Tips For Choosing The Best Electrician Knives

An electrician’s tools are said to be one of their greatest assets. Due to the nature of the job, being an electrician requires a heavy reliance on various tools. Over the past few years, we have seen an emergence of new specialized equipment, and electricians now have a wider pool of tools to take their pick from. Of all the varieties available, an electrician can never go wrong with an electrician knife, a versatile member of your tool belt.

Here are some tips for selecting the best electrician knives on the market.

Features and Uses of Electrician Knives

Knives can be used for a variety of functions such as cutting insulation as well as cutting and stripping cables. The key feature of an electrician knife that sets it apart from regular knives is its insulation to reduce the chances of electrocution. The blade is also sharper so that it can get through the insulation layer without cutting the core wire.

Common Blades Chosen by Electricians

There are several options for electrician knives, each varying in size, shape, and capabilities. The following knives are the most common ones used by those in the trade.

1. Sheepsfoot Blade

Known for its safety, this knife lacks a pointy tip for piercing. However, its design allows easy drilling into the hardest of materials. It is usually used for heavy-duty purposes like stripping large wires, but the curve on the tip also makes it suitable for detailed cuttings.

2. Coping Blade

Its thin, sharp point makes it a top choice for electricians to use when stripping wires or cutting electrical boxes. The straight spine can be used to create parallel lines.

3. Hawkbill Blade

The hawkbill blade is great for cutting roofing paper, cables, or large gauge wire. Its pointed tip allows a clean puncture into the material you are cutting. Most electricians prefer to use this knife for stripping insulation from wires.

4. Spear Point Blade

Although in recent years the spear point blade can be found in both single and double-edge options on both fixed and folding knives, it was usually mostly made with double edges. The double edges are primarily used for piercing and can go through hard materials, but they are not so suitable to be brought around for daily use.

Choosing a Knife

Some key factors to consider when selecting a knife are:

1. Blade Style

Knives can either be folded or fixed. For those looking to bring theirs with them on the job regularly, a folded knife would be a better choice.

2. Blade Material

Stainless steel can last you longer as it does not rust or discolor, and are wonderful at remaining sharp. Titanium is also another recommended material choice, as it has longer longevity than stainless steel and yields greater edge retention.

Care Advice

Always use the right kind of knife for each application as failure to do so might prove dangerous. For instance, it is not wise to use box cutter knives to cut heavy-duty materials as the blade can be broken off and cause injury during use. Other care recommendations would be to regularly inspect your knives, especially before use; never use knives whose blades are worn or rusted, and always wear personal protective equipment (PPE), glasses, and gloves.