Milwaukee 48221505 - Fastback 6-in-1 Folding Utility Knife

Excellent product. Totally deserves its popularity. The 6-in-1 is by far my favorite Fastback. It fits better in the hand than both the compact one and the version which holds 5 blades which is unnecessarily thick. The bit holder/screwdriver is great. Comes in handy often and doesn’t take away from the ergonomics of the knife. A great safety feature is the strong lock up of the blade when the knife is closed. There’s no risk of the blade opening accidentally like what I have seen with other utility knives where the blade can be shaken to open. Great, solid lock up when the blade is open. The button lock is excellent, allowing for easy one handed operation. And on top of everything, the price is great! A big, big plus was Home Depot’s fast delivery and great tracking ... MoreExcellent product. Totally deserves its popularity. The 6-in-1 is by far my favorite Fastback. It fits better in the hand than both the compact one and the version which holds 5 blades which is unnecessarily thick. The bit holder/screwdriver is great. Comes in handy often and doesn’t take away from the ergonomics of the knife. A great safety feature is the strong lock up of the blade when the knife is closed. There’s no risk of the blade opening accidentally like what I have seen with other utility knives where the blade can be shaken to open. Great, solid lock up when the blade is open. The button lock is excellent, allowing for easy one handed operation. And on top of everything, the price is great! A big, big plus was Home Depot’s fast delivery and great tracking of the package from shipping all the way to delivery.

Almost perfect

Almost a perfect utility knife. I work in a heavy equipment warehouse and build hydraulic hose. I do the normal box cutting associated with warehouse work but I also trim hoses, cut armor guard, heavy duty plastic, conduit and plenty of other things. I also occasionally use the bit driver which is where the problem lies. 99% of the screws I encounter at work are Phillips and it works great for that but the bit gets frozen in to the holder. Last time I pulled it out I had to spray some deep creep in the holder and put it in a vice then attack it with some pliers. Since then I've just found other things to use if I find myself needing a flathead. But today I was just fidgeting with it while having a conversation and the bit came loose I was interested because it had ... MoreAlmost a perfect utility knife. I work in a heavy equipment warehouse and build hydraulic hose. I do the normal box cutting associated with warehouse work but I also trim hoses, cut armor guard, heavy duty plastic, conduit and plenty of other things. I also occasionally use the bit driver which is where the problem lies. 99% of the screws I encounter at work are Phillips and it works great for that but the bit gets frozen in to the holder. Last time I pulled it out I had to spray some deep creep in the holder and put it in a vice then attack it with some pliers. Since then I've just found other things to use if I find myself needing a flathead. But today I was just fidgeting with it while having a conversation and the bit came loose I was interested because it had been frozen for like 6 months. Turns out the snap ring in the holder had somehow deformed and came out of its place. Now the bit doesn't stay in place and as long as the holder is closed its fine but if I open it I have to hold it in place till I put it to work. There has to be a better design for the holder I'm thinking like a magnet or a ball detent. If the bit holder didn't freeze up and fall apart this knife would get five stars from me.

Could be better

DIYer. I previously picked up the 48-22-1501 Fastback and really dig it, so after hearing a bunch of love for the 6-in-1 it seemed a good idea to get another Fastback. Was disappointed, though, when the clip ring came unseated in the driver socket on only the 2nd time I removed/replaced the bit, minutes after taking it out of the package. I fished the ring out of the socket and widened it a bit to keep it more firmly seated in the notch when resetting it using needle nose pliers. Seems a decent fix so far, but who knows how long that will last. Wish they’d use a magnet to hold the bit, as they do for the extensions in the nice bit set I picked up for my impact driver. Also wish the housing was metal as it is for the 48-22-1501, which feels nice and solid. The ... MoreDIYer. I previously picked up the 48-22-1501 Fastback and really dig it, so after hearing a bunch of love for the 6-in-1 it seemed a good idea to get another Fastback. Was disappointed, though, when the clip ring came unseated in the driver socket on only the 2nd time I removed/replaced the bit, minutes after taking it out of the package. I fished the ring out of the socket and widened it a bit to keep it more firmly seated in the notch when resetting it using needle nose pliers. Seems a decent fix so far, but who knows how long that will last. Wish they’d use a magnet to hold the bit, as they do for the extensions in the nice bit set I picked up for my impact driver. Also wish the housing was metal as it is for the 48-22-1501, which feels nice and solid. The plastic for the 6-in-1 seems good enough quality, but still.The liner lock for the flip out driver arm is nice, and the liner clip for the extra blade seems pretty secure as long as the blade is clicked into place. I like that the single blade storage is low profile and doesn’t affect centering of the blade in the handle, unlike the 5 blade cargo hold in the 1502. The flip action is nice. As with the other fastbacks, the blade has a lot of play within the quick release mechanism unless it’s fully inserted.

Great idea, poor execution

Ball detent was a terrible way to go with the bit holder when you consider the bit it is supposed to hold. The detent does not fit over the groove on the bit which makes the bit fall out very easily. The spring clip for the ball detent is not very robust and can often lose the ball bearing all together. There was, once upon a time, a half decent design to use a bull ring spring that would secure the bit. The bit was made for this application and was continued for use in the new bit holder design which doesn't support this bit anymore. So the question, is why continue to supply the same bit from the older model when it clearly doesn't fit with the new model? Sure it's just a 1/4" bit, but it doesn't have any staying power with this silly redesign. The bull ring ... MoreBall detent was a terrible way to go with the bit holder when you consider the bit it is supposed to hold. The detent does not fit over the groove on the bit which makes the bit fall out very easily. The spring clip for the ball detent is not very robust and can often lose the ball bearing all together. There was, once upon a time, a half decent design to use a bull ring spring that would secure the bit. The bit was made for this application and was continued for use in the new bit holder design which doesn't support this bit anymore. So the question, is why continue to supply the same bit from the older model when it clearly doesn't fit with the new model? Sure it's just a 1/4" bit, but it doesn't have any staying power with this silly redesign. The bull ring wasn't perfect either, but Milwaukees solution was to downgrade rather than upgrade. Not like we're going to see a change to the new design for a while... or ever... Failed attempts rarely get a third look. So in its current state, it's a hard pass... Loved the old one... bring it back please!

Overall a great product! (Could be exceptional if)

I saw a few good reviews of this product online so when I saw it immediately purchased it. So far I have found myself using the screwdriver more than the knife as there are a lot of Phillips and flathead fasteners at work that periodically need to tightened up. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that I believe it needs a few minor improvements to be a truly phenomenal tool. The double ended bit needs to be a standard item that can be purchased where other Milwaukee bits are sold. I also believe that the other commenters are correct. A magnet or ball detent would be a much more effective and durable retention system for the double-ended bit. (And honestly maybe a little bit better blade storage. It's kind of wonky).Address those relatively minor issues ... MoreI saw a few good reviews of this product online so when I saw it immediately purchased it. So far I have found myself using the screwdriver more than the knife as there are a lot of Phillips and flathead fasteners at work that periodically need to tightened up. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that I believe it needs a few minor improvements to be a truly phenomenal tool. The double ended bit needs to be a standard item that can be purchased where other Milwaukee bits are sold. I also believe that the other commenters are correct. A magnet or ball detent would be a much more effective and durable retention system for the double-ended bit. (And honestly maybe a little bit better blade storage. It's kind of wonky).Address those relatively minor issues and I can see this as a tool everyone would want either in their pocket or in their toolbox or truck. Not only would it make a great gift, I think there are people who would probably want to own at least a few of them.

Please fix the bit retention

If you look at the rest of these reviews, you will see the same issue over and over. I have had the old style as a permanent pocket item for about 2 and a half YEARS. It became a 'never leave the house without it' tool that II use every single day for work. I love the way the knife folds more than any other utility knife, and I will grab this before a screwdriver probably 75 percent of the time. When it was finally time to get a new one, I was excited because it was actually a little bit cheaper, but when i opened it I immediately thought the ball/collar was going to be a weak point. The ball doesn't actually line up with the notches on the bit to give any sort of retention, and after two WEEKS of use the ball, collar and bit fell out of existence. Not sure why ... MoreIf you look at the rest of these reviews, you will see the same issue over and over. I have had the old style as a permanent pocket item for about 2 and a half YEARS. It became a 'never leave the house without it' tool that II use every single day for work. I love the way the knife folds more than any other utility knife, and I will grab this before a screwdriver probably 75 percent of the time. When it was finally time to get a new one, I was excited because it was actually a little bit cheaper, but when i opened it I immediately thought the ball/collar was going to be a weak point. The ball doesn't actually line up with the notches on the bit to give any sort of retention, and after two WEEKS of use the ball, collar and bit fell out of existence. Not sure why they changed the bit holder but I will not be buying another until they fix this, especially if it is a known issue at this point.

Suffers durability issues and support is difficult

I got this for Christmas from my daughter as she knows I usually love everything Milwaukee. This knife never leaves my pocket and I use it 5 times a day and hand it to someone else to open a box or take their licence plate off with the Philips screwdriver. If I had 10 in my truck, I could probably sell them all in a week. So why only 2 stars? I lost the double ended bit a few months ago and it is impossible to find a replacement at any store. Home Depot staff just shrug their shoulders after looking. I ended up buying another Milwaukee stubby screwdriver that had a double ended bit just so that I could continue to use it with full function. I do some drywall and having the Philips head is very handy. Then yesterday, I tried to use the screwdriver and the bit would ... MoreI got this for Christmas from my daughter as she knows I usually love everything Milwaukee. This knife never leaves my pocket and I use it 5 times a day and hand it to someone else to open a box or take their licence plate off with the Philips screwdriver. If I had 10 in my truck, I could probably sell them all in a week. So why only 2 stars? I lost the double ended bit a few months ago and it is impossible to find a replacement at any store. Home Depot staff just shrug their shoulders after looking. I ended up buying another Milwaukee stubby screwdriver that had a double ended bit just so that I could continue to use it with full function. I do some drywall and having the Philips head is very handy. Then yesterday, I tried to use the screwdriver and the bit would not come out. The little wire inside the hex sleeve is bent, so it causes the double ended bit to stick. I pulled the bit out with plyers and the spring went flying so now there is nothing to hold the bit in place, so it just falls out! Will end up losing the bit in record time with nothing to hold it in place. For $29 at Home Depot Canada, I was expecting that the knife would perform better for longer period of time. I tried to call and was referred back to the website. Round and round we go.

Very handy but could be improved

I've carried a Gerber EAB utility knife for years, but I found myself frequently needing a screwdriver or hex bit, so I got this knife. This knife is very, very handy. It's comfortable to hold as a both a knife and a screw driver, and you can easily get a fair amount of torque, unlike a lot of small bit drivers. I'm now keeping some short hex bits in the spine of my wallet so I can do a lot of basic bike maintenance without having to carry a separate kit.However, there's still room for improvement:First, the blade lock button takes enough force that it's hard to open/close one-handed in a controlled way. I'd prefer a thumbholder that can flip the knife open as on the Gerber EAB. Maybe I'll get used to it, but I hate letting the blade swing open or closed: I prefer ... MoreI've carried a Gerber EAB utility knife for years, but I found myself frequently needing a screwdriver or hex bit, so I got this knife. This knife is very, very handy. It's comfortable to hold as a both a knife and a screw driver, and you can easily get a fair amount of torque, unlike a lot of small bit drivers. I'm now keeping some short hex bits in the spine of my wallet so I can do a lot of basic bike maintenance without having to carry a separate kit.However, there's still room for improvement:First, the blade lock button takes enough force that it's hard to open/close one-handed in a controlled way. I'd prefer a thumbholder that can flip the knife open as on the Gerber EAB. Maybe I'll get used to it, but I hate letting the blade swing open or closed: I prefer to have the blade under control at all times. Also the mechanism is heavier than it needs to be. Basically I wish they'd copy the Gerber EAB but add the bit driver. If it were a bit wider and shorter, it would fit into pockets more comfortably without affecting its performance much.Second, as other reviewers have mentioned, the bit retainer seems kinda weak, though mine has yet to break. I'll investigate repairing it or adding a magnet if mine breaks, though really it's cheap enough that if it breaks every few years, I can just buy another one. For reviewers complaining about the difficulty of replacing the bit: Wiha "short" hex bits seem to fit it fine, and some of their other sets have a philips/flathead double ended bit. Not ideal since the OEM part fits exactly, but probably still better than nothing.Third, the bottle opener thing is kinda useless and makes it pokier in your pocket for no reason. I know multitools seem to be in a race about how many tools you can fit in one device, but all multitools seem to have a bottle opener and I almost never need one. I guess it's useful if you drink beer often, but even there, most bottles are twist-off. They could've shaved about a quarter inch of material off instead to save the space/weight.I'm also not a big fan of the clip, though the clip is at least easy to remove.

Would not buy again.

I've had one of these ever since they first came out. I've used it daily, and it has gone through so much mud, rain, and other rough conditions. However, I just lost my original, and am really regretting that loss after purchasing a replacement at HomeDepot last week.The latest revision of this product available in stores uses a screwdriver bit which doesn't have the necessary retention groove in the double-ended screwdriver bit (there's a groove in the corners of the bit, but not along the flat sides where the retention ball would need to catch). Sure enough, the bit fell out within hours...and now it's gone. This bit has never been available for sale separately, and Milwaukee customer service also tells me its on-order, and isn't expected for months. What an ... MoreI've had one of these ever since they first came out. I've used it daily, and it has gone through so much mud, rain, and other rough conditions. However, I just lost my original, and am really regretting that loss after purchasing a replacement at HomeDepot last week.The latest revision of this product available in stores uses a screwdriver bit which doesn't have the necessary retention groove in the double-ended screwdriver bit (there's a groove in the corners of the bit, but not along the flat sides where the retention ball would need to catch). Sure enough, the bit fell out within hours...and now it's gone. This bit has never been available for sale separately, and Milwaukee customer service also tells me its on-order, and isn't expected for months. What an absolutely horrid and short-sighted design change. Giving only 1-star because of a horrid design change that now renders this product into nothing more than an overbuilt box knife.

its pretty good

Very good product. It is easier than I would have thought and the blade dose not have a lot of play. Most of the multi-tools have screwdriver to the left or right of it rather than the middle but the screw driver on this is in the middle and has no wobble when screwing. The screwdriver has a liner-lock to keep it in place ( a lot of people say it is hard to swap between the flat-head and philips drivers its not that hard). the bottle opener worked better than I thought it would as most multi-tool bottle openers do not work as well. the clip is very sturdy you will only understand after you get it. the button lock is fun to mess around with. I have not used the cord cutter, and there is an extra razor blade spot.