Stanley InstantChange Retractable Blade 6-1/2 in. L Utility Knife Silver(10-788)
at Your Local Ace

- Sub Brand: InstantChange
- Retractable Blade: Yes
- Length: 6-1/2 in.
- Product Type: Utility Knife
- Handle Color Family: Silver
- Number of Blades Included: 3
- Blade Width Size: 3 in.
- Lockable Blade: Yes
- Blade Storage: Yes
- Blade Type: Knife Blade
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What people are saying
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Well built / quality (13)
- Effective (12)
- Sturdy case (10)
- Lightweight (6)
- Versatile (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Home repair (14)
- Small projects (12)
- Large projects (9)
- Gifts (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid do-it-yourselfer (8), Casual do-it-yourselfer (6), Professional (3)
- Primary use:
- Personal (15)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great knife, poor instructions....
I'll have to go along with the other reviews that talk about the initial difficulty of understanding the method of changing the blade. After I bought mine, I spent 5 minutes or so trying...Read complete review
I'll have to go along with the other reviews that talk about the initial difficulty of understanding the method of changing the blade. After I bought mine, I spent 5 minutes or so trying to understand how it worked...read and re-read the instructions several times...until..FINALLY...I sort of 'stumbled' onto the method of doing it...WHEW..!
Even now...that I have "broken the code", when I look at the small picture on the User Card, I still can't easily see how anyone could 'decipher' the exact method of changing blades..
SO...for those of you who have not yet figured this out, the 'secret' of this...is to slide the latching button forward...past the 1, 2 and 3 positions...pushing harder now...to the NUMBER 4...which is ALL the way to the black thumb-rest...! At that point, you can press the yellow button and easily change the blade..!!
Could this have been explained easily on the "User Card"...I'm thinking YES...!!
Aside from that...I really like the heft and feel of this knife. It feels more secure in my grip and should be a lot safer to use. I like the 1st blade projection setting, it's just right for cardboard, etc. The curved handle is also very 'ergonomic' and should allow extended usage without too much fatigue.
This looks and feels like a very well made tool, and now that I know how to change the blades, I'll be doing that a LOT....>Grins<
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Terrible at bet
Not only a poorly designed product but a poorly manufactured product. The blade sliding mechanisum was frozen. The knife had to be completely disassembled and the sliding mechanism repositioned. Apprently this is to...Read complete review
Not only a poorly designed product but a poorly manufactured product. The blade sliding mechanisum was frozen. The knife had to be completely disassembled and the sliding mechanism repositioned. Apprently this is to enhance the customer experience. Once the sliding mechanism was repaired had to screw around with installing the blade into the knife body. Another terrible design feature Stanley proudly states "Made in USA" but this knife is one of the worst designed asd manufactured tools I've encounter ....
Reviewed by 21 customers
Displaying reviews 1-21
Pros
- Works Effectively
Cons
Best Uses
- Gifts
- Home Repair
- Large Projects
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
I bought this knife for all my friends and co workers this year. After 38 years in the carpentry trade, I've tried them ll. this knife is the easiest to use, the safest, and the most durable. I've been using one ever since they came out for sale, and now keep one in every tool box and vehicle. It was time my friends enjoy this also.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Works Effectively
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Repair
- Large Projects
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
All the reviews about not being able to change the blade are simply put, user error. Make sure the metal push button is ALL THE WAY FORWARD (literally touching the black rubber piece) and you press the pullow button... do that, and replacing the blade takes all of 5 seconds.
Pros
- Strong
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
I took thi knife apart to see how a utility knife could be so stubborn. On the blade forward slider are 3 notches that hold the blade in the position of that notch. The forth position is full forward up against the black thumb pad. That is the position where the blade can be changed. You must push in the yellow side button to release the blade. Once the old blade is removed you will notice a super small L shaped tray at the very bottom of the blade opening.
You must insert the blade so it rests on that tray. You also must hold in the yellow button while feeding the new blade in. It must go all the way in until you feel a hard stop. This is also tricky - on mine I put the blades in angling the blade up and setting the point of the blade on the L tray. I then push it in ever so slightly before straightening it out to go the rest of the way.
Pros
- Strong
Cons
- Defunct
Best Uses
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
No matter how I tried, I had trouble opening and retracting the blade. I had no luck at all replacing the blade. When I took the knife back to the store (not an Ace Hardware), the clerk there could not get the knife to work either. I have another (smaller) Stanley knife (no model number on the handle) that works very well.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sturdy case
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Repair
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Got this at the Christmas promo. Nice to have around and seems sturdy. Been using these since I was a boy.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Hold Use
- Strong
- Sturdy case
- Versatile
Cons
- Poor Instructions
Best Uses
- Home Repair
- Large Projects
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
I'll have to go along with the other reviews that talk about the initial difficulty of understanding the method of changing the blade. After I bought mine, I spent 5 minutes or so trying to understand how it worked...read and re-read the instructions several times...until..FINALLY...I sort of 'stumbled' onto the method of doing it...WHEW..!
Even now...that I have "broken the code", when I look at the small picture on the User Card, I still can't easily see how anyone could 'decipher' the exact method of changing blades..
SO...for those of you who have not yet figured this out, the 'secret' of this...is to slide the latching button forward...past the 1, 2 and 3 positions...pushing harder now...to the NUMBER 4...which is ALL the way to the black thumb-rest...! At that point, you can press the yellow button and easily change the blade..!!
Could this have been explained easily on the "User Card"...I'm thinking YES...!!
Aside from that...I really like the heft and feel of this knife. It feels more secure in my grip and should be a lot safer to use. I like the 1st blade projection setting, it's just right for cardboard, etc. The curved handle is also very 'ergonomic' and should allow extended usage without too much fatigue.
This looks and feels like a very well made tool, and now that I know how to change the blades, I'll be doing that a LOT....>Grins<
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Sturdy case
- Versatile
- Works Effectively
Cons
Best Uses
- Gifts
- Home Repair
- Large Projects
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
None
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Sturdy case
- Works Effectively
Cons
- Little Hard To Assemble
Best Uses
- Home Repair
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Used it to scrape and cut wood while installing a new lock on my door. Cuts perfectly. Good quality blades. Comes with 3 blades.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Sturdy case
- Works Effectively
Cons
- Poor User Instructions
Best Uses
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Once I figuered out that you can't load it on the third click out, I was golden. The slide has to be let out to the absolute end(four clicks not three) then you can push the yellow change button and get the blade in without too much trouble.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Strong
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Repair
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
It is a good quality razor knife that conviently stores the blades inside the handle. It is durable and well made.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Sturdy case
- Versatile
- Works Effectively
Cons
Best Uses
- Gifts
- Home Repair
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
A good product but I didn't keep my instructions so I was in trouble when the sliding mechanism was frozen upon purchase. 30 minutes later, I'm good.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Strong
- Sturdy case
- Works Effectively
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Repair
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Difficult to unpack; loading blade is not intuitive; needs better instructions
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
- Not Effective
- Poor Quality
Best Uses
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Not only a poorly designed product but a poorly manufactured product. The blade sliding mechanisum was frozen. The knife had to be completely disassembled and the sliding mechanism repositioned. Apprently this is to enhance the customer experience. Once the sliding mechanism was repaired had to screw around with installing the blade into the knife body. Another terrible design feature Stanley proudly states "Made in USA" but this knife is one of the worst designed asd manufactured tools I've encounter ....
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
- Not Effective
- Poor Quality
Best Uses
- Trash
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Very disappointing in quality and design. Poor instructions on how to input blade. Mine was assembled incoorectly with the push lever widged between sliding surfaces. Had to disassemble to correct. Blade inserts through the front but having the blade retained is difficult. Overall poor quality and poor design. If you go to the stanleytool.com website you can download the instructions.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Strong
- Sturdy case
- Versatile
- Works Effectively
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Home Repair
- Large Projects
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Looking at the negative reviews you'd be surprised at how easy this knife works. The one issue I can see is that you do have to put the blade slide at a notch *past* the normal far extension, otherwise the button doesn't contact the right place on the blade holder to allow for changing the blade.
Overall this is a great knife, it has a little more weight than the other two Stanley knives, which are great knives too, and the blade holder is much better as well.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
Cons
- Hard to load
- HEAVY
- Insufficient instructions
- No website video help
- Tiny print on card
Best Uses
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
I bought this frankly because it was the only one in the corner hardware store and I needed a blade for a third person. I could not load the blade, and I am experienced with Stanley. Man next door could not load the first blade either. I wasn't interested in buying and trying a second unit, so I returned it. The Olfa and Fiskars that I have are plastic, not sturdy construction (they would not do carpet etc.). But for cutting cardboard boxes, clamshell packaging, etc., those are very easy to reload and light in the hand. I'll keep my 20-year old heavy-duty hard-to-load Stanley for the other stuff.
Pros
- Can't change the blade
- Strong
- Sturdy case
- Works Effectively
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Home Repair
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Can't change the blade.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Sturdy case
- Works Effectively
Cons
Best Uses
- Large Projects
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
I liked the shape of the knife handle compared with those that are straight. The blade is changed in the same manner as other utility knives I have owend with the push button. It is helpful to read and follow the instructions though. I also like the larger size of the knife compared with many of the pocket sized ones that that fold which are popular now. I feel I get a better grip on the knife and that it offers me more security against injury.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Works Effectively
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Repair
- Large Projects
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Changing the blade is really simple once you READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, after all that what instructions are for. It is the best utility knife so far that i've owned. Blades are quickly replaceable, I would say about 5 sec. mentioned in the previous review. Highly recommended.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Great value
- Strong
- Works Effectively
Cons
- Ugly
Best Uses
- Home Repair
- Large Projects
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Overall, a great utility knife. Got it for [$] on day after thanksgiving sale. Some people complain about it being hard to replace the blades, but I disagree; all you have to do is read the instructions! Once they're understood, a blade can be changed in some 5 seconds. Overall - a great product, at an affordable price. Higly recommended!
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Repair
- Large Projects
- Professional
- Small Projects
Comments about Stanley® Utility Knife (10-788):
Based on my years of experience using Stanley tools, I was pleased to see the "new, improved" version of the standard utlity knife...until I got home and tried (unsuccessfully) to install the first blade. Returning to my local retailer, I explained the problem. Two employees spent at least 10 minutes attempting to operate the tool: UNSUCCESSFULLY! After 10 more minutes spent refunding and then recharging my bank card, I again returned home, and tried to operate the replacement: UNSUCCESSFULLY!! I did manage to knick my finger with the blade which WILL NOT fully retract nor return to the locked open (ready to cut) position. My recommendation: stick with Stanley's tried and true old-fashioned contractor-grade utility knife.
Displaying reviews 1-21