Easy Cut Modern Box Cutter, 3 Blade Depth Setting, Squeeze Trigger and Edge Guides, Holster, Lanyard, Extra Blade - 1000 Blue

Easy to used

I have been in the grocery industry for 30 years and I have used a number of different box cutters in that time. About 15 years ago my company went to a "safety cutter" that was OK but not all that safe. It has a blade guard that is fixed in an open position and I never really developed a feel for using that cutter. I resorted to just using the cutter primarily for cutting plastic wrapped cases and breaking tape. Delicate items like boxes of cereal or frozen food, if not taped shut, I just opened by hand, it was easier to do that way and much less likely to cut the product. I saw the EZ Box Cutter 1000 EZ Cut/Easy Safety Box Cutter Blue on my favorite shopping site and thought I would give it a try. I have been using it for three weeks now and I must say I am impressed with it. When I ordered it I was a bit concerned that squeezing the trigger to extend the blade would be awkward and might lead to discomfort in my hand. In actual use I do not even notice squeezing the trigger and the amount of effort to do so I could not even measure. Another thing I really like is the blade guard which can be extended when cutting off the tops of boxes or retracted when cutting plastic wrap. Typically, canned groceries are in trays and wrapped in plastic film. I have about 50 stacks of cans 5 to ten cases high to cut through a night. My method is to cut down one side of a stack, cut up the next side, and then down again. I can cut a whole stack that way in 20 to 30 seconds. My old cutter had a fixed blade guard which often got cut in the openings on the sides of the cases which meant I often had to re-cut the plastic film. My EZ cutter's blade guard is only extended when I want it extended so I can cut the plastic film with a blade that doesn't snag on anything. I have yet to need to make a re-cut, so the EZ cutter is saving me time. Another thing I like is the numbered adjustable blade depth gauge. It has four settings, 1, 2, 3, and L locks the cutter so the blade will not extend. I primarily just use the 1 setting, even to cut shrink wrap off of pallets. Since there is no blade guard in my way I find it more than adequate. One draw back is that the wheel that sets the blade depth turns easily so there are times I either have a locked cutter or I am on a different setting. I think that this happens to me because I do not like using the provided holster and instead put the cutter in my pocket. I ordered the blue cutter which does not come with a tape breaker. However, you can just cut the tape off or I have found that by extending the blade guard and squeezing the trigger the blade guard is locked in place and the blade guard will then easily break tape. When I am throwing frozen load I find that I am opening cases by breaking tape most of the time. So I do not miss my old cutter in frozen either. Changing blades is extremely easy and safe. Just open the top and pull the back (dull side) of the blade out and drop a new one in. The EZ cutter also has on board blade storage but I am only able to store two extra blades. That would probably be enough for most people but I would like it better if it held five. Speaking of blades, the EZ cutter uses a blade that is different than what my company provides so I had to order replacement blades when I ordered the cutter. I think I got 81 blades for about $20. Pricier than standard utility blades but the blades seem to last much longer. I think this is because the depth gauge enables the selection of the precise depth needed and I am not cutting into the sides of metal cans. Not that I cut open metal cans with the old cutter, just that I do not feel the blade in the EZ cutter touches the cans at all. Just the plastic film is cut and so the blade lasts longer. In addition to the depth, the position of the blade under the guard when extended is in exactly the right place for cutting the top off of boxes without damaging product. It is extremely easy to open Jiffy cake mixes by hand, which I have been in the habit of doing so that I don't cut the product open. Jiffy boxes are very thin so I thought they would be an excellent test to see if the EZ cutter would damage the product or not. I cut them open slow and fast multiple times and no product was damaged. I think that the EZ cutter would not only be a safe cutter for grocery stores to use but would help reduce shrink wherever it is employed. Also, I really like the safety cord. If somehow I leave the cutter on the floor then when I stand up the cutter comes with me as I clip the cord onto a belt loop. The clip is a little small and hard to open. The only recommendations I have for improving the product: Make the depth adjustment wheel lockable so that it does not turn out of place for pocket users. Have it available in green so that people who use it on the "down low" are not spotted by their manager. Use a standard blade so that the cost of blades is reduced. Have a no holster ordering option for those who do not use a holster, let them save a little money also. Make the clip on the cord a little bigger and/or easier to open. I rate the EZ cutter 5 stars for ease of use, ease of blade change, comfort in the hand, excellent blade wear, excellent precision in cutting, it seems extremely durable, convenient safety cord, and decent price. I expect to use this cutter for a long time.

Working at walmart :( this is the best boxcutter. Retractable is a must for as many times I need to use it. Easy to replace blades.

Great knife for work. Has safety features and comes with extra blades.

Was very hard to find this type, let alone in a pack of two. Arrived on time and I'm very happy with this purchase. Will be great to use for work. Very handy and easy to work with.