Shop Safety Knives & Safety Cutters  

Choose the Right Safety Cutter 

It is important to select the right safety cutter for each type of task, to ensure the most effective protection from hand cut injuries when using knives and blades.  Consider the following when choosing the right tool for each job: 

• Material: The type of items that will be most often cut, such as cartons, strapping, twine, pallet wraps, plastics, vinyl, rubber, etc. 
• Blade type: Strength & durability of blade required (e.g. steel or ceramic) to handle the specified cutting tasks.
• Safety features: Concealed blade (the blade is fully enclosed within the handle); Retractable blade (can be extended & retracted when not in use – manual, auto, or smart-retracting options).
• Work environment: General purpose or specialised (e.g. food industry, metal detectable requirement).
• Ergonomics: Handle design for comfort & grip during extended use.

Product Types & Uses for Safety Cutters

There is a wide range of safety cutters and safety knives available, and each have different features that make them suitable for different applications and work types.  The most popular types include:

• Retractable safety knives: Have a blade that can be extended & retracted as needed, such as a safety box cutter.  They provide enhanced safety as the blade can be retracted when not in use, ideal for tasks requiring infrequent use, thus reducing the risk of cut injuries.  Retractable safety knives are available with manual, auto or smart retracting blade options.
• Concealed blade safety cutters: Feature a blade that is fully enclosed within the handle for optimal safety, preventing direct contact by the worker with the blade.  This type is suitable for slitting films, pallet wraps, strapping, and opening corrugated boxes so as not to damage the contents.
• Ceramic safety knives & cutters: Made from premium ceramic materials which provides superior sharpness and durability, suitable for cutting through a broad range of materials.
• Industrial safety knives: Heavy-duty models with strong bodies and quick-change blades for constant use across industrial and commercial cutting operations.
• Specialised models: Engineered for dedicated environments including food industry safety knives and metal detectable safety knives

Best Practice & Training for Safety Knives 

To ensure proper use of safety knives and safety cutters in workplaces, there are some key best practice & training guidelines that should be followed, including:

• Retract blades when not in use, on models with this feature. 
• Maintain knives to keep edges sufficiently sharp & replace when necessary, and ensure knives are stored properly.
• Always cut materials in a direction away from the body, not towards it. 
• Use appropriate PPE such as cut resistant gloves when using knives. 
• Provide regular training to workers on knife safety and operating procedures.
• Report workplace accidents & injuries from knife use, and follow up for corrective actions required to prevent future occurrence. 

Why URSafeRite  

URSafeRite’s comprehensive range provides premium quality safety knives and safety cutters available in a wide range of types, including retractable safety knives and safety box cutters.  We offer fast supply, bulk purchase deals, advice on model selection, and prompt shipping Australia-wide.