OLFA 9mm Precision Utility Knife (XA-1) - Multi-Purpose Retractable Precision Knife w/ Fiberglass Reinforced Handle & Snap-Off Blade

Super cool looking and easy to use. Carry with me everyday at work.

Very well made. If you try pulling the blades instead of using the slider, it wont budge because the locking mechanism is pretty good (Secured). Cheap ones will usually slide when youre cutting hard plastics with back and forth motion. The black part is rubberized (Great handling). Best utility knife Ive ever own!

These are handy little knives. Have them in multiple drawers and tool boxes.

This is a great little knife. One thing I couldnt figure out at first was how to replace or change the blade. Ive figure it out now so I thought Id share it with everyone. To replace the blade, push out the little yellow end tip (its the same piece of plastic that clips onto your shirt pocket). Then you just slide out the guide and replace the blade.

I’ve had this knife forever! It’s indestructible and easy and quick to use! I just bought one for my daughters apartment… because we all need this knife for opening all of our Amazon packages!!

I love this little thing. It’s compact and I use it for everything. I recommend it. In my opinion it’s easier to use around the house than the 18mm.

I use it for work. Great comfort grib for long work hours!

Been using this for work for several weeks. Excellent product. Sturdy and well made! I Highly recommend it.

This review is for several OLFA knives. They all seem similar so I ordered one of each and compare them here: * 500/1580 (Old School) * XA-1 (this one) * ES-1/P 1115501 * SVR-2 All knives feature a narrow slot in their removable end cap/pocket clip to snap off the blade ends, and use the 9mm blade refill, Silver (standard) or Black (extra-sharp). I cut standard brown corrugated cardboard and also some finer white cardboard. I also used some plastic from those horrible anti-theft retail packages. Surprisingly to me, this was not a difficult test for any knife. The brown corrugated cardboard cut in half fully through in two passes. One pass is possible with much more pressure but its a safer with two passes. * 580/5001 Old school style My wife has a decades-old knife of this style from school days. The old knife with a new blade cuts cardboard easily with the grain and against it. New knife (this model) and thus new blade, cuts just the same as the old one. Of course the ratcheting or clicking slide action is somewhat stiffer than the decades-old knife. Both knives cut through the plastic difficult-to-open plastic packaging with no problem and I felt safe doing it. I never felt the blade was going to move within the knife handle. * XA-1 Says it has a Comfort Grip. Mine arrived with a Black blade, the super sharp one. The differences between the Silver and Black are not obvious to me, but after cutting more brown corrugated cardboard with different force and direction (with or against the grain) the Black blades are noticeably sharper, just not a lot. Black refill 10-pack is $11.19, Silver 10-pack $6.83. Is the handle more comfortable than other models? Actually, yes it is, but not because of the handle material. Its because the handle is a little fatter make it more comfortable to hold. I found I preferred holding this one rather than the old style. Its sliding/clicking action was easy but never loose. Going back to the plastic material it easily cut through with a couple of passes, or one pass with careful force. Again I had full confidence the slide was secure. * ES-1/P 1115501 This is the only model reviewed that came in a simple retail plastic wrapper, no cardboard backing. But the implied cheapness of the retail package doesnt carry through to the knife. It cut cardboard and plastic just as the other knives. Its all-plastic handle and slide were a little bigger than the old-school 580/5001, so it was easier to hold...approaching the comfort of the XA-1. Its slide/clicking action was easy but never felt it would slip. Another fine OLFA knife. * SVR-2 Advertised as stainless steel and rust resistant, the package also says its for cutting vinyl, wallpaper, and film. Theres a hint its not meant for anything heavier...something I agree with. Lacking the plastic end cap, the metal end of the handle rests in the palm of the cutting hand. While the metal end has no sharp edges it is not comfortable and I was unwilling to grip it has hard as I did the other knives while cutting. Because the handle has no taper it is also the narrowest handle, another disadvantage. If it really is rust resistant compared to the others its advantage would be in damp environments. Otherwise I see no reason to prefer this over the others and I will not buy more of these. Conclusion My new favorite is this model, the XA-1. The fatter handle is more comfortable, allowing one to grip and control it a bit more. But a close second is the ES-1/P 1115501. Either one cuts great and their somewhat bigger handles are more comfortable for this older guy.

Nice and sturdy small cutter.