In everyday life, using the right tool for the situation is a good idea. On the job, especially when working as a licensed general contractor, electrician, or plumber, it’s a necessity.
While shopping the marketplace of knives, you have so many options from which to choose; some are designed with a specific purpose in mind, whereas multi-purpose versions are useful in a variety of scenarios.
When it comes to an electrician knife, it functions a lot like traditional options since it includes a handle and a blade. These knives also come in a variety of familiar configurations, including pocket knives and utility knives. Some versions fold, while others are rigid.
However, depending on the model you choose, an electrician knife is designed to make your day-to-day tasks – stripping wire and Romex insulation, scoring drywall, opening boxes – safer and easier. Features include one or more notches for stripping wire, blades that remain sharp longer, pocket and tool belt clips, multi-position blades, gut hooks, and one-hand-open functionality.
Our Top Five Electrician Knife Picks
Despite their specialized features, the reality is that many factors come into play when selecting the best electrician knife. No single model will work for every electrician, nor every job. That’s why we’ve categorized our top selections for 2021 below, so you can choose the best one for your needs.
- Best Electrician Pocket Knife: Milwaukee’s Fastback Folding Pocket Knife
- Best Folding Electrician Knife: Milwaukee Tool Serrated Fold Knife
- Best Lineman Knife: Klein Tool Cable Skimming Knife
- Best Wire Skinning Knife: Milwaukee 6-in-1 Folding Utility Knife
- Best Electrician Utility Knife: Milwaukee Fastback Folding Utility Knife
Best Electrician Pocket Knife: Milwaukee’s Fastback Folding Pocket Knife
Features: Milwaukee’s Fastback folding pocket knife features a stay-sharp, drop point blade forged from stainless steel, with one-handed press-and-flip opening functionality. The blade is designed for piercing and general-purpose cutting, and its slim, lightweight construction is ideal for moving around in confined spaces.
Then, when you’re done using it, the Fastback’s liner lock secures the blade in place. The Fastback also boasts a reversible wire-form belt clip that reduces tearing, whether in your pocket or tool belt, and its lanyard comes with a tether hole for looping around your hand or wrist.
Specifications:
- Blade: Stainless steel; resharpenable
- Designed for: Piercing and general-purpose cutting
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- 7.5” length
- 0.54” width
- 1.24” height
- 3.8oz weight
Pros:
- Resharpenable stainless steel blade.
- One-handed functionality.
- Slim, lightweight design.
- Reversible wire-form belt clip.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Features only one blade.
Best Folding Electrician Knife: Milwaukee Tool Serrated Fold Knife
Features: The Serrated Fold Knife from Milwaukee Tool features a spring-assisted, stainless steel tanto blade that’s partially serrated and designed for piercing and tearing. When you’re finished using it, the blade folds into the handle, the slide lock secures it in place, and the durable wire belt clip reduces clothes fraying.
The blade comes with a flipper for easy opening but doesn’t feature a one-handed operation. The Fold Knife also promises to stay sharp but isn’t advertised as resharpenable.
Specifications:
- Blade: Stainless steel
- Designed for: Piercing and tearing through different materials
- Warranty: None
- 7.48″ length
- 0.54″ width
- 1.44″ height
- 3.8oz weight
Pros:
- Stainless steel, partially serrated tanto blade.
- Spring-assisted opening.
- Slide lock.
- Wire belt clip that reduces pocket damage.
- Lanyard hole.
Cons:
- No one-handed functionality.
- The blade cannot be resharpened.
- No limited lifetime warranty.
Best Lineman Knife: Klein Tool Cable Skimming Knife
Features: With its curved hawkbill and replaceable blade, the Klein Tool Cable Skimming Knife (model # 44218) is designed specifically for cable skimming. You can avoid sharpening the 440A stainless Steel blade since it’s replaceable and held securely in place by a single captive screw.
While Klein’s Cable Skimming Knife doesn’t advertise one-handed functionality, it does feature a blade lockback mechanism with a release lever.
Specifications:
- Blade: 440A stainless steel
- Designed for: Cable skimming
- Warranty: Limited
- 7.83″ length
- 1.03″ width
- 1.51″ height
- 5.76oz weight
Pros:
- Explicitly designed for cable skimming.
- Thumb stud for easy opening.
- Replaceable blade.
- 2” and 2.5” blades are available.
- Easily accessible pocket clip.
- Limited warranty.
Cons:
- Heavier than many other models.
- No one-handed functionality.
- Requires changing to a straight coping blade for non-skimming uses.
Best Wire Skinning Knife: Milwaukee 6-in-1 Folding Utility Knife
Features: The Milwaukee 6-in-1 Folding Utility Knife‘s press-and-flip mechanism makes one-handed opening a breeze and delivers several useful tools for wire skinning, all housed inside its 8.75-inch body:
- Wire stripper
- Folding screwdriver
- Slotted 1/4″ bit, w/ bit holder
- Bottle opener
- Reversible Phillips #2
- Slotted 1/4″ bit
You can also store a replacement blade inside the lineman knife’s handle and quickly change it without needing any tools. In the meantime, the 6-in-1’s metal extension prevents the blade from accidentally coming loose and falling out.
And as with many of Milwaukee’s knives, the company advertises the 6-in-1’s wire belt clip reduces pocket fraying and tearing.
Specifications:
- Blade: Razor
- Designed for: Scoring
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- 8.75” length
- 0.8” width
- 2” height
- 5oz weight
Pros:
- Multiple functions in one knife, including tape measure blade holder.
- Excellent for scoring.
- Durable metal body.
- Competitive price.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Longer and heavier than other knives on this list, potentially making it more unwieldy in tight spaces.
Best Electrician Utility Knife: Milwaukee Fastback Folding Utility Knife
Features: The Fastback Folding Utility Knife from Milwaukee boasts many features in a comparatively compact body. These include press-and-flip opening, gut hook, tool-free blade removal, in-handle storage for up to six spare blades, and a blade holder designed for scoring.
Safety-wise, the Fastback folding knife features a metal extension over the release button to prevent accidental blade release, along with a lanyard hole to prevent the knife from dropping.
Specifications:
- Blade: Razor
- Designed for: All-around utility; scoring
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- 6.87” length
- 1.03” width
- 1.18” height
- 4.5oz weight
Pros:
- On-board storage for up to six extra blades.
- Features more functionality than most other knife types, including several ideal options for electricians.
- Tool-free blade removal.
- Shorter length and compact body for greater flexibility in confined areas.
Cons:
- It doesn’t feature the same number of functions as Milwaukee’s 6-in-1 folding utility knife.
- Mixed online customer reviews.
Types of Electrician Knives and the Best Knife by Type
While a manufacturer might advertise one of their models as an electricians’ knife, the reality is that different knives will come in handy in different situations. To emphasize this fact and help you choose the best option, we’ve included detailed analyses of our “best choices” across multiple categories.
Pocket Knife
Features: Case Knives’ yellow trapper knife stands out with its yellow synthetic Delrin handle and dual Tru-Sharp surgical steel blades.
Clip blades are one of the most popular types, which feature tips designed for piercing. Consequently, they can come in handy in a variety of scenarios. The Yellow Trapper Knife’s spey blade boasts a long, straight back, developed initially to work with livestock.
In modern times, this type of flexibility can come in handy when you’re on the job as an electrician.
Specifications:
- Blade: Dual Tru-Sharp surgical steel blades
- Designed for: All-around utility
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- 4-1/8″ length (closed)
- 0.5” width
- 0.88” height
- 3.7oz weight
Pros:
- Features two stainless, surgical steel blades in one handle.
- Compact, lightweight design.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
- Made in the USA.
Cons:
- The slip joint does not lock the blades into the handle.
- No belt hook.
- Meaningfully more expensive than some competitors.
Coping Blade
Features:
The Case Knives’ Stockman Knife with blue bone handle features three Tru-sharp surgical steel blades, each shined to a mirror polish, stored inside its jigged handle finish:
- Clip – A popular blade type known for its versatility.
- Sheepfoot – Designed with a straight edge and a curved back. Ideal for controlled cutting and carving.
- Pen – A light-duty general purpose blade.
After you’re done with your electrical duties, the knife’s blades fold into the handle for safe storage. Keep in mind there’s no mechanism to keep blades from accidentally opening.
Specifications:
- Blade: Surgical stainless steel
- Designed for: All-around utility
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- 3 ¼” length (closed)
- 1” width
- 0.88” height
- 1.7oz weight
Pros:
- Compact, lightweight design for easy maneuverability in tight spaces.
- Three popular blades contained in a single handle.
- Great for all-around use.
- Made in the USA.
Cons:
- Non-locking blades.
- High price.
Sheepfoot (Slitting) Blade
Features: The Brown Stockman Knife from Case Knives boasts a synthetic bone (poured and molded) handle that’s jigged for improved grip and visual appeal. Inside the handle, you’ll find a clip, sheepfoot, and pen blades with as-ground finishes — all of which are ideal for general, everyday use, including as an electrician.
Specifications:
- Blade: Stainless steel
- Designed for: All-around utility
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- 2 5/8” (closed) length
- 1.1oz weight
Pros:
- Three blades in one handle.
- Attractive poured plastic and jigged grip.
- Compact, lightweight design.
- Premium quality from a well-known manufacturer.
- Made in the USA.
Cons:
- Non-locking slip joint.
- Premium price.
Spearpoint Blade
Features: Klein Tools’ Bearing-Assisted Open pocketknife allows you to deploy its stainless steel 3.4-inch tanto blade with one finger, whether you’re right or left-handed.
Once open, the frame lock secures its durable blade in place, and the lanyard hole allows you to tether the knife to your hand. Then, when you’re finished, the blade easily folds into the knife’s durable, lightweight skeleton frame.
After putting your bearing-assisted knife in your pocket, its low setting helps keep it out of your way until it’s needed again.
Specifications:
- Blade: Stainless steel
- Designed for: Piercing, cutting, and slicing
- Warranty: Limited
- 4.6” length (closed)
- 0.6” width
- 1.6” height
- 2.2oz weight
Pros:
- Unique skeleton frame.
- Ambidextrous operation.
- Ability to engage the flip lever with one finger.
- Frame lock keeps the blade open.
Cons:
- Only one blade.
- No in-handle blade storage.
Utility Knife
Features: Stanley Tools’ Fold utility knife delivers a retractable blade for variable cutting depth and folds open and closed with just one hand. The knife features in-handle blade storage and the ability to change blades without the need for tools.
Stanley’s Fold knife also comes with a rugged metal body for long-lasting use, making it great for electricians, roofers, and drywallers.
Specifications:
- Blade: Stainless steel
- Designed for: Piercing, cutting, and slicing
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- 5 ¾” length (closed)
Pros:
- One-handed open/close.
- Lightweight aluminum design.
- Tool-free blade changes.
- Can accept standard utility and hook blades.
- In-handle blade storage.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Features just one blade.
Hawkbill Knife
Features: With its STICKWORK 3-in-1 ring, the Lineman’s Blunt Tip Hawkbill Knife from Milwaukee is compatible with shotgun and universal style hot sticks. Its oversized ergonomic handle and stainless, blunt-tip hawkbill blade are also optimized to remain sharper, longer.
Together, Milwaukee’s Lineman’s Hawkbill knife is ideal for stripping cable.
Specifications:
- Blade: Stainless steel
- Designed for: Stripping cable
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- 9.5” length
- 1” width
- 1.5” height
- 5.4oz weight
Pros:
- Compatible with shotgun and universal style hot sticks.
- Ergonomic handle.
- Blade optimized to stay sharp longer.
- Ideal for stripping wire.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Fixed blade (does not fold).
- Other blades might suit you better, depending on the application.
How to Choose the Best Electricians Knife for You
When it comes to an electricians’ knife, everyone has a unique combination of needs and preferences. In this section, we’ll help you define what those needs are, as well as how you can use your situation to choose a knife that most closely meets yours.
Use and Preference
As an electrician, you use knives for a wide variety of activities, including cutting cables, wire, and conductors, stripping insulation, making tiny holes, and cutting open boxes. Therefore, it’s often the case that electricians carry more than one knife with them in the field since it’s rare for a single model to meet all your demands.
But if you lean toward one aspect of the job more than others, it might behoove you to pick up specialized models. For example, if you find yourself stripping wire more than anything else, you might focus on models like the STICKWORK 3-in-1 knife.
On the other hand, if you require maximum adaptability, options with multiple blades, like the Case’s Stockman knife, might be your best bet.
Size and Weight
Your knife’s size and weight can have a meaningful impact on your job performance. So, while it might be tempting to conclude that lighter, more compact options are ideal, this isn’t always the case, depending on your needs.
As a couple of examples, heavier knives have a greater hand feel, which some electricians prefer. On the other hand, lighter blades might result in decreased hand and arm fatigue while remaining easier to work with in cramped quarters.
It’s also important to emphasize that blade length laws can vary significantly by state, so keep this in mind when selecting your electricians’ knife.
Blade Material
The material used to forge a knife blade significantly impacts its performance traits, including hardness, durability, and the ability to maintain a sharp edge. Specifically, the Rockwell Scale measures hardness based on the level of penetration from a direct source.
Common blade materials include:
- Stainless Steel – Stainless steel contains various iron-based alloys that make it ideal for knife blade construction, although there is a wide variety of types and qualities. Depending on the mix, stainless steel falls somewhere in the range of 66.5 – 74 on the Rockwell scale.
- High-carbon Steel – Often regarded as the “best” knife blade material, although there’s no stain resistance, and it shouldn’t negatively impact performance. It comes with a Rockwell score of between 43.0 and 100, depending on the mix.
- Titanium – Lightweight and virtually indestructible. You can go a long time between sharpenings. However, this process is typically handled best by a professional, or you might permanently damage the blade — a Rockwell score of between 70 and 74.
- Ceramic – A thin, lightweight material that retains its sharpness better than many other knife options and doesn’t stain. However, the material is more brittle and breaks easier (e.g., bones, frozen foods), although its Rockwell hardness score typically falls around 85.
Handle Material
While a knife’s blade is always an important consideration, its handle can also significantly impact its functionality. After all, handle material affects aspects like durability, texture, safety, grip, and even moisture absorption.
Here are some of the common materials you’ll find in an electricians’ knives’ handle, including their pros and cons:
- Carbon Fiber: Lightweight and strong, although the material typically comes at a higher cost.
- Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN): A durable, wear-and-water-resistant material that’s easy to clean and can be molded into various shapes.
- Zytel: A trademarked material from Dupont that delivers substantial tensile strengths and resistance against many chemicals.
- G10: A synthetic material created by weaving fiberglass strands together with an epoxy resin.
- Micarta: A thermoplastic material developed in the early 1900s, often known as the “steel of the plastic industry.”
- Stainless Steel: A strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant material that can become slippery once your palms get wet or if the outside humidity is high.
- Aluminum: Aluminum offers a degree of durability and hardness that can work well as a knife handle, as long as it’s textured. However, the material can also be slipperier than other materials.
- Titanium: A lightweight, strong material that’s relatively expensive but is prone to scratches.
- Derlin: A Dupont thermoplastic that’s tough, reduces friction, and resists signs of wear. Although some users claim it shrinks over time (especially when exposed to heat).
- Nylon: A material that’s reinforced to deliver super-strong resistance against bending, features an abrasion-free design, and practically indestructible functionality.
Accessibility and Handling
When it comes to knives, blade accessibility and handling are incredibly important. But this necessity is varied.
For example, an electrician who’s at the top of an electrical structure, or high up in a bucket, might require a handle lanyard for safety or multiple blades adaptable to a wide variety of scenarios.
On the other hand, if you primarily work within low-density residential properties, an all-around knife with scoring functionality might be your best bet.
In either instance, you might want to consider an electricians’ knife with a low-profile clip that keeps it out of your way when you don’t need it, yet handy when you do.
Safety Features
Many electricians’ knives – but not all – feature safety mechanisms like locks to keep blades from accidentally opening or closing and one-handed (and even bearing-loaded) opening and closing functionalities. They also come with double-ground spurs that can work ideally for lefties and righties, in addition to finger guards.
Price Range
There’s no getting around the fact that when it comes to choosing your best electricians’ knife, the budget will almost certainly come into play. In fact, this aspect is second only to your needs and preferences.
With this reality in mind, knives featuring higher-end materials, greater durability, broader functionality, and more blades will come with higher price tags than models that don’t.
As an electrician, there are several other aspects to consider. For example, if you purchase a high-end knife, would you feel comfortable loaning it out to a coworker? Or, if this is a regular occurrence, should it warrant buying a less expensive model?
On the other hand, are you focused on buying an electricians’ knife that you’ll keep for many years – and that you won’t loan to just anyone? In this case, paying extra for higher-end features and multiple blades might be the right decision.