Stop Struggling — Open Packages Easily With A Find From Amazon

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It's exciting to receive a package; it's often a treat, even. Whether you've ordered clothing or a new book, you'll want to get into that package as soon as you can. A lot of people try to pull the tape off or rip it apart. Often when that doesn't work, you have to resort to tearing the cardboard box open. This can be tough on your hands, and while you can always use a kitchen knife or a pair of scissors, those tools aren't designed for the job. If you cut too deep into the package with a long blade, you might damage what's inside. Box cutters are, however, the best way to open packages, and a tool everyone should have on hand. You can purchase a CIVIVI Elementum Folding Utility Knife on Amazon for $42.50.

This small blade will allow you to open boxes with very little effort. When you receive a package, there should be a strip of tape across the top that keeps the two flaps closed. Open your knife blade and cut down the full length of that tape, planting the blade where the two flaps meet. Once you have cut the tape down the center, it will still hold down the cardboard flaps. Simply place the blade underneath the two sides of the flaps and run it across to cut them free. For this last step, you won't have to worry about cutting whatever is inside the box. Once you've emptied those cardboard boxes, look into storage solutions you can DIY from cardboard boxes, including a remote holder and a makeup organizer.

The blade, once it is secured to the 3.65-inch handle, will add 2.26 inches to the implement. It's about the size of the phone in your pocket, and it should fit conveniently in a utility drawer or in your pocket. There is also a clip on the side so you can easily carry and access the tool. The aluminum handle comes in various colors, including black, blue, green, and gray. The implement that holds the blade should have a thumb stud, which you can apply pressure to and, along with a flick of the wrist, fling the blade open. To close the blade, you'll need to hold the button on the side, which unlocks it, and apply pressure to the thumb stud.

There are several other uses for your box cutter. The Amazon reviews are filled with comments from people saying things like, "I carry a knife every day and use it constantly — for opening Amazon packages, gardening, and cutting rope." Some customers even noted that they use the knife for DIY tasks like scoring crafts for folding, as well as for household tasks like cutting fruit.

The knife comes with three blades, and you can change a box cutter blade by loosening a screw on the side of the tool with a hex key. Your knife blades will wear down over time with a lot of use, but you can sharpen them by dragging each blade across a whetstone, like Amazon's Sharp Pebble Whetstone, at a 15 degree angle. A sharp blade is safer than a dull blade. The knife will come in a holder that looks similar to a sunglasses case. The blades are stainless steel, but this holder should keep it dry.