Stanley is a mainstay of blades and cutting, for many people — professional and amateur alike — when they need to cut something their first thought will be to reach for their Stanley knife. The brand is so well known that, along with brands like Hoover and Photoshop, it has become a generic trademark; many people think of Stanley knives as a type, rather than a brand, of knife.
The company, now Stanley Black and Decker following the 2010 merger with Black and Decker, was founded in the mid-nineteenth century in Connecticut. They arrived in the UK in the 1920 when they purchased the JA Chapman company in Sheffield.
The purchase, obviously, helped expand the company and gave them a foothold in the UK market, but it was also intended to help them gain access to some of Sheffield’s legendary reputation as a manufacturer of Stanley knives. Stanley continued its relationship with Sheffield, keeping several factories in the city until consolidating their sites in nearby Hellaby, which is now their biggest European site.
Stanley has also continued with the commitment to improvement that led to their first investment in Sheffield. They have long used ‘discovery teams’, who work alongside tradespeople. As well as talking to them about how they use their tools, they will also observe and attempt work themselves, or introduce tools in development to test out. Through these teams they continually work to improve knives.
The Stanley range has several tools, but which is the best one of you?
The 1991 Utility blade
This is one of the most popular knives. A good all-rounder, it is excellent for lighter duty work. Comfortable to use, it’s ideal for clean cuts in easier materials like paper, card, or leather.
1992 Utility blade
When most people think of Stanley knives, it’s the 1992 Utility blade they are thinking of. A great heavy-duty knife, this can cope with almost everything. It will make light work of even tougher materials like carpets.
Hooked Stanley knife blade
One of the more unusual looking Stanley knives this combines the cutting power of a typical Stanley blade with an innovative hook design. This means it will only cut the layer in the hook, making sure that you don’t cut or score a layer you want to keep pristine.
The Stanley Fatmax
This is like the big, tough brother of the 1991 and 1992 blades. While they are excellent Stanley knives, the Fatmax is a workhorse in comparison. Most people won’t need the Fatmax, but for those that have to make lots of cuts in tougher materials it’s a great Stanley blade.
Tungsten Carbide utility blade
This is the prestige Stanley blade. Although it looks similar to other blades, so it’s just as easy and comfortable to use, it has a tungsten carbide cutting edge. This makes the edge sharper but also tougher, so it’s long-lasting. The tungsten carries a price tag, so it’s one of the more expensive Stanley blades you can buy, but if you are always cutting, then the extra bit of edge it gives you will be worth it.
The purchase, obviously, helped expand the company and gave them a foothold in the UK market, but it was also intended to help them gain access to some of Sheffield’s legendary reputation as a manufacturer of Stanley knives. Stanley continued its relationship with Sheffield, keeping several factories in the city until consolidating their sites in nearby Hellaby, which is now their biggest European site.
Stanley has also continued with the commitment to improvement that led to their first investment in Sheffield. They have long used ‘discovery teams’, who work alongside tradespeople. As well as talking to them about how they use their tools, they will also observe and attempt work themselves, or introduce tools in development to test out. Through these teams they continually work to improve Stanley knives.
The Stanley range has several tools, but which is the best one of you?
The 1991 Utility blade
This is one of the most popular knives. A good all-rounder, it is excellent for lighter duty work. Comfortable to use, it’s ideal for clean cuts in easier materials like paper, card, or leather.
1992 Utility blade
When most people think of Stanley knives, it’s the 1992 Utility blade they are thinking of. A great heavy-duty knife, this can cope with almost everything. It will make light work of even tougher materials like carpets.
Hooked knife blade
One of the more unusual looking knives this combines the cutting power of a typical Stanley blade with an innovative hook design. This means it will only cut the layer in the hook, making sure that you don’t cut or score a layer you want to keep pristine.
The Stanley Fatmax
This is like the big, tough brother of the 1991 and 1992 blades. While they are excellent knives, the Fatmax is a workhorse in comparison. Most people won’t need the Fatmax, but for those that have to make lots of cuts in tougher materials it’s a great Stanley blade.
Tungsten Carbide utility blade
This is the prestige Stanley blade. Although it looks similar to other blades, so it’s just as easy and comfortable to use, it has a tungsten carbide cutting edge. This makes the edge sharper but also tougher, so it’s long-lasting. The tungsten carries a price tag, so it’s one of the more expensive Stanley blades you can buy, but if you are always cutting, then the extra bit of edge it gives you will be worth it.
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