Best Used for Straight Cuts
This is a real fun tool. It is perfect for slicing into hard-to-open plastic packaging, and powerful enough to cut through quarter inch rug pads. Like a couple of other new Skil tools, its lithium battery holds a charge for several months. The product is compact and easily gripped in either hand.

lacking
it needs more power , I would like to see this tool with at least 14 volts or 18 volts.

Awesome Multi-Cutter
I had been looking for a tool that would cut carpet and padding without damaging my hands. The Skil Multi-cutter totally fits the bill. It cut through my old carpet like butter, allowing me to remove the pad and carpet in a 14x10 room in small managable load in less than 2 hours.

It holds a charge for more than 2 weeks when not in use and had plenty of power to go after the initial 2 hour use. It requires no maintenance and is solidly built to last.

This product easily deservers 5 stars.

Outstanding for Breaking Down Cardboard Boxes
I purchased the Skil Multi-Cutter to help breakdown cardboard boxes for recycling. I had been using a box cutter but always risked cutting too deep into my carpet or slipping and cutting my leg. With the Skil, the risk is gone. It cuts quickly, maintains its charge for a long time, is safe and fun to use. Just hang it on a hook at a convenient location - you'll use it frequently. I don't rave about tools, but this was a great purchase!

It has a learning curve
The product does a great job cutting many things, but can easily choke on two layers of cardboard if it's tilted sideways by a bit. When it doesn't cut, often the blade is a fraction of an inch away from what needs cutting, and it's a feed problem. Keeping it straight helps a lot on thick things, and sometimes, angling the front downwards slightly can get it to bite and go smoothly.

If you are not feeding it something at maximum thickness, and are keeping it straight, it does a fine job.

As for the safety switch, the tool is designed so that if you grab it with one hand, chances are the switch will be a bit forward of where your thumb is likely to end up. You will be a lot less likely to turn it on by mistake while grabbing it, but the trade off is that the button feels a bit forward of where you might expect it. But it's hardly a chore and stretching your thumb forward a fraction of an inch is all it takes.

The safety switch can be pressed from either side, so you can use it with your left or right hand. But if you use your left hand, you can't see the blade area and are more likely to have problems keeping the tool at the correct angle. If you are left handed, it won't be the ideal tool.