Multi-task utility knife

Have you ever invited your buddies over to see your cool, new utility knife? No, me either. But that's about to change.

The new Striker Folding Multi-Blade can claim something no other utility knife can: it's a radically designed, cool-looking tool. 

This versatile knife features an ultra-light red aluminum body, belt clip, and a folding blade that's equipped with a thumb stud, which provides a quick, safe way to open and close the blade. (Hey, it's got a thumb stud, what else do you need to know?)

Its Ramboesque styling aside, this is one serious tool, especially for working drywall. Like other utility knives, the Striker accepts standard double-ended blades for scoring and cutting drywall sheets, and it has blade storage built into the handle, but that's where the similarities end.

The flat surface behind the blade is an aggressive-cutting rasp that's handy for smoothing rough-cut edges of drywall. And milled into the bottom edge of the rasp is a row of sharpened teeth that the manufacturer calls a notching saw. It's useful for cleaning up cutouts and corners in drywall, paneling, insulation board and ceiling panels.

The end of the handle is fitted with a solid-metal striking cap that's convenient for pounding down popped nails or knocking out electrical-box cutouts.

The Striker Folding Multi-Blade is available for about $14 at hardware stores and home centers.