Abstract: A utility knife having a preferred two piece construction is provided. The utility knife includes a knife handle of unitary construction and a blade carrier also of unitary construction. The blade carrier includes a cutting blade portion for engaging the cutting blade and a storage portion for engaging extra cutting blades. The blade carrier also includes a spring element having a button. The button includes a rib which engages notches located on a slot of the knife handle. The blade carrier, and hence the cutting blade, may be extended or retracted by depressing the button and moving the blade carrier within the knife handle. The blade carrier is locked in place as the rib on the button engages one of the notches in the slot. The blade carrier is removed from the knife handle by depressing the button and passing the blade carrier through an inner portion of the knife handle.

Abstract: A tool having a handle and including a sleeve and a spring is provided which is simple and cost effective to manufacture. The sleeve is provided with a slot and the spring is positioned so that a portion of the spring extends through the slot. The sleeve is positioned in a bore in the handle. A removable, reversible bit is held in the handle by the sleeve and the spring. The spring applies sufficient force to the bit to retain the bit within the handle. The sleeve also prevents the bit from rotating relative to the handle. The bit may be removed from the handle by pulling the bit away from the handle. The same end of the bit, another end of the bit, or a different bit may be reinserted in the handle.

Abstract: A utility knife is provided which includes a unitary, blade carrier which acts to restrain the blade during heavy use and which prevents the blade from disengaging from the knife. The blade carrier includes a blade support portion, a blade retaining flange for retaining a first edge of the blade, and at least one laterally extending post for receiving a corresponding notch or notches in the blade when the blade is mounted on the blade carrier. The post has a profile which engages the notch in the blade when the blade is subjected to a lateral or twisting force to prevent the blade from disengaging from the blade carrier during use. In this manner, the post on the blade carrier performs the dual function of providing both longitudinal as well as lateral restraint for the blade.