The utility knife is an amazing multipurpose tool with countless uses. Its retractable blade and lightweight design allows it to be safely carried in pockets or toolboxes.

Aside from cutting boxes or tape, there are a number of other uses you may not be aware of. Here are 7 unique ways you can use a utility knife.

1. Removing paint-covered screws

After you’ve painted the house, you may have accidentally gone over a number of screws that you now need to take out. Nevertheless, a utility knife makes the task effortless. Simply go to the screw, carefully scrape out the paint from the slots and unscrew it. Be sure to completely scrape off all the paint from the slots, so the screwdriver can get a strong grip.

2. Cutting foam

Foam is a great way to protect and organize your tools, which is why people usually use it to line their toolboxes. Since it requires precise measurement, utility knives are perfect for cutting the foam into rectangles.

3. Sharpening pencils


This may be especially convenient for artists who need extremely sharp tips, because utility knives can also sharpen pencils. If you use the utility knife carefully, you can make different specialized types of points on a pencil.

4. Slicing old carpet

Whether you’re simply removing old carpet from your house or trying to make something new out of it, utility knives help make the job easier. You can cut up the carpet into pieces with the utility knife for building a scratching post for cats or making a foot mat.

5. Stripping wires

There are a number of reasons why you’d want to strip wires, whether you’re doing a minor electrical job or fixing something, but if you don’t have any specialized wire strippers, utility knives work equally well. To strip a wire, score the jacket of the wire by gently applying pressure with the utility knife. Work your way around the wire without cutting through it. For a more detailed way on how to strip a wire with a utility knife, check out this site.

6. Carving wood


Woodcarving is a fun artistic outlet that might sound intimidating at first but could be surprisingly easy with a utility knife. Wikihow has a fantastic article on how to start carving wood designs with a utility knife. Other things you need are wood blocks, pencils and wood stain if preferred.

7. Removing grout

Regrouting tile is a pretty common household job you might want to do if you’re looking to remove mold from a shower or redecorate a room. Although a rotary tool is first needed to take out the bulk of the grout, a utility knife is perfect for getting out any tough remnants. Here’s an article on how to remove grout.