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Here's why.This product comes with a small retractable utility blade (you can buy one for a dollar in Home Depot) that barely extends. But I would not recommend this to a friend. However, I would also tell a friend to look around his house to make sure that he does not already have a utility knife and a heavy duty pair of scissors or shears that will accomplish opening clamshell packages. My wife bought this to open those annoying plastic clamshell packages. Instead I would tell a friend to look at the Zibra Open-It (which I have reviewed on Amazon), which is a much better product.
I wound up using a scissors instead. The theory is to use that blade to start a cut in the clamshell, and then effortlessly slice through with the fixed blade in the opening of this product. I tried it without success on a small clamshell package, and then just used an ordinary scissors, which worked fine.We keep this in the kitchen and use it as a utility knife to cut through the tape on packages, so it's not a total loss, which is why I gave it two stars instead of one. But even a deluxe utility knife costs much less than this product, and also has a blade that is larger and protrudes further (I own one) and hence cuts more easily, not to mention that the blade is replaceable (unlike the blade on this product).Bottom line: I didn't want to throw this out, so I am using it.
You're supposed to use the retractable blade to make the first cut in the plastic, then you slide the plastic lip into the opening and try to slide the cutter around the perimeter of the package so the primary blade cuts it open.The retractable blade works fine, but the primary blade is more or less useless. There are two blades- the primary blade is the one between the plastic lips, and the secondary one is a retractable blade activated by the blue sliding button. 90% of the time I just use the retractable blade to open the package, which works somewhat, but if that's the case then just buy an x-acto knife.I'm going to try and get one of those Zibra openers (which are basically heavy duty offset shears, which seem like a much better strategy). Even under ideal conditions the blade gets stuck often because either the plastic is too thick, the blade isn't sharp enough, of you're trying to turn a corner and the angle isn't good for cutting. These are not very good at opening those absolutely insanely annoying plastic packages. It only works when the plastic is completely flat, relatively thin, and you're making a straight cut. Disappointing purchase. If you have a rounded package or one where there are changes in height, it's really hard to maneuver the blade.
I thought this would be the greatest tool as more and more items are coming packaged in clamshells and theft resistant packaging. I guess I prefer the scissors because you can use the leverage of them to get through thicker packages. I was surprised when I received it that it, too, was packaged in an impossible to open clamshell package.I've tried to use this on a few packages and I've never had great luck with it. The blade seems to get stuck cutting through the packaging rather than gliding through.
I have had problems from my box cutter blade inserting too far into packages I wish to open and this has occasionally resulted in accidental injury to the item I ordered. than I have with a box cutter. Will even work as a letter opener.There are numerous other uses I find for it. tool which is like a strong pair of scissors designed for such a purpose. I love it and am ordering several more to keep in various areas of our home.
This prevents accidentally cutting into the CONTENTS of a box. The only way to prevent this with a box cutter is to go very slowly with great control. I have much more control with Open It. Good description with photos of Open It. I reach for this instead of the box cutter ALMOST always (tough, thick jobs require the box cutter) The reason I love the OpenX: The cutting blade protrudes only a fraction when you press the blade lever.
I have extremely arthritic fingers and such extended control is painful, aside from the fact that pre-arthritis I was in too much of a hurry to go so slowly.Also useful for cutting open plastic bags in which some mail is sent. at Amazon: [.].I still use a box cutter for cutting pieces of cardboard, or cutting cartons to change their size, etc. For heavier jobs like cutting open the thick tough plastic clam shell casing of many electronic items, etc., I prefer the Open It.
How much are your fingers worth. Just cut them while opening "security containers" and you'll have to agree that this little opener is well worth the price.
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