Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting open corrugated shipping cartons includes a cutting blade and a holding arrangement for the cutting blade. The holding arrangement includes a holding member on which the cutting blade is held in its cutting position by being accommodated in a recess and having a stationary pin extend into a slot thereof. The holding arrangement includes a contact surface which engages the edge region of the respective carton at the side wall thereof, and a distancing surface which engages the top wall of the carton during the cutting operation to determine the distance of the cutting blade from the top wall, while the contact surface determines the degree of penetration of the cutting edge of the cutting blade into the interior of the shipping carton. These surfaces are so positioned as to avoid any damage to the contents of the shipping carton.