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When searching for the best roofing knife, factors like how ergonomic the design is down to its durability are features you should watch out for.
To save you the hassle, I’ve compiled 9 of the best roofing knives along with a buying guide to end your search once and for all!
8 Best Roofing Knives 2021
Stanley Twin Blade FatMax Knife: Best Overall
Starting it off with our best overall pick is the safest, easiest, and the most convenient in the market.
The Stanley twin blade is the most convenient for the following reasons:
- The knife comes with both hook and straight blades together, allowing you to use standard utility blades with this knife.
- Being a dual knife in itself and carrying multiple blades or knives is highly convenient since it gives you the option to use two knives at once!
- Its twin blade design also means you don’t have to carry multiple blades at once, saving you from the hassle and cost of buying two separate knives!
Compared to its competitors, it accommodates up to nine blades for easy switching!
You might be wondering, “How does it do this?” It’s nothing more than its distinct interlock mechanism which ensures only a single blade is extended at a time.
What About Its Design?
What threw me off at first was the semi-plastic material it had. But I soon realized it was meant to protect the knife from accidental falls, making it a quality tool indeed!
Don’t worry, the Stanley Twin Blade comes with a quality metal design to ensure a solid, durable, and trusty sidekick for any job on the roof!
And finally, its retractable feature makes it an ideal choice for tasks such as construction, insulation, or drywall-related jobs.
What’s not to love, right?!
PROS
- Dual blade design provides high versatility and convenience
- Durable steel construction
- Compatible with various utility blades
- Easy-switching between different blades for great multi-tasking
- Outer plastic design protects the knife from falls
CONS
- Pricey
- Its wide design makes it harder to fit in your tool belt
WorkPro Folding Utility Knife: Best Value
Where do I even start?
Behold! WorkPro! Its small frame is a misleading aesthetic that holds immense value waiting for its user to get ahold of it!
Its compact frame is even smaller than a 1990 Nokia phone! That’s how portable it is. But let’s dive deeper:
- Lightweight, compact design. A lightweight knife is always a welcome treat for any roofer. It’s easy to carry and WorkPro even included a belt clip to make it easier to carry on-the-go!
- Ergonomic grip. Steel. Steel. Steel. That’s how tough this knife is! It also comes with an aluminum grip handle for easier hold.
- Easy-blade release mechanism. Why invest in a roofing knife if it lacks safety features installed, right? WorkPro thought this out carefully and allows users to easily switch blades by a simple push of the head cover, ensuring your hands are protected from injury.
Whether you need a knife for applications involving drywall, PVC, carpet material, aluminum sheets, plastic, and even leather, this handy knife can take the job on easily.
The only downside is it doesn’t have a blade storage. Also, some users received defective or faulty items so the open-close mechanism became harder to open.
PROS
- Heavy-duty stainless steel construction
- Built to last
- Lightweight design for easier handling and carrying
- Great ergonomic grip
- High reviews and ratings
- Versatile use including general purpose jobs
CONS
- No blade storage
- Some users received faulty open-close mechanisms
Stanley Fixed Blade: Best Budget Pick
Stanley knives are the exception in the roofing knife world.
Bagging as our top 3 pick, this knife won’t even cost you $10! But just because it’s cheap, that doesn’t mean this knife is flimsy.
It’s actually…the opposite! Users raved about how the Stanley fixed blade is one blade that will last you for many years!
Its super-duty cast metal construction adds to how durable it is and also, ZERO WOBBLING.
The Stanley Fixed Blade is an industry-standard knife that offers high-quality and affordability as a superior combo.
If you’re looking for precise cut-performance for shingles, drywall, and make definitive cuts on plastic, wood, hose, project edges, dowels, etc., Stanley is your best pick!
However...There Are Downsides
The biggest concern is its fixed blade design. If you want a retractable design with more flexibility, this might not be for you.
Furthermore, to ensure safety, I recommend wrapping this around a towel or cloth to prevent the blade from accidentally slicing through your jeans or even your tool pouch!
PROS
- Designed for precise cuts
- Long Life and High Durability
- Interlocking nose design secures the blade to prevent body separation.
- Fits most STANLEY replacement utility blades
CONS
- The fixed blade makes it less safe; not retractable
- Time-consuming to clean
AJC Hatchet 057-MCGA Guardian Angle Knife
Say hello to one unique angled roofing knife: AJC Hatchet.
Rest assured, this is a roofing knife.
HOWEVER!
It’s for a specific job at that! First off, the AJC Hatchet knife is specfically intended for cutting shingles.
This is the knife’s BIGGEST selling point: Cutting roof shingles. Now you’re probably wondering why it has a curved or angled design.
This is actually a knuckle protection feature meant to save your skin and your knuckles from when you’re cutting on the job.
You could say the AJC Hatchet provides an ergonomically superior design when it comes to roof shingle cutting to reduce hand fatigue and ensure safety.
As Far as Ergonomic Superiority Goes...
The main drawback is also its design. Not to mention, bulky even on your tool belt. Unlike most knives, this doesn’t qualify as a pocket utility knife.
But hey, if your project isn’t miles away, and you need a great stainless steel metal blade designed for shingles, this is truly an ideal pick.
PROS
- Ergonomic design meant for protecting the knuckles
- Stainless steel construction
- Specifically designed for roof shingle
CONS
- Bulky to carry
- Slightly pricey
HYDE 202550 Flooring and Roofing Knife
The Hyde 20550 might look simple, but it’s not so simple once you’ve held it.
What’s worth noting about the blades of this knife is it’s made of chrome vanadium steel!
A chrome vanadium steel blade doesn’t just mean it’s durable. It also means it’s ideal for heavier-duty roofing jobs. Not to mention, less prone to wear and tear!
Be careful with its edge, though! Seeing as how sharp it is, you wouldn’t want to find yourself in deep cuts.
But does the design justify its performance?
Let's take a closer look:
- The handle is ergonomic to ensure good grip as well as robust cutting performance. Its textured surface keeps any sliding at bay, especially for an inclined surface.
- The back handle comes with a finger guard and soft-grip handle so your fingers stay “clean” and dry in case youa accidentally exert too much pressure.
- The blade design has a 5 degree offset angle so you get improved leverage when cutting.
The Hyde 202550 checks all my boxes when it comes to performance and design. Cutting shingles is definitely an easier task now!
But one thing worth noting is it’s not as easy to store compared to other knives. I would’ve preferred the Hyde 202550 to have a cover guard.
PROS
- Ergonomic soft grip handle
- Makes precision cuts
- Chrome vanadium blade ensures high longevity and heavy-duty performance
- Price-friendly
CONS
- Might feel short for some
- Storing this might be difficult
Primegrip Knuckle Saver Roofing Knife – 36-292
Anyone down for cutting shingles with bright green roofing knives? Don’t think these knives have the edge or blade to make the cut?
User reviews disagree. In fact, they loved it and said it’s a great tool for roofing! There are two highlights to this knife worth mentioning:
- The long handles prevent any grazing of your knuckles. This includes its zinc-reinforced bottom edge for quick opening.
- The bright green color makes it easy to spot alongside other roofing materials. Furthermore, the bulging grip prevents it from slipping easily.
Granted, it’s not the best blade but it clearly has numerous safety features to make your experience in cutting for your roof needs as smooth as possible.
The biggest downside is it price. Boy is it hefty!
PROS
- Extra long handle to protect the knuckles
- Bright green design makes it easy to spot when cutting roofing shingles
- Wide lanyard hole provides easy to carry design
- Angled grip of the blade is suited to tight corners, dormers, and around caps
- Bulging grip design prevents easy slipping
CONS
- Expensive
IVY Classic 11163 Roofing Knife
The IVY Classic is a blade that clearly stands unique from the rest of the pack.
For starters, the construction ISN’T JUST metal. It’s also plated to give this knife and its blade rust-resistance.
Now, that’s not where it ends. It’s also…
- A versatile knife for cutting shingles and various roofing materials.
- Has a retractable bowtie shaped blade for easy and safe retracting when not in use. Also, this allows roofers to adjust the blade according to how deep you want the cut to be!
- The blade is made of high-carbon steel with 4 cutting edges for improved cutting performance and depth.
And the grand finale is…its price! For under $10, it’s an offer you don’t want to back down from!
As for its downsides, hardly did I find any, except for how some users received faulty knives that broke after 5 minutes of using it.
However, I can only attest this to one user who experienced it. Other users had nothing but compliments for this blade!
PROS
- Great versatility
- Highly affordable
- Durable metal construction with plating for rust-resistance
- Retractable feature allows easy positioning, precise depth cutting, and enhanced safety
CONS
- Some users received a defective item
FC Folding Pocket Knife
Last on our list and one of the best utility knives today is the FC Folding pocket knife. This utility knife is perfect for roofers who have twin blade utility knives and are looking for an alternative.
Now let’s get into the product’s highlights.
It’s lightweight, slim, and space-saving. Whether you want to fit this in your pocket or clip it to your tool belt and attach it to a clip holder, space and portability aren’t a problem.
But what about its blade? Most blades come in stainless steel or carry the label “high-quality metal.”
Steel blades are reliable choices but compared to a carbon steel blade, it’s clear which blade comes out superior.
The FC folding knife sports a carbon steel blade you can easily fold with a single press of a button and the most exciting part? You’re assured this blade stays sharp longer.
Finally, the grip isn’t made of typical plastic. The entire construction is anodized aluminum that comes with an anti-slip feature.
But There Are Some Downsides...
First, the pouch/case that comes with it is a great value add-on. But the pouch isn’t well-made. You might have to get a new pouch to store it safely.
Second, it’s definitely easy to lock and retract, but the button is in a dangerous spot if you’re not careful. Some users reported accidentally depressing the lock due to its location in the knife.
PROS
- Great long-lasting blade
- Highly portable and space-saving
- Lightweight design makes it easy to carry around
- Great construction
- Good grip
CONS
- Included pouch is poorly sewn
- Blade lock button positioned in a dangerous spot
Buying Guide: Which Utility Knife Is Best For Your Roof?
Cutting shingles isn’t as simple as purchasing the first standard utility blade you see. Roofing knives are built specifically for roof on-site jobs and tasks.
You might have already set your eye on a specific roofing knife on this list, but allow me to help you further so you choose a knife that’s worth the spend and lasts you a long time.
1. Retractable or Fixed Knife?
It’s not a question of which knife has a better blade. All knives mentioned here are suitable for roofing tasks.
But when it comes down to a retractable or fixed knife, this depends on the nature of your work. Specifically:
- Are you working on a DIY job?
- Are you leaning more towards professional use?
Retractable knives are better suited to DIY jobs. Meanwhile, fixed knives are ideal for professional, constant use.
The advantage of retractable knives over a fixed knife is its portability and compact space-saving design. That means it’s easier to store in your pocket or even clip to your tool belt.
A fixed knife isn’t as space saving, but they are meant for one thing: constant use. If you use a retractable knife daily, it’s bound to break down faster.
As a result, a fixed knife is better if you need a knife or blade that won’t bend or snap easily. Fixed knives are costlier, but definitely built to last.
2. Construction
The construction of your knife/blade boils down to its durability.
Metal is the gold standard for the blade because of its sturdiness and ability to cut precisely without snapping.
Plastic is also fine, but it’s undoubtedly weaker than metal.
3. Grip/Design
An aluminum body is the better choice if you want a lightweight utility knife. Other metals like steel are heavier but can be useful for some roofers.
However, a lightweight or heavyweight body is nothing without its grip.
Having an ergonomically designed roofing knife allows you to work efficiently and effectively. If your knife has poor grip, you can easily hurt yourself with the blade.
We don’t want that, right? So here’s what you should look for:
- A Bulging grip
- Wide lanyard design
- Finger groove
4. Safety Features
Hand and knuckle protections, blade storage, full retractability for the blade, anti-slip ABS grip, and locking mechanisms are your go-to safety features to ensure your hands are well-protected.
Locking mechanisms, for example, allow you to close or cover the blade when you’re not using it. Working on a roof is a hazard in itself.
Tools that do not safely adhere to these hazards places your wellbeing at greater risk. Ultimately, it’s always best to invest in tools that have high safety.
5. Type of Blade
Take note of these 3 types of blades:
- Hook blade
- Utility blade
- Bowtie blade
Most knives come with different types of blades. Why is this so? Because you can’t use ONE BLADE for cutting shingles.
Apart from your standard utility knife itself, it’s crucial to know what kind of surface you will be working on as this would dictate your roofing needs.
Different utility knives have different functions that cater better to your roof.
Let’s go over these 3 types of blades and what their specific uses are:
- Hook blade – This blade has a hook design and is a specialized blade meant for cutting thick roof felt. Among all 3 blades, hook blades are the strongest and provide more precise cutting.
- Utility blade – Utility blades are common blades you see in standard utility knives. These blades are not meant for shingles. Rather, a standard utility knife is best for roofing felt.
- Bowtie blade – A bowtie blade has a sharp edge that also makes it ideal for cutting cold and thick shingles.
Overall, it’s best to have at least a hook blade and utility blade as part of your tools. For knives with dual blades, this is especially handy.
Best Roofing Knife Wrap Up
Whether it’s dual blades or a regular utility knife, the best roofing knife comes down to your needs and the nature of your tasks.
I hope this article was able to help you choose the best one for you!
