In October of 2022, The James Brand unveiled its take on an EDC-focused utility knife known as The Palmer. Alongside its use of TJB’s signature minimalist design language, the Palmer also stood out thanks to its proprietary Easy Open slide mechanism and the array of fun, bright, anodized color options it’s sold in. And after the success the diminutive box-cutter has received over the last two years, the company has now opted to deliver a new version that gains a transparent construction — without losing the vibrant color options offered by the original lineup.
Recycled PCTG
Known as The Palmer Clear, the new version of TJB’s utility knife ditches the original lineup’s color-anodized aluminum construction in favor of a new Polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (or PCTG) material. Derived entirely from post-consumer recycled PCTG, this new transparent construction puts The Palmer’s patented mechanism on display — which allows for quick and easy, tool-free blade changes. It also reveals how the utility knife is constructed by showing its mounting hardware, and the track that the blade slides along.
2000’s Electronics-Inspired
Taking inspiration from turn-of-the-millennium-era electronics, this translucent motif has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity — as evidenced by products like the new limited edition Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers and Nothing’s entire catalog of transparent phones and earbuds. For The Palmer Clear, The James Brand says it took inspiration from the Game Boy (Color) and iMac G3.
Color Options
The Palmer Clear is initially being offered in five different translucent color options. There’s a dark gray Clear Charcoal option, a Clear Atomic Purple hue, a Clear Turquoise colorway, a Clear Electric Green version, and a Clear Coral model — the first three of which come paired with a lime green lanyard while the latter two ship with a turquoise lanyard.
The Nitty Gritty
Like the aluminum-handle versions, The Palmer Clear spans 3.50” by 1.50” and is just 0.40” thick — allowing it to fit perfectly in a pair of pants’ coin pocket. Tipping the scales at 1.98oz, the recycled plastic box-cutter variants feature a patented locking mechanism and a pack of included high carbon steel utility blades. The new Palmer Clear is just as travel-friendly as its non-transparent predecessors, as it allows you to easily toss out the blade, hop your flight, and then throw in a new blade once you arrive at your destination.
Spec Sheet
Class: Utility Knife
Brand: The James Brand
Model: The Palmer Clear
Blade Type: Replaceable High-Carbon Steel Utility Razors
Handle Material: 100% Recycled PCTG
Length: 3.50”
Width: 1.50”
Height: 0.40”
Weight: 1.98oz
Pricing & Availability
The James Brand’s The Palmer Clear EDC Utility Knife is available now in five color options, all of which are priced at just $39 — making it $20 cheaper than the aluminum-handle versions, as well as the cheapest bladed tool ever offered by TJB.
Recap
The James Brand The Palmer Clear
Dubbed The Palmer Clear, The James Brand debuts a super-affordable recycled PCTG-handle version of its EDC utility knife that’s offered in five translucent color options that put the boxcutter’s internals on full display.
