I have to admit that this tool was moved around on my desk for a bit while I pondered "what's the point of the Carbide Utility Score" from Striker when the Striker Multi-tool Knife works so well in and of itself? If you're not familiar with the Striker Utility Knife, it is a multi-tool knife composed out of lightweight, durable skeletal aluminum that includes a serrated hardened-steel file edge and striking cap at the end of the blade.

The Striker Multi-tool Knife's cousin, the Carbide Utility Score is made specifically to be used for cutting fiber cement backerboard and siding. The premise behind using the Carbide Utility Score is that instead of using a electric circular cement fiber saw, you can use the hand score which doesn't create a fraction of the carcinogenic fiber cement dust that an electric saw would. Of course, the trade-off is much more hand labor. But if you just have a few pieces to cut and it needs to be done inside, scoring and snapping the material is the preferred way to proceed.

The Carbide Utility Score doesn't have the removable razor of a utility knife but is made of durable carbide, and made specifically for scoring. It is similar to the utility knife in that the knife folds in upon itself for safety and storage. Why this carbide score is better than the average utility knife is the blade is more durable and the handle is made of skeletal aluminum which makes it lighweight to use. But if you do happen to break the blade, it's not replaceable and the tool is useless.

Another useful feature of the Striker Carbide Score is the carbide file built right into the blade housing. This makes it easy to clean up the rough edges or if you've cut a hole slightly slightly too small or off-shape, makes it easy to shape the edges by hand without having to pull out a rasp or a file. On the edge of the file, just underneath the blade is a notching saw.The notching saw is exactly 1/8 inch wide, which is perfect for notching whatever you need to notch at the time.

The Striker Carbide Score features a removable pocket clip and a striking cap on the back of the handle lets you knock out cut pieces of fiberboard, or set exposed nails, without having to pull out a hammer to do it. It also has a built-in thumb rest for added support the handle is a bit longer than your average utility knife giving you that extra bit of leverage when you're using it. Priced at under $20, I give it a nine out of ten. For more information, go to www.strikerhandtools.com .