It's likely that you wouldn't even think to include the utility knife if someone asked you to name your most versatile equipment. If that's the case, then think again!
The utility knife's simplicity is part of what makes it beautiful. This sharp knife is actually designed for handling dozens of tasks, unlike many tools that are made for a single function.
This guide will enlighten you with five different ways you can use your carpenter’s utility knife that you’ve never thought of before!
What Is A Carpenter’s Utility Knife?
A carpenter’s utility knife is an essential hand tool that is used by nearly all tradesmen and hobbyists. These knives are also used in the kitchen with their ability to cut mid-sized fruits, chicken breasts, and even slicing sandwiches.
They are typically stored in a knife block to maintain the quality of the utility knife blades.
The sharp utility knife blade, ease of use, and compact size mean that it is an excellent tool that can always be on hand for cutting purposes.
It is commonly used in drywalling operations, like cutting drywall to the correct length and width.
The utility knife has been around for decades and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The standard parts of a utility knife include:
- An ergonomic handle for good grip
- A sharp blade - sometimes a straight-edged blade or a serrated blade with notches along the cutting edge
- A button to smoothly extend and retract the blade
- Extra blades
- Alternative blades
Possible Features
While not all utility knives have every feature, here are some that come with knives of varying brands and prices:
- Blade storage in the handle of the knife
- Quick release buttons for the blade
- Folding handles like a pocket knife
- Blade guards
- Spring loaded buttons that extend the blade and retract it once the button is released
- Segmented blades throughout the knife so a dull blade can be snapped off and replaced with a sharp one.
Uses For Your Utility Knife
Scratch Out Old Grout
Although there is specialized equipment for removing old grout from between tiles, if the repair just involves a tiny patch of tile - say, less than 4 square feet - a utility knife will work just fine.
Tip
By inserting the knife's sharp tip into the space between two tiles, you can gently scratch away at the dried-out grout.
Apply a little extra pressure after you've made a deep groove and keep removing a small amount of grout at a time with a scratching motion. Be mindful of nearby tiles so as not to damage them.
This is one of the rare instances when using a worn-out, dull blade in a utility knife is perfectly fine.
Trim Roof Shingles
Cutting asphalt roof shingle is not simple. The asphalt-saturated core is thick and fibrous, and the top surface is covered in rock-hard mineral grains.
Asphalt shingles are the fastest way to dull a knife, saw, or pair of snips.
But if you know how to use a utility knife, you can cut asphalt shingles relatively quickly.
Tip
Turn the shingle over and make cuts along the smooth, abrasion-free rear surface.
The shingle is tough, and attempting to cut through it will dull the blade. The shingle will instead shatter cleanly along the scored line if you score the surface first, then bend it.
Cut Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl-resilient sheet flooring installation has always been a well-liked do-it-yourself project.
This DIY trend is expected to remain thanks to modern floating-floor vinyl sheets that aren't glued down.
Cutting the vinyl sheet flooring precisely to fit the room is the only challenging part of installing it.
The entire sheet can be ruined by one bad slice. Your carpenter's utility knife will be useful in this situation.
Tip
Using a utility knife to cut vinyl flooring is the simplest method, but only after making one little adjustment - swapping the conventional straight blade with a hooked blade.
Hook the blade over the edge of the flooring and pull to cut the sheet. The hook can effortlessly cut through vinyl without cutting into the subfloor underneath thanks to its pointed edge.
Freeing Painted Baseboards
Don't start with a pry bar while removing painted baseboard trim from a room, as this is a common mistake.
Instead, use a utility knife to cut along the baseboard's top edge and remove the paint from the spot where the trim meets the wall.
If you miss this step, the dried paint will act as glue when you pry off the baseboard, causing sections of the wall to peel away.
Tip
The baseboard can be removed by first cutting through the paint layer without harming the wall. This method can be used to remove any painted trim, such as chair rails, door casings, and window casings.
Expose Popped Nail Heads
There may be a few popped nails or screws on the walls and ceilings of your home if the interior is finished with drywall.
The best way to solve this issue is to first expose the popped fastener's head with a utility knife.
Use the knife's sharp tip to remove the joint compound from the area around the popped head. You can determine if a fastener is a nail or a screw once the head is visible.
Tip
Use a hammer and nail set to push the heads of the popped nails deeply into the wall stud or ceiling joist rather than yanking them out, which could harm the nearby surface.
Next, insert a 1-5/8-in. drywall screw a few inches above and below the original nail in the stud or joist. Put joint compound over the repair to finish it.
Use a drill or driver to remove the drywall screw if the popped fastener is one of those. Then, insert a 1-5/8-in. drywall screw into a stud or joist a few inches above and below the original screw hole.
Finally, apply joint compound to the repair to complete it.
Slice Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation and its barrier can easily be cut with a utility knife's razor-sharp blade.
Tip
The blade might be too short to fully cut through the thick fiberglass batt.
Lay a board with a straight edge across the batt to address this issue, and then kneel on the board to compress the fiberglass.
Now, slide the knife's blade along the board's edge to cut through the compressed batt.
You can use a 1 x 4 or 1 x 6, a piece of plywood, or even a 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 for the straight-edged board. Just make sure the board is at least 8 inches longer than the fiberglass batts' width.
Cut Old Carpeting
It can be challenging to remove old, wall-to-wall carpeting from a space as the flooring is heavy and cumbersome.
Next time, use a tool knife to cut the carpeting into sizable squares to save yourself some trouble.
Tip
Cutting the carpet from the back, which is level and somewhat rigid, is the best way to get the job done.
Slice the carpet from the remainder after rolling up a small portion, maybe 4 feet or so. Square up the large slice, being sure to cut from the rear once again.
The squares should be carried out of the room after being stacked.
Repeat with a different carpeting section. The small squares are certainly easier to carry and dispose of, but this method does take a little longer than rolling up the entire carpet.
Conclusion
A carpenter’s utility knife is an incredibly versatile tool and can be used in all manner of ways! Next time you need a job done, consider using your utility knife for your DIY needs.