After this
thread , I stopped carrying my box cutter and got an EAB. I went straight to ACE and got a longer screw and a nut to use it as a stud so I can open it one handed.
1) yes, it takes regular blades. also on the forum above are "better" blades
2) The screw is secure IF you have a blade in it. The threads on the screw are pretty shallow, hence longer screw.