Knife
Stanley Knife
- Also known as a utility knife
- Retractable and fixed blade versions
- Stanley is a brand name often used for this type of knife, regardless of brand.
- The toughest of the knives popular for DIY
Wallpaper knife
- Lightweight disposable plastic knife with snap-off segmented blade
- 9mm & 18m blades
- Very cheap, many for £1
- Widely used for tasks where high strength is not needed
- Blades easy to replace
- Durable metal bodied versions also exist.
Pocket Knife
The forerunner of the above knife types, these are no longer popular for DIY use, but are still used by some.
- Higher initial purchase price, zero ongoing costs
- The non-replaceable blade(s) must be resharpened
- Most types can snap shut on fingers in some situations, which is not really a Good Thing.
- Heavier and bulkier than wallpaper knives
- Some pocket knives include other small tools, which usually prove to be more useful for inflicting minor self injury than DIY.
- Toolchest in a pocket knife
Craft knife, X-acto knife
These are small knives sometimes used in DIY, but more popular for craft use. The handles are somewhat like a writing pen, and the blades used are scalpel blades and other blades of a similar size.
- Many blade shapes are available.
- X-Acto is another trade mark that has fallen into general usage
Scalpel
More used for DIY surgery than house maintenance, the most popular pattern of these is a 1 piece metal handle with no moving parts, into which the scalpel blade snaps into place. Designed for sterilisability.
- Disposable plastic handles scalpels are also common
- Useful for removing splinters, and other very fine work
Carving Knife
Kitchen knives aren't much use for DIY, but mean looking serrated ones can be used as a chipboard saw if caught without the right tools.
Electrician's knife
- Insulated handle
- Used to cut wire insulation
Lead knife
- for lead roofing
- Long hook-nosed blade
Carbide tipped knife
- Tough long lasting carbide tip
- Massively outlasts steel blades
- Good for use on tough workpieces, such as tile backing board
- Hardibacker carbide tipped knife
Hacking knife
- Hammerable
- Various jobs, eg removing putty
Blades
According to the power tool blades retailer Saxton Blades, there are 11 common types of knife blade.
Handles
Bone handles can be rewhitened with hydrogen peroxide.