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Behold the Most Affordable James Brand Knife Ever

The five Clear colorways of The James Brand’s Palmer utility knife cost a whopping 34 percent less than the original version.

the-james-brand-palmer-clearThe James Brand

By Steve Mazzucchi

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Way back in 1999, Apple’s (then interim) CEO, Steve Jobs, walked out on stage at MacWorld in San Francisco and made a big announcement.

Just a year after the launch of the iMac, the beloved desktop computer was getting five new hues — translucent candy-colored shades of blue, purple, red, green and orange.

If anything, the Clear versions make it even easier to swap blades. You can look right through the side and see the little gap in the channel that releases the blade, rather than having to go by feel.

Flash forward 25 years, and a similar development is hitting in the knife and EDC space.

While there was no dramatic stage announcement, The James Brand is updating its popular Palmer utility knife (a 2022 GP100 selection) with … five new hues — translucent candy-colored shades of blue, purple, red, green and, umm, charcoal. (Hey, we said “similar,” not the exact same, OK?) 

Beyond the fun new look is some wallet-friendly news: the Palmer Clears cost just $39 ($20 less than the original’s $59), making them the most affordable James Brand knife you can get today.

The James Brand The Palmer Clear

Playing into the lowered price tag is, most likely, the material involved. It’s 100% post-consumer recycled PCTG. No, not Pokémon Trading Card Game; the acronym stands for polyethylene terephthalate-glycol.

This filament may be a bit cheaper than the original’s body material of stainless steel, but it is valued for its durability, strength and clarity, so it’s plenty tough enough to stand up to typical utility knife duties.

the-james-brand-the-palmer-clear-colorways
The five new Palmer Clear colorways: Charcoal, Electric Green, Turquoise, Coral and Atomic Purple.
The James Brand

Beyond the casing, the Palmer Clear offers everything the original does. It is a bit lighter (1.98 ounces vs 2.5 ounces) but the exact same size (3.5 inches long by 0.4 inches wide) and comes with the same paracord lanyard looped through a holed-out rivet at the back. 

It’s just as smooth when it comes to pressing the button and sliding forward to deploy the razor blade — and just as satisfying to pop out for slicing through box tape and tackling other everyday tasks.

the-james-brand-the-palmer-clear-sans-razor-blade
That little hump just to the right of the channel is where you slide the blade when you want to detach it.
The James Brand

Like the original, it’s also TSA compliant, in that the razor blade can be detached and tossed before you head to the airport.
 
If anything, the Clear versions make it even easier to swap blades. You can look right through the side and see the little gap in the channel that releases the blade, rather than having to go by feel.

All that and a savings of 20 bucks? Don’t know about you, but tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1999.

Availability and pricing

The James Brand The Palmer Clear utility knife is available now in five colorways for $39.

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