Black & Decker Folding Utility Knife with Blade Storage

A compact cutter that earns its keep

I’ve kept a lot of folding utility knives in my pockets and pouches over the years, and the Black & Decker folding knife has spent enough time with me on errands, in the shop, and at job sites to form a clear picture. It’s a simple, compact knife with a few thoughtful touches that make everyday cutting tasks quicker and a little safer. It’s not built to be a tank, but for light to medium duty it holds its own—and it’s priced appropriately.

Design and features

The format will be familiar: a folding utility handle with a standard trapezoid blade, a one‑handed thumb ridge for opening and closing, and a push‑button blade change. This one adds a flip‑open compartment in the handle that stores up to three spare blades. There’s also a small view window so you can see at a glance whether you’ve got spares on board without opening the door. Out of the box, mine included three blades. I installed one and stashed the other two in the handle, leaving a slot open for a future resupply.

At 0.4 lb and 6.3 inches long, it lands in the compact category. It’s pocketable and disappears into a tool pouch, yet doesn’t feel toy‑like in the hand. The folded body doubles as a tape cutter, which is more useful than it sounds; slicing carton tape without exposing a blade saves you a few seconds per package and keeps the edge fresh for real work.

One‑handed opening and closing

The thumb ridge is shaped and textured well enough that I could open and close the knife one‑handed without drama. The action on my sample was consistent—firm, not floppy—and I didn’t detect any grittiness after a couple weeks of use. As with any folding utility knife, I pay attention to where my fingers are during closing. The geometry here makes it easy to guide the blade home without wandering into its path.

If you’re used to flipper‑style utility knives that snap open with a flick, this is more controlled and deliberate. I prefer that for shop and EDC use; it’s quick without being twitchy.

Blade changes and retention

Blade swaps are tool‑free via a push‑button on the head. It’s the feature I interact with most on any utility knife, and it’s well executed here. Press, slide the old blade out, slide a new one in, release—done. The button has a positive feel and doesn’t sit proud enough to get pressed accidentally in a pocket. With the blade locked in, I saw minimal wobble. That’s important for straight scoring cuts on drywall or when you’re shaving wood without the tip chattering.

The onboard storage compartment is genuinely handy. I’ve cut enough landscape fabric and roofing paper to know that running out of sharp blades mid‑roll is a time sink. Having spares in the handle saves a trip. The small view window is a tiny detail that pays off; a quick glance told me if I needed to top up before heading out. The caveat: the window can cloud with pocket dust or shop grime. A quick wipe restores visibility, but it’s worth noting.

In use: tasks and performance

• Packaging and tape: The folded tape‑cutter nose gets used constantly. I can pop open boxes or slice packing tape without deploying the blade, which is faster and keeps the sharp edge away from whatever is inside the box. When I do need the blade, small cuts through blister packs, straps, and shrink wrap are straightforward.

• Drywall: Scoring 1/2‑inch drywall typically takes two or three passes for a clean snap, and this knife handled that as expected. The blade stayed planted in the head without walking. For prolonged drywall sessions, a larger, more contoured handle is easier on the hand, but for patches and small rooms this one is fine.

• Shingles and roofing paper: Cutting asphalt shingles will dull any blade quickly and can gum up the head. The push‑button mechanism didn’t bind, but I made a point to wipe off residue. Swapping to a fresh edge was quick, which matters on a hot roof when you don’t want to fiddle.

• Wood shavings and scribing: Light shaving and scribing against a straightedge were controlled. The short blade projection of a utility knife is a plus here. Comfort is good for short tasks; extended paring is where a heavier handle with more contouring would win.

• Landscape fabric and plastics: Long, straight cuts through woven fabric and corrugated plastic were clean. The blade storage paid off here—fresh edge, finished the cut, back to storage.

Overall, the knife feels tuned for everyday carry and shop tasks first, with enough backbone for occasional jobsite work. If your daily routine is demo and roofing, you’ll want something more robust; if it’s packages, trim, and the occasional drywall patch, you’re right in the sweet spot.

Ergonomics and handling

The body fills the hand enough to control the cut without hotspots during short sessions. There’s no aggressive texturing, but the shape doesn’t feel slippery, even with light gloves. The 0.4‑pound weight gives it a bit of ballast. I didn’t have issues with hand fatigue in typical use, though after an hour of repetitive scoring I started to notice the flatter edges compared to more contoured, heavier knives.

I didn’t find a belt clip on my sample, so I kept it in a pocket or pouch. The compact size helps; it doesn’t print or poke. A lanyard hole would be a welcome addition for tethering at height, but I worked around it by stashing it in a zip pocket when on a ladder.

Build and durability

Nothing rattled out of the box, and it stayed quiet after a few weeks. The blade carrier held alignment through cuts in denser materials. The storage door shuts securely; it never popped open in a pocket. Like most folding utility knives in this price bracket, the finish will pick up scuffs quickly. That’s a cosmetic issue more than a functional one. The pivot and blade release benefited from an occasional blast of compressed air after gritty jobs, followed by a tiny drop of light oil on the pivot—keeps the one‑hand action smooth.

Value

At USD 13.99, this knife undercuts many competitors that offer the same essential feature set. You’re getting one‑handed operation, tool‑free blade changes, onboard storage for three spares, and a clever tape‑cutter nose. The inclusion of three blades gets you started; I installed one and stowed the other two. Budget a few dollars for a contractor‑grade pack of blades if you cut abrasive materials regularly.

Tips for getting the most out of it

• Load the handle with two blades and install one in the head; that leaves a storage slot open for dropping in a used-but-still-serviceable blade you might want later for rough cuts.
• Let the knife score rather than force it—two light passes beat one heavy pass on drywall and plastics.
• Wipe the blade channel after cutting tar paper or shingles; asphalt residue is the enemy of smooth blade changes.
• Use the folded tape‑cutter for boxes whenever possible; it preserves your sharp edges for tougher materials.

Who it’s for

• DIYers and homeowners who want a compact, affordable utility knife for packages, small remodels, and general shop work.
• Pros who need a backup or EDC knife for light tasks and appreciate onboard blade storage.
• Anyone who prefers a controlled, one‑hand opening action over flipper‑style knives that can be too fidgety for job sites.

If your day is dominated by heavy demo, roofing, or flooring, you’ll be happier with a larger, more contoured handle and a more robust locking mechanism. For everyone else, this covers the bases without fuss.

Recommendation

I recommend the Black & Decker folding knife for light to medium duty use. It balances convenience and cost well, with one‑handed operation that feels controlled, a quick and reliable blade change, and genuinely useful onboard storage with a visual check window. The tape‑cutter nose is a small feature that ends up saving time daily. It’s not the most ergonomic option for all‑day cutting, and I’d choose a heavier, more contoured handle for sustained jobsite abuse. But as an everyday utility, at this price, it earns a spot in the pocket or pouch.