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Irwin Utility Knife FK150

Irwin Folding Utility Knife FK150

By Will Endicott

I love utility knives. I keep one in all of my my tool bags, my truck door, my tackle box, my wife’s car, and just about everywhere in between.  The folks at Irwin sent me their new Irwin Utility Knife FK150 to test and review, I was excited to get working with it.

What is the Irwin FK150 utility knife?

The FK150 is from Irwin’s newest line of utility knives. They redesigned and reengineered the utility knife to make, what I believe is, one of the nicer utility knives on the market.

First impression:

The Irwin Utility Knife FK150 is a sleek, well-built folding utility knife that has some classic features as well as incorporating a host of new technologies.

I get excited when I get to try new tools, so I am a big fan of being able to use tools right out of the box. Blades included in the packaging is a big plus for me. The handle feels durable and comfortable in the hand  and a cast finger groove adds safety, comfort and a secure grip. The folding action of the knife is smooth and easy to operate with one hand. The tool-less blade change is easy and efficient which is a must in the field.

The Irwin Utility Knife FK150 has a really wire stripping function which, in my field,  I have thought of as important, but it really doesn’t detract from the knife. It just doesn’t seem very practical to me, maybe to an electrician.

Using the Irwin FK150

After playing around and getting to know the FK150, I decided to put it to work. I was asked to help a friend work on his roof for him, so I thought, what better way to test it out?

I have never been a huge fan of fixed blade knives in my tool bags. They have a tendency to cut up my bags, and I always seem to forget that the blade isn’t retracted.

Retractable blades, though, get “gummed” up and they always seem to move when I put them under pressure with activities such as hanging drywall and roofing, both of which are particularly tough on the utility knife.

The Irwin Utility Knife FK150, has a feature called  BladeLock technology which I was hoping would eliminate that movement and be the perfect balance of safety and function.  The Irwin FK150 knife performed flawlessly. As I cut the shingles, the blade stayed put and was perfectly safe in my bag when stowed. The blade storage function is a must-have, especially when doing something like roofing. No one wants to climb all the way down just to replace a blade.

The removable belt clip is a great feature as well. I would probably prefer to have it off when I keep it in my tool bags, but it is handy if you just have it in your pocket or on your belt.

Features

• Patented BladeLock Technology keeps blade locked in place

• Blade storage that holds up to two additional blades

• Liner lock for quick one-handed operation

• Wire stripper for built-in convenience

• Removable belt clip

• 3 Blades included 

Overall Impression

Overall, this knife performed as well.  The blade did not move at all and the added convenience of a “safe, fixed-knife” was impressive.  The blade storage and tool-less blade change are very handy and are becoming essential in the field.

I would recommend this product to any PRO or DIYer that work hard with their knives but enjoy the folding utility knife design.

Where to Buy

The Irwin FK150 Folding Utility Knife sells for approximately $12.00 online here: Irwin-FK150-1858319-Folding-Utility

About the Author:

Will Endicott is principal of B & J Construction LLC. in Joplin, Missouri. He oversees the daily operations of the business and its staff and sub-contractors. He enjoys all aspects of construction, but particularly enjoys using his knowledge and experiences to help and educate people on the correct practices of the construction trade. Will and his wife Ashley, have 2 children. You can learn more at www.bandjconstruction.com

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