The new Striker® Carbide Utility Score allows easy scoring and snapping of a variety of materials, and is the preferred, safe method for cutting carcinogenic fiber cement siding (Hardie® Board).
The Striker® Carbide Utility Score features a sharp v-shaped carbide scoring tip designed to scribe deep and wide cuts with minimal force into fiber cement siding, backer board, roofing, linoleum, laminates, plastics, and glass. Though it won’t replace gang cuts of siding with saws, by using the Striker® Carbide Utility Score, contractors and installers can safely cut fiber cement indoors and in tight or remote areas, such as on scaffolding, without creating dust.
Additional features include a crosscut file located along both sides of the hardened steel blade, allowing the user to smooth out any rough edges, and often eliminating the need to pull out a file or rasp. Serrations along the blades top edge create a notching saw that makes quick work when cleaning out corners around plumbing, junction boxes, and HVAC openings.
The tool also features a striking cap at the end of its sleek, ultra-light aluminum handle that acts like a hammer to allow the user to knock out cut pieces and set siding nails to the correct depth. The folding blade and removable pocket clip means the tool fits easily on a belt or in a pocket or pouch.
The new Striker® Carbide Utility Score also has a thumb stud to safely open and close the blade, and a spring steel lock to securely lock the blade open or closed – the blade folds completely inside the body of the tool. A designed-in thumb rest supports and adds comfort to the thumb and hand to reduce user fatigue.
Striker Carbide Utility Score
I recently tested the Striker Carbide Utility Score used for cutting cement siding and other cement based products. Anyone that’s worked with cement siding or cement board for tiling applications knows that cutting cement based products is extremely dusty and potentially hazardous to your health. That’s why this cool new tool is such a great idea.
The Striker Carbide Utility Score was designed to scribe deep and wide cuts with minimal force into fiber cement siding, backer board, roofing, linoleum, laminates, plastics, and glass. Often times I’ve used a regular utility knife in the past to do the same thing with marginal results and tons of wasted utility knife blades. Now the simple task of scribing these products and easily snapping them apart is possible with the Striker Carbide Utility Score.
Striker Carbide Utility Score Features
Sharp v-shaped carbide scoring tip
Safely cut fiber cement indoors and in tight or remote areas
Crosscut file located along both sides of the hardened steel blade
Serrations along the blades top edge create a notching saw
Product Evaluation
The construction industry has needed a product like the Striker Carbide Utility Score for quite some time. Cutting cement board products with a saw is extremely dusty and hazardous. In addition, trying to score cement products with a standard utility knife is like trying to cut steak with a butter knife. By using the Striker Carbide Utility Score I know that I’m reducing my risk of exposure to harmful cement dust and working much safer.
The Striker Carbide Utility Score easily scores cement siding (Hardie® Board) and cement backer board (Durock). We had no trouble at all scoring these materials and then snapping them off with nice clean breaks. The built in heavy score file on the sides of the blade make it very easy to clean up rough edges. At just under $18 this is a great tool to invest in if you’re doing any projects that include cement based products. I highly recommend you give it a try!
