Nextool Explorer E20 Review: A Utility Knife That Actually Makes Blade Changes Easy

Introduction

Smaller tool companies are genuinely starting to worry the established names, and the Nextool Explorer E20 is a good example of why. It is the brand’s new utility knife multi-tool, currently still in its Kickstarter campaign, and it packs eight functions into a flat, pocket-friendly body without feeling like a gimmick.

The pitch is simple: a well-built everyday utility knife with a blade changing system so quick that it might spoil you for anything else. After spending time with it, the case looks strong, especially at the early bird price of around 30 dollars.

What Is the Nextool Explorer E20?

The Explorer E20 is an 8-in-1 utility knife multi-tool. The eight functions break down as follows: a razor blade knife, a flathead screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver, a bottle opener formed by two prongs at the head, an angled pry bar, a so-called nail puller set into the middle of the pry bar, a 7 cm ruler, and, somewhat generously, the pocket clip counts as the eighth tool.

If some of those sound like padding, that is fair. But the core package, the knife itself with the pry bar and ruler, is solid, and the extras do not get in the way.

The Quick Swap Blade System

This is what makes the E20 stand out. Push the slider all the way up, push the lock over to the left, and the razor blade pops straight out. Slide the slider back up, and the knife instantly loads another blade from its internal magazine.

That is faster and more convenient than comparable toolless systems, where you still have to lift a latch, release the old blade, and manually seat a new one. Here you remove the blade, slide back, and you are cutting again. For anyone using a utility knife at work, that convenience alone is worth a lot.

The slider has two blade positions. The first locks in with roughly a quarter inch of blade exposed, which is enough to slice through doubled-up cardboard comfortably. The top position exposes just under half an inch for heavier cuts. A small lock keeps the slider secure in the bottom position until you slide it over to deploy.

The Internal Blade Magazine

Nextool calls the storage on the back a magazine-style internal blade chamber. A small latch opens the spring-loaded door, and spare razor blades slot in with their top notches engaged in the chamber.

The official capacity is three spare blades, and that number gives the smoothest slider action. In testing, five blades technically fit with the door closed, but the slider gets noticeably stiff when overfilled. Four worked well and is a reasonable compromise if you want extra spares on board.

Build Quality and Form Factor

The face of the E20 is anodized black aluminum with a clean finish, and a genuinely thick piece of steel runs through the pry bar end. That gives the knife a sturdy, well-built feel in the hand despite its flat profile.

The flat back and squareish design make it very pocketable, and the included pocket clip keeps it secure. This is one of those tools that disappears into a pocket rather than fighting for space.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Honesty time: some of the eight functions feel like tools added for the multi-tool label. The flathead and Phillips screwdrivers are small and may never see real use depending on your work. The nail puller is unlikely to pull anything bigger than a brad nail, and a flat scraper edge across the pry bar would arguably have been more useful.

None of this ruins the E20, because the core knife, pry bar, and quick swap system are excellent, and the bottle opener costs nothing to keep around. But if you are buying it purely for the secondary tools, manage expectations. You are buying it for the blade system and the build.

Buying Advice

As of this writing, the Explorer E20 is still in its Kickstarter campaign with early bird pledges available at 30 dollars. For a well-built utility knife with this blade changing convenience and a pocket clip, that is an easy call. If you prefer to buy retail rather than back a campaign, it is worth watching for the tool’s wider release.

Conclusion

The Nextool Explorer E20 is a standout utility knife. The quick swap blade system is one of the best implementations seen in a long time, the anodized aluminum body and thick steel pry bar feel genuinely premium, and the flat form factor is a pleasure to carry. Some of the eight functions are filler, but the core tool more than justifies the early bird price. Nextool is on to something here.