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All utility knives are handy. These from Irwin are much safer and have additional handy features. Click image to enlarge

IRWIN Folding Utility Knives

Safer, easier to carry and way less frustrating

Text and photos by Tom Hintz

Posted – 6-25-2013

The utility knife has always been a handy tool in virtually any hobby or job environment. However, along with handy utility knives can be frustrating and sometimes dangerous as well. IRWIN has produced high quality utility knives for years and now they offer this line of folding utility knives that are safer and easier to use.

Common Features

All three of the IRWIN Folding Utility Knives in this review share noteworthy features. The folding capability makes these knives much easier to carry in a tool belt or pocket. Because the blade is fully enclosed in the folded position this is a major safety feature as well.

The folding capability also made it possible for IRWIN to design their proprietary BladeLock technology. This keeps the blade secured in the handle at one extension length. That eliminates the frustrating and often dangerous habit of some utility knife blades to suddenly extend or retract under pressure. Any surprise movement of a sharp blade can be extremely dangerous.

As part of the BladeLock system IRWIN added a pushbutton that releases the blade for changing ends or replacement. The release button only works with the blade in the 45-degree position. If you get one of the IRWIN Folding Utility Knives I encourage you to take a close look at the pivot and blade holder. I cannot see how the release mechanism “knows” that the knife is at the 45-degree position but it only works there. Open the blade further or less and the release button ignores you!

While the handle of all three versions of the IRWIN Folding Utility Knives differ they all have a generous body and a belt clip on the rear. This clip is longer than any I have seen and that is a good thing if you want to clip it on the side of a tool belt or over a real-world belt that holds your pants up. This belt clip isn’t just there so they can say it has one; it actually works and has been given some thought!

The Models

The pushbutton blade release and wire stripping notch (left) can be found on all three of these knives. One way or another Irwin figured out how to make the blade release operational only with the blade (right) at a 45-degree angle to the handle. Another safety feature. Click images to enlarge

IRWIN FK100

Though it is the most basic model in the IRWIN Folding Utility Knives lineup it has all of the key features that set these knives apart from most of the competition. The folding blade, substantial metal handle and BladeLock are all present. Even the wire-stripping notch is there. Compared to the basic model of most lines the FK100 brings a lot for the money. Most importantly, the safety of the locked blade with the pushbutton release is there.

IRWIN FK150

This model features a fuller handle with a flip-up cover that reveals storage for two replacement blades. IRWIN did not add bling just to add bling and jack up the price. This is reasoned step up from the basic model for heavier users who are more likely to need to replace the blade on the job.

IRWIN FK250

This model also has a fuller handle but this time with a locking compartment cover. Inside we find storage for two blades but also a flip-out Phillips type screwdriver bit. Also in the compartment is a square drive bit that plugs into the same flip out bit holder. The hex bit holder will accept common hex-shanked screwdriver bits on the market so you can carry the ones that make the most sense for your work.

Conclusions

The IRWIN Folding Utility Knives may not represent breakthrough technology that will shake the industry but they do bring a new level of safety and ease of use (and transport) to the utility knife. Having a fixed blade that you can render safe by just folding it away is a very handy feature to me. I have long hated the extendable blades that never seemed to stay at the length we wanted.

Despite the range of new features and obvious quality manufacturing the IRWIN Folding Utility Knives still are selling for $10.99 to $15.99 (6-25-2013). I would not be surprised to see some degree of discounted prices on the street.
If you use a utility knife check out the IRWIN Folding Utility Knives. They have stepped up the safety and utility of this very common cutting tool.

The FK150 (left) has storage in the handle for two extra blades. The FK250 (right) has those extra blades plus screwdriver bits that swing out! Click images to enlarge

To visit the IRWIN Folding Utility Knives product page – Click Here

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