DeWalt Push and Flip Folding Utility Knife with Storage

A practical, well-thought-out folding utility that rewards daily use

I spend a lot of time breaking down boxes, scoring drywall, trimming carpet, and popping straps. A folding utility knife lives in my pocket more than any other cutting tool, and this DeWalt folding utility has been in rotation long enough for me to trust it on autopilot. It’s not flashy, but the details—how it opens, locks, carries, and swaps blades—add up to a tool that gets out of the way and lets me work.

Design and build

This model is built around an aluminum handle with a steel mechanism and a reversible deep-carry wire clip. The handle size hits a sweet spot: 4.5 inches closed, about 7.2 inches open. In my hand, that length gives enough purchase to pull hard on tough cuts without feeling cramped, yet it disappears in a pocket thanks to the wire clip.

The finish is clean and the edges are friendly—no hotspots against the palm while bearing down. It’s not aggressively textured, so wet or oily hands will want a firmer grip or gloves, but the shape and finger choil at the front do their part to keep things controlled. The integrated tether hole is properly placed at the rear, out of the way, and it’s large enough for common lanyard cord or a carabiner when I’m working at height.

One standout feature is the closed-body gut hook. When the knife is folded, a protected notch at the nose lets me slice packing straps and twine without exposing the full blade. It’s safer around people and less likely to nick what’s underneath. The cutting depth is intentionally limited—perfect for straps, tape, and shrink wrap, not for thick zip ties or heavy rope.

One-handed deployment and lock-up

Opening is genuinely one-handed. There’s a press-to-flip action that breaks the detent and lets the blade swing out with a modest wrist flick. It’s fast, but not touchy; it never popped open in a pocket during my time with it. Lock-up is via a lock-back mechanism, and it’s solid. No noticeable blade play in either direction when the lock is engaged.

Closing requires depressing the lock-back on the spine. I can close it one-handed with care, but realistically I use two hands most of the time because this is a utility blade sitting in a fairly short holder—there’s no reason to court a slip. The detent feels dialed: positive enough to inspire confidence, not so stiff that the flip becomes a two-hand affair.

Blade retention and cutting performance

The heart of any utility knife is how it holds a standard blade. This one seats the blade square and secure. Under torque—think slicing thick double-walled cardboard or scoring cement board—the edge stayed centered without wobble. I didn’t have the blade jerk forward or retract during aggressive cuts, which is what I want to see from a quick-change mechanism.

In use, it excels at the usual suspects: breaking down boxes, trimming vinyl, scoring drywall, shaving shims, and cutting landscape fabric. That 2.25-inch utility blade length is industry standard, so there’s no learning curve for reach or angles. The nose clears the handle nicely, letting me do shallow scoring with good visibility. For long straight cuts on sheet goods, the flat spine sits comfortably against a straightedge.

Blade changes and onboard storage

Blade changes are fast and reliable with a slide-and-click release. Slide the release, pull the dull blade, seat a new one, and let go. The release slider has enough texture to find with gloves, and it gives a confident click when the blade is locked in. There’s no tiny button buried under a guard or fiddly latch to snag, which is a relief when I’m swapping blades mid-task.

I’m a fan of the onboard storage. A small tray slides out of the handle and holds up to five spare blades. It’s easy to access yet secure; the tray’s magnet keeps blades from rattling or spilling if it’s opened at an odd angle. The storage means I actually change blades when I should, rather than pushing dull steel through another cut. Minor gripe: the knife ships with only one blade, which is common but feels stingy given the storage capacity.

In terms of compatibility, every standard straight-edge utility blade I tried fit and locked as expected. Specialty blades with unusual cutouts can be hit or miss on any quick-change system, so I stick with common straight or heavy-duty trapezoid blades.

Pocket carry and everyday handling

The reversible deep-carry wire clip is excellent. It’s low profile, doesn’t chew up pocket edges, and sits deep enough that the knife doesn’t print or snag. Reversibility makes it truly ambidextrous; left-handed users won’t feel like an afterthought. The knife is not featherweight—aluminum beats plastic for durability but adds a bit of heft—but the balance is good. I notice it in a pocket less than many bulkier-bodied folders.

Day to day, the knife stays quiet. No rattle from the storage compartment, no squeaks from the pivot. The hardware has stayed tight without thread locker during my testing. If you’re rough on gear, a periodic check of the clip screws is still a good habit.

Durability and maintenance

Aluminum handles shrug off shop grime and pocket lint and don’t mind bumps and drops. The anodized finish has held up well with only minor cosmetic scuffs. The lock-back pivot benefits from an occasional blast of air and a drop of light oil. After a few weeks, the opening action remained smooth, and the detent didn’t loosen up.

Because the actual cutting edge is a disposable carbon steel blade, edge maintenance is simply replacement. If you work in damp conditions, remember that carbon steel can pick up surface rust; keep blades dry in the storage tray and you’ll be fine. The mechanism itself hasn’t shown corrosion issues for me, and DeWalt backs the tool with a limited lifetime warranty on defects.

Safety notes

• The lock-back does a good job preventing unintended closure, but still keep fingers clear of the path when closing.
• Use the gut hook when the blade doesn’t need to be exposed—it’s safer for quick strap cuts.
• Swap dull blades instead of pushing harder; the storage tray is there for a reason.

Where it could be better

No tool is perfect. A few points worth noting:
- Only one blade included. With room for five spares, tossing in a starter pack would make sense.
- The smooth aluminum can feel slick if your hands are oily. Texture or light jimping would improve traction.
- One-handed closing is possible but not graceful; a button lock would speed that up, though I prefer the lock-back’s security for this class of tool.

Value

This sits a notch above bargain-bin folders in price, but the build, lock-up, and thoughtful extras—especially the storage tray, gut hook, and reversible deep-carry clip—justify it. It feels like a tool designed by people who carry one every day.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople who need a reliable, pocketable utility with quick blade changes on site.
• Warehouse and facilities staff who cut straps, wrap, and boxes all day and will appreciate the closed-body gut hook.
• DIYers who want one good folding utility that will last and won’t fuss with proprietary blades.

If you need a retractable blade for strictly controlled depth cuts, a different style may suit better. For everything else, this folding design covers a lot of ground.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt folding utility. It earns the spot in my pocket by combining secure one-handed deployment, a confidence-inspiring lock, fast blade changes, and genuinely useful touches like the magnetized five-blade storage and the closed-body gut hook. The reversible deep-carry clip makes it friendly for left- or right-handed carry, and the aluminum build feels ready for daily abuse. I’d like to see more blades included in the box and a bit more texture on the handle, but those are small nits. If you rely on a utility knife every day and want one that stays put, works quickly, and keeps safety in mind, this one is easy to live with.