Knipex Utility Knife Review: CutiX and the Cable Knives
Knipex is a German pliers maker, so its knife range is short and specialised. There is one true general-purpose utility knife, the CutiX, plus a small group of insulated cable and dismantling knives aimed at electricians. This review explains what each one actually is, using Knipex's own published catalogue specs.
Quick answer
If you want a Knipex box-cutter style utility knife, there is exactly one: the CutiX 90 10 165 BK, which takes standard trapezoid blades and stores spares in the handle. The 98 55 dismantling knife and 98 52 cable knife are different tools entirely: fixed-blade, VDE 1000V insulated knives for slitting cable sheathing. Note that Knipex part numbers beginning 98 20, 98 24 and 98 25 are insulated screwdrivers, not knives, which is a common mix-up when shopping.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Model numbers checked against the Knipex catalogue
- No invented part codes or made-up specs
- Blade type and blade-change method compared
- VDE 1000V insulation status verified per model
- Warranty and country of manufacture checked
- No fake hands-on claims, no invented review counts
Research updated August 2026.
Knipex 98 55 Dismantling Knife (1000V)
Pictured above. A fixed-blade insulated knife for slitting cable jackets, not a general-purpose box cutter. For everyday cutting, see the CutiX below.
| Model | Best For | Blade | Insulated | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knipex CutiX 90 10 165 BK | General utility cutting | Standard trapezoid, replaceable | No | Check price |
| Knipex 98 55 | Dismantling cable sheathing | Fixed, curved | VDE 1000V | Check price |
| Knipex 98 52 | General cable work | Fixed, straight | VDE 1000V | Check price |
Knipex CutiX 90 10 165 BK Universal Knife
Best OverallPros
- Takes cheap, widely available trapezoid blades
- Spare blades stored inside the handle
- Tool-free blade change, no screws to lose
- Slim body carries easily in a pouch
Cons
- Costs more than a Stanley or Milwaukee equivalent
- No belt clip on the standard version
- Not insulated, so not an electrical tool
The CutiX is Knipex's answer to the everyday box cutter, and it is the model most people are actually looking for when they search for a Knipex utility knife. The blade slides out on a thumb slider and locks in position, and it uses ordinary trapezoid blades rather than a proprietary shape, so replacements cost very little and are stocked everywhere. A blade depot inside the handle holds spares, and swapping a dull blade needs no tools.
The trade-off is price. This is a Knipex-badged tool and it is priced accordingly, well above a basic Stanley knife that cuts cardboard just as well. It earns that money on handle feel, blade retention and the fact that the mechanism does not loosen with use, rather than on any cutting advantage. Note that it is not insulated, so it should not be treated as an electrician's tool.
Knipex 98 55 Dismantling Knife (1000V)
Best for Cable WorkPros
- VDE 1000V tested insulated handle
- Curved blade hooks under and slits cable sheathing
- Fixed blade means nothing to fold or rattle
- Shape discourages cutting straight into conductors
Cons
- Useless as a general utility knife
- Blade is not user-replaceable, it is sharpened or retired
- Needs a sheath for safe carry
This is the knife pictured at the top of the page, and it is a specialist. The 98 55 is built for dismantling cable: you hook the curved blade under the outer sheath and draw it along, opening the jacket without driving the point into the cores. The handle is a VDE-tested insulated grip rated to 1000V, which is what separates it from a hardware-store knife with a plastic handle.
Treat the insulation as a backup, not permission. The correct procedure is still to isolate and prove dead before cutting into anything, and VDE insulation exists for the accidental contact case. As a general cutting tool it is poor value, since the blade shape is wrong for cardboard, carpet or drywall.
Knipex 98 52 Cable Knife (1000V)
Best Straight BladePros
- VDE 1000V tested insulated handle
- Straight blade suits lengthways slitting
- Simple, nothing to break or adjust
Cons
- Easier to over-cut into conductors than the curved 98 55
- Not a replacement for a trapezoid-blade utility knife
- Fixed blade needs sharpening rather than swapping
The 98 52 is the straight-blade sibling to the 98 55, with the same insulated handle construction. Some electricians prefer a straight edge for running a cut along the length of a cable or for general site trimming, and the flat blade is easier to sharpen than a curved one. It is the more conventional-looking of the two knives.
The downside of a straight blade on cable is control. Without the hooked profile there is nothing stopping the tip going deeper than intended, so it demands a lighter hand on smaller cable. If you mostly dismantle sheathed cable, the 98 55 is the safer shape.
The model number mix-up worth knowing about
A lot of listings and blog posts attach knife descriptions to Knipex part numbers that are not knives. Codes in the 98 20, 98 24 and 98 25 families are Knipex's VDE insulated screwdrivers, slotted, Phillips and Pozidriv respectively, with the last digits giving the tip size and blade length. If you see a "Knipex 98 25 utility knife" advertised anywhere, the part number and the product description do not match.
The knives sit in two places in the catalogue. The CutiX is a 90-series universal knife, and the insulated cable and dismantling knives are in the 98 5x block alongside the rest of the VDE electrical range. Checking which block a number belongs to is the quickest way to avoid ordering the wrong tool.
Who is a Knipex knife for?
The CutiX suits someone who already buys Knipex and wants the cutting tool in the pouch to match: a good mechanism, standard consumable blades, and spares carried inside the handle instead of loose in a toolbox. For a homeowner who opens a few boxes a month, it is more knife than the job needs.
The 98 55 and 98 52 are for electricians and anyone regularly opening sheathed cable. The insulated handle and the fixed blade are the point of them. Neither is a sensible everyday carry knife, and neither takes replaceable blades.
Blades, locking and blade change
The CutiX takes standard trapezoid blades, the same shape sold in bulk packs by every hardware store, so the running cost is a few cents per edge. Blade change is tool-free and the slider locks the blade at its working position rather than relying on friction. That combination is the practical reason to choose it over a cheaper knife whose blade creeps back into the handle under load.
The insulated 98-series knives work differently. Their blades are fixed into the handle and are maintained by sharpening, not swapping. That is deliberate, because a replaceable-blade joint would be a weak point in a tool whose whole purpose is to be safe near live conductors.
Alternatives to consider
If the CutiX is more than you want to spend, the Milwaukee Fastback 48-22-1901 is a one-handed flip knife with a belt clip that many trades carry instead. The Stanley 10-099 is the classic fixed-body trapezoid knife and costs a fraction of either. For fine work and scoring, an OLFA 18 mm snap-off such as the L-1 gives a fresh point on demand, and Klein's 44304 folding utility knife is a common electrician's choice that is not insulated but is built for site use.
For cable dismantling specifically, the alternatives are other VDE-rated knives or a dedicated stripping tool such as a cable sheath stripper, which removes the freehand cutting step altogether.
What to check before buying
First decide whether you need a replaceable-blade knife or an insulated fixed-blade knife, because Knipex does not sell a tool that is both. Confirm the part number matches the product type using the ranges above. If the tool is for electrical work, check for the VDE 1000V marking and the double-triangle symbol on the handle rather than trusting the listing text. For a utility knife, check that it takes standard trapezoid blades and whether a belt clip is included, since it usually is not.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not buy a 98-series insulated knife expecting a box cutter, and do not buy a CutiX expecting an electrical tool. Do not assume a Knipex part number starting 98 is a knife, since most of that block is insulated screwdrivers. Do not rely on an insulated handle instead of isolating the circuit. Do not try to fit trapezoid blades to the fixed-blade cable knives. And do not pay the Knipex premium for a knife that will only ever open parcels, because a Stanley does that job for a few dollars.
FAQs
Does Knipex make a utility knife?
Yes, one: the CutiX universal knife, part number 90 10 165 BK. It takes standard trapezoid blades and stores spares in the handle. The other Knipex knives are insulated cable knives, which are a different type of tool.
What is the Knipex 98 25, is it a knife?
No. Knipex part numbers in the 98 20, 98 24 and 98 25 families are VDE insulated screwdrivers, not knives. Listings that describe a "98 25 utility knife" have the part number and the product mixed up.
Does the CutiX take standard trapezoid blades?
Yes. It uses ordinary trapezoid blades rather than a proprietary shape, so replacements are cheap and easy to find. Spares fit in the blade depot inside the handle.
What is the difference between a cable knife and a utility knife?
A utility knife has a replaceable trapezoid blade for general cutting. A cable knife has a fixed blade, usually curved, shaped to slit cable sheathing without reaching the conductors, and on the Knipex models an insulated handle.
Can the Knipex 98 55 be used on live circuits?
The handle is VDE tested to 1000V, which protects against accidental contact. It is not permission to work live. Isolate the circuit and prove it dead before cutting into any cable.
Are Knipex knives made in Germany?
Knipex manufactures at Wuppertal in Germany and states German manufacture across its main ranges. Country of origin is printed on the packaging, so check it on the specific model you buy.
Does the CutiX blade retract?
Yes. The blade runs on a thumb slider and can be pushed fully back into the body for carry, and locked at its working position for cutting.
Which Knipex knife is best for cutting carpet?
None of them. The insulated knives are shaped for cable and the CutiX takes trapezoid rather than hook blades. For flooring, use a hook-blade utility knife from a brand such as Stanley or OLFA.
What warranty do Knipex tools have?
Knipex covers its tools against manufacturing defects, with the exact terms set by the regional distributor. Consumables such as replacement blades and normal wear are not covered, so check the current warranty statement for your market.
Where can I buy Knipex knives?
Amazon, electrical wholesalers and specialist tool suppliers all stock them. Because the part numbers are easy to confuse, match the full code before ordering rather than going by the listing title.
Our verdict
Knipex's knife range is narrow and each model has one clear job. The CutiX 90 10 165 BK is the only genuine utility knife and the right pick for general cutting, with standard trapezoid blades and an in-handle blade depot justifying most of the price. The 98 55 dismantling knife is the pick for anyone opening sheathed cable, with a VDE 1000V insulated handle and a curved blade that keeps the point away from conductors, and the 98 52 is the straight-blade version of the same idea. If price matters more than the badge, a Milwaukee Fastback or Stanley 10-099 cuts cardboard just as well.