I guess if you get right down to it, a "utility knife" is more or less the "Stanley" design, though I'm not really sure if Stanley was the originator. It is more heavy duty with a blade that can adjust to specific depths, including one is just a bit over an 1/8th inch, which is perfect for slicing through corrugated cardboard boxes. All three of my 'utility' knives have detentes in which the blade can be locked. I have a Stanley 99E, Great Neck K-15, and a General 855. All are similar design, but the General has a slightly fatter handle which is more comfortable. We also have a few of the free-coupon Harbor Freight models, but I have yet to take any of them out of the package. They all use a trapezoid-shaped blade that is heavier gauge steel.
To me, a box cutter is the simpler knife, like those little plastic handles with the snap-off blades, or the heavier flat, folded metal design that holds a rectangular utility blade. The utility blades remind me of the old double-edge Gillette shaving blade, except that it has only one cutting edge with a folded metal back, to give it's thin steel some rigidity.
However, like you said... they're pretty much synonymous, and so when the question was posted, most of us thought of the "Stanley". But "X-acto", to me, is something entirely different. I've used those for model making, but mostly in the graphic arts, publishing prep, etc. A much smaller, lighter duty blade which comes in a variety of designs to fit various tasks. Mostly when you see them in use, the person is using those long pointed blades (I think they're a number '11' blade, but I never liked them), my preference being a number '16' blade.
CWS
To me, a box cutter is the simpler knife, like those little plastic handles with the snap-off blades, or the heavier flat, folded metal design that holds a rectangular utility blade. The utility blades remind me of the old double-edge Gillette shaving blade, except that it has only one cutting edge with a folded metal back, to give it's thin steel some rigidity.
However, like you said... they're pretty much synonymous, and so when the question was posted, most of us thought of the "Stanley". But "X-acto", to me, is something entirely different. I've used those for model making, but mostly in the graphic arts, publishing prep, etc. A much smaller, lighter duty blade which comes in a variety of designs to fit various tasks. Mostly when you see them in use, the person is using those long pointed blades (I think they're a number '11' blade, but I never liked them), my preference being a number '16' blade.
CWS
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