EMT shears continue to be my tool of choice. One task they are not suited for is opening boxes. What I want is a folder with a locking blade and is easy to open. It has to be small enough to feel comfortable in my pocket. It will have the mundane job of opening boxes. Therefore, it does not need to be a special edition or exotic.

I've done some homework on my own and considered this little puppy:

https://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/44

Jeanette Isabelle

That knife looks nice. If you are going to carry it in the pocket, a thin pouch would help to protect the locking mechanism from pocket lint.

How about something like this:



https://www.galls.com/galls-fold-out-seatbelt-cutter?PMWTNO=000000000002140&PMSRCH=

https://www.galls.com/leatherman-tools-z-rex-rescue-tool?PMWTNO=000000000002140&PMSRCH=

https://www.galls.com/benchmade-hook-and-rescue-knife?PMWTNO=000000000002140&PMSRCH=

There are a ton of different "seat belt cutters" out there. They might work well as box cutters too.

Also - Normally I don't like serrated knives. But for the singular task of cutting boxes, you might want to consider one.

Go to a hardware store and they sell box cutters or shingle cutters that fold and have locking blades. Search "folding box cutter" on Amazon and you will get many results. The have replaceable blades and are small.

Strictly for the task you propose, consider a utility knife w/retractable blades. they are available at any hardware store for cheap.

Your proposed tool is more versatile and is a good value. There are many others as well in that approximate price range. Stay away from any that are $400 and up. They are overpriced....

available at Home Depot...

Husky Folding Lock Back Utility Knife

As for having a good locking folder, the KaBar Dozier you selected looks like it would be a very good knife. A Spyderco Delica would be another good knife to consider, roughly the same weight as the Dozier but with better steel imo, AUS-8A vs VG-10 and that Delica is flat ground. There are so many...

Either would be good to drop in your pocket, but for just opening boxes and cutting cardboard, a folder with disposable/replaceable blades is my preference. I’ve got the Husky shown above.

Edit: Just noted the price point - $21.38 on Amazon; that makes the Dozier very compelling. Still, $7.88 for the Husky at HD with 10 replacement blades.

I like the line of thinking of going with a folding box cutter. My one concern is if the stuff hits the fan and I'm out of blades. I prefer to learn to sharpen than be without a replacement blade.

The price of the Dozier was one of the factors when I considered that knife.

Jeanette Isabelle

There is no law that says you can't put an edge on a dull utility blade, although you might not achieve the original edge. also, I have seen very cheap utility knives that included conventional folding blades.

Probably some of us own more than one knife (Russ for sure!) and possibly even a multitool or more. The better ones (i.e. Leatherman IMHO) are quite versatile and good to have when things get strange.

For just a bargain knife, get a Mora. they are very good quality and astonishingly cheap, especially their classical items. It is hard to justify anything more expensive.

Oh dear! We are talking knives... Will this ever end??