Choose a lineman knife in this order: the blade profile your work allows, the opening and locking design you prefer, then the way you want to carry and maintain it. Those decisions narrow the choice much faster than shopping by brand alone.
Compare four lineman knife options
| Model | Blade / tip | Opening and lock | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| MADI PTOLK-3B OneFlip | Stainless-steel blunted blade | Push-button opening and closing; locks open and closed | You prefer the OneFlip mechanism and a reversible belt clip. |
| Milwaukee 48-22-1526 | Stainless-steel blunt-tip hawkbill | Press-and-flip opening; liner lock | You want a folding blunt-tip hawkbill with a belt clip and lanyard hole. |
| MADI LB-QC | Interchangeable straight, lineman-pointed, blunted and safety blades | Thumb-stud opening; lockback closure; tool-free blade changes | You want one handle with manufacturer-designed replacement blade options. |
| MADI LB-3B | Stainless-steel blunted blade | Thumb-stud opening; lockback closure | You prefer a thumb stud and lockback mechanism. |
Start with the tip and blade style your employer permits. A blunt tip changes the blade’s profile; it does not remove the cutting edge or establish an electrical insulation rating.
Titan’s picks by buying priority
Push-button mechanism
MADI OneFlip
MODEL PTOLK-3B
Choose it when: you want the OneFlip push-button design for opening and closing. MADI describes this model for one-handed operation with work gloves.
Keep in mind: This is the blunted PTOLK-3B. Confirm the model number when comparing pointed or safety-blade versions.
Folding blunt-tip hawkbill
Milwaukee FASTBACK
MODEL 48-22-1526
Choose it when: a folding hawkbill with a blunt tip, liner lock, belt clip and lanyard hole matches your list.
Keep in mind: The liner lock and carry design differ from the MADI mechanisms below. Choose the operation you prefer.
Change the blade profile
MADI Quick-Change
MODEL LB-QC
Choose it when: you want tool-free changes between the four included blade styles and compatible replacements sold separately.
Keep in mind: Keep replacement packs matched to the LB-QC system and use only the blade style approved for the work.
Thumb stud + lockback
MADI Lockback
MODEL LB-3B
Choose it when: you want a blunted knife that opens with a thumb stud and closes through a lockback release.
Keep in mind: It uses a different opening and closing mechanism from OneFlip. Similar blade profiles can still handle differently.
Need a pointed tip or a fixed blade?
For a pointed-tip OneFlip, compare MADI PTOLK-1P. For a fixed-blade hawkbill, compare Milwaukee 48-22-1925. A fixed blade changes the carry and storage decision, so check the sheath and attachment details alongside the knife.
Buy the knife and the right replacement parts
The LB-QC gives you a specific replacement system to plan around. MADI lists four included blades and a blade case. If you want extra blunted replacements, LB-QC3PK-3B is a three-pack for the Lockback Quick-Change knife.
Match the knife model, blade profile and package quantity. A complete knife, a replacement pack and a different MADI knife family are separate purchases. The same brand name is not a compatibility check.
Common lineman knife questions
What is the difference between OneFlip and Lockback?
For the blunted models compared here, the OneFlip PTOLK-3B uses a push button for opening and closing and locks in both positions. The LB-3B opens with a thumb stud and uses a lockback release to close. Pick the mechanism that fits your requirements and handling preference.
Can I put Quick-Change blades in any MADI knife?
Match the replacement pack to MADI’s Lockback Quick-Change system and the exact compatible model. The LB-QC3PK-3B pack is specified for the Lockback Quick-Change lineman knife; do not assume it fits OneFlip or other Lockback models.
Which knife should an apprentice buy?
Start with the blade and tip style on the program’s list. Then compare the matching folding or fixed design, lock and carry method. The apprentice tool checklist helps you fit the knife into the rest of the kit.
Choose the knife that fits your kit
Shop lineman knives & blades →Ask about a knife model →Keep building your kit
Manufacturer specifications & editorial notes
Product features were checked against the manufacturer references below. The selections are Titan’s buying recommendations based on those features; they are not a hands-on test ranking. Product pages show current prices and availability. Reviewed October 23, 2026.