DeWalt Push and Flip Folding Lock-Back Utility Knife

A compact, work-first utility knife with a smart opening and change system

I’ve been carrying the DeWalt push-and-flip utility knife for a few weeks on a mix of jobsite and shop tasks. It’s a compact folder aimed squarely at single-hand operation and fast blade swaps, with a lock-back that favors security over flash. After a lot of drywall, packaging, vinyl flooring, and general trimming, I’ve got a good sense of where it shines and where it could use refinement.

Design and build

The knife is slim, with a closed length of 4.25 inches and an open length just under 7 inches (6.8 inches). The metal handle is aluminum, which helps keep weight down without feeling flimsy. It has the straightforward, no-frills vibe I like in a utility knife: clean lines, robust pivot, and nothing protruding to catch on pockets or work gloves.

DeWalt includes a reversible deep-carry pocket clip. It rides low, disappears in a pocket, and the clip tension is dialed in so it retains well without shredding fabric. If you carry left side or prefer a different orientation, swapping the clip is simple. There’s also a tether hole at the tail—properly sized for a lanyard—so it’s ready for tie-off when working at height.

Inside, you’re dealing with a standard utility blade (2.25 inches of cutting edge). It’s carbon steel and compatible with common replacement trapezoid blades. This compact model doesn’t store extras in the handle, so plan accordingly if you burn through blades in a shift.

One-handed opening and lock-up

The headline feature is its push-and-flip opening. Press the release and flick your wrist; the blade swings out and the lock-back snaps it into place. It’s genuinely one-handed and doesn’t need a big flourish to open—just a smooth, practiced motion. The lock-back is a smart choice for a utility knife: positive engagement, no accidental unlock if you bump a button during a cut, and solid resistance to closing pressure.

There is a learning curve. You have to hold the release during the swing and let it go as the blade reaches the open position. Once you find the rhythm, it becomes second nature, but the timing takes a day or two to dial in—especially with gloves. The payoff is confidence: I never felt the blade threaten to back up under load, and there’s only the faintest, typical utility-knife wiggle at the tip.

Blade changes: fast, clean, and secure

DeWalt’s blade change system is the best part of this knife. To remove a blade, push the top lever and slide the blade out. To install, you simply slide a new blade into the carrier and it “clicks” into place—no fiddly button to hold in while you position the tang. It’s quick even with cold hands, and because insertion is “press-free,” the blade retention isn’t dependent on a button you might accidentally bump later. The lock-back backs it up by making sure the whole assembly stays put while you cut.

In practice, I swapped blades multiple times mid-task and never had a mis-seat or partial engagement. The mechanism also keeps debris from packing into the latch area more than usual; a quick air blast or brush keeps it running.

Ergonomics and cutting performance

In hand, the handle length (about 4.3 inches) is spot-on for a three-and-a-half-finger grip, with enough real estate to bear down without jamming your palm on sharp edges. The aluminum scales are smooth but not slippery; they clean up easily and don’t absorb grime like textured rubber can. There’s just enough contour at the spine to guide your thumb for controlled scoring cuts.

On material, it does what a straight-edge utility knife should. It scored and snapped 1/2-inch drywall cleanly, sliced vinyl plank and underlayment without chatter, and sailed through tape, corrugated, and plastic sheeting. The stiff lock geometry makes plunge cuts feel secure. For pull cuts on thick cardboard, the deep-carry clip doesn’t hotspot my palm—something I’ve fought with on bulkier designs.

As with any utility folder, heavy lateral torque will highlight blade play. Here it’s minimal and within the normal range; I didn’t have to baby it to keep lines straight.

Carry and access

This is a pocket-friendly tool. The slim profile and deep clip keep it unobtrusive, and the clip has enough rise to catch a pocket seam on the first try when stowing one-handed. It doesn’t snag on seats or harness straps, which makes a bigger difference than you’d think when you’re in and out of vehicles or lifts all day.

Because there’s no onboard blade storage, I keep a small dispenser in my pouch. If you rely on your utility knife as a primary cutter over long stretches, consider pairing it with a blade sleeve on your belt or adding a couple spares to your pocket organizer.

Safety and work-at-height

Two safety notes stand out:

• The lock-back has real authority. I never experienced a partial lock or a surprise unlock under cutting pressure.
• The blade release is deliberate. It’s accessible when you need it but not in the path of a typical grip, so you’re not likely to eject a blade accidentally.

The integrated tether hole is more than an afterthought. It’s rounded, sized for typical lanyards, and placed so the knife hangs tail-down, which keeps the blade carrier pointed safely away from you when tied off.

Durability and maintenance

Aluminum handles shrug off dings better than plastic, and they don’t mind solvents. The pivot and lock surfaces held up well to daily use with no additional play developing. The blade carrier didn’t deform or burr after multiple changes, which is crucial for maintaining that positive “click” on insertion.

Maintenance is minimal: wipe down, a blast of air to evict dust from the blade channel, and a tiny drop of light oil on the pivot if the action feels gritty. Since the system avoids a press-to-insert latch, there’s one less spring to gum up.

What I’d change

• Learning curve for opening: The press-and-flick motion is secure but requires timing. A slightly more forgiving release window would help gloved users.
• No onboard blade storage: The compact footprint is nice, but one or two spare blades in-handle would extend the knife’s utility for pro users.
• A touch more texture: While the handle cleans easily, a subtle machining pattern or chamfer could add grip without collecting debris.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth noting if you prioritize instant familiarity or built-in spares.

Value and who it’s for

If you want a secure, single-hand utility knife that emphasizes safe lock-up and fast blade swaps, this design nails the brief. Trades that work at height—roofing, electrical, facilities—will appreciate the tethering provision and the deep-carry clip that doesn’t snag. It’s also an easy everyday shop knife because it stays out of the way until you need it.

For users who cycle blades constantly (drywall crews, flooring installers), the lack of internal storage means you’ll want a system for carrying extras. If your workflow demands a frictionless open with no timing at all, you may prefer a simple non-locking slide-out box cutter—though you’ll give up the lock security and compactness this one offers.

Warranty coverage is a limited lifetime with a 90-day return window, which aligns with expectations at this tier and should reassure anyone putting it into daily rotation.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt push-and-flip utility knife. Its strengths—secure lock-back, genuinely one-handed operation, and a quick, reliable blade-change system—translate directly into safer cuts and less downtime. The compact, aluminum build and reversible deep-carry clip make it easy to keep on you, and the integrated tether hole shows attention to real jobsite needs.

It’s not a storage mule and the opening motion benefits from a short learning phase, but those trade-offs buy you a slim, durable cutter that stays locked when it should and swaps blades without drama. For most tradespeople and shop users looking for a dependable daily utility knife, this is an easy yes.