I don't know for sure when the 10-499 was introduced. My guess would be the mid-1980s. And my guess about when it was discontinued would be the late 1990s. I welcome clarification from any Stanley collectors about this. I have purchased other kinds of utility knives over the years, but always come back to the old-style 10-499. When I'm not wearing a tool belt I typically keep an old 10-499 in my back pocket. I use it just about every day in my mail order business. I also use it in my garden. Years ago, when I worked in a NY State maximum security prison, I was using my 10-499 in the morning before going to work. I slipped it into my back pocket when I was done using it, as is my habit. Then I drove to the prison, walked into the front door, passed through eight locked and guarded security checkpoints to get to my workplace deep in the prison, and realized when I got to my office that the 10-499 was still in my back pocket. Big security violation on my part! I hid the knife and managed to walk it out at the end of the day with no one knowing. 😳
Hi, I stupidly, took my old old one apart and couldn’t figure out how to get that little button to work to go back in. I kept thinking it was on the outside and kept falling out…until I found your video. Well thank you very much.
This is my old Stanley 10-449, I actually ran it over with my truck years ago, pic shows slight bend. Still works fine. I can’t figure how to upload a pic to comments.
I remember my first utility knife. I had to take it apart to change the blade… how times have changed since I went to college. My go to knife now is a husky folder with wooden scales. Couldn’t imagine going back to one of those old dinosaurs.
Thanks for the drawing of the pin at the end. I have the old one.. I 3D printed the pin.. now I'm no longer taking the tool apart to change the blade . Thank You :)
I don't have a utility knife that new. I have fixed blades, retractable blades, a few I bought, some I was given, and a few I found. My favorite is my old Stanley 199. Fits my hand perfectly.
Hard to believe a greedy company would add more material without a good reason, maybe ergonomics, resilience or whatever reason. In any case, great video, thanks for sharing.
I used that back in the day. I've used all the quick release and I had problems with all of them. I only use the old fashioned standard now. I'm also retired.
The first time I saw someone with the 10499 utility knife was 91 or 92 and I was pretty amazed and went the next day to get me one. that was before the Home Depot and the closest thing we had to it I think was called a Wicks lumber here in the Skowhegan Maine area. there was mostly locally owned businesses back then before Warren Buffett and all the other venture capitalists bought and sold us out.
I created a 3D print file for the pin based on the dimensions given at the end of the video. works great! I no longer have to take the tool apart to change the blade.. I have the "old one" so I put up with taking it apart. (just as said in the video :>) )
Thanks for this video championing the 10-499. They’ve been my so-called EDC (every day carry) for decades. Also thanks for the pin replacement scheme. Have posted negative comments (suggesting 10-499) on others videos pushing clunky lumpy folding utility knives. Why do they need to fold. The Stanley can already be lost in your pocket almost as easily as a Bic lighter. Have a dark Craftsman around but the ‘drawer’ isn’t red. The weighty new ones are still excellent.
You're right about it getting lost in your pocket. In my pinned comment above, I tell the story of forgetting that I had my 10-499 in my back pocket (it's almost always there) when I went to my prison job years ago. Serious contraband. The 2x heavier newer "club" version isn't so easy to forget about. Thanks for the comment.
Someone using my classic 10-499 took it apart to change the blade and lost the metal button. Sigh... Now I know what it looks like and how to make a replacement!
No doubt you are definitely correct however I have two of the older versions and both of them the blade push button broke off I still have them in a drawer with the pieces taped together thinking I'll fix them someday. Probably next February 30th. There are two reasons I've had to take the knives apart one sometimes the blades somehow get stuck and the back drawer does not open and other times if you do a lot of drywall the dust gets inside and you must take it apart to clean it out so it works smoothly again. I have at least five of the newer versions and they are rugged and pretty awesome for most things. I still have my very first Stanley knife before they came out with the back yellow drawer I still use it drywalling because it's so small and light. it is so worn and shiny you can use the reflection to shave with. It's from 1983. Sheww!! long comment
Enjoying these informative videos a lot : ) Thank you. For one thing, I finally ordered a 1x30 belt sander which I have needed for years. Now, trying to order a pin vise and although choices are endless, they seem small, designed for jewellery, and likely too weak for woodworking. Only take 3mm drills ... Any recommendations would be much appreciated.
You're going to like that sander. I use mine far more than I expected. Very handy. As far as a pin vise, perhaps check Ebay for a vintage Starrett pin vise. They come in different sizes. I have bought them at estate sales many times and sold on Ebay. I don't currently have any to sell. You should be able to find one there for around $20. Best wishes...
Thank you for posting this helpful video! My husband guards his vintage 10-499 like a hawk and I've been checking ebay to find one as a gift so he can keep one in the house and one in his shop. I finally found one today in a lot of other Stanley knives, but the pin is missing. Thanks to your video I'll be able to replace it. As you can imagine, the knife is beat up and has some grime and scratches. What's your recommended method for cleaning a utility knife?
Great comment and a great gift idea! I would take it apart and scrub with warm water, detergent and a toothbrush. If there is any tar, use some mineral spirits. That should clean it up. Restoration (like repainting) would be a step farther but I like a well worn 10-499. 👍
This Stanley box cutter model can be used has a seatbelt cutter because tht integrated string cutter recesses in the blade like tht of a seatbelt cutter’s blade!
Ha I watched the first third of the video and then left two comments and then watch the rest of the video and see you had all the same problems. And I did not know that the newer knives have the same blade sliding mechanism so I learned something and my old knife will ride again too
Used 10-499 to cut miles of drywall, always lost the pin, used awl or whatever was handy to replace blade. I used the newer style for the last five or six years never even noticed it was different size?
A company made one called the Banana knife due to the slight curve and yellow color that was favored by many tradesmen. Like many better tools it's no longer in production. Fortunately they're pretty near impossible to wear out or break.
