NEW PRODUCT

Stanley's utility knives take it to 'Max'

Do-it-yourselfers and professionals are slicing through heavy-duty cutting projects with ease thanks to Stanley's new FatMax utility knives.

The knives have features such as a blade wiper, which can help prolong the life of a blade; blade-clamp button, which is designed to reduce blade wobble; a rubber grip for hand comfort and a yellow finish for high visibility to keep it from getting lost in the tool box.

The utility knives are offered in three styles: snap-off knife, retractable utility knife and fixed utility knife.

The snap-off knife is available in three sizes (9mm, 18mm and 25mm) and offers a continuous sharp edge with its snap-off blades. All three sizes feature a blade wiper to remove debris from the blade. A stainless steel barrel resists rust and a removable blade snapper allows for safe and easy use when snapping off dull blades. They are priced from $6.99 to $12.99, with refills available from $1.98 for a pack of five to $18.99 for a pack of 100.

The retractable utility knife also features a blade wiper to remove debris from the blade along with a push-button door that allows for quick blade changes and easy access to the five standard utility blades stored inside. The thumb pad is ergonomically designed to provide a correct cutting angle. The suggested retail price is $10.99.

A steel plate designed to reduce wear on the nose highlights the fixed utility knife. It also features a push-button blade door for quick changes and storage, along with an ergonomically designed thumb pad to provide a correct cutting angle. The suggested retail price is $9.99.

The knives are available at hardware stores and home centers.

Accompanying the knives is a new FatMax blade, which the company says is 35 percent sharper, 20 percent stronger and lasts 75 percent longer than previous blades. The new line of blades is heat treated for increased flexibility and feature an induction-hardened edge for outstanding sharpness and extended life.

For more information, visit www.stanleyworks.com.