Quick Overview:

Doing something new and different with a regular old razor knife is a bit tricky … because too much, well, it usually is “too much”.  Sometimes leaving well enough alone is the right thing to do.  However, CH Hanson has done well here as they re-thought the razor knife and actually made it more versatile.

Short and sweet … this razor knife holds not one, but two razors on each end.  Both can be standard razors so that when one gets dull you don’t miss a beat and just “flip” to the other side.  Or, each end can hold a different type of blade — one end a standard blades, and the other end a curved blade.

Anything that helps me work safer, and quicker, seems like a good thing to me.  This tool accomplishes both of those and is built well to handle the rugged environment a razor knife will usually be exposed to.  Thumbs up to the “Flip Knife”.

What’s Included:

Besides the plastic marketing package … you’ll get the Flip Knife along with one straight blade and one curved blade.

CH Hanson, the company (link):

Directly from their website:

Headquartered near Chicago, Illinois, the C. H. Hanson Company has been a family-owned and managed operation since 1866. The company has demonstrated throughout its history, the ability to innovate both products and merchandising methods.

C. H. Hanson is quick to respond to changing market needs with new products, new merchandising and new packaging. The company is strategically focused on significant product expansion through partnerships with the end-user to create tools that make job site tasks easier, faster, and safer.

Design & Use:

What don’t you use a razor knife for?  Honestly, I pick mine up most every day and go through blades faster than cereal — or so it seems.  At this point I own about five razor knives.  Not because I have to, but because I always seem to temporarily lose the one when I need it, and thus decided to keep a couple more than necessary around the house.

A razor knife can be used to cut carpet, paper, plastic, thin metals, … you name it.  At its most basic form a razor knife is a handle for a razor blade that keeps the your hands and fingers away from the blade, and makes it more manageable to use for any period of time.

The Flip Knife has a couple of good things going for it.  (1) It can hold two blades of the same type, or different types, (2) the blade changes are as easy as it gets, and (3) it incorporates simple safety features to help protect the user (for example, you cannot expose the blades on both ends at the same time).

The not-so-good things really have nothing do with the knife itself, but rather a bit of personal preference.  (1) The packaging is that horrible, indestructible plastic that is sealed on every side and nearly impossible to get into and (2) it only comes with two blades.  As I see it the packaging should be easier to open — in fact, I had to get another razor knife just to open this razor knife.  As for the blades, I think it would be a common courtesy if a small package of blades were included so that a first-time buyer wouldn’t get stuck at home with only the two included blades and have to make a return trip to the hardware store.

WARNING: Cutting seems to be the most common type of injury in the shop.  The damage is often done with razors, utility knives, or scissors due to improper use.  So be careful when using these tools.  They don’t have a motor, don’t cost a ton of money and are in every household … but trust me, then will still hurt you just as badly.

Purchasing Advice:

If you use a razor knife frequently, then the Flip Knife should be on your radar.  You’ll benefit from the two blades ready to go at a moments notice — so much so that the tool will probably pay for itself in time savings on the first job.

If you are an occasional user, or in the market for a razor knife … why not.  There are many options out there from cheapo imports to higher end gimmick designs.  You could go for either, but why when you can land in the middle with a solid, safe, two-blade system.

Images:

The Package

Having to use one razor knife to get to the other …

Curved Blade Installed

Straight Knife Installed

Quick and easy blade changes without opening the unit

The red button is the quick release for the blade

Size comparison to a regular razor knife

One lacking feature the Flip Knife is missing that was found on another knife I own is the on-board quick access blade storage … which is really nice.

Luckily the Flip Knife didn’t get into all of the gimmicks though … like this near useless measuring tape on another razor knife I own.