A reader asked me to review the Coast DX126 mini utility knife. I have not had the greatest experiences with Coast folding knives, and I had reservations about this design right off the bat, but I was curious.
This compact utility knife retails for $12, and so I picked one up to test out.
Advertisement
My immediate impression was that this is more of an EDC utility knife for infrequent “just in case” purposes. I personally don’t like the knife, but I also haven’t found objective reasons to dislike it. In other words, this Coast knife isn’t really for me, but it does have its merits.
Coast DX126 Knife Size
As is evident in my in-hand images, this is a very small utility knife.
The Coast DX126 measures around 3″ long when closed and 5-1/4″ inches open.
Coast DX126 Knife Handle
The knife has a textured fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) handle. Coast says the blade is stainless steel, but that means nothing after your first blade change.
Advertisement
Coast DX126 Knife Pocket Clip & Carrying
The pocket clip is oriented for tip-down carrying. I’ve got no complaints about the clip – it works as well as can be expected. There is also a small lanyard loop, which can also fit smaller split rings.
Compact carry is the priority here, and it’s hard for Coast to get things wrong.
Coast DX126 Opening Action and Liner Lock
This is a two-handed knife. You need to grip the handle with one hand, and fold the knife open with the other. Closing also requires two hands – one to release the liner lock, and the other to fold the knife closed.
I wasn’t very comfortable closing the knife at first, but I’ve gained a little more confidence with further use. I don’t have the same hesitations or uneasiness with other types of folding knives, even smaller ones, but this one has a different feel to it.
I’m far less intimidated by the knife than I was one month ago. Its motions are more familiar to me, but they’re not yet second nature.
Coast DX126 Secondary Handle Lock
The Coast DX126 has what the brand calls a Double Lock feature. They say when you need to make more rugged cuts, push the Double Lock switch forward to block the liner lock from possibly disengaging and allowing the blade to close on your hand.
On one hand, this is a safety mechanism. On the other hand, what do you mean the knife could possibly disengage and close on my hand?!
I think it’s more about peace of mind. Who is going to use a knife this small to make “more rugged cuts?”
The secondary lock is rudimentary, involving a small metal tab that is rotated into position to block the liner lock from moving, but it works.
This seems to be a “better to have it if you want it, but you’re not paying much extra for it” type of feature.
Coast DX126 Utility Knife Blade Changes
Blade changes require a little effort until you get the hang of it. To remove a dull blade, you first press the release button and then carefully pull the blade out. The knife works with standard two-notch double-ended utility knife blades. I tested it with Stanley, Dewalt, and Milwaukee blades.
To insert a fresh blade or cutting edge, carefully insert the new blade and press down on the lock release to allow the blade to slide through.
Overall Impressions
I found that the Coast DX126 to be acceptable for EDC type of intent, where a user might want to have a folding knife or utility knife in the pocket, bag, or tool box.
Speaking about my subjective preferences, I tend to prefer utility knives for frequent use, and folding knives for less frequent use. If I know I’ll be scoring materials or breaking down cardboard boxes, I grab a utility knife. For incidental use, I might carry a multi-tool or pocket knife.
This knife is more of an incidental use knife than a utility knife. The benefit here is that it has a reversible and replaceable blade, so that you don’t have to worry about having to sharpen folding knife.
Coast does describe the DX126 as a Pro Razor Knife, rather than a utility knife.
The handle is no more or less comfortable than you would expect for a knife of this size.
Overall, the knife feels solidly constructed. The metal frame is largely made from laminated steel sheets, which could be a cost-cutting measure, but it’s also a smart way to create slots for the utility knife blade. The FRN handles aren’t solid slabs; there is actually more steel inside the handle scales than I realized, giving the handle a stronger and more rigid feel.
This knife isn’t a good fit for my needs and preferences, and something about the way it opens and closes with a much-exposed blade edge makes me a little uneasy.
However, I’m not finding anything objectively disagreeable. I wouldn’t use this knife for anything but light duty use where cutting depth doesn’t need to be controlled, but it achieves Coast’s goal of making a compact knife that works with standard replaceable blades.
This isn’t a knife I plan to use a lot, but it’s still useful and usable (unlike Dewalt’s newest folding retractable utility knife).
Pricing & Availability
Street Price: $12
Unfortunately, the knife looks to be out of stock at the time of this posting. This is a new product, and it seems that Amazon, Coast, and other dealers sold out of the first production run.
The Competition: Gerber EAB
The Coast DX126 is the latest knife to take on the popular Gerber EAB, which has been updated several times over the years.
One of the biggest differences is that the Coast has a tool-free blade change mechanism whereas the Gerber requires a small coin or screwdriver.
See Also: Gerber EAB at Amazon
Read More:
Gerber EAB Pocket Utility Knife is a Teeny Tiny and Very Popular EDC Tool
MM
I agree 100% with your subjective take on this. It looks a bit small for heavy-duty sort of use, and that’s the only time I use a utility knife. If I’m doing drywall or messing with a lot of boxes then I’ll take a full-size utility knife, preferably one that doesn’t fold. For a basic everyday tasks like opening a letter, cutting a tag off something, opening the one box that came in the mail, etc, then I’d much rather carry a pocketknife.
Stuart
I keep coming back to the idea that while this doesn’t suit my needs or preferences, it’d be a better choice than most if not all of the smaller folding knives out there with terrible blade steel.
Jared
Here in Canada there’s semi-regular sales on small Buck knives at Canadian Tire. The Matrix 3.3 has a 420J2 blade and goes on sale for <$15. I have one – I would much rather carry that than a this Coast razor knife. There's also the 311 Kingsman that is usually closer to $10. I presume similar cheap knives can be had in the USA.
However, I also appreciate that not everyone knows how or will take the time to sharpen their pocket knife. In that case a folding utility knife can make sense. With two-hand opening and closing, I would be wondering about different options though.
If this is as light feeling as Coast's pocket knifes, maybe that's an advantage.
MM
The author of “Japanese Woodworking Tools: their Tradition, Spirit, and use”, Toshio Odate, mentioned that when he was a boy in elementary school every student male or female was required to have a Higonokami–a type of pocket knife–as part of their mandatory school supply kit Not only was this a practical tool for sharpening pencils, cutting tape, doing craft projects, etc, but its care and maintenance was part of the school curriculum.
My how things have changed.
Koko The Talking Ape
Yep. Also, that particular style of knife is probably the absolute last knife I’d put in the hands of a child. It lacks any kind of spring or lock at all. The blade has a tail that projects backwards about an inch. If you’re holding the knife firmly, your hand will hold that tail against the handle and keep the knife from closing. If you aren’t holding the knife firmly, any knock will close the blade on your fingers.
The pivot is just a rivet, without even washers inside. You can increase the friction by whacking it with a hammer, and you can reduce the friction by…. adding some oil, maybe.
The blade is thick and crudely ground, and the grind is relatively obtuse, so it’s a terrible slicer (and it’s dangerous as a piercer.)
But it’s very thin, because the handle is just smooth folded brass, with no springs or spacers. The handle is also hard to hold and slippery. But you can bend it by just stepping on it.
The action is inconsistent and feels gritty, and loosens with use because the blade is wearing grooves in the brass handle.
It is the single most primitive, and least safe, knife I’ve seen actually used.
Sorry for the rant.
MM
@Koko
I’ve been gifted several of them over the years by friends. They know I have a thing for Japanese kitchen knives so for some reason they think that I must like those as well, which I find quite puzzling. Anyway they come in a wide range of quality levels. Some are very shoddy and I doubt cost much more than $5, others are fine craftsmanship with fancy steels and probably cost several hundred dollars. I can’t imagine the kids having fancy ones though!
But you’re right: it’s not exactly a kid-safe knife…that’s the point…and yet these kids didn’t have any major problems because they were taught from a young age to respect and take care of their tools.
it’s_jake
boy i sure had to go through metal detectors at one of the if not the best public high school in philadelphia. nice to hear that in other places things can make sense
Koko The Talking Ape
@MM
You’re right that there are levels of quality. I had a mid-level, with a laminated blade, that cost about $50. Still, I was astonished at how primitive the knife was. I sold it at auction (to an older Japanese fellow who felt nostalgic.)
I can well believe that Japanese kids don’t often have problems with these knives. That doesn’t make the design any good. I’ve never closed a knife blade on my fingers, ever, on any kind of knife, but I still wouldn’t buy or carry one of those. “Higonokami” or “higo-style” I believe they’re called. And (I’m reading) the design dates to the late 19th century, when the demand for swords declined, and smiths need to sell stuff they could make (by hand, without power tools.)
There is zero reason to use or buy one today.
Jared
“I have not had the greatest experiences with Coast folding knives” – ha, me neither. They seem to be available everywhere but I’ve yet to see one I like. I have purchased a couple and quickly categorized them as disposable. The only benefit I’ve found is that they are usually extremely light.
This version looks sort of ok because of the small size – but double-handed opening and closing seems like a dealbreaker.
I have the Gerber EAB. It’s ok for what it is. I like how “non” knife it looks when folded. My pocket clip quickly broke off and user reviews seem to confirm this is prevalent.
I have a Husky compact folder that I don’t mind. Very similar overall, but instead of plastic it has aluminum handles. Lifetime warranty of course. I open it two-handed, but close it with one.
Jared
I tried finding a link to the folder I have – I can’t seem to find it on either Homedepot.com or .ca. I suspect it has been superseded.
This is similar (but I don’t think it’s as small – have to see it in person to be sure, but given the handle shape I think it’s larger):
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Folding-Utility-Knife-00000/312147172
$8.47 with 10 spare blades and a lifetime warranty (3-packs also available for $19.xx)
Stuart
I have the Husky with wood handles, and would absolutely recommend it. But, the Coast and most brands of folding utility knives are very different sizes.
Jared
Fair point. The compact folder I have doesn’t seem much, if any, bigger than this Coast, but after looking at the HD website I don’t think it exists anymore – which of course doesn’t help anyone.
Matt the Hoople
I agree with the consensus that a known job of any size warrants a full size utility knife. For the occasional cutting need, I always have a pocket knife on me.
I sometimes use a foldable utility knife during a project where I don’t have a tool belt on but don’t want to damage my good pocket knife. For this application, yep hand open or close is a deal breaker. Too many times I find myself with one hand occupied while needing to get the knife into action with the other. My go to is the Milwaukee fastback series due to the push button/flip operation.
I use one of the Milwaukee’s that holds extra blades but the one below is reasonably compact and under $9. Don’t know why anyone would want something different unless they needed the absolute smallest form factor possible.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-FASTBACK-Compact-Folding-Utility-Knife-with-General-Purpose-Blade-48-22-1500/309350776
Nathan
I read the double lock comment more about how people will use a utility knife with alot of pressure. I see people all the time mashing down on them trying to punch through the material they are cutting as opposed to gliding it through.
SO that’s what I figure the other lock is for.
However my other thought is why the desire for a folding single blade utility razor blade holder? I just don’t see the appeal or need even for 12 dollars.
Stuart
There are some other folding utility knives with secondary locks. Some people really abuse their folding knives, or they like the idea of potentially being able to abuse the knives.
I don’t think this is aimed at construction applications.
There’s actually a big market for utility blade pocket knives and tools.
MM
What confuses me about the whole situation is that the harder someone presses on the knife the LESS stress they are putting on the liner lock. Pushing down hard on the knife holds it OPEN. The harder someone presses the less likely it will be for the knife to fold shut.
James C
How does this compare in size to the compact Milwaukee Fastback? If it’s not too much trouble a picture of them side by side would be amazing.
Stuart
I considered a comparison but didn’t want to broaden the scope of the post too much, also since this is aimed at different users than the Fastback.
I’ll work in a broader comparison.
In the meantime, hopefully this helps: https://www.instagram.com/p/CScrAmNrmyT/
The Fastback Compact is very small for what it is, but it’s still much larger than the Coast.
Paul
Ok that does it for me. In my hands the compact Fastback is not very comfortable. I prefer the one with the 3 blade storage in the handle. The compact presses uncomfortably into your fingers when you put heavy pressure on it.
Not sure what that giant wood folder is for. If you want a tree saw just get the old style fixed blade retractables.
I routinely skin out electrical cables. This requires a steady hand to score or cut into Teflon, PVC, EPDM, CPE rubber, or various grades of XLPE, sometimes mixed with braided or foil copper. I have to press down to the metal despite blade damage so frequent blade changes are a must. I used to use a decent hawk bill (easier to dig into cable and drag through it) but constant sharpening just got to be ridiculous when razor blades are so cheap.. So I’m guessing I’m in the heavy duty user category.
The one thing I’d like to see on utility knife reviews is that many of them will easily allow a blade to fall out. If the material grabs the blade (sawing through rubber tape layers) it can pull on the blade and with enough pressure many utility knives release the blades. The other issue (Fastback is bad for this) is that either material crowded up onto the non-blade area or a hand grabbing it to far from the handle or pushing to guide the blade can slip onto the blade release easily and dump the blade out. This is akin to folding locks…some designs are simply fundamentally better than others. I really like the Buck Crosslocks or the Milwaukee button locks for instance. Others not so much. But in terms of blade locks there is vastly more garbage on the market than good designs. Can’t tell if the Coast is any good or not.
If you want tk real world test this pretend you are an electrician from the giant tape ball school. Get a roll of 3M 130C rubber tape from HD or Lowe’s. Tightly wind about half a roll up into a 3” diameter ball. Then attempt to cut into it and split it in half without laying it on anything where you can get leverage (simulating real world conditions). Mostrazor knives will give up their blades to this stick mass of tape at some point in the process. And if you have been to any 3M trading you will learn this practice is wrong. 3M recommends something else but that doesn’t stop the giant tape ballers.
Seems to me innovation might be better on the blade end. I’ve seen razor blades with rounded tips and some with what wavy blades but I haven’t seen anything like say the old rectangular blades with the steel folded over on top for reinforcement or a hawk bill or holes with a matching knife to truly lock in the blade better.
Stuart
I’ve experienced blade pull-out before, but not reproducibly. It’s something I could possibly test for, but not easily or consistently, especially since it sometimes seems to tie into whether a blade is 100% seated in its locked position or not.
Husky’s lockback utility knives are inexpensive and very popular, but I wanted something a little different. I’ve had soft spots for wood-accented lockback folding utility knives before, and this one caught my attention in the same way.
James C
I understand. That Instagram pic is perfect. Thanks!
Jp
I love coastportland.com. Not their knives though. I am a knife and flashlight aficionado. I can strongly support their lights. Own theirs and other major brands so I can compare. I may still buy this knife. I think I see merit for me. I often want the extra depth. The opening and closing slow down will irritate me, but oh well
KG
I sure hope they have sorted out the blade retention mechanism with that little switch. I had nothing but problems with blades slipping out of a Coast liner lock that I picked up a few years back. It’s not the exact same model but similar to the DX199 (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Coast-DX199-1-2-in-Blade-Double-Lock-Folding-Pro-Razor-Knife-21191/311450288).
My experience with Coast’s little retention button was that any halfway “rugged” cutting would cause the spring loaded retaining tab to slip, resulting in the blade sliding out until snagging on the second notch.
The jump and click of your blade coming free then binding is more than a little unnerving so I’ve avoided this style blade retainer since. I loved liner lock folding action and grip shape though so I dedicated that knife to light duty, opening water conditioning salt bags.
Wayne R.
I have early versions of the Gerber knives, and once I conjured a vision of how I’d eventually discover it wasn’t fully closed (pocket or belt), I decided to stick with Swiss Army in my pocket.
Nathan
sorry I have to ask
terrible blade steel as opposed to a base steel rusting scraper blade?
I’ll take a chapo with a 420 blade. but it does fix that one problem – the difficult chore of sharpening your pocket knife. I personally like to sharpen my knife occasionally but I can see how some people just can’t do it
Stuart
Cheap blade steels with hasty grinds will often dull easily and can be a chore to sharpen. You also don’t have to worry about chipping the blade since you can easily swap it out.
There are pros and cons to both options.
Mr. X
These types of knives are made for low cost first, portability second, and utility third. For professional trade use or even frequent DIY use, a retractable blade utility model is best. I like this one:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-High-Visibility-Retractable-Knife-10-179L/100654567#overlay
Any folder takes up valuable time to open and close. While great for a drawer, glove box, small DIY kit, EDC bag, or backpack, a folder like this has little use for an everyday user.
Chris
JML
My favorite folding knife with a lock is this one from Amazon: Utility Knife, BIBURY Upgraded Version Heavy Duty Box Cutter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QK55ZRH/