I work in a grocery store and I've tried MANY different cutters for nothing more than speed. THIS one is the absolute BEST I've ever had!! This cutter opens the blade with the squeeze of your hand. . .you don't have to push it open or pull to retract the blade. Grip it to open the blade and let go to retract it! The lanyard is awesome and it keeps me from watching my cutter sadly disappearing into the depths of a pallet of stock that I'm working with. I keep the dial on "3" because, um, I want to CUT and get the product on the shelf!! The holster is great and it clips to my belt VERY securely. The tape splitter works very well, but I'm good enough to use the blade to split tape without damaging the product! I wear a red-over-black uniform so I got the red and black cutter. Not only am I stocking proficiently, I'm also in style! I HIGHLY recommend this cutter to everyone in the grocery business and I'm recommending to my employer that the EZ Cut 2000 gets issued to employees instead of that other brand that wears out your thumb to open and close the blade. I'm no longer "trying out" different brands and designs of cutters because the EZ Cut 2000 is what I've been looking for!!

This box cutter has served me for two years before it finally broke. I loved it so much I decided to get another one. I've looked at countless other box cutters but none of them compare to the ease, speed, and functionality of the Easycut 2000.

=== Positives ===

First off, the trigger system is absolutely great. As you pull the cutter out of your pocket just squeeze the trigger and the blade pops out. Let go and the blade retracts. This is both safer and quicker compared to other box cutter designs.

It also has edge guides on both sides. This lets you make customer facing displays, cut box tabs, and easily open boxes that are in tight places that you can't quite get to. Also when the trigger is squeezed the edge guides will lock in place.

Tape breaker. This was added to the 2000 version. There's a dull metal edge near the back of the blade. It's used to break open tape on boxes so you don't accidentally damage the product inside. It also doubles as a hammer, for when there's a small part of the box the blade missed. Mash the backside against the box top.

Length adjustment. Spin the dial on the end between "1, 2, 3, or L". 1 for single width boxes. 2 for double wide. 3 for a utility cut. L locks the trigger preventing the blade from releasing. The idea here is that you only use the amount you need and no more. So if an accident does happen, you minimize the amount of damage done.

Backup blade compartment. Lift the top cover up and there's a second compartment behind the active blade. The gap is wide enough to fit up to three blades.

The holster can rotate 180 degrees, can be mounted left or right side, and includes a safety lock. I've never used the lock due to how stubborn it is to turn. Nor have I used the holster itself, but it's there if you need it.

The EasyCut 2000 in comparison to the 1000, 1500, 3000, and 4000, I believe is the best of its family. After the 2000 version they added an auto retracting feature. Once the blade meets a change in resistance, it retracts back in. It's a safety feature to protect you from cutting yourself or the product. Unfortunately it's overly sensitive.

=== Downsides ===

The included cord is made of a soft plastic which breaks within the first week or so. I've replaced mine with Booms Fishing T1 Coiled Lanyard . It's got a steel wire cord on the inside which is rated to hold 27lb fat lobsters. Overkill for this application but it does the job and doesn't break like the other.

If you ever need to clean out the inside, it's near impossible to do because of security triangle screws it has. Additionally even if you do have the right tool, these screws are in hard to reach places.

The blade itself isn't spectacular. It tends to dull out rather quickly, but you get what you pay for.

Replacement blades are hard to find. Only EasyCut and Costco brands make the special blades that go in these, and they're a bit pricey. You can find them here.
81 Easy Cut / EZ Cutter Replacement Blades 09703 STD Blades Box
COSCO Easycut Self Retracting Cutter Blades, 10/Pack

=== Summary ===

The trigger system alone makes this blade worth buying because of its speed and safety compared to another other box cutter. Its additional features such as the edge guide, length adjustment, and tape breaker do everything I need. Aside from the lanyard and blades being cheaply made. This cutter makes a great everyday carry tool for any retail worker.

Great value, sturdy, dependable, easy to use box cutter. Very safe, and easy to open & use, easy to change blades!!

I first discovered this box cutter when a coworker lended me a beat up, worn down box cutter. It was a yellow variety of this cutter. Even in it's state it worked perfectly. The mechanism to extend the blade works perfectly, the extra room for spare blades is nice (if you cut boxes/tape/shrink wrap all day you'll need the spares, trust me). Only problem I have is it falls out of the holster often. Doesn't ruin the product however.

Since it's mostly plastic, it broke within a month of using it. It came out of the holster and the tip hit the ground and it bent the mechanism inside. It is unable to close and though I've tried to fix it, it's not going to work. It was okay while it lasted though I won't buy another.