# TLDR Review: Craftsman Utility Knife

*Published: 2026-01-05 | Updated: 2026-01-05 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/craftsman-utility-knife*

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## Product: Craftsman Utility Knife
**Brand:** Craftsman

## Pros
- Blade retracts and knife folds for easy pocket storage and portability
- Ergonomic design with excellent grip that's comfortable and easy to use
- Blade is easy to replace when needed, with convenient storage compartment integrated into the handle
- Retractable and folding mechanism combination is difficult to find in competing products
- Very sturdy and well-made construction that's durable enough to keep as a spare
- Lightweight design makes it handy and practical for everyday use
- Blade retracts smoothly once properly inserted
- Reliable tool that performs well for various tasks including farm use

## Cons
- Blade insertion mechanism is poorly designed and dangerous, requiring you to hold a sharp blade with bare fingers while pressing a fragile button
- The small black plastic button used for blade insertion breaks easily with normal use
- Blade replacement requires significant force and a somewhat complicated process
- Initial learning curve for blade insertion and folding mechanism—though it becomes intuitive with practice
- No instructions included with the product, though a YouTube video demonstration is available
- High risk of finger cuts and injury during routine blade maintenance tasks

## Bottom Line

The CRAFTSMAN CMHT10932 is a well-constructed and genuinely portable utility knife that excels at combining retractable and folding features—a rare combination in this category. However, the blade insertion mechanism is genuinely problematic, with reviewers consistently noting the design creates unnecessary safety hazards and the plastic button tends to break with regular use. We'd recommend watching the YouTube tutorial before your first use and consider using multitool pliers to help secure the blade during installation to minimize injury risk. If you're primarily looking for a safe, easy-to-maintain utility knife, you might want to explore other options that prioritize user safety over compact design.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Blade retracts and knife folds for easy pocket storage and portability | Blade insertion mechanism is poorly designed and dangerous, requiring you to hold a sharp blade with bare fingers while pressing a fragile button |
| Ergonomic design with excellent grip that's comfortable and easy to use | The small black plastic button used for blade insertion breaks easily with normal use |
| Blade is easy to replace when needed, with convenient storage compartment integrated into the handle | Blade replacement requires significant force and a somewhat complicated process |
| Retractable and folding mechanism combination is difficult to find in competing products | Initial learning curve for blade insertion and folding mechanism—though it becomes intuitive with practice |
| Very sturdy and well-made construction that's durable enough to keep as a spare | No instructions included with the product, though a YouTube video demonstration is available |
| Lightweight design makes it handy and practical for everyday use | High risk of finger cuts and injury during routine blade maintenance tasks |
| Blade retracts smoothly once properly inserted |  |
| Reliable tool that performs well for various tasks including farm use |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| MSC Industrial Supply | $10.26  | Check |
| mscdirect.com | $10.26  | Check |
| Amazon | $11.00  | Check |
| The BuildClub | $11.93  | Check |
| The BuildClub | $11.93  | Check |
| Instacart | $12.69  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*