Black & Decker Folding Utility Knife (2 Pack)

A week with a simple folding cutter

I tossed one of Black & Decker’s folding utility knives in my pocket for a week and kept its twin in the tool bag. The idea of a two-pack is straightforward: one follows you around for daily tasks, the other lives where real work happens. After breaking down boxes, scoring drywall, trimming roofing felt, and a handful of miscellaneous cuts, I have a good sense of what these knives do well—and where they run out of steam.

What you get

The pack includes two folding utility knives and two blades installed from the factory. Each knife folds for pocket carry, uses a push-button quick-change mechanism, and accepts standard utility and hook blades. There’s an aluminum handle, a stainless belt clip, and one-handed open/close action. The approach is simple: keep weight and bulk down while maintaining compatibility with the blades you already own.

Build and design

The aluminum construction keeps the knife light, and it stands up nicely to pocket carry without feeling flimsy. Over the week, neither handle picked up more than superficial scratches from keys and loose fasteners. The stainless clip is stout enough to stay put on a pocket or belt, and it didn’t chew up fabric.

Fit and finish are what I expect at this price: decent alignment, no sharp edges on the handle, and a blade carrier that meets the body squarely when locked open. I didn’t notice excessive flex in the head during normal cuts. Under heavier, twisting cuts—like prying a staple while slicing—there’s a hint of movement at the blade interface. That’s common on compact folders with quick-change heads and a reason to avoid using a utility knife as a prying tool.

Folded, it disappears in a pocket. Open, there’s enough handle to get three full fingers and a pinky pinch for control. The scales aren’t rubberized; traction comes from the shape and slight contouring rather than aggressive texture. With gloves on, I still had a secure grip, though sweaty hands benefit from conscious pressure on the handle.

Blade changes and compatibility

The push-button release works the way it should: thumb the button, slide the old blade out, drop in a new one. There’s no fiddling with screws or partial disassembly. Importantly, it accepts both standard straight utility blades and hook blades, which broadens its usefulness on roofing paper, shingles, carpet, and landscape fabric. I swapped between a standard blade for drywall and a hook blade for shingles without any compatibility hiccups.

A small note: you only get one blade per knife out of the box. If you plan on a day of heavy cutting, budget for a pack of replacement blades. The knife is only as good as the edge you put in it.

One-handed operation and lock-up

One-handed open and close is a genuine convenience. Flicking it open with a thumb and closing it safely with one hand became second nature after a few tries. The lock-up feels positive—there’s an audible and tactile click when the blade carrier seats. I didn’t experience accidental closures. That said, I always treat folding utility knives with the same caution as a pocket knife: keep fingers out of the blade path and don’t override the lock with torque.

Cutting performance

• Cardboard and packaging: This is the wheelhouse. It slides through corrugated without tearing, and the compact form makes it easy to control the depth so you’re not gouging contents. Breaking down a pile of shipping boxes was quick and clean.

• Drywall scoring: Scoring 1/2-inch drywall went smoothly. Two light passes to control the cut, snap, then a back-cut through the paper—no problem. The knife’s size helps you keep the blade shallow and consistent.

• Roofing felt and shingles: With a hook blade installed, it tracked along chalk lines on roofing felt nicely. Shingle cuts were fine for trimming tabs and cutting around vents; long, cold-weather shingle cuts reminded me that leverage is limited on a compact folder. It’ll do the job, but you’ll work slower than with a fixed-handle utility knife.

• Carpet and landscape fabric: Hook blades make quick work of both. The folding knife gives just enough handle length to pull through a cut without bunching the material.

• Plastic strapping and zip ties: One clean swipe and you’re done. The short nose helps avoid nicking what’s underneath.

• Light demo and scoring metal: I avoid using utility knives on metal, but I did use it to scribe a line on aluminum trim. No issues, but as always, metal work will eat your edge fast—swap blades after.

Where it wasn’t ideal was repeated heavy cuts in dense materials (laminate flooring, thick rubber underlayment). You can get through, but the compact handle and quick-change head aren’t designed for high leverage or side loading. After a series of aggressive cuts, I could feel a whisper of play at the blade tip. A fresh blade and a return to straight-pull cuts brought it back to behaving like new.

Durability and maintenance

Over the test period, there was no corrosion or binding in the pivot. Aluminum resists dings, and the black finish held up better than expected. A quick blast of compressed air and a drop of light oil on the pivot kept the action smooth. Because it’s a utility knife, edge maintenance is just blade swaps—no sharpening needed.

Safety notes

The lock engaged reliably in my use, but it’s still a folding tool. Keep cuts straight and avoid prying. Use a fresh blade rather than forcing a dull one—most utility knife injuries come from pushing too hard on a tired edge. The one-handed close is convenient, yet make sure the blade’s path is clear of fingers as the carrier rotates.

What could be better

• More leverage: A slightly longer handle or a subtly thicker body would improve control on dense materials without compromising portability.

• Blade storage: There’s no onboard spare blade storage. For jobsite use, a couple of backups inside the handle is handy; here, you’ll need a separate blade dispenser.

• Out-of-box blade count: Two knives and only two blades means you’ll want a pack of replacements from day one, especially if you plan to cut roofing or carpet.

• Lock feel under torque: While lock-up is positive, aggressive side loading reveals minor flex. It’s fine for straight cuts; just know its limits.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and renters who want a compact, pocketable cutter for boxes, trim, and light project work.

• DIYers and handymen who like having a dedicated one with standard blades and a second outfitted with hook blades.

• Pros who need an inexpensive backup on the belt or in the pouch, not a primary heavy-use knife.

If you’re a roofer, flooring installer, or demo worker making hundreds of cuts a day, you’ll be better served by a fixed-handle utility knife with more handle length and a beefier head. For everyone else, this covers daily cutting needs in a tidy package.

Value

Two knives in one pack is the quiet win here. I kept one clipped to my pocket and left the second in the tool bag with hook blades. That setup minimized blade changes mid-task and meant I always had a sharp cutter nearby. Considering the aluminum build and quick-change mechanism, the overall value is solid for light to medium-duty use.

Final recommendation

I recommend this folding utility knife two-pack for light everyday carry and general household tasks, as well as a convenient backup on the job. It’s compact, the one-handed action and quick blade swaps are genuinely useful, and compatibility with both standard and hook blades expands what you can tackle. The trade-offs—limited leverage, no spare blade storage, and a lock that prefers straight cuts—make it less suited to heavy, repetitive jobsite work. If your cutting tasks lean toward packaging, drywall scoring, felt, shingles, and fabric, keeping one in your pocket and one in your bag is a practical, cost-effective setup. If you need a primary workhorse for dense materials all day, look to a fixed-handle alternative.