One of the most amazing benefits of the utility knife is its versatility. While traditionally thought of for opening boxes and similar packaging, there are hundreds of alternate ways to use this tool. Whether you already have a utility knife or two laying around the house, or are considering picking up one to add to your home tool kit or garage, here are five great household uses of utility knives to try out.
#1—Home Maintenance
Just about anyone who owns a home probably has a maintenance to-do list. A utility knife can help you tackle some of the projects on this list, getting them completed more easily and safely. Do you have a worn-out window or door screen that needs to be replaced? A utility knife can help by easily and cleanly cutting through mesh screen materials. What about a roof shingle that is damaged or missing? Utility knives like these are excellent for trimming a replacement shingle to the correct size.
Other home maintenance tasks that you might grab a utility knife for include removing old caulking, grout, or foam sealants; trimming a wood shim to proper size; cutting foam insulation strips; scraping paint off a screw head for easy removal; and making small Sheetrock or carpet repairs.
#2—Landscape and Gardening
Beautiful spring weather means it is time to start getting your lawn, landscape, and garden spaces spruced up and ready for summer fun! Having a utility knife in your pocket when you head outside is a great idea, especially if you plan to install landscape fabric. The utility knife can be utilized for cutting weed barrier material to whatever size and shape you need. Do you have small ornamental plants that you need to prune or trim? You guessed it! The utility knife does that too.
While you are outside, keep the utility knife in mind when you are opening bags of mulch, compost, topsoil, granular fertilizer, or peat moss. It also can assist with cutting garden twine. If you need to sod a bare spot in the lawn, this tool is perfect for trimming sod strips for a perfect fit!
#3—Arts, Crafts, and Hobbies
Whether you find your happy place in a sewing room or by the lake, it is likely that the utility knife could be quite useful when it comes to your leisure activities. Scapbookers will love using this tool quickly to cut photos, paper, stickers, and even foam. Those who dabble in wood carving and whittling might be amazed at the precise engravings they can achieve. Fishermen can use it for cutting tangled lines, and even skinning what fish they are able to catch and keep. If your passion is rubber stamping, use a utility knife for trimming edges and carving blocks.
Additionally, utility knives can be used for cutting out patterns when sewing and adding designs to leatherwork, or when candle making and soapmaking. It is a must-have when cutting out model pieces, sculpting foam or clay, and creating unique stenciling templates.
#4—Repairs and Fixes
Even if you don’t have a home to maintain, you might still want a utility knife for situations when something else needs a little tender loving care. The utility knife is wonderful for cutting patches to repair things like air mattresses, pool liners, ripped jeans, or chair cushions. If you do your own automotive work, you might find this tool useful when stripping speaker wires or replacing lights; removing old zip ties and hoses; cutting new headliner fabric or carpeting; cleaning corrosion from car battery terminals; and seat patching.
Utility knives are also an ideal tool for cutting duct tape, which means that it can help repair just about anything, from split garden hoses and bicycle seats to cracked vacuum canisters and trash cans.
#5—Around the Kitchen
The kitchen is usually the hub of the home, and another great place to use a utility knife. When cooking, cut open food packages and cut food ties with a utility knife instead of a cooking knife. This will keep your chef, carving, pairing, and/or filet blades from dulling as quickly. Do you need to drain liquid or easily rinse something in the kitchen? A utility knife can create small drainage holes in packaging that makes this a breeze without the need for a colander.Â
If you are like many people who accumulate mail in their kitchens, use a box cutter to easily and neatly open envelopes and packages. Then break down boxes for the trash can or a recycle bin.Â
Final Thoughts
Once you begin utilizing a utility knife around your home, you will likely discover many more interesting and helpful household uses for this tool. In fact, it may become one of your favorite go-to tools, no matter what project or activity you are doing.
