MARTOR safety technology

A safety knife is a cutting tool designed for manual cutting tasks. Its built-in safety features protect the user from cuts. Some safety knives also offer protection for the item being cut.

When cutting by hand, using safety knives minimizes the risk of cuts, which often result in lost work time.

If you use a safety knife with a concealed blade or a reduced cutting depth to open packages, the packaged goods are also protected from damage.

In addition to workplace safety, MARTOR places great emphasis on ergonomics and user-friendliness, so that you can work particularly efficiently and comfortably with a safety knife.

In Germany, MARTOR regularly uses data from the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). According to this data, in 2025 there were approximately 34,200 reportable workplace accidents (resulting in several days of lost time) involving the use of cutting tools in the workplace.

Der Wechsel von suboptimalen, unsicheren Arbeitsmessern zu professionellen Sicherheitsmessern ist ein wesentlicher Schritt. Es gehört aber noch mehr dazu: die Entscheidung für das richtige Schneidwerkzeug, das am besten zu den anstehenden Schneidaufgaben und den eigenen Anwendern passt. Und der Prozess der Implementierung, denn jedes neue Werkzeug will erklärt und trainiert werden. MARTOR begleitet Unternehmen mit seinen Services von der Arbeitsplatzanalyse über Produkttest und -auswahl bis zur Schulung der Mitarbeiter.

With MARTOR cutting tools, you can choose from five safety technologies:

• Bladeless

• Concealed blade

• Fully automatic blade retraction

• Automatic blade retraction

• Blade retraction and optional lock

Safety knives with Concealed blades offer the highest level of workplace safety (plus optimal product protection); safety knives with Fully automatic blade retraction provide a very high level of workplace safety; and safety knives with Automatic blade retraction offer a high level of workplace safety. Safety knives that allow you to choose between blade retraction and locking offer an additional layer of workplace safety. We also offer bladeless tools, such as our Safety scissors.

MARTOR, the market leader, divides its product line into five safety levels.

SECUPLUS, SECUMAX, SECUPRO, SECUNORM, and SECUBASE are MARTOR-specific terms. As part of the product name, they provide information about the security technology used in each product and the resulting security level:

SECUPLUS = MARTOR tools bladeless = specialized workplace safety

SECUMAX = MARTOR safety knife with a Concealed blade = maximum workplace safety

SECUPRO = MARTOR safety knife with Fully automatic blade retraction = very high level of workplace safety

SECUNORM = MARTOR safety knife with automatic blade retraction = high level of workplace safety

SECUBASE = MARTOR safety knife with blade retraction and optional lock = optional workplace safety

With MARTOR safety knives featuring a concealed blade (SECUMAX), the blade is so securely shielded that neither you nor your packaged goods will come into contact with it.

With MARTOR safety knives featuring fully automatic blade retraction (SECUPRO), the blade retracts instantly after the cut, even if you continue to press the slider or Squeeze-grip to release the blade.

With MARTOR safety knives featuring automatic blade retraction (SECUNORM), the blade retracts into the handle immediately after the cut, provided you have removed your Thumb or Fingers from the trigger beforehand. With SECUPRO and SECUNORM, the blade therefore remains “out” only as long as it is needed for cutting.

With MARTOR safety knives featuring blade retraction and locking (SECUBASE), the blade also retracts immediately into the handle after cutting. Alternatively, you can lock the blade in place. When you release the lock, the blade retracts as usual.

With MARTOR safety scissors, the blades are ground straight rather than at an angle. The material is cut between the precisely matched blades. However, there is no risk to your fingers or hand. In addition, the tips are rounded to prevent puncture injuries.

The point is to ensure that the items inside the package are not damaged when you open it with a cutting tool. The best way to do this is to use a safety knife with a concealed blade. This is because the blade is shielded so securely that contact between the blade and the items is impossible.

With a utility knife—also known as a carpet knife—you cut with a fixed blade that is neither covered nor retracts automatically after the cut. This significantly increases the risk of cutting accidents.

You can use safety knives for a wide variety of materials: cardboard, Tape, plastic film, Paper, Plastic strapping band, Foam, polystyrene, Textile, Carpet, PVC, Rubber, non-woven fabric, Leather, etc. You can also see which cutting tool is suitable for which material on the respective MARTOR product page. For a detailed consulting service, please contact your account manager.

Safety knives can be distinguished primarily by their safety features—that is, by how users are protected from the sharp blade:

• Knife with automatic blade retraction: The blade retracts into the handle after the cut is complete and after the user has actively released the slider or Squeeze-grip

• Knife with fully automatic blade retraction: The blade retracts into the handle after the cut is complete, without any action required by the user

• Knives with concealed blades: The cutting edge is securely shielded; no blade retraction is required

Another classification is based on the range of applications. MARTOR categorizes its safety knives into universal knives, designed for a very wide range of cutting materials and applications, and specialty knives, designed for a narrower range. Categories such as cardboard cutters, film cutters, and bag openers follow a similar pattern.

However, the clearest distinction remains that based on the built-in safety technology.

That depends on the specific safety knife. Many MARTOR safety knives can be used as all-purpose tools for a wide variety of tasks. Other safety knives are recommended as specialized tools for very specific applications.

You can narrow down your options, for example, by using our product filter or product finder. Our application catalog is also a very helpful guide. For personalized recommendations, we recommend contacting one of our representatives. For more complex cutting challenges, on-site consulting services from our technical advisors are also available. (This service varies by country/region.)

They are typically made of high-quality plastic or Aluminium, and in some cases, Steel or Zinc. Many of our handles also feature an additional component to make them particularly easy to grip and slip-resistant—think “Soft grip.” In addition, many MARTOR handles are now made from recycled plastic.

Our so-called MDP knives are made of metal detectable plastic. “MDP” stands for “metal detectable plastic.” If MDP knives—or even just parts of them—accidentally enter the production process, they can be detected in time by the company’s own detectors and removed by employees. MARTOR’s MDP knives are specifically designed for industries prone to disruptions, such as the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Their food-grade compliance is certified.

There are two key factors to keep in mind: Make sure your safety equipment is working properly and check it regularly. This also includes cleaning your safety knife regularly. And: Always use sharp blades!

Even though it may sound like a contradiction: Only a sharp blade is safe! With a sharp blade, you can cut with precision and without getting tired, using minimal effort. A dull blade requires more force, causes you to tire more quickly, and can thus lead to uncontrolled slipping. This significantly increases the risk of a cut.

We advise against doing this. Repairs or modifications to the product may compromise its safety. In addition, any manual intervention will void the warranty.

If the cutting tool shows signs of aging or other wear and tear—such as malfunctions in the safety mechanisms, during blade replacement, or during use—it must be taken out of service and replaced.

We want you to be able to see for yourself whether the MARTOR knife you've selected is actually suitable for your specific application. Please feel free to contact us regarding sample products.

Discontinued products are marked as such on our website well in advance. On the respective product page, you can find out what alternatives are available or whether a replacement product is available. You can also contact our representatives directly for more information. As soon as a product is no longer available, it is moved to the product archive.

MARTOR offers replacement blades for each of our safety knives with interchangeable blades. We do not generally supply any other replacement parts. This is because we can no longer guarantee the proper functioning of the product if repairs are made beyond simply replacing the blade or if modifications are made to the product.

The MARTOR accessories we offer also promote workplace safety and enhance your comfort on the job. Examples include Cutting mats for safe and precise cutting, Belt Holster for safe and convenient storage and transport, and blade containers for safe disposal of blades.

That depends on the specific MARTOR cutting tool (see there for detailed information). As an alternative to the blade that’s already installed, there are usually optional blades that you can also use without any problems. For example: Instead of the Trapezoid blade, you can also use a Hook blade.

It's hard to generalize about this. Specifically for your MARTOR product, it's best to consult the product-specific user manual, the Safety poster, or the Training video.

The available media are listed on the respective product page under “Media.” In addition, the product labeling—which often includes arrows and other symbols—provides some useful tips on changing the blade.

Typically made of high-alloy carbon steel. In addition, various MARTOR blades are stainless and/or TiN-coated. Our Ceramic blades are made of high-quality zirconium oxide.

MARTOR blades are made of high-alloy carbon steel. To ensure the cutting edges achieve the desired sharpness, the blades are hardened. The hardness level is precisely calibrated so that the blades remain sharp for as long as possible while also being as resistant to breakage as possible.

Nevertheless, any blade can break if subjected to improper or excessive stress (especially during so-called force cuts). Avoid bending or tilting the blades. This is especially true for our Ceramic blades.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The service life (blade durability) depends primarily on the number of cuts and the material being cut. Cardboard containing wood fibers, for example, is more abrasive than thin plastic film and therefore causes the blade to dull more quickly.

However, factors such as the type of cut, the pressure and speed during cutting, and the type of cutting surface also affect the service life.

Ceramic blades are considered to last up to 12 times longer than steel blades.

The rounded blade tip reduces the risk of puncture wounds.

MARTOR, of course, offers you the statutory warranty. Normal wear and tear on all items—and especially on Blades—is excluded from this warranty.