this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2026
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me_irl
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Am I the only one who always just uses my keys to open and break down boxes? I always have my keys on me. No need to carry extra things on me like a knife. Bonus that you can use them to open the can tab too!
Squeeze the edges of the box so the tape releases in the middle, then peel it away. Better for recycling too.
This is the way.
I don’t have any keys, so yeah, I need to find other implements. Usually it’s not much of an issue though.
I have the same question as the person who you've responded to. Do you have all digital locks on everything? Even your residence?
Yep, see my reply above. Pretty much the only key in my life is for my mailbox. There are backup keys for power outages, but they would only be needed if the battery backup also fails. They’re stashed in a lockbox with a code somewhere secure.
Do you not have to lock or unlock the door to where you live?
electronic lock with a code. so much better than needing to bother with keys
the only keys I need to deal with in my life are car, mail box, and heavy duty bike locks. it's great.
What happens if the power goes out and you're locked outside?
They usually are battery powered, and warn you well in advance when it has to be changed.
yeah mine gets super slow to actuate when the batteries are low. I change it before each winter.
if there is a battery failure, you can use a 9V battery to provide temporary power to the lock. so I keep a couple in the garage behind another electronic lock. and if that fails, I'll borrow a 9V battery from a neighbour
Correct. I have a digital deadbolt lock on my unit door I can activate with my phone or a code, and my building has a code to enter. I live in a city so don’t have a car, plus I use tap to pay on my phone, so pretty much all I ever have on me is my phone. No bag, sometimes no pockets.
I'm too afraid of tape glue getting into the locking mechanism and gumming up the works. Few things in life are as upsetting as having a key but the lock doesn't open.
That's a fair concern I suppose. Altho in my 15+ years of doing this, I've never come close to affecting any sort of lock in this manner.
The only time I have a lock get fucked is that periodically my condo complex gets the place power washed. Well, every single time, they seem to spray water directly into one of the two locks on the front door. It fucks it up majorly and makes it so you cannot lock or unlock the door unless you spray that powdered door lock grease inside. Luckily that stuff seems to fix it each time at least.
Keys work, kind of. If I only have one or two to do at home, they work ok. If I have dozens to do at work, it's possible, but slow and painful.
They're difficult for me to grip comfortably. About half the time, the tape gets caught in the teeth of the keys, then starts to rip the tape, then the top layer of cardboard off. I usually have to stop and pick tape, gunk, and debris out of the teeth every 2-3 boxes. Once, some tape stuck on the side of my key and I didn't notice until I put the key in the lock and the tape got bound inside the mechanism.
A knife isn't ideal either. I sharpen my own knives so I hate using them for paper and cardboard. It's very tough on the edge and usually not worth it. So I split the difference by using the back of the blade on boxes. If I know ahead of time, I'll bring a utility knife with a disposable blade to use.
Probably the most common thing I do with my edc knife is slice up fruit for myself or my dog (yes, I make sure it's clean first). I haven't found a set of keys that will do that yet.
Lol yes I would agree that my keys aren't particularly useful for cutting fruit. I guess I've just never been in a position where I'm not at home and I need to cut up a fruit or vegetable. At home I use a kitchen knife + cutting board.