I break down boxes pretty much every week. Thankfully, Styrofoam and other plastic-based packaging materials are nowhere near as ubiquitous as they were in the past. But that means studio gear, household items, and even large items like furniture come boxed or wrapped in extra layers of cardboard. I've mentioned before that I use a minimalist Gil-Tek RUK V2 utility knife for normal boxes, but I also carry a thin-and-light Leatherman Skeletool CX multitool [Tape Op#146] for various tasks; but neither is ideal for heavier cardboard. I also own the Skeletool RX version (marketed to first responders), which has a toothed blade that's designed for cutting through fibrous material but also works better for thicker cardboard than the CX's straight blade. The sawing action I was using with the RX made me think, "Hey, maybe there's an actual saw made for cardboard." A quick search later, and I landed on the Canary Box Cutter <canary-usa.com>. This Japanese company manufacturers all sorts of hand tools for slicing various materials, but the $7 basic cutter is what I bought. This is a deceptively simple, double-edged knife with a 3 inch length of fine – but not sharp – serrations. In fact, it's nearly impossible to cut your skin with this knife, but magically, it saws right through cardboard. For example, a typical 14 inch Amazon box can be cut in half with just three sawing strokes. The tip of the blade is blunt, rounded over, and slightly scalloped, as if it's some kind of safety feature, but that tip breaks through packaging tape without damaging whatever is underneath the tape. Seriously, when I first held the Canary Box Cutter, I had serious doubts. One box later, I was a believer, just like the thousands on Amazon who've left five-star reviews. Thankfully, its cellophane-sleeve packaging, the kind that Asian products often arrive in, has a flap that just peels open. Ironically, any cutter sold by US companies is likely to be inside a blister pack that requires a sharp tool to open, and in the process of opening, creates nasty edges of plastic that can slice fingers. One of my go-tos for that kind of packaging is my Ryobi USB Lithium Power Cutter Kit <ryobitools.com>. You may recall that I'm a fan of the Ryobi 4V platform of USB-rechargeable, hobby-grade power tools [#159] for low-torque tasks that require precision and finesse. Therefore, adding the Power Cutter to my studio's kitchen drawer was a no-brainer. A self-sharpening 1.5 inch octagonal rotary blade slices through plastic, carpet, rubber, and other sheet-like material. A built-in guide-foot and a wraparound blade-guard keep fingers intact, and a double-action power-switch further enhances safety. For standard cardboard, I prefer the ease and speed of the Canary Box Cutter, but the Ryobi is my choice for blister packs and heavier boxes. For the heaviest cardboard – like the various surface and edge protectors used for furniture shipments, I pull out my Milwaukee M12 Fuel <milwaukeetool.com> or Bosch 12V Max <boschtools.com> oscillating multitool and attach a hook knife. All the major power-tool brands sell their takes on this blade design, but you can also find countless Amazon-only branded ones, like the LEILUO 4 Pcs Oscillating Multi tool Hook Knife I purchased for $15. As you would guess, these are hook-shaped with cutting edges all around, allowing you to angle the tool to ease cuts through straight sections, alongside corners, and even across corners. With the multitool dialed up to 20,000 oscillations per minute, a hook knife slices right through the thickest cardboard. Granted, this is a blade that will undoubtably rip through skin, so it requires far more care to use than a Canary knife!
-AH