A good knife is essential for every plumber. You can use it to open packaging, remove excess material or inspect pipes. In this post, we will discuss what the best knife is for plumbers.
There are several things that you have to take into account when you are getting one. Let’s go over them below.
Things that you have to consider when getting a plumber’s or utility knife
Below are some of the things that you should check when getting a new knife for your plumbing business:
Sharpness
Depending on the application, you might need a very sharp knife. Plumbers often use a knife to deburr copper pipes or to remove the glue. In some instances, a dull knife will do but having a sharp knife at hand can be useful as well.
The strength of the materials is expressed on a Mohs hardness scale. Metal blades should be at least 5.5. Ceramic blades can be stronger and are rated up to 8.2. This means that these ceramic blades can last more than 10 times longer than steel blades. Ceramic blades are still quite new so they are still being improved.
Durability
Most knives last anywhere from a few months to a year. Given that the blades are quite cheap (see below), it is a good idea to replace them often. A dull blade can be dangerous.
Some blades can be sharpened by specialized companies.
You should also check the tip of the blade. This can be round or sharp. The right option depends on what you want to use the knife for.
Price
Utility knives are quite cheap in general. For this reason, it is best to stick with a bigger brand. This ensures that the quality has been tested.
Knives can be dangerous so you have to make sure that they use strong metals and that the handle has been properly designed. Saving a few bucks on this type of product is not a wise decision.
These knives range from 20 USD to 100 USD and more. Most can be found for around 35 USD already so there are a lot of affordable options on the market. Ceramic blades can be more expensive but they last a lot longer.
Easy to store
Some knives can be attached to working pants quite easily. This makes the knife more accessible and easy to use.
Some knives can be quite bulky and hard to transport. If you don’t want to wear a gear belt, it can be quite difficult to walk around with it.
Some knives come with a pouch that make it easy to store the knife in a safe way.
Locks in multiple positions
It is important that the knife locks properly. Cheaper knives can move and this can be dangerous. If the knife locks in multiple positions, it is usable in more situations.
It is essential that the knife can be properly stored. A bulky knife can be hard to transport.
Avoid blades that have a spring as you can unlock this by accident and this can be quite dangerous. Plumbers have to crawl and climb a lot and you can push the button by accident.
Easy to replace the blade
Sometimes you can replace the blade. This is easy to do with some of the knives as you can use a tool to do this. In this way, you don’t have to touch the blades to replace them.
In less than 5 minutes you can add new blades to the knife.
The sturdiness of the handle
The handle can be made out of different materials. Make sure that you get a knife that is made out of metal. The handle also shouldn’t rust (stainless steel is a good option for this).
The handle also shouldn’t conduct electricity. You can use an electrical tester and stud finder but it is better to avoid problems and get a handle that doesn’t conduct currents.
The handle should also have an antislip coating. This makes sure that the knife doesn’t fall out of your sweaty hands while you are finishing a difficult installation or repair job.
Depending on the size of your hands, you can opt for a bigger or smaller handle. Make sure that it feels good in your hand.
The best knives for plumbers
-Milwaukee:
As discussed, it is important to stick with a big brand when it comes to plumbers’ knives. This is why we would go with the ones of Milwaukee. They are quite affordable and durable.
There is a clip added that makes it easy to attach the knife to your pants. Furthermore, there is a wire stripping tool included.
There are sharper knives on the market but these will work for most jobs that a plumber has.
A great knife is an essential tool for every plumber. In this post, we have discussed what you should consider when you are buying a new one.
For PEX or copper, you should use dedicated cutting tools. For example, Rothernberger has great PEX cutters that make it easy to get a clean cut. Don’t cut these materials with a knife as this is dangerous and you can damage the PEX or copper.
This can lead to leaks or clogs in the water pipe. For this reason, it is essential that you get one of these dedicated cutting tools. While these are more expensive, they can last a long time and can make it easier to get things done.
Other brands offer similar tools for a more affordable price. Make sure to use the right tool for the job! This can save you a lot of time and frustration.
