Max Knives MKO89.2 — Automatic front-opening cutter, 5 SK5 blades

Overview

Here is a tool that borrows its mechanism from front-opening automatics and its consumable from the workbench. The MKO89.2 is a cutter: its trapezoidal blade extends and retracts automatically through the nose of the handle, with no thumb wheel to push as on a conventional box cutter. The aluminium handle measures 83 mm, the tool 135 mm deployed, and the usable cutting edge reaches 55 mm for 99 g all in. A belt clip keeps it to hand on site or in reserve. It takes trapezoidal blades in the 99 standard and comes with five SK5 steel blades.

A consumable blade rather than an edge to maintain

This is the fundamental difference from a knife: on a cutter the blade is a wear part. It is thin, flat, mass produced, and its life ends with a replacement rather than a session on a stone. The benefit runs two ways. Every change starts you from an identical edge, with no sharpening skill or dedicated kit involved. And you can take on materials you would hesitate to hand to a knife: dusty cardboard, carpet, tarpaulin, packaging film, adhesive tape. The 99 standard is the one used by the most common trapezoidal blades, which keeps restocking simple; the five blades supplied are in SK5, a carbon steel long associated with this job.

Technical specifications

A utility cutter with automatic front opening and closing. An 83 mm aluminium handle, an overall length of 135 mm with the blade out, and a weight of 99 g. Cutting edge length: 55 mm. The tool is compatible with trapezoidal blades in the 99 standard and is supplied with five SK5 steel blades. It is fitted with a belt clip.

Care

The aluminium body is wiped with a damp cloth and dried; it is the blade housing that really deserves attention, since cutting cardboard and tape leaves dust and glue behind. A blast of dry air after a heavy session, plus a trace of fine oil on the rails, keeps the travel even. SK5 is a carbon steel: store spare blades somewhere dry and wipe down the fitted blade after any damp cutting. When a blade has done its time it is replaced, and used blades go into a closed container.

Legal notice. Age-restricted item (18+). In France this knife is a Category D item: legal to sell but reserved for adults, with age verification at checkout. Automatic and OTF knives are restricted or prohibited in many countries — the United Kingdom, Germany and several US states among them. It is the buyer's responsibility to check the law that applies where the order is delivered before purchasing.