Kobalt® Utility Knife

In collaboration with Lowes®, I led new product development on next-generation tools for the Kobalt® private brand — leveraging ergonomics, a performance-driven design ethos, and an emphasis on improving user experience to generate new IP for the Kobalt® brand and bring innovation to the hands of their customers.

  • Kobalt® (V.1) Utility Knife: Overview

    The form-factor of the Kobalt® Utility Knife was reinvisioned (similar to that of the Kobalt® Performance Screwdriver) with the primary goal of improving the ergonomic design and usability of the tool.

    Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management

    (*Image courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)

  • Kobalt® Utility Knife: Design Development Sketches

    From intricate precision cutting to scoring of high-resistance materials (e.g. sheetrock), the utility knife handle was designed to accommodate multiple grip positions based on the task variability while reducing fatigue and improving tool purchase.

    Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management

  • Kobalt® Utility Knife: Design Development Sketches (Cont.)

    The outer contour of the knife handle spine was informed by human factors studies and dictated by the natural contour of the hand — supporting the arch of the forefinger and palm during precision cutting tasks, improving comfort, and reducing fatigue over extended use. Ergonomic grooves were integrated into the mid-section of the handle geometry to improve tool purchase during heavy-duty and high-resistance cutting tasks.

    Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management

  • Kobalt® Utility Knife: Development Prototypes

    Landmark stages of Kobalt® Utility Knife development (Left to Right): [A] 3D-printed Ergonomic Prototype, [B] Pre-production Prototype, [C] Production Design

    Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management

  • Kobalt® V.1 Utility Knife (Cont.)

    (BELOW) Link to official product page and customer reviews.

    Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management

    (*Image courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)

    Product Link