DeWalt Atomic and Push and Flip Folding Utility Knives (2-Pack)

A practical two-knife solution for jobsite and everyday use

I’ve long believed a utility knife should be as handy as a pencil—there when you need it, never in the way when you don’t. This two-pack from DeWalt hits that idea squarely by pairing a compact folding knife with a full-size version that adds onboard blade storage and a gut hook. I carried both for a few weeks—one clipped to a pocket, the other tossed in a pouch—and put them through drywall scoring, flooring underlayment, roofing felt, carpet, and the usual flood of jobsite cardboard. The short version: they’re solid, safe, and thoughtfully featured, with a few quirks that are worth noting before you buy.

The set: compact and storage models that complement each other

DeWalt pairs two folding utility knives here:

• The compact knife is about 30% smaller, which matters more than the number suggests. It disappears in a pocket, doesn’t crowd a tool belt, and excels at quick cuts and controlled scoring.

• The storage model is full size and carries up to five spare blades inside the handle. It also adds a gut hook that lets me slice twine, plastic strapping, or tape without opening the blade—handy when I’m perched on a ladder or gloved up.

Both share one-handed flip-to-open action and a secure lockup that keeps the blade where it belongs. In practice, I appreciated having the compact one as an EDC cutter and the storage model in my pouch as a task workhorse.

Build and ergonomics

These are plastic-handled knives with metal liners, and they feel sturdier than the spec sheet might suggest. The pivots stayed tight, the blades seated positively with no detectable wiggle, and nothing rattled—even on the storage handle loaded with spare blades. The finish is jobsite-appropriate: grippy enough in sweaty hands, not so aggressively textured that it chews through pockets.

Ergonomically, they’re different enough that you’ll prefer one over the other:

• The compact knife is slim and agile. It excels at finger-tip control for detail work and tight spaces (think awkward HVAC corners or cutting out electrical boxes in drywall). If you have large hands, it can feel a bit short during long cuts, but it’s never slippery.

• The storage model fills the palm better and keeps your knuckles off the work during heavy pushes. The slight swell in the handle gives me leverage for thick carpet or layered roofing felt. It’s still not bulky, even with blades onboard.

Two nits: the edges of the handles on both knives could be softened slightly for all-day comfort, and the control layout differs between the two. One opens with an inline push-and-flip, the other uses a side-located action. Both are quick once you develop the muscle memory, but I wish the controls matched so my hand did the same thing every time.

Opening and lockup

One-handed opening is reliable on both. The action is tuned on the lighter side, which I like for quick deployment; it’s less stiff than some of the benchmark flip-utility knives I’ve used but never felt loose. The blade locks positively with an audible click. Over several weeks, I didn’t experience accidental releases or partial locks.

If you work at height or pass your knife around on a busy site, that predictable lockup matters. Combined with the integrated tether hole on each handle, it’s easy to keep the knife secure and reduce the chance of a drop.

Blade changes: secure, but learn the technique

DeWalt’s slide-and-click, press-free blade change is designed to be secure against unintended release. In use, it’s effective, but the release tab is small and sits close to the cutting edge. The mechanism favors caution and deliberate technique:

• Retract the blade fully before changing.

• Pinch the spine of the blade near the nose, not the cutting edge.

• Lift the release tab and pull the blade straight out; reverse to insert. You’ll feel a clear click when the blade seats.

With bare hands this is straightforward; with gloves it can be fiddly until you’ve practiced a couple of times. The upside is confidence—once seated, the blade isn’t going anywhere.

On the storage model, having five spares onboard is excellent. I burned through blades while hanging and trimming drywall and never had to leave the room to reload. The compartment door stays shut, and the blades don’t rattle.

The gut hook is more useful than I expected

I treat integrated gut hooks with skepticism, but this one earned its keep. Being able to cut tape, twine, and light strapping with the knife closed is faster and safer in many scenarios. It keeps the primary edge fresh and avoids waving an open blade in tight quarters or on a lift. If you regularly cut pallet wrap, banding, or zip ties, this feature alone tilts the scale toward the storage model.

Cutting performance and control

These knives use standard two-notch utility blades. Fresh blades bite nicely, score cleanly, and track straight. A few performance notes from the field:

• Drywall: The compact knife shines for scoring long, straight lines against a T-square. The slim handle helps keep the blade close to the work.

• Flooring underlayment and carpet: The storage model’s fuller handle and longer leverage make repeated heavy pulls less fatiguing.

• Roofing felt and housewrap: The lighter action and positive lock are reassuring in windy conditions; I had no accidental closures.

During long sessions, I did feel some hot spots at the handle edges, especially on the compact model. It’s not a deal breaker, but if you’re ripping carpet all day, you’ll notice it.

Carry and accessibility

The storage knife’s wire pocket clip is strong and low profile. It carries tip-down and draws easily with gloves. The compact knife rides even smaller, but its carry options are more limited. If you prefer a clip on every folder, you may miss it here. Both knives include a tether hole; that’s a must for elevated work and a nice backup for the clipless compact.

Neither knife is bulky, even when the storage model is fully loaded with spare blades. I could keep the compact one in a jeans coin pocket without it printing or shifting around.

Durability, maintenance, and warranty

After a few weeks of use, the pivots stayed smooth and the locks consistent. Blade changes didn’t loosen anything up, and the storage door still snapped closed firmly. The plastic handles picked up scuffs but nothing that affected grip or structure.

Maintenance is minimal: blow out dust from the blade channel, wipe the pivot area, and add a drop of light oil if the action feels dry. Standard blades are inexpensive, so I swap early rather than bear down on a dull edge. DeWalt backs the set with a limited lifetime warranty, and a 90-day return window should cover early issues.

Quirks and wish list

No tool is perfect. Here’s what I’d change:

• Standardize the opening controls across both knives to reduce fumbles when switching.

• Add a clip option for the compact knife, even if it’s a low-profile wire clip.

• Soften the handle edges a touch to reduce hot spots during extended cutting.

• Make the blade release tab slightly larger or more glove-friendly.

None of these are deal-breakers, but addressing them would elevate the set from very good to excellent.

Who this set is for

• Tradespeople who burn through blades: The onboard storage saves trips and time.

• DIYers and facilities staff: The gut hook and easy carry make quick packaging, tape, and light strapping cuts safer.

• EDC folks who prefer utility blades over sharpening: The compact knife disappears in a pocket and handles daily tasks cleanly.

If you only need one knife, you’ll still find value here because the two models cover different use cases. But the set makes the most sense if you keep one on your person and one in a bag or pouch.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt folding utility knife set. The combination of a compact, always-with-you folder and a full-size, storage-equipped workhorse covers the bulk of cutting tasks I encounter on and off the job. The one-handed action is reliable, the locks are secure, and the gut hook and onboard blades meaningfully improve workflow. Ergonomics could be a hair more comfortable, and I’d like consistent controls and a clip on the compact, but those are refinements rather than red flags. If you value safety, uptime, and everyday practicality, this two-pack is an easy pick.