing and buying it on impulse because of the low price.

I might pick up a Diamond or carbide bit at the local science and surplus store and see if it’s worth my time to put two holes in a standard blade.

Like any knife we buy, it scratches the itch but the hunt goes on for the perfect one. 😁
 
davek14 said:
davek14 said:
Needs to be small enough to not take up much room in an Altoids tin and ->cheap enough for me to get a bunch<- on a fixed income.
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I am going to make up a bunch of Altoids "survival kits" to use as stocking stuffers next Christmas. Kits for just everyday folks.

I figure I'll start with a Sears Craftsman keychain screwdriver, a P-38 can opener, a couple dollars worth of quarters, and a small very cheap way to hold a razor knife.

I understand getting quality for something I might carry myself, but a good percentage of these might be tossed in a drawer. However, a few of these "urban kits" might get thrown in a glove box or similar and come in handy. They also spark thought in the rubes.

I gave my girlfriend and a couple other people a keychain with a SAK classic, a tiny flashlight, and a tactical nail cutter some years back. They were greeted with a "humph" and tossed in purses. I've since had a few reports of how they came in handy.

So, a super cheap blade for urban emergencies.

I will be checking out some of the suggestions here later.

Tactical nail clippers

shopping


Edit: The Jiffi Cutter fits the bill, but is too long. An Altoids tin measures a little less than 3 5/8" at it's widest point and a 2 3/4" length would be a better fit due to radiused corners.
 
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davek14 said:
However, a few of these "urban kits" might get thrown in a glove box or similar and come in handy. They also spark thought in the rubes.

I gave my girlfriend and a couple other people a keychain with a SAK classic, a tiny flashlight, and a tactical nail cutter some years back. They were greeted with a "humph" and tossed in purses. I've since had a few reports of how they came in handy.
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Dave, you're right on track with the planting a teeny spark of thought in the rubes. This is the exact approach I did way back in the 1990's when I got tired of non knife family members calling out "Hey Carl, lemmie see your knife." or "Hey Carl, ya got that little flashlight on ya?"

I gave out SAK classics and Fenix E01's as stocking stuffers, and it was surprising on how it was like a 60 something percent of the people took to regular carry of stuff. Once they got used to having something right there on the keyring or in the purse, they came to really appreciate a few little items on hand everyday. The Sear's 4-way and P-38 is gravy on the taters.

Sometimes people need to be led to the water to drink.
 
BitingSarcasm said:
Gerber EAB. Costs about $11, folds up tiny, and gives a fairly solid grip. Easily found at hardware stores, too.
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YES!! I came here to say this, well, I like the EAB Lite but at any rate, it's extremely cheap and frankly it's the knife I carry the most. I actually bought two of them because I used it so much.
 
davek14 said:
I am going to make up a bunch of Altoids "survival kits" to use as stocking stuffers next Christmas. Kits for just everyday folks.

I figure I'll start with a Sears Craftsman keychain screwdriver, a P-38 can opener, a couple dollars worth of quarters, and a small very cheap way to hold a razor knife.

I understand getting quality for something I might carry myself, but a good percentage of these might be tossed in a drawer. However, a few of these "urban kits" might get thrown in a glove box or similar and come in handy. They also spark thought in the rubes.

I gave my girlfriend and a couple other people a keychain with a SAK classic, a tiny flashlight, and a tactical nail cutter some years back. They were greeted with a "humph" and tossed in purses. I've since had a few reports of how they came in handy.

So, a super cheap blade for urban emergencies.

I will be checking out some of the suggestions here later.

Tactical nail clippers

shopping


Edit: The Jiffi Cutter fits the bill, but is too long. An Altoids tin measures a little less than 3 5/8" at it's widest point and a 2 3/4" length would be a better fit due to radiused corners.
Click to expand...
Its a really simple design. I think it could be modified easily to be shorter. You'll probably loose the ability to use it as a scraper. No big deal.

These belong in every kit. So thin, they fit almost anywhere.

Spare blades usually come in a cardboard wrap for safety. Honestly the blades are pretty handy by themselves.

You could put a couple of the wrapped blades in the altoid tin.
 
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eveled said:
Its a really simple design. I think it could be modified easily to be shorter. You'll probably loose the ability to use it as a scraper. No big deal.

These belong in every kit. So thin, they fit almost anywhere.

Spare blades usually come in a cardboard wrap for safety. Honestly the blades are pretty handy by themselves.

You could put a couple of the wrapped blades in the altoid tin.
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I was thinking of just putting in a blade.

Hmmm, making it shorter... good idea.
 
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