OLFA Utility Blade Review

FULL ARTICLE:

We’ve had this knife (and its big brother, the XH-AL) out on the job site with us in place of our traditional utility knives.

First off, let me just tell you what it’s not. This is not a box cutter. This isn’t some tiny tool that your local grocery stock person uses to open the cases and cases of mac and cheese my kids plow through in a week. This is a serious tool made for real work on the job site.

These knives are designed for cutting all manners of construction materials. Rubber, roofing materials, linoleum, carpet, drywall, caulking, Tyvec, flashing/waterproofing membranes, insulation, plastic, etc. Here we were using it on this vent hood install (about halfway through).

On The Job Site

We’ve had this knife (and its big brother, the XH-AL) out on the job site with us in place of our traditional utility knives. Cutting drywall, vent pipe, caulking, and tapes, this knife handled everything with ease. On many occasions we even found ourselves extending the blade out to cut in places that a traditional knife would have trouble with.

[mercoid]

I have the Olfa LAX. I’m an eBay seller so I’m constantly trimming down and modifying corrugated cardboard boxes to suit odd sized items. The tab on the back of the knife is excellent for scoring cardboard to create a straight, clean new flap on the box. It also serves as a great burnishing tool for making sure packing tape is totally adhered to boxes. Love my Olfa knife!

[juliobezouro]

your videos are very good, learn much about the tools, but in Brazil we don't have many options. a big hug a registered Brazilian that assists all your videos.

[felixf]

I have a bunch of Olfa knives. Even have the XL model that looks like a small sword - ridiculously handy. The one I like a lot, I do some intricate work at times, is the 9mm thin blade version. Only $5 at Lowes.

[samhenderson]

I use a tajima snap off in the larger size. I Carry a small diamond plate and sharpen the blades. And snap 1 end off to get the point sharp again. I find I use more cutting edge than the stanley. Amazing for cutting insulation. As good for for scoring cement sheet. Not going back to the stanley.

[Wroom]

These knifes are very common to see in Norway, and probably also much of Europe! I have two sizes of them!

[GlitterFistsFish]

Morning, watching your video and having some. Coffee before heading off to the job this morning.

[noconz]

I like your tool belt. Would like to a see a comparison video or review of different rigs.

[Painfulwhale]

Got mine in the mail just a few days ago from this video.. cool tool!

[capnjimmy]

They sell them tool and blades in the paint tools section at home depot. Not by the other utility knives and blades

[kenthanson]

For me I like the blades but I love the hook on the end of this tool. I have used the hook for what you describe plus hundreds of other tasks while on the job site. When doing fine carpentry I snap off and can get a fresh tip for marking very exact lines for cuts.

[_Ptat_]

I’m really interested in these knives. They have such a good reputation around them. I just wish they would offer blades with smaller segments. Maybe half of what they are currently. I do a lot of cutting with just the tip and see no reason to waste that 3/8” of blade when just the tip is bad.

[lduarte]

Unfortunately my friend wrong put the blade and it can’t be put away. It’s useless and I‘ m trying to unlock this for years. That’s sad, I like this tool

[aredt]

I love these things I don't snap the blades though I resharpen them

[HogeN]

i uselly snip the tip of the blade to get more use out of it ^^... but mostly i use utilityknife that takes 25mm (1") that i can snap of a section when its dull.. and then i use the oldstyle that i have hookblades for carpets and shingels

[paulboutilier]

I am a little surprised. I live in Alberta and you could pick that up or its cheap cousin at any hardware store for as long as I can remember. I do have both verisions you demoed and use both types of blades. With general use in all honesty I do not think the black blades last much longer. 80% of the use is for sharing your construction pencil.

[oakleyjack]

My question I'm curious about; will it replace your old go to knife ?

[williambutler]

Can the fancy blades be used in other brands of knives? Also, what happened to tools on tap?

[kolkasur]

Why olfa blades got this notched hole at the beginning of the blade ?

[trashes_to_treasures]

So sad no one produces these for left handed people like me... 😢

[DaBurntToaster]

I REALLY like the idea of a longer blade where the part that dulls fastest can be snapped off to reveal a new sharp edge. what I DONT like is the system to secure the blade in place for use. either the pull tab or the "ratcheting" screw, its made of cheap shitty plastic.
I'd love to pay another $10 for a mechanism to secure the blade made of metal