Both semi-automatic retractable and fully-automatic retractable knives offer innovative safety features, but which kind of knife is best for your business? 

There are three things to consider when choosing the best knife for your business: what the knife is used for, how often it is used, and the safety features needed.

The team at MARTOR aims to help you make the best decision for your business and employees by reviewing the differences between semi-automatic and fully-automatic retractable knives.

What is a Retractable Safety Knife?

For many years, the only available option was manually-retractable knives where users exposed the blade by pushing forward on a slider with their thumb.

The blade remained exposed until the user pulled back on the slider (also called a trigger) to retract the blade. 

Although there are still instances where using a fixed blade or manually-retractable safety knives is preferable (like cutting through dense or uneven material), semi- and fully-automatic retractable knives offer more ergonomic and safety advantages.

A retractable safety knife’s most notable feature is its spring-loaded mechanism that allows the blade to “retract” back into its handle. The ability to control when and how a safety knife’s blade is exposed lowers the risk of laceration accidents.

When using these knives, pulling a slider to retract the blade is unnecessary – this is especially beneficial when performing repetitive tasks over long periods. 

Semi-Automatic Retractable Knives (Level 4 Protection) 

With MARTOR’s semi-automatic retractable knives, operators expose the blade by engaging the knife’s trigger.

Depending on the knife, engaging the trigger will involve pushing forward on a slider with your thumb or squeezing a trigger on the handle. 

In either case, once the blade is exposed and contact is made with the cut material, the user should cease contact with the blade trigger. 

Depending on your knife’s trigger type, you will either remove your finger from the slider or stop squeezing the blade trigger. In semi-retractable knives, the tension created during the cut exposes the blade. Upon completion of the cut, the blade will automatically retract.

Since the blades automatically retract when not in contact with the material, you can safely carry them in pockets or belt holsters.

Some users report that semi-automatic retractable knives require more effort during long cutting tasks because the blade must remain in contact with the material to remain exposed. 

However, most people quickly adapt to this safety feature, finding that they work more efficiently and safely because they do not have to manually retract the blade between each cut.

Safety is key with semi-automatic retractable knives, and proper training prevents workplace injuries.

Users must remove their hand from the blade trigger once the blade has made contact with the material and the cut is in progress. Also, emphasize that cutting tension keeps the blade exposed, so it is not necessary or advisable to keep your hand in contact with the trigger during the cut. 

Failure to comply with these instructions interferes with the blade’s safety features.

Fully-Automatic Retractable Knives (Level 3)

The blades on MARTOR’s Level 3 “smart knives” retract whenever they lose contact with the material, whether or not the trigger is engaged. 

This is a significant point of difference from the Level 4 knives. 

Users expose the blade by engaging the trigger (squeezing or pushing on a slider). As with a Level 4 knife, once the blade is exposed and contact is made with the cutting surface, it is not necessary to keep your hand in contact with the trigger. 

Tension with the cutting surface will expose the blade until the cut is complete. 

A Level 3 knife blade will retract back into the handle after contact with the cutting surface is broken, even if the user’s hand is still on the trigger.

We mentioned before that proper use of these knives involves removing your hand from the trigger; however, with a Level 3 knife, the blade will retract regardless of hand position after the cut. 

This safety feature helps prevent user error. 

For example, if an operator needs to remember to remove their hand from the trigger of their Level 3 knife, the blade will still retract when the cut is complete. 

It also means that the knife cannot be modified to bypass this safety feature. 

Further, Level 3 knives also have a “safe mode” lock. This lock disables the trigger and gives the user added protection when the knife is not in use.

Blade Changes and Ergonomic Handles

MARTOR’s semi-automatic and fully-automatic retractable knives offer tool-free blade changes with ergonomic, lightweight handles that left or right-handed people can use.

Additionally, when used correctly, these knives help prevent user error and reduce accidents caused by misuse or carelessness. Once your workers are trained to use these knives, they will adapt quickly to the safety features.

If you’re ready to upgrade the safety of your warehouse, it’s time to reach out to MARTOR where one of our trained safety knife specialists will help you choose the right knife no matter the business.