Utility knives are a universal tool that come in handy for many projects, including drywall installation.
If you’re getting ready to hang drywall, it makes sense to get a utility knife that is sharp and precise enough to make clean cuts. Not only will this make your job look more professional, but it will save you a ton of time and frustration.
Here are the best utility knives for drywall.
Best Utility Knife for Drywall
- Fiskars 770060-1001 Pro Drywaller’s Utility Knife (Top Choice)
- Irwin Utility Knife for Drywall (Best Fixed Blade)
- OLFA Extra Heavy Duty Utility Knife (Best Snap-Off Blades)
- XW Fixed Blade (Best Budget-Friendly)
- Work Pro Folding Utility Knife (Best Folding)
Features To Look for in a Utility Knife for Drywall
Utility knives are different from a standard pocket knife or kitchen knife. Instead of having a long blade, they have short razor blades.
These razor blades provide easy and clean cuts but dull fast and need to be changed out frequently. Aside from the blade, other considerations are the handle material, durability, and extra features.
Types of Blades on a Utility Knife
Because the blade is so sharp, it’s one of the most significant safety hazards of using a utility knife. Here are the different types you’ll come across.
Fixed Blades
Fixed utility knives have blades that do not retract, so they are constantly exposed. This makes the blade very sturdy but poses a safety hazard.
The best thing about these knives is there is no wiggle, making straight cuts easier.
Retractable Blades
Retractable utility knives have a button on the side that you slide up and down to expose or retract the blade. From a safety perspective, these knives are great.
Historically, the blades have been a bit wobbly, but you can find well-built retractable utility knives for drywall.
Folding Knives
Folding knives combine the sturdiness of fixed blades and the safety of retractable ones. With this type of knife, the blade is usually in a fixed position, but you can fold the blade into the handle after using the knife.
Type of Handle
While you can find a lot of handle materials, the sturdiest are metal and fiberglass. You’ll also want to keep the shape in mind.
You want something that you can firmly grip while you make your cuts.
Extra Features
Aside from blade and handle, other features can help you determine which knife is right for you.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- How easy changing the blade is
- Belt clips
- Specialty blade compatibility
- Handle storage for extra blades
Of course, most of these features come down to personal preference. (Except for the ease of changing the blade, which is a priority.)
Best Utility Knife for Drywall Reviews
1. Fiskars 770060-1001 Pro Drywaller’s Utility Knife (Top Choice)
The Fiskars 770060-1001 Pro Drywaller’s Utility knife is our top choice. It has a standard razor utility blade, but it also has a built-in jab saw.
Its reinforced metal end is perfect for knocking out pieces of drywall and setting drywall nails. In addition, the jab saw feature flips out, allowing you to puncture and cut through drywall whenever you need.
The blades on this knife are incredibly easy to change. You simply flip open the handle for easy access.
The utility knife does feature a retractable blade but is still extremely sturdy.
Pros:
- Integrated jab saw
- Metal handle construction with metal end
- Easy blade change
- Ergonomic grip
Cons:
- None – this is everything you could ask for in a drywaller’s utility knife.
Buy The Fiskars 770060-1001 Pro Drywaller’s Utility Knife On Amazon
2. Irwin Utility Knife for Drywall (Best Fixed Blade)
If you’re looking for a high-quality fixed blade drywall utility knife, this one from Irwin is hard to beat.
This knife is high-quality alloy steel. It has built-in blade storage and a slim nose, ideal for scoring drywall.
It also features a trigger grip for more precise cuts.
The Irwin utility knife has a tool-free thumb screw that allows you to change and access the blades in storage. The storage compartment will hold ten extra blades.
Pros:
- Fixed blade
- Tool-free blade change
- Stores up to 10 extra blades in the handle
- High-quality alloy steel construction
Cons:
- It is very basic and doesn’t offer as many features as the Fiskars Pro Drywaller Knife.
Buy The Irwin Utility Knife for Drywall On Amazon
3. OLFA Extra Heavy Duty Utility Knife (Best Snap-Off Blades)
If you do a lot of cuts and dull your blades quickly, the OLFA Extra Heavy Duty Utility Knife might be the best fit. This knife features snap-off blades, so instead of changing them, you simply snap off a segment to reveal a fresh blade.
This knife also has comfort features like a fiberglass handle with a rubber grip. It comes with a ratchet lock control, so you can customize the length of your blade and lock it in place without worrying about slippage.
While this knife doesn’t have any extra features, it’s highly rated, with a nearly perfect 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Pros:
- Break-off 7 segment blade
- Ratchet lock control for custom depth
- Razor-sharp
- Fiberglass handle
- Can cut through many materials
Cons:
- A few complaints about the locking wheel
Buy The OLFA Extra Heavy Duty Utility Knife On Amazon
4. XW Fixed Blade (Best Budget-Friendly)
Consider XW fixed blade utility knife if you’re looking for a budget-friendly knife that will get the job done.
These knives come in a pack of two at a very affordable price. In addition, they have fixed blades that you can easily change by swiveling open the knife.
The handle also offers extra blade storage.
This XW has a thumbscrew lock that holds the blades firmly in place. This is a very basic knife that makes clean drywall cuts.
Pros:
- Fixed blade
- Easy blade change
- It comes with ten extra blades
- It comes in a two-pack
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Not as high-quality
Buy The XW Fixed Blade On Amazon
5. Work Pro Folding Utility Knife (Best Folding)
If you’re interested in a folding knife, the Work Pro is a suitable option for drywall. It folds down for easy portability and has a belt clip attachment.
The Work Pro has a quick blade-changing mechanism and ten extra blades. It also has storage built into the handle.
You can open and close the knife with one hand, so it’s convenient no matter the job you’re working on.
Pros:
- Folds for easy portability
- Easy blade change
- It comes with ten extra blades
- Open and close with one hand
Cons:
- A few complaints about it being too bulky
Buy The Work Pro Folding Utility Knife On Amazon
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best utility knife for drywall, the Fiskars Pro Drywaller is our top pick. It’s very sturdy and has a built-in jab saw with a metal end, which is handy when working on a drywall project.
It’s an excellent choice for DIYers and professionals.
However, if you’re looking for something more basic, the Irwin and XW fixed blades will get the job done. They’re much sturdier than box cutters and can help you easily cut drywall.