Abstract: A safety knife includes a handle plate. The handle plate is made of a planar sheet of steel. The handle plate is formed as a handle plate frame including a handle plate upper portion and a handle plate lower portion. The handle plate upper portion is connected to the handle plate lower portion at distal ends of the handle plate upper portion and handle plate lower portion. A blade has a blade edge for cutting. The blade is mounted so that it swivels between an open position and closed position. A blade pivot allows at least 180° swiveling and the blade is mounted to the blade pivot. The blade pivot is located on a first end of the handle plate. The handle plate further includes a handle plate action member extending from a second end of the handle plate.