Professional Tool Reviews for Pros

There’s nothing like the excitement of delivery day and the excitement of opening the gear you ordered a few days ago. After basking in the joy of your new stuff, you have to do something with your boxes. Enter the Ryobi USB Lithium 4V Power Cutter. Not to be confused with concrete cut-off saws, we want to know if this tool offers a viable alternative to using scissors or utility knives.

The controls are pretty simple on the Ryobi power cutter. A generous four-finger trigger and a thumb-activated safety switch prevent accidental trigger pulls. Its single-speed motor spins the cutting wheel up to 270 RPMs which helps to provide a smooth cut.

The blade is not quite circular, opting for 10 edges in a decagonal shape instead. It spins toward you, drawing the material in and slicing it like a pair of scissors that continuously cuts.

Just above the cutting guide on the base, there’s an automatic blade sharpener that hones the blade while you cut. Eventually, you will need to change it out, though. It’s an easy process and all you need is a replacement blade and a slotted screwdriver. Turn the bolt holding the blade counterclockwise to loosen and remove it, take the blade off, settle the new blade on the two alignment pins, and replace the bolt. It takes less than a minute.

Ryobi rates this multi-use 4V Power Cutter to make cuts in materials up to 1/4-inch in thickness. Cardboard, plastic, carpet, rubber, and leather are all on the menu.

One of our favorite applications is removing items from plastic clam-shell packaging. This tool is far easier and reduces the risk of cutting yourself compared to a knife.

There’s an integrated guideline on the blade guard so you can keep your cuts clean and precise. This guide lets you accurately follow your cut line without needing to maintain a constant line of site with the blade. Especially with thicker materials, try making a few cuts in scrap material first to get a feel of how the tool reacts. Once you get the hang of it, the guide helps you follow a cutline well.

The Ryobi 4V power cutter weighs a mere 1.06 pounds which is obviously a little heavier than a standard utility knife…but those don’t have a motor! From tip to tail it measures 9 inches, making it compact enough to fit in your kitchen drawer or toolbox.

The grip is slim for a power tool but may be a bit large for children if you’re working on crafts with them. Adult-size hands should have no problems.

The FVC51K is part of Ryobi’s USB Lithium line and uses a rechargeable 2Ah 4V lithium battery. It uses a USB-C connection to charge while on the tool. However, you cannot use this battery to charge your other devices.

While lithium-ion options add to the initial cost compared to AA or AAA options, we prefer a rechargeable tool. Plus, it’s removable and compatible with all of the Ryobi USB Lithium tools to accomplish a variety of projects.

The FVC51K retails for $59.97 at your local Home Depot. It comes with a pre-installed blade, 4V USB lithium battery, a USB charging cable, and a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Ryobi 4V Power Cutter definitely adds a new level of convenience when opening packages or breaking down cardboard boxes. We also love that it adds a new element of safety by reducing the need for the open blades of a pocket or utility knife. While it doesn’t replace those tools in every cutting scenario, the FVC51K is extremely useful in a range of cutting tasks. Nearly everyone can find a use for it and it’s a big relief if you struggle with arthritis or grip strength in your hands.

Click here to check out the full Ryobi USB lineup.

Having worked in the automotive and metalworking trades, Josh has even found himself core drilling commercial properties for purposes of surveying. His knowledge and love of tools are exceeded only by a greater love for his wife and family.

A fan of all things that can stretch him mentally, Josh quickly dives into new products, tools, and product testing with ample amounts of both enthusiasm and precision. We look forward to many years of growth alongside Josh as he settles into his role at Pro Tool Reviews.

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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros