A utility knife is a tool that can cut plastic, corrugated packaging and a number of other materials. The best of these tough, multi-purpose knives have safety features that allow DIY-ers to work safely and make clean cuts in one pass without exposing too much of the blade. When it comes to doing DIY projects around the house, it pays to have a decent utility knife. The beauty of a utility knife lies in its simplicity and versatility. It is an indispensable tool for tackling a multitude of jobs.
What do DIY-ers look for in a utility knife?
When shopping for a utility knife, DIY-ers will consider factors like materials, durability, price, precision, and safety. Some utility knives are built from premium materials like zirconium oxide, an advanced ceramic. A multi-purpose utility knife made from this material is said to be non-conductive, rustproof, and anti-magnetic, which makes it 11X durable than the regular knife blade. The blade has a finger-friendly edge grind, so it is safe enough to touch, and yet it cuts materials effectively.
Slit a door in plastic sheeting
DIY-ers who only use utility knives to open packages or cut twine are missing out. When remodeling a room, it is important to seal off doorways, but it is still necessary to get in and out of the room. A good trick is to tape polyethylene sheeting over the doorways. Slitting a door through one of the sealed doors is easy with a utility knife. DIY-ers can use the plastic along the bottom horizontal edge and the two vertical edges to create a flap. Taping another piece of plastic sheeting a bit larger than the cut in the doorway over the flap offers more dust protection.
Trim wood shims
Wood shims help DIY-ers to make minor adjustments when attempting to level out a door or window. The shims may stick out on either side of a frame when in place, and they can use a utility knife to remove the excess and fit the frame. They need to make sure a utility knife has a good grip to prevent a hand from slipping. Score the trim with the blade where it meets the frame and bend it at the line until the extra section snaps off.
Free painted baseboards
Using a pry bar to remove painted baseboard trim is a mistake. DIY-ers should rather use a utility knife to cut along the baseboard’s top edge. They need to slice through the paint layer where the trim joins the wall. Prying off the baseboard without this step means portions of the wall can peel away. Slicing through the paint layer means the wall stays intact. This method is also applicable when removing any painted trim, such as on door and window casings.
Slice through the dried caulk
Many high-performance caulks, and sealants are difficult to remove. For DIY-ers trying to remove caulk from around windows, doors or bathtubs, a utility knife can make the job easier. Rather than slicing the caulk down the middle, they need to slice on both sides of the bead. Once they have cut along both sides of the bead, it is easy to scrape the caulk off with a stiff-blade putty knife.
Remove paint-covered screws
When painting a house, DIYers often accidentally paint over screws, and this makes them hard to remove. A utility knife makes it an effortless exercise. Simply scrape the paint out from the slots with the utility knife. Remove all the paint so the screwdriver can get a strong grip to remove the screws.
Remove grout
Regrouting tiles is a fairly common task, and using a utility knife can help with smaller jobs. It involves placing the tip of the blade into the joint between two tiles and scratching away at the grout to create a deep groove. It must be done a little at a time, taking care not to chip the surrounding tiles.
Cut vinyl flooring
Installing vinyl sheet flooring is a popular project for DIY-ers. Today’s vinyl floors aren’t glued down. The only difficult part of the installation is making sure to accurately cut the vinyl flooring to fit the room. By replacing a standard straight blade with a hooked blade, all that’s needed is to hook the blade over the edge of the flooring and pull. The sharp hook cuts through the vinyl and doesn’t cut into the subfloor below it.
Remove old carpet
A utility knife makes removing old carpets easy. It’s best to cut from the flat, stiff back side. Roll up a small section of the carpet and cut off a long slice. Cut the slice into squares. Stack the squares and remove them before performing the same process over again. It may take a little longer to do it this way, but it is more manageable. Some people use carpet squares to make a scratching post for a cat.
Conclusion
The above uses DIY-ers make of a utility knife are just a few of many. The possibilities are virtually endless. Investing in this adaptable tool is a no-brainer and will save time, money and resources.