A Guide to Lineman Knives - Understanding Types and Uses

Utility lineworkers, including overhead and underground distribution, transmission, and substation crews, use lineman knives on power-line work. The knife's day-to-day jobs include skinning cable jackets, trimming insulation on large conductors, cleaning the conductor before a splice, and making quick strap or webbing cuts. Some models add a wire brush or mount to a hot-stick for reach and prep. Whether it’s preparing a splice or handling heavy cable work, the lineman knife is a core tool for lineworkers.

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How Lineman Knives Vary:

A Deeper Dive: Benefits & Drawbacks by Feature:

Fixed vs. Folding:

Fixed blade lineman knives are the strongest lineman knives and always ready. Some models can combine with a hot-stick or shotgun stick for distance work. That's handy in rear easements and tight spots. In comparison, folding lineman knives ride clipped to a belt or bucket. Many of them can be opened one-handed. They save pocket space but depend on a lock. 

Hawkbill vs. Straight vs. Safety Blades:

Hawkbill blades are used in pull cuts through jackets and tapes because the curve bites in. Straight or drop-point blades are the generalists and can handle tape, wraps, and light utility cuts. Safety blades hide the edge in a recessed slot to limit incidental cuts. In 2020, hand tools were cited as the source in 35,420 U.S. days-away-from-work cases. It shows why many crews favor recessed or safety blades when they're practical. Choose according to the cut you make most, not looks. That keeps the tool predictable on the pole or in the bucket. 

Blade Tip Style:

Pointed tips start a cut fast and allow the user to pierce more precisely. Blunted tips lower the possibility of nicking conductor strands during skinning. Safety tips go further with extra-blunt geometry or a recessed cutter for controlled entry. Pick pointed for speed, blunted for forgiveness, and safety when protection matters most. Remember to keep technique consistent either way. 

Locking / Opening:

Lockbacks are simple and secure, along with a deliberate close that resists accidental fold-up. Button-lock One-Flip designs open and close with a push, including in gloves, and only move when the button is pressed. Spring-assisted models add speed for recurrent cycles. Match the mechanism to your PPE and workflow, not trend. Smooth, safe operation defeats flash. 

Quick-Change Blades:

Quick-change folders allow the user to exchange edges without tools. That means a fresh blade in seconds and the option to run pointed, blunted, or safety styles from one handle. It's fast, but the carrier can feel less rigid than a one-piece ground blade. Moreover, you'll carry spares. Decide if uptime or ultimate rigidity matters more for your day. Plan storage for spare and used blades. 

Integrated Features:

A built-in wire brush speeds prep and cleans conductors before compression. Hot-stick/shotgun mounts add reach and separation where hand access isn’t smart. These add real capability, but also some weight/bulk. Use when the job demands it.

Lineman Knife Buying Options & More Reading:

If you're looking for lineman cutting tools we've got you covered. Shop our Lineman Knives collection to compare shapes, tips, mechanisms & more. It's a quick and easy way to match the knife to your task.  If you want to read a bit more on the subject, checkout our blog: 8 tools that linemen need when doing recovery work. Lineman knives are one of those 8 tools.