Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a utility knife which is suitable for mounting at least two different types of blades and which has an improved safety feature. The knife of the invention has an elongated handle, and means for mounting a blade of one type at an end of the handle. In accordance with an important feature of the invention, the mounting means includes means for preventing the mounting of a blade at a given end of the handle when a blade is already mounted at the opposing end of the handle. In particular, in an embodiment of the invention the handle includes a pair of elongated mateable handle elements which conform generally in shape. A pair of blade-engaging units, each of which may be, for example, a suitably sized key or nub, are respectively disposed near the opposing ends of one of the handle elements. A blade-securing pad is disposed near one (only) end of the other handle element.

Abstract: A safety cap for a hand-held cutting knife of the type having a cylindrical handle to one end of which a blade is detachably secured. The cap, formed of transparent plastic material, is shaped and dimensioned to enclose the knife blade and part of the handle for safety when the knife is not in use and to receive and be secured to the rear end of the handle when the knife is in use.

Abstract: A hand-held cutter for cutting sheet material, such as framing mats, which includes a body member of hemispheroidal shape, the diametral plane of which constitutes a flat bottom for moving over the sheet material. The body member has on the external surface thereof a pair of spaced-apart flat vertically oriented guiding surfaces between which are provided a pair of cutting blade-receiving slots, one disposed vertically and the other disposed at an angle with respect to the vertical. A cutting blade placed in either of the blade-receiving slots, after being adjusted to the desired cutting depth, is locked in position by a clamp which is actuated by a thumb-wheel which is largely contained within the body member.