Slice Folding Utility Knife and EDC Folding Knife Review: Safer and Much Better Made Than What You’ve Been Using

Slice makes cutting tools that are durable and easy to use, but most importantly, their ceramic blades are finger-friendly and safe. Whether your goal is always to be prepared or you regularly have a lot of cardboard boxes that need opening and breaking down (raises hand), Slice has a knife that will get the job done. I was sent the Slice Folding Utility Knife and the EDC Folding Knife to try; both knives have features that make them different from and, yes, likely safer than using their metal blade equivalents. Let’s take a look.

Instead of using a metal blade or razor, Slice products use replaceable blades made of zirconium oxide, a ceramic material. Using a ceramic knife means you won’t have to worry about rust when the blade inevitably gets wet, and Slice says its blades will last 11.2 times longer than comparable metal blades.

Slice’s ceramic blades are strong and sharp enough to cut just about anything. But unlike a metal blade, if you were to rub your finger over the tip or run the edge across your hand, the ceramic blade would be much less likely to cut your skin.

That’s not to say that ceramic blades wouldn’t give a nasty cut if you were to intentionally press hard enough on your or someone else’s skin. Still, the likelihood of accidental cuts happening is greatly lessened.

If you’re curious, Slice has an entire page dedicated to explaining why their blades are safer than traditional blades, complete with video examples.

Still, as we’ll discuss while looking at these two folding knives, elements of these knives’ designs also make them safer to have around the house and to use.

To be fair, Slice isn’t the only company that sells utility knives with ceramic blades, but it has to be said that these are much better made than any of the other ceramic utility knives I’ve seen or used.

Slice Folding Utility Knife

The Slice Folding Utility Knife is meant to be a solution for anyone who regularly uses a knife or boxcutter to open or break down cardboard boxes, cut tape, strip wires, or cut string. Similar in style to a large pocket knife, this utility knife has a blade kept tucked safely away in the folding handle until needed.

This knife has a matte black metal handle that measures approximately 4.3″ long by 1.3″ wide by 0.7″ thick when closed, and it weighs 5.9 ounces, so it might be a bit heavy or large for someone with smaller hands to use for long periods.

On the front of the knife is a button near the orange finger loop that, when pressed, unlocks the blade so that it can be manually opened and locked at either a 50º angle or a fully extended 90º angle; it is worth pointing out that this is a two-handed operation.

The button must also be pressed to close the knife, so there’s no fear of it accidentally folding shut.

I like that pressing the button doesn’t allow the blade to swing out at all, which, while it might be great for one-handed convenience, would also be dangerous if you have curious kids at home.

When fully extended, the Slice Folding Utility knife measures 7″ long with an exposed blade area of about an inch. As you can see in the photo below, the ceramic blade’s tip is rounded.

While it would, of course, be possible to use enough force to stab someone with it, if you were to drop the opened knife on your lap while it was open, you’d be less likely to need stitches.

Slice knives use proprietary ceramic blades; this one accepts Slice #10526 (rounded edge) or #10528 (pointed tip) refills.

Although the blade that comes installed in this utility knife should last for many years, when it’s finally time to replace it, all you’ll have to do is press the oval button close to the edge.

Pressing that button releases the reversible blade so that you can pull it out and either flip it — so that the unused half of the edge is now on the business end — or replace it with a new one.

There is a handy integrated belt clip on the back of the knife’s case; when you clip the knife on your belt or pocket, the metallic orange finger loop will stick up by about an inch.

The finger loop not only gives the utility knife a cool, eye-catching feature; it also provides a secure gripping option, as you can see here. This design works well whether you are right or left-handed.

I’ve used the Slice Folding Utility Knife multiple times over the past few weeks to open or break down cardboard boxes, and it works like a charm.

It slices through strapping tape and cardboard easily, and I love the control that the finger loop provides when I’m attacking a pile of boxes needing to be broken down.

While this utility knife is a little bit larger and heavier than I’m used to, it also seems sturdy and quite durable; I feel that unless my husband Kev or I somehow lose it, we’ll be using it for decades!

The Slice Folding Utility Knife retails for $39.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: The metal body should last forever; The ceramic blade is sharp without being too sharp; The finger loop adds extra control; The ceramic blade can be easily removed, flipped, and replaced for twice the cutting life; The built-in belt clip is handy; The knife is sturdy and durable; Ambidextrous design

What Needs Improvement: This knife might be a bit heavy and large for someone with smaller hands to use for long periods; A bit pricy, but it is built to last

Slice EDC Folding Knife

The Slice EDC Folding Knife will be a much smaller and pocketable choice if the Folding Utility Knife seems a bit too big. Measuring just 2.8″ long by 1″ wide by 0.5″ (at the widest and thickest points), it weighs 1.8 ounces.

Like the folding utility knife, the EDC folding knife’s body is composed of matte black metal; instead of a finger loop, it has a small metallic orange hole on the more tapered end. That hole is perfect for a lanyard or keychain, which will increase your odds of not losing it.

A little hook on the wider end of the knife is just waiting to be flicked with a thumb or finger from either hand; the spring-assisted blade arm makes a satisfying snick sound as it pops open.

I’ve been practicing, but I’m still unable to open it one-handed, which is probably safest for everyone involved! 😉

When fully extended, the Slice EDC Folding Knife measures 3.8″ long.

A spring mechanism in the knife’s center must be tripped to stow the blade, which is a common pocketknife safety feature.

The reversible blades on the Slice EDC Folding Knife are also easy to remove, flip, reuse, or replace; pressing the oval button will release them; it accepts Slice #10404 (rounded edge) or #10408 (pointed tip) refills.

As much as I liked the finger loop on the folding utility knife, the EDC Folding Knife’s compact size is a fair trade-off.

So cute and tiny!

The Slice EDC Folding Knife makes short work of opening boxes and then breaking them down, and it slides right into my pocket when I’m done. If you are looking for an everyday carry, this knife lives up to its name.

The Slice EDC Folding Knife retails for $29.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: The metal body should last forever; The ceramic blade is sharp without being too sharp; The ceramic blade can be easily removed, flipped, and replaced for twice the cutting life; The knife is sturdy and durable; It lives up to its name as this knife is the perfect size for everyday carry; Ambidextrous design

What Needs Improvement: It might seem a little too small for people with larger hands; A bit pricy, but it is built to last

Slice Tool Holster

And finally, if you need a place to carry all of your tools and your pocket isn’t the best option, the Slice Tool Holster might be just the ticket.

The tool hoster measures 7.8″ tall by 2.95″ wide and can expand to 1.5″ thick; it is composed of black woven polyester and heavy elastic. There are five pockets so it can hold an assortment of small tools, your Slice knife, and a writing implement or two.

On the back, there is a removable heavy-duty plastic belt clip.

If you prefer to attach the holster directly to your belt or there’s somewhere suitable you’d like to hang it, you can undo the velcro strap, remove the clip, and re-wrap the strap around your belt or the spot where you would like it to hang.

When I opened the tool holster’s wrapper, I laughingly asked who would want to wear something like this. Kev looked at me like I had grown an eye in the center of my forehead and told me to give it to him when I was done with this review. I get it; I know that if you are wearing this, it is about practicality, not making a fashion statement.

Slice points out that the tool holster will work well for seamstresses, artists (like my husband, oops), and warehouse employees. So while the tool holster might not be something everyone would have a use for, if you need a way to tote around a small collection of tools that provides easy access, it might be the perfect solution.

The Slice Tool Holster retails for $19.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Five pockets for all of your small tools; Removeable belt clip with velcro straps that can be wrapped around a belt or hung

What Needs Improvement: Nothing