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
Handles
Bone handles can be rewhitened with hydrogen peroxide.